Indulge in a Five-Star Experience at the Kiawah Island Golf Resort (2/4)

Recognized as one of the top destinations for luxurious oceanfront living, Kiawah Island is a mostly private barrier island community just 21+/- miles southwest of downtown Charleston in the temperate South Carolina Lowcountry. With 10+/- miles of pristine beaches, maritime forests, sand dunes and marshes, the island attracts visitors from all over the country, if not the world. Named for the Kiawah Indians who lived there when Charleston’s original settlers arrived in 1670, it has seen pirates and plantations come and go through the centuries before vacation development began in the 1970s. With an eye toward conversation, the island today is renowned for its pristine natural beauty, luxurious resort amenities, award-winning golf and tennis facilities, and intimate experiences with dolphins, sea turtles and local wildlife in their natural habitat.

Accommodations

Although there are resort villas, private homes and golf cottages available for your stay, The Sanctuary is the only choice for five-star service. In fact, it is the only hotel on Kiawah’s 10-mile stretch of beach and the crown jewel of The Kiawah Island Golf Resort. Set on 10,000+/- acres, this Forbes Five-Star, AAA Five-Diamond oceanfront property is designed in the tradition of old Charleston and is known for its superb golf courses, a world-class spa, sumptuous dining and pristine natural surroundings. Life begins to slow down as you drive through rural John’s Island, beneath tunnels of gnarled live oaks and across the marsh before arriving at the island’s gatehouse. Continue along four more miles of winding road to reach The Sanctuary. From the moment you arrive, you know you are somewhere special as bellhops rush to greet you and help with your luggage, and you enter inside the soaring lobby delivering breathtaking views to the ocean beyond. From that point forward you will experience a level of luxury that is a step above anything you will find on the peninsula. 

Low country luxury in the relaxed elegance of a grand seaside mansion, each of The Sanctuary’s 255 guestrooms and suites are exquisitely appointed. Offering a variety of views, each room is designed to perfectly blend the property’s modern state-of-the-art construction with traditional design elements and old-school touches to create rooms that are sophisticated and inviting. Featuring expansive balconies, floral drapes and custom furnishings – including mahogany bed frames and Victorian picture hangers – every detail has been carefully crafted, right down to the Frette Italian linen and Matelasse bed covers. The bathrooms are equally sumptuous, boasting marble showers and deep soaking tubs. It is easy to get lost in the luxury of these private retreats with special touches like plush robes and Penhaligon’s Quercus toiletries.

Dining

Kiawah takes its dining very seriously. Carefully curated for every palette, the food is truly outstanding. From unparalleled fine dining experiences to traditional southern fare, there is a delicious bite around every corner. Below are some of the options available within the walls of The Sanctuary, but there are a number of equally delectable options to try throughout the resort, including The Atlantic Room at The Ocean Course, Tomasso at the Turtle Point Clubhouse and The Players Pub at Cougar Point Clubhouse, to name a few.

• The Ocean Room – The premier steakhouse on Kiawah Island, The Ocean Room serves masterful dishes crafted from locally sourced beef, poultry and produce in a seasonally changing menu – all complemented by a wine list showcasing more than 1,000 superior selections. This elegant restaurant overlooking the Atlantic Ocean is Forbes Five-Star rated, so you are ensured an unparalleled dining experience. Note that it is the only eatery in Kiawah Island Golf Resort that has a strict resort casual dress code.

• Jasmine Porch – Serving up genuine Lowcountry cuisine for breakfast, lunch, brunch and dinner, Jasmine Porch has been named “Best Downhome Cookery” by the prestigious Andrew Harper’s Hideaway Report. Seasonal menus are inspired by the seafood pulled directly from the local waters and certified organic produce from around the region. Charleston brick walls, hewn oak floors and briny ocean air set the ambiance for this perfect ultra-relaxed, eat-local restaurant.

• Loggerhead Grill – With The Sanctuary pool and Atlantic Ocean in full view, you’ll feel like you’re on an island within an island. The menu showcasing gourmet sandwiches, grilled burgers, fresh salads and light wraps complemented by frozen drinks and specialty cocktails makes it paradise. Dining at Loggerhead Grill is open to all, but only guests of The Sanctuary are permitted to use the pool.

• The Lobby Bar – Sink back in the comfort of The Sanctuary’s Lobby Bar – an intimate space reminiscent of a parlor in a gracious Southern mansion from a bygone era. The menu features an extensive offering of specialty cocktails, wines, beer and spirits. Plus, Friday and Saturday nights feature live piano music for your entertainment.

• Signature Gourmet Coffee Shop – The newest addition to The Sanctuary’s dining collection, the Signature Gourmet Coffee Shop is open daily. Guests will find a gourmet coffee selection as well as pastries prepared fresh by its nationally recognized Executive Pastry Chef, hot and cold breakfast and lunch sandwiches and an assortment of grab-and-go breakfast options.

Golf
It only stands to reason that golf reigns supreme at the Kiawah Island Golf Resort; after all, it is in the name! One of the premier golfing destinations in the country, as guests of the resort, you have access to five bucket-list-worthy championship courses.   

• The Ocean Course – According to Golf Digest, The Ocean Course is “the #4 public golf course in the U.S. and ranked 25th amongst the greatest U.S. golf courses.” Located on the easternmost end of the island, it boasts the most seaside holes in the Northern Hemisphere, with 10 hugging the Atlantic and the other eight running parallel to those. Although it was planned to sit behind the dunes, the course was raised to give players unobstructed views of Kiawah’s stunning coastline from every hole. This resulted in a substantially more demanding course, as it exposed play to the Atlantic’s brisk and unpredictable breezes. From one round to the next, a player can experience up to an eight-club difference on holes depending upon the wind’s direction and strength. This is a must-play course for those that want to join the ranks of avid golfers looking to put their skills to the test.

• Osprey Point Golf Course – Initially a members-only golf course noted for its playability, Osprey Point has evolved into a championship-level course with a world-class layout that was completely renovated in 2014 under the direction of course architect Tom Fazio. Today’s Osprey Point still delivers on its playability and natural beauty and gets rave reviews for its pristine conditions and elegant clubhouse. Featuring generous fairways and greens, each hole is unique and memorable, with four challenging par-3s, four extremely distinctive par-5s and 10 outstanding par-4s ranging in length from 340 to 461 yards.

• Oak Point Golf Course – Originally designed by Clyde Johnston, a noted Southeastern golf course architect, Oak Point is perched by the Kiawah River and Haulover Creek, surrounded by maritime forest. The proud recipient of the 2019 Charleston Golf Course Owners Association Course of the Year, Oak Point delivers a superior playing experience with its re-grassing in Paspalum and greater strategic challenges through a refreshed design. A true shotmaker’s course, Oak Point showcases undulating fairways and challenging greens on a meticulously maintained course that favors the mental game over pure power.

• Turtle Point Golf Course – After a comprehensive nine-month renovation led by Jack Nicklaus and members of his architectural team, Turtle Point reopened in late 2016 to rave player reviews. The renovation included re-grassing the course with Paspalum, reconstructing the bunkers and improving irrigation efficiency. The course now features increased shot variety and requires strategic play with several hidden water hazards. It exemplifies Jack Nicklaus’ firm design philosophy to “make the player use his mind ahead of his muscles—to control his emotions sufficiently to really think through his options before drawing a club from the bag.” And while it is not as challenging as The Ocean Course, it does have a few holes along the ocean so you can enjoy the true beauty of the sea.

• Cougar Point Golf Course – Following an extensive 10-month renovation in tandem with Gary Player Design, Cougar Point reopened on October 1, 2017 to rave reviews, winning over Kiawah Island golfers with its dramatic marsh vistas and superior playability. Generous fairways and vast greens, coupled with risk-reward par-5s and abundant water hazards, make this golf course extremely playable. Plus, you’ll undoubtedly spot a gator or two. Whether you’ve played the old Cougar Point or have never stepped foot on its greens, this renovated course is a must-play at the resort.

Spa

The Spa at The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort is a refreshing oasis that nourishes mind, body and spirit, providing a respite from the stress induced by today’s hectic pace. With design elements harkening to the graceful piazzas and hidden gardens ubiquitous among Charleston’s historic houses, the spa invites guests to slow down and abandon the clock as they surrender themselves to a few hours – or a full day – of complete relaxation. Brilliantly inspired by the natural beauty of the Lowcountry, its signature treatments and services will rejuvenate the senses, while its idyllic setting and Southern hospitality soothe the soul.

Recreation and Activities

Spending the day out on the course or recharging at the spa is certainly heaven to some, but there are a plethora of other equally wonderful activities to keep you busy. Head out to the acclaimed Roy Barth Tennis Center for a fun game of pickleball or rent bikes and explore the island’s 30+/- miles of paved paths that meander through maritime forest and past freshwater and salt-marsh enclaves. Bask in the sun on the 10-mile stretch of award-winning shoreline or lounge at one of two pool complexes, complete with casual dining options. From nature tours to water activities to artistic endeavors, no matter what your interest or age, you’ll find plenty to inspire you. 

A Few New Listings this Week