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A Grand Seaside Resort on a Pristine Lowcountry Barrier Island
Powered By TripAdvisorThe Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort epitomizes the unpretentious elegance of a classic oceanfront Southern mansion. A refuge from the cares of today’s fast-paced world, the 255-room Forbes Five-Star hotel pampers guests with quiet luxury and attentive, old-world service to create an ideal environment to escape, relax, and unwind. Set on a 10,000-acre private island, this destination is known for its superb golf courses, world-class spa, sumptuous dining, and pristine natural surroundings. Genuine hospitality flourishes within an architectural gem marked by high ceilings, hand-painted murals, exquisite antique furnishings, and remarkable artwork.
- Test your golfing mettle on one of five championship courses
- Indulge yourself in a day of pampered treatment at The Spa at The Sanctuary — one of only 48 worldwide earning Forbes Five Stars
- Savor a leisurely multi-course meal in the elegantly appointed Ocean Room, the hotel’s oceanfront prime steakhouse
- Elevate your game at the internationally top-ranked Roy Barth Tennis Center
- Book a meeting or conference at any of the seven distinctive indoor and outdoor event spaces
- Explore the surrounding Lowcountry in one of the hotel's Volvos
An easy 45-minute drive from historic Charleston, you will begin to decompress as you wind along country roads canopied by Spanish moss-draped live oaks until you reach this seaside paradise, renowned for its genuinely gracious hospitality and distinctive leisure activities. Not only is Kiawah Island Golf Resort an enviable destination for sporting and outdoor enthusiasts, but it is also one of the South’s best escapes for families, with Kamp Kiawah offering engaging, award-winning activities for children of all ages.
Hotel Amenities
Accommodations
The hotel’s 255 guestrooms and suites are elegantly decorated, with custom furniture and furnishings throughout. Even standard guestrooms open to private balconies, most with ocean views.
Guests desiring more space can choose from several categories of suites, with the top-of-the-range Governor’s Suite and Presidential Suite each combining modern conveniences with heritage furnishings such as original art, antique furniture and plush oriental rugs. The Presidential Suite boasts a spacious living room with a fireplace, a private antique book-lined study, and a dining room with an antique mahogany table that will seat up to twelve. Suites can be connected to accommodate families, and for club-level guests, a private concierge awaits your every need, from arranging dinners, scheduling a spa visit or booking tours or tee times.
Dining
With several award-winning restaurants, The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort is a gastronomy haven, where chefs pride themselves in using ingredients from Lowcountry farmers and fishermen. From fabulous steaks at The Ocean Room to local delicacies at Jasmine Porch, there is a wide offering available, including a comfortable, upscale bar that makes for a terrific evening. Away from the hotel itself, you can treat yourself to additionally enchanting dining options, such as seafood spot The Atlantic Room and of course The Ryder Cup Bar, both of which can be found by The Ocean Course, a destination reached by the hotel’s complimentary shuttle.
Ocean Room – Refined elegance matched with attentive, yet unpretentious, service is the hallmark of the Ocean Room experience. Serving only aged USDA Prime beef balanced with creative entrées and side dishes rendered from locally sourced seafood and produce, the Ocean Room invites dinners to while away the hours while savoring a transcendent culinary journey. The sommelier will guide you in selecting the perfect pairing from a cellar-aged wine list featuring more than 1,000 labels. The adjoining wood-paneled bar serves the same menu as you relax ensconced in leather-clad comfort reminiscent of an old-world club.
Jasmine Porch – Walls of authentic Charleston brick, oak-plank floors, and the spectacular backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean lend this restaurant an unmistakable sense of place. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus showcase the very best of Lowcountry cooking, with a focus on ingredients sourced from local farms and fisheries.
Loggerhead Grill – A favorite with families, this grill is styled as a tropical oceanfront café nestled beside the hotel pools. Spend a lazy afternoon or evening enjoying a selection of dishes from the menu, which includes gourmet burgers, sandwiches, salads, and wraps. Loggerhead also provides food and drink to the beach immediately in front of the hotel.
Beaches & Cream – Perfect for a quick breakfast, express lunch, or evening treat, this creamery is just steps from the beach and pool, offering a cooling repast after a day of sun and surf. The counter serves twelve different flavors of locally-made premium ice cream as well as barista coffee.
The Lobby Bar – Choose from a vast selection of wines, spirits, beers, and seasonal craft cocktails accompanied by delectable small plates.
Activities at The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort
Set on a barrier island of outstanding natural beauty and enchanting flora and fauna, the resort offers an astonishing array of award-winning recreational activities. Resort naturalists lead tours to introduce guests to the subtle progression of various habitats in which native plants and wildlife thrive. Children find a host of age-appropriate fun and educational activities at Kamp Kiawah, with activities ranging from arts and crafts to immersive Junior Naturalist programs.
After relaxing by the pool or unwinding on the beach, take your pick from a range of the resort’s sporting activities. Tee up at one of five championship golf courses, pick up a racket for a couple of sets at the resort’s world-class tennis complex, or take on a private Pilates or yoga class at the fitness center or on the beach. Once your workout is wrapped, head to The Spa at The Sanctuary for a revitalizing treatment.
Location
Just 45 minutes from downtown Charleston, between Folly Island and Seabrook Island, Kiawah Island is a private haven for eco-adventures, recreational programs, and water sports, with miles of trails and diverse wildlife making it an enchanting destination to explore.
Address
One Sanctuary Beach Drive, Kiawah Island, SC, United States
Transportation
- Airport
- Charleston International Airport is 33 mi/53 km from the hotel.
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Reviews
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Watch your credit card charges
Sat Feb 22 2025 08:45:19 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) by Road88919
Staff on this island leaves a lot to be desired, rude and expecting tips at every turn. Barely understand or speak English. Except bag boys and pro-shop, they’re great. My credit card was seen only by hotel worker upon check-in. Everything all week was charged to my room account. In the 2 days after checkout my card was used for over $1300 in fraudulent charges in Kiawah area businesses. I had to cancel my card and dispute charges, which really only hurt the businesses affected, unfortunately. I used to love this resort but they seem to value cheap labor over customer satisfaction.
Perfect Romantic Weekend Golf Getaway
Sat Feb 08 2025 18:49:04 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) by Passport752554
The perfect romantic weekend golf getaway! Impeccable hospitality, quiet luxury, so much to do (even in January), unparalleled golf, gorgeous views, local brews, fantastic food. We loved everything about our stay at The Sanctuary. From the moment we booked, the concierge team was thoughtful and responsive. And from the moment we arrived, we felt immediately welcome. The hospitality team greeted and remembered us by name, and went above and beyond to ensure that our stay was exactly what we hoped it might be, and more. Loved the surprise champagne celebrating our anniversary! Conveniently, there is an awesome coffee shop / pastry / sandwich shop open for breakfast within the hotel, that also features their line of house-made chocolates. Dining at the restaurants on the island was easy, and made even easier by the complimentary shuttle. Our golf experiences were unparalleled, we enjoyed strolling through the various boardwalks by the marshes, and along the beach. And when our flight got cancelled due to the historic winter storm event, the hotel was so helpful and empathetic to our needs to hang out and get our travel home sorted. Staying at the Sanctuary felt as comfortable as being at home, with all of the luxury and none of the pretentiousness for hotels in this world class of hospitality. Can't wait to return with our kids! Thank you, Sanctuary team!
Exceptional customer service and a great place for couples or families
Thu Feb 06 2025 15:09:45 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) by jlc555
The hotel was beautiful but what really made this stay special was the staff, location and how family friendly they were. We chose a room with lounge access and it was worth it. Fun things to do as a family and our son also enjoyed activities through their kids club. We appreciated that some were educational as well as fun.
Just Great
Wed Jan 22 2025 20:07:42 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) by foxsc
We have gone each year for our anniversary the past 12 years. The Sanctuary never disappoints, the place is beautiful, the staff is wonderful, the restaurants are excellent, the location on the beach is spectacular. We are always amazed how great it is. If you have never been just go, if you have been I have no doubt you are like us and can’t wait to go again.
Wow.
Tue Jan 14 2025 13:23:22 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) by BowmanMarkS
An extraordinary experience. It was my wife’s birthday. The hospitality and acknowledgment shown by the staff was out of this world. They were SO kind to and considerate of our 2 year old. The room and its view of the ocean were incredible. The food and beverage choices (and we didn’t even come close to trying them all) were all SO amazing, from the coffee shop to the very upscale Atlantic Room. The room service was impeccable and the staff bringing it to us were so professional, kind, and on point. My wife couldn’t believe the whole experience. This trip, from start to finish, was something that my family will never forget (tho maybe the toddler will forget scooping sand on the beach with a newly found shell and screeching with delight whilst stomping in ocean puddles for the first time lol). We are so grateful to Kiawah Island and the Sanctuary for such a wonderful trip. What a special weekend. Thank you again to everyone! We cannot wait to come back!
