Kiawah Island Golf Resort

Came here with my company for a company retreat, so full disclosure I didn’t pay for it.
This place scream 5 star/​diamond whatever all over. The service, the rooms, the architecture, gardening, food, everything. It was damn near perfect. Everyone was super accommodating. The bar was super expensive but they poured stiff drinks that were well made. If I liked golfing and could afford it I would come back in a heartbeat.

Review is for The Sanctuary only. It was really nice being here the weekend after Christmas. It was quiet and for a few times I felt like I had the whole place to myself. The interior is insanely breathtakingly beautiful, especially with all the Christmas decorations. Service is professional but nonchalant. Restaurants are expensive so I am really glad I got the $ 100 credit with my Amex card.
Gym is probably the best hotel gym I’ve seen (free barbell!!! luxury), but it is slightly awkward to have a non-​trainer receptionist watching everybody working out or, in my case, filling up water bottles and not working out. They offer one fitness class every day for $ 20 which rotates among Zumba, yoga, and others. But instead of paying for bad workouts I actually really recommend you read the jogging map they offer and follow the 4 mile route. It is a scenic run and goes through a lot of beautiful villas, ponds and preserves, and you finish with a segment on the beach.

If you play golf there, a nice lady looks from her covered, outdoor grill, across the course to see if your party is approaching. She counts the people. Including the caddies. She starts to get incredible sliders ready. And there is trail mix, two kinds.
When you arrive, she offers you free sliders. And she offers them to the caddies. And a free drink of the day – it was vodka pink lemonade when I was there.
If you want something different than the delightful treats, you can pay – but it’s just a little something to tide you over in case you got peckish or thirsty on the beautiful oceanside course. You can go have a marvelous lunch at the club after.
La dolce vita.

I love this place. nice and clean all staff is really helpful I like the room I have I can see to the ocean when I wake up in the morning.
I’m looking forward my vacation soon

If you travel with a pet this is NOT the place to go!!! The only accomodation available to us was a Villa. We stayed in unit 4573. Trust me, it was disgusting.
Unit had yard sale furniture, filthy scatter rugs, a shower that did not function, and bedding from 1980’s. My dog has traveled all over the U.S. If she had a dog blog I would luv to see what she would write. She probably had better blankets at her veterinarians office during surgery! Obviously, this put a damper on my opinion of Kiawah Island. I understand it is a golf Mecca, but us non-​golfers and pet owners deserve better too!

We were given a 4 day trip to this resort for our retreat. Although it wasn’t perfect, I’m not sure how anyone could not give this place a 5-​star rating. The rooms were clean and big. The bed was one of the most comfortable hotel beds I’ve laid in. There was a huge tub and a walk in shower. My fiancée appreciated the dual sinks.
The service in the rooms was impeccable. Not once did we run into the staff when they were in our rooms, but every time we returned to the room it was freshened up with new towels and fresh linens.
The hotel was beautiful and spacious. Drink prices were a little steep, but expected at such an upscale resort. This is definitely a place to relax as there wasn’t much in the form of nightly entertainment. Don’t expect anything exciting to go down after dark. The food in the Jasmine restaurant is very good.
The only staff complaint was one of the chair guys on the each. Very, very rude to my fiancée. I wasn’t happy when I heard about it.
Still in all, this is a top notch hotel. Bravo.

We had a great time in Kiawah. The Villa was a little rough though. I’m surprised they would consider it up to their standards which are usually pretty high. Roach poop in cabinets, little ants in the sink every morning, internet didn’t work. I know we weren’t there to spent time in the villa but it was uncomfortable at best. This was my third trip to Kiawah over the years and accommodation was, the most disappointing. With that being said, no crowds, awesome beach, great water park for kids. If only that villa wasn’t like a bad scene from Raiders of the Lost Ark.
One last thing, the young blond girl in the pro shop at the ocean corse was very unprofessional.

I wish I could give more stars. The staff at every spot of this hotel from the valet to the beach and everywhere in between are beyond fantastic. So incredibly pleasant, kind and helpful beyond words. Every step is taken to make you feel comfortable happy. The staff is what takes this above five stars.

Review for the Villas… must see room before you book! We made a rookie mistake and trusted the high scale Sanctuary and Resort booking would assure us a good from especially for the price. Not the case, be sure to see pictures of the room as each condo is different and ours in Parkside is dated and dirty.

Great Day at Sanctuary Spa! Relaxing massage and facial. The granola bites and hand bagged tea in the atrium were perfect snacks. And the mineral baths and spa were a wonderful end to the day. I left my necklace in my spa robe and within a week it was found and mailed out to me! Overall excellent experience
Beaches & Cream — hard to mess up ice cream but in the case it wasn’t cold enough. it wasn’t particular hot outside and even eating inside our ice cream was a soupy mess! Translation: frantic kids eating ice cream makes a huge mess.
Turn down the freezer temp please!

What a wonderful place to be! I actually came here a few weeks ago for Earl Klugh’s weekend of Jazz!
The first thing I remember is getting lost and trying to find my way around the resort. The place is super big and you see wildlife everywhere. I had actually seen a Gators for the first time. Not just one, but whole family’s of them. It was cool to be surrounded by so much wild life.
I made my way to the villa’s which was where I did my lodging. They were very cozy little condo’s a few minute’s away from the sanctuary and I was happy to kind of be somewhere where I could retreat away from everything. The staff was very accommodating, they knew exactly what to do and were very sweet about everything,
We went to the Sanctuary for the Jazz event and it was one of the most amazing places I had ever been. The whole staff was extremely friendly and accommodating. and the memories were unforgettable. I got a chance to try my first Mint Julep while I was there and it was probably the only part I didn’t like through ought the whole trip.
After night came, earl set up stage on the beach. The performance was beautiful and it was a perfect night of jazz and wine on the beach. The was really one of the most classy places to have a jazz concert and I was very impressed and proud to be a part of an event there.
I would defiantly have to say that this was one of the best experience’s of my life and I will try to return in the near future. I would defiantly recommend it to anyone who wants to get away for a relaxing weekend on the beach.

This review is for The Sanctuary Hotel. From the grounds, to the rooms, to the service everything was top notch. They were beyond friendly and accommodating. There were three people staying in our room and without even requesting it the housekeeping staff brought us a third chair for our balcony, a third robe and set of slippers etc. We enjoyed every aspect of our stay and cannot wait to return!

If you like «old, musty, cockroach-​infested, thieving» locales, then this is your place! Otherwise, STEER CLEAR.
1. Booked house through resort & luckily it was new construction. Still, we were bombarded w/​COCKROACHES every morning. Little red roaches, big 2″+ black roaches, all varieties. When I called concierge, was told «Oh those aren’t cockroaches. They’re palmetto bugs.» Google palmetto bugs. It’s a EUPHEMISM for cockroach. I requested another house. Was given keys to several options to check out. Other homes were not on par w/​overwhelming smell of musty stank, dark, probably worse case of bugs, out-​dated interiors. Decided to deal but was given discount. So if you end up dealing with bugs too, DEMAND compensation.
2. No safe in house so husband stuffed cash in between our clothes in suitcase. Maintenance man was dispatched to spray for bugs. Even though we were in house, didn’t hover over him while he worked. When he left, husband asked if I took $. Nope, maintenance man RUMMAGED in our suitcase & found it. Why was he in the clothes compartment to begin with? Shuddered at thought & rewashed all our clothes. Called security & «investigator» came out to take our statements. Knew we probably weren’t going to get back the $ 500+ we lost but wanted to at least report it in case it was recurring situation w/​man. Called security to follow up several days after & was told «no action taken yet, two interviews down & one more to go.» I’m assuming two interviews were my husband & I, third being culprit. But even after 4 days, man was not confronted? At that point, knew nothing was going to be done. At minimum, hoped for PROBATIONARY action so it would not happen to other vacationers.
3. Rushed checking out on our way to airport. Realized OVERCHARGED on my final bill. Called villa manager, Danielle, but she was adamant numbers were correct (off by several hundred). Went through each charge w/​her & it didn’t add up right, but she was still insistent final figure was correct. After being on the phone w/​her for awhile, both of us frustrated, she suggested I take it up w/​accounting. Accounting finally tallied it correctly, several days AFTER I have left resort.
4. Friend left shirt behind. She called & was told it would be mailed. 2 week later I see charge on my CC for $ 15. I call resort & was informed it was for mailing. Was never informed of charge prior. Could’ve told me before instead of charging me 2 weeks later. Do me a FAVOR & erase my CC number so I don’t have any more SURPRISE charges or else I’ll alert my CC company.

We stayed at the main resort building («The Sanctuary») while on an extended weeked getaway to Charleston. The resort was top-​notch in every respect. From arrival to departure, the hotel met all expectations and it certainly deserves its 5 star rating. The facilities were terrific, from spa to exercise room, to pools, and the beach serivces. The staff was accommodating in every aspect of guest services, friendly, professional, efficient, without pandering or pretensions.
Our room was 4 Seasons worthy, with an unblocked view of the ocean, with «oceanview» understating the extent of our views.
Although we did not play golf, it was evident that this resort is a golf mecca, but we did use the tennis facilities and they were also «aces».
Highly recommended, and we will return.

The Spa at the Sanctuary is one of the very best in the south! The Spa is modern and has everything one could possibly need in a spa. Devon, a young Charlestonian, attended to my needs. He was professional, intelligent, witty, and new how to pamper an exceedingly spoiled southern man! The staff at the spa’s front desk were professional, accomodating, polite, and most helpful! The spa facilities are absolutely modern and state of the art! I have been a client in numerous international and domestic spas; however, not a single one of them comes close to the Sanctuary Spa. Regretfully, My schedule only accomodated three hours of spa treatments. If one is enormously stressed or needs a little extra pampering the Sanctuary Spa is for you! Thank you to Devon, and the Santuary Spa Staff, for making my spa experience a wonderful treat…

Wow, it’s been already quite a few years since my family and I had a vacation here due to my dad’s conference trip. We made some unforgettable memories, got gorgeous pictures, and had an incredible time!
The food and service were excellent… and the ocean view from the room window is breathtaking. Beach bike riding and white water kayaking were my favorite activities there. I would highly recommend this place for a getaway. Please go enjoy yourself with your loved ones — you won’t regret!

It’s a five diamond property, and deservedly so. I am being extremely nit picky in my review, Because my bias for the island as a whole is so strong.
We have been to Kiawah about a dozen times, starting in 1987. The island is unbelievable. We attended a conference here, and just had kind of a sad feeling that people visiting the Sanctuary can get so caught up in the gorgeous grounds, beach and hotel they forget to really explore the island. We were without a car, so felt a bit locked down.
Pros: concierge fixed the car issue for us with the 3 Mercedes they loan out for the day. Huge win, if they aren’t all checked out. (Special word to Smith at concierge — she was fantastic!). Hotel is Beautiful, capital B.
Cons: Food and bev prices are five star. There are just so many options outside the hotel, on James Island, going to get fresh shrimp and veggies and having them in your rented home… we just grew tired of it.
The coffee that is complimentary is just awful, weak, and undrinkable.
Bottom line — if money is no object, by all means… go. It is fantastic. But your best option on this island is to rent one of many beautiful homes and do your own ring and really breathe the island in.

This resort is incredible. Between the location, the quality of rooms and the service, it is the best I have stayed in her in the States. It has pretty much any Ritz beat as far as quality and service. The «onsite» restaurants are good although a bit pricey. Which is to be expected. Sunday brunch is fabulous and I would highly recommend to include at least one in any stay.

My pal Laura W. (well now H.) stayed here for her wedding weekend. The morning of her big day, we ventured over to The Sanctuary to see the bride before she got her hair done.
The Sanctuary was decked out for Christmas and looked amazing! Every detail was perfect, right down to ensuring the gold ribbon on the humungous tree didn’t clash with the color of the throw pillows dotting the plush couches in the lounge.
After ogling over the décor, we made our way to Laura’s deluxe room. They upgraded her for the wedding and she had a gorgeous unit with two balconies overlooking the ocean. A luxurious king-​size bed with a fluffy white down comforter had been neatly made (or did you not sleep, Laura?) plus there was a bottle of chilled champagne waiting on the perfectly polished coffee table.
What really blew me away was the bathroom. A huge bathtub was positioned so one could take a bubble bath and still have the ability to look out to the ocean. The shower had one of those big-​rain-​pouring-​all-​over-​ya shower heads and there was even a dimmer in the water closet.
A crisp sea breeze blew in, and I took a moment to step outside to feel the warm sunshine. It was a perfect day for Laura to get hitched, but I’m pretty sure any day where a girl gets to wake up in The Sanctuary is going to be fabulous. Hopefully one day I can spend more time here.

I was impressed, from arrival to departure, this place does it right. I don’t consider myself high maintenance, and don’t really like people fawning over me, but the staff at the Sanctuary make you feel important and welcome without making you feel uncomfortable.
We were greeted by the valets who quickly took our luggage and welcomed us on site. After checking in, the valet brought us to the room and made sure everything was in order. In addition to providing a quick verbal tour of the grounds and even getting bottles of water and ice before leaving. The staff at the Jasmine Porch (breakfast was included in our package) were welcoming each morning and remembered our names.
The gym was above average with enough equipment to satisfy most. My GF really enjoyed the spa and I was able to enjoy the Ocean Course and Osprey point. The shuttle is really convenient and again, the staff makes things easy.
We were able to rent bikes and ride along the hard packed beach all the way to the northern point of the island. It was so nice to enjoy the sun and breeze while cruising along taking in the scenery.
The food on premises provides great service and very good food. Jasmine porch serves a very comprehensive breakfast buffet (~$ 23 a person) while the Ocean Room is their steakhouse and is good, but could be a bit better.
Overall, the Sanctuary is great. Attentive staff and a beautiful setting to rest and relax. I do have one complaint. The doors slam pretty hard and if you are just sitting in your room with the TV low, you will hear and sometimes feel adjacent doors slamming shut.