July 7, 2022

Hotel Feature: The Sanctuary Resort, Kiawah Island, SC

By Annie Chambers

The Sanctuary Resort in Kiawah Island, SC

The Sanctuary, an oceanfront resort in Kiawah Island, South Carolina

I stayed at The Sanctuary, a Forbes Five-Star coastal getaway right on the beach, with my family in the spring of 2021. Built in 2004, the style is that of a grand seaside mansion. You feel like you’ve stepped back in time sipping a cocktail by the fire with live music playing. Kiawah is 21 miles away from Charleston and is the perfect island escape complete with world-class golf courses, signature dining experiences and so many kid activities. You can stay in a cozy villa, or huge 8-bed house with your whole crew.

We took a bike ride to explore the island. The 10 miles of beaches are wide and the hard-packed sand is ideal for biking. We also rode near the marshes and saw incredible birds- there are over 200 species on the island. We also searched for a gator and built a sandcastle.

On the island, there are so many kid-friendly activities: a splash pad/ water slide pool complex, a nature center, a volleyball net, basketball court, soccer goals, and a playground with swings. You can take out kayaks and SUPs to explore the marshes or even go on a dolphin cruise.

There are also plenty of dining outlets ranging from a Mexican cantina to sushi to a relaxed grill. We dined at Cherrywood BBQ and the Players Pub at Cougar Point golf course for kid-friendly meals.

I love the Sanctuary Hotel for couples, small families and golf groups. The villas along the golf courses and exquisite oceanfront mansions are ideal for bigger groups. Some of the homes have 8 bedrooms. I have access to the full villa & home inventory to help plan your next get together.