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When you think of going south for a get-away, you think of being welcomed by southern hospitality, being treated like royalty, having great food, a time for relaxing and being pampered, a time for elegant dining, and a time for sitting by the seaside. You can find all of that and more at The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island.
Once inside you're captured by the southern and historic feel of this grand hotel. Although the hotel was only completed in 2004, the detailed workmanship and "homey yet elegant" décor gives you a feeling of a magnificent Lowcountry mansion. Hand-distressed walnut flooring designed to creak and antique-textured walls are indicative of their attention to detail. Reminiscent of most southern homes, gathering places are designed for each gender. One, with a more "manly" atmosphere, "The Lobby Bar," and one with a more feminine tea sipping embellishment, "The Morning Room." Whether you chose live entertainment with the finest selections of beer, wine and liquor or tea served in Lamouge China with delectable petite sandwiches, you can join friends or make new ones by the shores of the Atlantic Ocean.
Relax, refresh and rejuvenate in the perfect spa experience designed just for you. The trickling water, lapping of the soft ocean waves, and tinkling garden chimes prepare you for being pampered from head to toe. A Mint Julep Facial, Lowcountry Verbena Body Polish and Body Wraptures are just a few of the options available.
There are whirlpools, steam rooms, saunas and solariums to relax before going back into the real world. You can take some of The Sanctuary spa experience home with you in its signature skin, body and hair care products, complete with candles and spa wear. If you're looking for a little more active rejuvenation, the fitness center has an indoor pool, a special studio for yoga, Pilates and other wellness programs, as well as exercise equipment. Every room is a "room with a view." The entire hotel site was raised 20 feet so that all the rooms, including the first floor vistas, gathering rooms, and dining rooms have a great view of the ocean over the dunes.
Heartier or lighter breakfasts, including buffets, are offered along with traditional Lowcountry specialties for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Whatever you want to do, you can do it at Kiawah Island. If you want to explore, be adventurous, play golf or tennis, or shop 'til you drop, it is there. From Kamps for Kids to oyster roasts there are extraordinary activities for all ages. Conde Nast Traveler's readers have voted Kiawah Island among the "Top 20 Islands of the World" for resort activities. The new Discovery Room for parents, teens and youngsters alike provides an environment for many types of activities.
Tennis, anyone? Put the ball in your court, and take advantage of the tennis facilities ranked #1 among the "50 Greatest U.S. Tennis Resorts" by Tennis Magazine. Guests of The Sanctuary can play at West Beach Tennis Center and East Beach Tennis Center on clay courts, hard courts, and practice courts with a ball machine and automatic retrieval system. Both have complete instructional facilities and fully staffed pro shops. Singles to doubles, clinics to competitions, Kiawah has the whole package.
One of 12 "Five Star" courses in America, The Ocean Course, a Pete Dye design, is aptly named with more holes on the ocean than any other course in America. Champions began playing this course in 1991 with the Ryder Cup Matches and to date is scheduled as the "course of champions" through the 2012 PGA Championship. Osprey Point was ranked as 10th in Golf for Women Magazine's 2005 "50 Best Places to Play for Women." Fazio carried his theme for designing well balanced courses for golfers of all levels. There are challenging hazards for the low-handicapper and generous fairways and no forced carries for the high-handicapper. In Jack Nicklaus' Turtle Point design, he takes you from forests to the ocean to test your mind over golf. You will want to imagine where you want your ball to land, and consider the ocean winds, before pulling that club out of the bag. Cougar Point, described as "the swan that grew out of an ugly duckling," Gary Player made his extreme makeover in 1996. Completely redesigned, he was able to make the entire course more playable and fair, showing the Lowcountry at its best, and becoming one of the favorites among resort guests. Oak Point, a Scottish-American style course, designed by Clyde Johnston has had its own renovation. Redesigning a hole golfers felt was unfair, resulting in two new holes and a ninth hole with a spectacular finish, and bringing the entire course up to "resort" standards.
Kiawah Island Golf Resort Awards [photos © Howard Johnson and Kiawah Island Golf Resort]
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Beautiful mature oak trees with Spanish moss welcome you up the avenue to The Sanctuary. Before the first brick was laid, hundreds of oak trees were saved and moved to another location for safekeeping until they could be replaced when the hotel was finished. Along the walkways and courtyards, beautiful seasonal flowers and plants for strolling are interspersed with benches for enjoying the view.
Your choices are abundant at The Sanctuary. At each end of the grand lobby, there are two "Gone With The Wind" staircases which will whisk you away: one to a spa and fitness center; the other to a formal dining room. Huge 30 foot high murals of a sunset and sunrise are perfect backdrops for these magnificent stairways.
The spa's special private treatment suites are designed for couples, friends, mothers and daughters, and fathers and sons for a unique experience. "Gentlemen's Rewards" packages are designed just for men.
The Jasmine Porch was an excellent choice for breakfast before a great day of golf at Osprey Point. While the sun was burning off the early morning dew, we enjoyed the ocean view in the casual, but authentically Charleston surroundings. Always preferring the traditional specialties of the area, I selected the "Breakfast Shrimp & Grits." The sautéed jumbo shrimp with Tasso ham, peppers and onions, Anson Mills grits, was served with a buttermilk biscuit. The tasty shrimp with creamy grits could lure me back for another shrimp and grits breakfast.
Kiawah's signature restaurant, The Ocean Room, serves New American Cuisine. The especially designed wrought-iron gate opens into a dark mahogany and rich leather dining room, serving entrees such as Seared Ahi Tuna with Lavender Scented Jasmine Rice. There are many other dining options from poolside to the golf course clubhouses, including "Beaches & Cream" for your sweet tooth.
Then, there's shopping. At The Sanctuary, from golf apparel to fashion-forward designs, exceptional gifts, and fine art, you won't have to "leave the building" for what you need. But, if you must explore, "The Straw Market" located in West Beach Village offers specialty photographic, sports, outdoors, ice cream and fashion stores. And, Freshfields Village, a new shopping destination located just outside the resort entrance, has over 20 specialty shops.
The Sanctuary overlooks Turtle Point one of Kiawah Island's five courses named to Golf Digest's "Places to Play" survey. Designed by master architects, Tom Fazio, Gary Player, Clyde Johnston and Jack Nicklaus, you can play a different course every day. There's also a time for the entire family to play together in the Kiawah Island Family Tee Program.
At the end of the day, there are luxurious guest quarters to call home. It is your own sanctuary. Spacious guest rooms ranging from a 520 square feet King room, a concierge level, to a 3100 square feet Presidential suite complete with staff. Once in your room there are many choices. Comfortable chairs and couches, beds with fine linens, and soothing deep soaking tubs, are just waiting for the weary. Or, there are televisions with DVD/CD players and high-speed Internet access for those looking for a little more entertainment.
