 
Along a 10-mile stretch of pristine shoreline, South Carolina’s cradle of Forbes Five-Star luxury lies veiled within the gated tranquility of unspoiled island surroundings. Long favoured by presidents, celebrities and the global elite for nearly five decades, Kiawah Island Golf Resort is where discerning travellers find the sense of prestige, personal space and privacy they quietly seek.
In addition to unfiltered natural beauty, guests are greeted with genuine Southern hospitality and five championship golf courses, including the famed Ocean Course – a fixture on every golfer’s must-play list. Close to Charleston International Airport (CHS) and Charleston Executive Airport (JZI), the resort offers seamless access for both private aviation and commercial travel, making it as convenient as it is unforgettable.
Serene South Carolina luxury
Upon landing, the exclusive journey begins with a leisurely drive – less than an hour to the coast – down winding roads shaded by sweeping arches of live oaks delicately draped in Spanish moss. Continuing under this canopy leads to quaint bridges surrounded by picturesque Lowcountry marshland. It is here, just inside the main entry gate, that guests get a first glimpse of the property’s crown jewel, a haven aptly named The Sanctuary.
Elegant, yet welcoming with traditional Southern style intertwined with distinguished sophistication, the four-storey, 255-room hotel is impressive on every level. The Sanctuary is the only destination in the state to garner a Triple Forbes Five-Star rating for accommodations, spa and dining. It is a rare accolade currently bestowed to just a handful of properties worldwide.
Inside the spacious hotel, guests slip into a world of top-tier amenities, epicurean masterpieces and custom furnishings. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame sweeping views of vast beach and rolling surf, filling each space with light and a sense of ease, setting the tone for the stay. All guestrooms and suites feature expansive balconies and breathtaking island vistas. The Spa at The Sanctuary is an award-winning paradise of pure renewal. Trickling fountains and essential oils soothe the senses, while elevated treatments restore balance, leaving body and spirit refreshed. Choose from options ranging from body fusions and detoxifying mineral-based massages to holistic facials, and a beautifully appointed Couple’s Suite with two treatment tables.
Guests slip into a world of top-tier amenities, epicurean masterpieces and custom furnishings
Close by, Resort Villas offer a curated selection of one- to three-bedroom residences, and the standout Private Homes Collection showcases an elite portfolio of multi-million-dollar estates available for luxury vacation rentals. Featuring every imaginable amenity from private pools to state-of-the-art interiors, the properties are surrounded by trees, water and other natural landscapes for a secluded, peaceful escape.
At The Sanctuary, meeting settings range from light-filled chandeliered ballrooms and manicured terraces to formal boardrooms and grand lawns overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Legendary golf clubhouses and distinguished pubs at the resort offer additional ways to network and collaborate. Also inside the main entry gate is the stately West Beach Conference Center. With 23,000 square feet of customisable indoor and outdoor space, it is ideal for every group, from confidential meetings to gatherings of 800 attendees. All within earshot of the Atlantic Ocean.
On course with perfection
A second gate on the island reveals the outermost tip of the property – one of the most exclusive enclaves on the East Coast. The striking and serene peninsula is home to the PGA-famed Ocean Course, the renowned clubhouse and the Cottages at the Ocean Course. These four discreet cottages, embracing both the course and the sea, represent golf at its most immaculate for players seeking an experiential golf outing, undisturbed meeting, or retreat.
Fine dining spans the resort, featuring thoughtfully prepared dishes, superior wine selections, hand-crafted cocktails and far-reaching island views. Inspired chef-driven cuisine ranges from the Ocean Room, the property’s premier steakhouse – the only Five-Star dining experience in South Carolina – to fresh-catch seafood delicacies and authentic flavours of Italy.
For golfers, refined pub fare and cocktails served in distinguished clubhouses are perfect for celebrating a game well played. The property’s longest-standing tradition, the authentic Lowcountry Oyster Roast and BBQ, is both lively and inviting, unfolding along the salt marshes of Kiawah River at Mingo Point. In all, the Kiawah Dining Collection offers 15 exceptional culinary experiences to suit every palate. All guests of the resort can enjoy 10 miles of beautiful beaches, golf rounds on all five championship courses and preferred tee times. Refreshing pool complexes, private boat charters, guided nature tours, an acclaimed tennis centre, padel, pickleball, kayaking and paddleboarding add to the ways to connect. Quiet times are equally rewarding, like basking in the glow of a southern sunrise. In the splendour of your very own private sanctuary, of course.
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