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Kiawah Island Golf Resort, South Carolina, USA

By Molly Coffey

Just south of historic Charleston, S.C. sits a barrier island where nature can be found at its finest.  Shrouded in the tranquility of the Lowcountry landscape, Kiawah Island’s lush vegetation, unique wildlife, and abundant waterways make this resort island a natural fit with travelers from all over the globe.  With world-renowned golf and tennis facilities, highly acclaimed nature-based programs, and an award-winning hotel and spa, Kiawah Island Golf Resort provides a perfect getaway.

“Fore!”

The soothing sound of the Atlantic lapping on the shores and the quiet ocean-breeze mix with the excited shouts of golfers.  Lush manicured greens and pristine dunes blend into the sand-beaches and white-capped Atlantic raging feet away.  There are few places where nature and golf fuse eloquently, but Kiawah Island Golf Resort’s Ocean Course is one such place. 

Designed by Pete Dye and host to the exciting matches of the 1991 Ryder Cup and 2007 Senior PGA Championship, the course has seen its share of the spotlight.  With its oceanfront design and windswept terrain, the course is also the resort’s most famed and challenging course.  The new 24,00 square-foot clubhouse, with unsurpassed views of the 18th green and the Atlantic, and the walking caddie program are additional features that make The Ocean Course so highly recognized among the golf community.

While The Ocean Course may be the best known, the Resort boasts four more courses designed by masters of modern golf course architecture: Jack Nicklaus’ Turtle Point; Tom Fazio’s Osprey Point; Gary Player’s Cougar Point; and Clyde Johnston’s Oak Point.  No matter which course you choose on a given day, your experience is sure to be a memorable one.  If you are not too confident in your swing or drive, the Tommy Cuthbert Golf Learning Center, located near Turtle Point Golf Club, may be the right place to start as it offers the latest in teaching methods, with individual lessons and computerized swing analysis.  Whether you are a well-seasoned golfer or just beginning to dabble in the sport, there is a range of options to customize the golf experience. 

If frustrated after a day of over-par golf, try your hand at tennis instead at one of the Resort’s world-class tennis facilities.  Headed by tennis professional Roy Barth, the resort offers two world-class tennis facilities, with a combined total of 23 clay courts (one lighted) and five hard courts (three lighted).  Nestled into the Island’s lush vegetation, the tennis centers have been recognized by influential publications such as TennisResortsOnline.com and Tennis magazine, which have ranked Kiawah top among tennis resorts worldwide.   

Nature At Its Finest

Watch out for those gators!  One of the island’s oldest indigenous inhabitants is the American alligator, but a staff of Kiawah naturalists shows visitors that there is more to these ancient creatures than meets the eye.  Walk with a highly trained guide and explore the island’s many waterways and ponds where alligators quietly lurk, learning about the life and habits of these prehistoric creatures on the popular gator walk. 

If coming eye-to-eye with these animals is a bit too adventuresome for the gator-phobic visitor, there are many other ways to enjoy the island’s natural beauty.  An adult’s only twilight paddle along the Kiawah River allows visitors to see the spectacular sky as the sun slips beyond the horizon and offers the possibility of a dolphin encounter.  Canoe and kayak rentals are also available for those desiring a little more independence, and fishing charters can also be booked for the outdoor enthusiast.  With miles of paths through the pines and palms, bike rides are also an enjoyable way to explore the parts of the island inaccessible from a vehicle. 

Featured by Animal Planet as an on-site location for its “Spring Watch USA” program, the island continues to be recognized for its unparalleled natural beauty.  The commitment to the nature also saw the resort’s elegant hotel, The Sanctuary, awarded with the Audubon Certification for 2007, joining Cougar Point Golf Course and The Ocean Course as locations noted by the organization for conservation efforts. 

Relax, Rejuvenate, and Replenish

With bodies tired and sore from golf, tennis, biking, or kayaking, guests can relax, rejuvenate and replenish at one of the islands villas and homes or at The Sanctuary, with luxurious accommodations, an award-winning spa, and highly praised food and drink.

Designed to look like a grand seaside mansion of days of yore, The Sanctuary’s grand architecture and elegant accommodations meet with sweeping views of the Atlantic, capturing the spirit, history and charm of the south. It features 255 rooms and suites, 90 percent of which have ocean views.  Since its opening in 2004, the hotel has racked up a plethora of awards for its dedication to luxury service.  Recognized with the coveted AAA Five Diamond Award, The Sanctuary has also been ranked as the best family resort in America by Travel + Leisure Family, the best resort hotel in America by Andrew Harper’s Hideaway Report, and the number five hotel in America by Travel + Leisure.

In addition to the accommodations offered by The Sanctuary, the resort also offers more than 600 villas and homes.  Some of these homes comprise the Resort’s Premier Homes Program.  They are luxurious, multi-million dollar beach retreats complete with a concierge and maid service every day.  Guests who reserve a home from this select group experience a superlative level of luxury and service, in addition to the exclusive benefits available to all registered resort guests. 

Recalling the leisure of grand antebellum porches and verdant Southern gardens, The Spa at The Sanctuary creates a unique relaxation experience for either a single service or day spent in indulgent pampering.  With a menu of treatments inspired by the balancing properties of the ocean and maritime forests just beyond its doors, the Spa offers services that sooth frazzled nerves and induce deep relaxation.  The Spa’s commitment to quality, and service grounded in Southern hospitality, earned it the ranking of second best hotel spa in America from Travel + Leisure, and also the Mobil Four Star Award. 

After a day of relaxation and rejuvenation, replenish with the savory flavors at The Ocean Room.  With Chef de Cuisine Kevin Ives at the helm, The Ocean Room offers a unique blend of rich and decadent flavors, spices, fruits and cultures of Spain, southern France, Italy and North Africa.  Recently ranked as the best restaurant in the Charleston area, The Ocean Room does not disappoint.  Surrounded by walls of authentic Charleston brick, oak-plank floors and windows overlooking the Atlantic, The Sanctuary’s Jasmine Porch offers diners the ideal setting for traditional Lowcountry cuisine complimented by fresh native ingredients with a nod to seafood.   Another highly acclaimed dining option can be found at The Ocean Course clubhouse’s Atlantic Room.  Chef Randy MacDonald has introduced his interpretation of clubhouse dining, featuring hand cut-steaks, chops and coastal specialties complemented by an extensive wine list.  For simpler cuisine, visitors can enjoy traditional yet exquisitely prepared clubhouse food at Turtle Point Clubhouse or opt for a more casual dining experience at one of the resort’s five other dining establishments.

The True Lowcountry Experience

Whether it is Kiawah Island Golf Resort’s highly acclaimed golf courses and tennis facilities, luxurious amenities offered at The Sanctuary, or nature-programs and recreation around the island, the Kiawah experience is one of a kind and a hallmark of Southern hospitality.  The salt-swept marshes, curious wildlife, and lushly forested land epitomize the beauty of the Lowcountry and make Kiawah a memorable destination.  

About Kiawah Island Golf Resort

Accommodations: The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island, a 255-room luxury hotel; 600 private villas and homes

Golf Courses: The Ocean Course (Dye), Osprey Point (Fazio), Turtle Point (Nicklaus), Cougar Point (Player), and Oak Point (Johnston)

Meeting Space: 37,000 square feet of meeting space, including 18,000 square feet at The Sanctuary.

Recreation: A variety of adult and children’s activities, including kayaking and canoeing

Restaurants: Nine dining establishments, including The Ocean Room (at The Sanctuary) – oceanview fine dining; Jasmine Porch (at The Sanctuary), an elegantly casual dining restaurant; The Atlantic Room (at The Ocean Course Clubhouse), fine clubhouse dining with hand-cut steaks, chops and coastal specialties; and Turtle Point Grill (at Turtle Point Golf Course), an all-American grill set in a casual club setting.

Spa: At The Sanctuary - 12 treatment rooms, sauna, steam room and whirlpool. Treatments based upon ocean, maritime forest and botanical gardens

Tennis: Two tennis clubs with 27 courts, and the number one ranked resort program in America.

Kiawah Island Golf Resort
One Sanctuary Beach Drive
Kiawah Island
SC, 29455
USA

Tel: 001-843-768-2121 (from UK)
www.kiawahresort.com