The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort

The Sanctuary is the flagship of Kiawah Island Golf Resort and the only Forbes Five Star, AAA Five Diamond property on the South Carolina coast.

The property

255 rooms in an oceanfront position on a ten-mile stretch of private beach, each measuring 500 square feet or more with furnished balconies facing either the Atlantic or the resort's interior marshlands. The building sits low against the dune line, scaled to complement the barrier island rather than compete with it. Three pools (two outdoor, one indoor), a full-service spa, three restaurants, a fitness centre, and tennis facilities round out the property.

What to expect

The golf infrastructure is the primary draw. Five courses operate within the resort gates: The Ocean Course, Osprey Point, Turtle Point, the River Course, and Oak Point. Sanctuary guests receive preferred tee time access across all five, including The Ocean Course, which hosted the 1991 Ryder Cup, the 2012 and 2021 PGA Championships, and is scheduled for the 2031 Ryder Cup. The walk from the lobby to the Ocean Course clubhouse takes roughly five minutes by resort shuttle. A serious golf trip can comfortably fill five days here without replaying a course.

Kiawah is a gated community; non-resort visitors cannot access the property without a reservation or guest pass. The 30 miles of paved bike trails through maritime forest and along the beach provide a useful counterpoint to days spent on the course. Charleston is 25 to 30 miles and roughly 40 minutes by car, which reinforces the sense of seclusion.

Rates and booking

$328 in the quieter winter months to $1,200 and above during peak spring and fall. For golfers building a trip around The Ocean Course, The Sanctuary removes every logistical barrier between you and the first tee.