The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort
1 Sanctuary Beach Drive, Kiawah Island, SC 29455-5434
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$730
Fully refundable before 03/28/23
Only 1 left at
$730
Fully refundable before 03/28/23
$775
$644
Fully refundable before 03/27/23
Expedia.com$730
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About
#2 of 3 hotels in Kiawah Island
Location
4.8
Cleanliness
4.8
Service
4.6
Value
4.1
Near Charleston, SC, The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort is an oceanfront Forbes Five Star/ AAA Five Diamond hotel and spa offering casual Southern grace, comfort and charm on one of the top eco-friendly islands in the U.S. The resort features five golf courses, including The Ocean Course, host of the 1991 Ryder Cup and the 2012 and 2021 PGA Championship. Tennis Resorts Online perennially ranks the resort's Roy Barth Tennis Center as the world's best .
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Pool
Fitness Center with Gym / Workout Room
Bar / lounge
Beach
Bicycle rental
Babysitting
Parking
Wifi
Hot tub
Pool / beach towels
Pool with view
Adult pool
Outdoor pool
Heated pool
Fitness / spa locker rooms
Fitness classes
Sauna
Restaurant
Breakfast buffet
Breakfast in the room
Poolside bar
Golf course
Tennis court
Fishing
Children Activities (Kid / Family Friendly)
Kids club
Free shuttle or taxi services
Airport transportation
Shuttle bus service
Business Center with Internet Access
Conference facilities
Banquet room
Meeting rooms
Spa
Couples massage
Facial treatments
Full body massage
Head massage
Massage
Salon
Concierge
Convenience store
Gift shop
Newspaper
Non-smoking hotel
ATM on site
24-hour front desk
Dry cleaning
Laundry service
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Room features
Bathrobes
Air conditioning
Fireplace
Housekeeping
Private balcony
Minibar
Refrigerator
Flatscreen TV
Room service
Safe
On-demand movies
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Room types
Ocean view
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
HOTEL STYLE
Charming
Family
Location
59Somewhat walkable
Grade: 59 out of 100
36Restaurantswithin 5 miles
13Attractionswithin 5 miles
Contact
1 Sanctuary Beach Drive, Kiawah Island, SC 29455-5434
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+1
I absolutely love Kiawah Island. Hidden amongst the lush, bearded tropical trees, The Sanctuary hotel is drop dead gorgeous. Huge, luxurious public spaces, grand sweeping staircases, wonderful bedrooms … what’s not to like! Sometimes, going back and trying to re-live a previous experience is a disappointment, but this second visit to The Sanctuary delivered the same intense, pleasure as the first. Of course, the wide, majestic beach that runs for miles in front of the hotel casts its own spell. Passing another soul is rare. The seagulls and the sound of the waves deliver a tangible feeling of profound peace after the frantic rush and noise of the city. And it is a Mecca for golfers. Five award-winning courses designed by Pete Dye, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Fazio, Gary Player and Clyde Johnston. The palatial environment and the discrete, emotional engagement of the staff ensure this is one of the best hotels I’ve stayed in - anywhere in the world. …
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Date of stay: January 2023Trip type: Traveled with friends
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
We have visited the Sanctuary on numerous occasions with high expectations and have never departed with even a hint of disappointment. Although the hotel was maxed out this time with a large conference, they went over and above in accommodating our requests. In particular the front desk personnel located an upgraded room notwithstanding the overflow capacity, the concierges provided "spot on" advice for day trips, and the doormen were professional but down to earth. In sum, we look at the Sanctuary as a more personal Ritz Carlton with all the charms of a elegant home. I could go on but having traveled to various "hi end" properties over the years I can say that the Sanctuary is the Valedictorian.
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Date of stay: February 2023Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Bill Lacey, General Manager at The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort
Responded 1 week ago
Dear tdavid2018, It was such a pleasure, as always, welcoming you back to The Sanctuary. Given the old adage of "familiarity breeds contempt," we could not be happier to hear that we delivered on your rightful expectations for an outstanding experience. Thank you for your loyalty, your recent visit and for taking time to leave your kind review. We look forward with keen anticipation to your next visit with us.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The hotel is beautiful. Grounds are lovely. The only staff member who made the over and beyond effort one would expect from this property was Adam. He was serving at the banquet and stunned everyone at our table by offering to replenish our beverages. He took great care to bring us exactly what we were drinking and his attitude and willingness to do what no other person was doing made him stand out. Superb initiative, and the type of person who makes a lasting impression.
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Date of stay: January 2023Trip type: Traveled on business
Rooms
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Bill Lacey, General Manager at The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort
Responded Jan 31, 2023
Dear Cwilliams1977, Many thanks for your recent visit with us, and also for your helpful feedback. thank you particularly for mentioning Adam and the high level of service he provided. We hope we have the pleasure of welcoming you back soon.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
I don’t understand some of the reviews for this property. It’s as if they have never been. I have travelled extensively and this is hands down one of the best hotel stays I have experienced. The grounds are beautifully manicured and the decor is phenomenal. The staff are top notch. The staff anticipated our needs without having to ask. The room was kept clean throughout our stay by the great housekeeping team. It was cleaned while we were at breakfast at Jasmine porch and turned down while we were at dinner. The view was amazing! The staff were very personable and greeted me by name throughout the property and would always ask how our stay was going, what are plans were for the day, and would ask if we enjoyed the activities we told them we would be doing the previous day. The dining options were superb. We enjoyed jasmine porch for breakfast each morning, Tomasso for lunch and dinner, and ryder cup for dinner one evening and room service for a late night snack. I enjoyed beaches and cream twice during our stay and it was always the highlight of the evening. I enjoyed the shops located throughout the property and was able to purchase some branded apparel. This property went above and beyond for us and I cannot fathom how the stay could have been better. This was our first trip to this property and I am already planning a trip to return. If you have a chance to visit this charming property please do! Do not listen to the negative reviews. If you aren’t satisfied at this resort, chances are you will never be satisfied with any other resort stay. We stay at Ritz Carlton and St. Regis regularly and this property blew them out of the water in terms of hard product and service. In addition to the stunning resort and the phenomenal service, the island itself is like you’re in a fairytale. Every building is gorgeous and the grounds are unlike anything I have seen before. There is a photo op at every turn. I literally cannot recommend this property enough. Thank you Sanctuary for an amazing long weekend and for making our special weekend memorable. We will be back every chance we get.…
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Date of stay: January 2023Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Bill Lacey, General Manager at The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort
Responded Jan 31, 2023
Dear jrl2299, Many thanks for your recent visit with us, and for taking time and effort to leave this glowing review. Nothing could make us happier than to learn that we exceeded the very high expectations of a seasoned traveler such as yourselves. We are all simply delighted that your first trip to The Sanctuary left such a memorable impression. I'm thrilled to hear that you are already contemplating a return visit. Nothing could bring us more pleasure than to welcome you all back for a second of what I hope are many more visits to come.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We had a wonderful stay at the Sanctuary. The property is beautiful and the customer service nice and friendly. Our only issues were that when we arrived at about 2 p.m. we were told we could have an early check-in at 3 p.m. but were not given the keys to our room until 4:20 which was after the 4 p.m. check-in time. Also, the carpet outside of our room door had debris that was not vacuumed up during our entire 4-day stay. These two issues did not prevent us from having a wonderful time and we plan to go again as we loved the island and the amenities. I absolutely recommend this hotel.
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Date of stay: December 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Bill Lacey, General Manager at The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort
Responded Jan 13, 2023
Dear Curiosity25540823788, Many thanks for your recent visit with us. It was truly our pleasure welcoming you as our guest and serving you. I'm delighted to hear you enjoyed the experience. Thank you for your feedback regarding check-in and cleanliness outside your guestroom door so that I can address those items with our team members. I appreciate you recommending us, and we very much hope we have the pleasure of welcoming you back soon.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
After watching the porpoise, we rode our bikes around the resort. I was a beautiful area and appeared well maintained - but we did not stay or "see" the clubhouse. The entire island was one we wish to further explore.
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Date of stay: July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Bill Lacey, General Manager at The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort
Responded Jan 13, 2023
Dear johnhR563YK, Thank you for your kind comments. I'm happy to hear you enjoyed your brief adventure on Kiawah Island. It truly is a natural paradise. We would truly enjoy welcoming you as a guest of The Sanctuary and for further exploration of the island.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Our visit to the Sanctuary is one of many but likely our last. We arrived two days after Christmas to enjoy a few days before New Year's Eve. If you are a recurrent guest of the Sanctuary, you will likely recognize the same concerns we experienced. If you are traveling for the first time, you will not appreciate the "old days" that were not too long ago. None of the negative experiences that occurred while we were there would have been an issue if we were at Marriot (who is great), but this is the Sanctuary. We expected and paid for better. The great things about the Sanctuary- You have direct access to a lovely beach, and they have planned enough activities to give you something new to do each day. Miles and miles of trails are available to walk and bike. Areas of opportunity- The complimentary shuttle is highly inefficient. We ended up on a van for 40 minutes traveling for lunch and back (because the restaurant was actually not open, despite the concierge directing us there 10 minutes before). The van drove into the villages to pick up neighborhood guests while we were trying to get from Point A to Point B. The Concierge was unfamiliar with the hours of the restaurants and was using a book to figure out who was open when we stopped to ask for suggestions. We were then sent to the Cherrywood BBQ Restaurant only to be told by a young man that they did not have propane to operate their stoves. The concierge should have known that, and how does a restaurant not monitor its propane levels to avoid this kind of thing? After a very late lunch, we decided to try a light dinner at Ryder Cup (the bar/pub associated with their premier restaurant (The Atlantic Room). We knew we would have to wait, which was fine. We were told it would be 90 minutes, and two hours later we were seated in the bar. It had been a few years since we had been there, but I was surprised at how disheveled the room looked. There were no bar stools (walk-up service only). There were 8 tables with mismatched chairs (a few looked like they went with rental tables from a wedding). Even the lampshades on the lighting were askew and dirty. The manager of the bar and the Atlantic room was wearing a wrinkled dress shirt without a jacket or a tie. When the guests are dressed better than the manager, that does not reflect well on the establishment. We canceled our reservations for the next night at Tomassos. After a dinner at Jasmine's Porch with very slow service and mediocre food, and our negative experience at The BBQ and Ryder Cup, we thought we'd play it safe and order room service. We were told it would be an hour and it ended up taking and hour and 40 minutes to get two sandwiches. We quipped that they must have gone out on a boat to catch the shrimp. The Spa. We called twice after our original request to have them call us to set up appointments was not returned. The second time we asked for a direct number and were told that the Spa was not very good at answering their phone. We ended up getting 2 of the 3 desired services after our third call (almost two weeks after our original request). It should have never taken that much effort to make an appointment. Even if they were fully committed, a call to tell us this would have been respectful. The great room is lovely (beautiful Christmas decorations) but it was littered with empty glasses and plates from neighboring bars and carry-out containers. It was clear that there were simply not enough staff to maintain these areas to match the volume of guests. Maintenance of guest rooms was no better. Our room was an ocean view with a king bed that was only cleaned once while we were there. The first time it was missed, we had to call and ask for service and someone came and made the bed and gave us fresh towels. The next day it was missed again and we called and no one ever came. We were out of the room by 10 ish each day, so my best guess is that if they come by before that, they skipped the room and just never come back. The room also only has coffee. There is no way to make hot water if you are a tea drinker. Every morning, one of us had to go down to the new coffee shop and pay far too much for a cup of hot water and a tea bag. We did ask if there was an electric kettle we could use only to be told that they were all in use. As we left I stopped at the desk to check out and was asked if they could send my bill to the email account on file. When I said yes, the young man said, "Great. Safe Travels." Not once during our stay were we asked how our stay was going. As we drove away, we commented that this was likely the last time we'd see the Sanctuary. A sad ending to a very good run. …
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Date of stay: December 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from Bill Lacey, General Manager at The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort
Responded Jan 31, 2023
Dear TracyH718, First, thank you very much for your years of faithful loyalty to The Sanctuary. I am distressed to learn that your most recent visit with us was unsatisfactory, especially that we disappointed you in so many areas. Rather than address every issue you report you, I cordially invite you to contact me directly so we can further discuss how our service fell short of your expectations. Please feel free to contact me directly: (843) 768-2793
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Great spot. We stayed in a villa. Revisited after many yrs. Can ride bikes on the hard sand beach. Spectacular as the sun sets. Dinner at the Sanctuary. Service beyond. A great few days. Many great restaurants. Good luck.
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Date of stay: November 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Bill Lacey, General Manager at The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort
Responded Jan 31, 2023
Dear Lengigs, Many thanks for your recent family vacation at Kiawah Island Golf Resort. Although we did not have the pleasure of welcoming you as our guest at The Sanctuary, I'm delighted to hear you all enjoyed your time at the resort. I am very happy to hear you enjoyed an excellent dining experience at The Sanctuary, however. It was truly our pleasure to serve you. We hope we all have the pleasure of welcoming you back for a future visit.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
This was our first trip. We didn't know what to expect, but were very happy with the experience and will definitely return. The setting is gorgeous: an 11-mile private island bordering the Atlantic Ocean. The hotel is situated about 4 miles in & on the ocean. The golf resort includes the hotel, 4 golf courses (& accompanying restaurants), tennis center & clusters of condos (villas) surrounding the hotel. The rest of the island is private homes & club/golf courses limited to residents. However, you can freely roam the entire island & there is not a visible division between the hotel/golf resort and the rest of the island. Service was wonderful, especially valet, housekeeping & concierge. Golf courses are stunning and offer reduced rates for hotel guests. The tennis center is fantastic. The daily drop-in clinics and pros are superb. Renting bikes is a must: it allows you to fully explore the island (including riding along the beach). We took the nature tour & enjoyed it greatly. Had a side room with a glimpse of the ocean. Room was nicely appointed and very comfortable. Didn't hear any noise from neighbors & housekeeping kept it immaculate. Restaurants are okay: food is good, but quite pricey & some of them may have staffing issues (most notably Atlantic Room). The recently-opened Nest is a nice option for casual dining & snacks. We stayed for 4 days and ate both at resort & at outside places. Definitely would recommend having car. Although the resort is gorgeous & there are plenty of recreational options, it was nice to be able to have other dining options.…
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Date of stay: December 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
2 Helpful votes
Helpful
Response from Bill Lacey, General Manager at The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort
Responded Jan 3, 2023
Dear nyctravelr, Many thanks for your recent first visit to The Sanctuary. I sincerely hope it is the first of many more to come. Thank you also for taking the time to pen this wonderful and thorough review. I'm delighted that you enjoyed your experience with us, and I very much hope we'll have the pleasure of welcoming you back for your second visit in the very near future.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The sanctuary resort at Kiawah Island is a lovely place for a relaxing little holiday. It is immaculately clean, the lobbies are all beautiful, the Christmas decorations were perfect. The only complaint I have is, there are not enough restaurants open for dinner, except for the end of the week and the weekend and the food is not nearly as good as it used to be. That is very disappointing because the resort itself is five star but I gave it four stars because of the food. I almost never order room service, but did one evening and truly had the most horrible Caesar salad with grilled chicken which was taken off my bill. However, what I really wanted was a good salad. Other than the food, the staff was wonderful and accommodating, and that includes the housekeeping staff, the front desk, waiters, bartenders, etc. I highly recommend this lovely resort.…
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Date of stay: December 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Bill Lacey, General Manager at The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort
Responded Jan 3, 2023
Dear Lily121d, Many thanks for taking a holiday getaway to The Sanctuary. Thanks also for your kind words regarding the hotel facilities and service. I am delighted you enjoyed your time with us. I'm disappointed to learn that you did not find the food met your expectations, particularly the Caesar salad from in-room dining. I've reviewed your note with our in-room dining staff, as the level of cuisine served in-room should be to the same standard as that served in our restaurants. Thanks again for your visit, and for your kind remarks. We hope we have the privilege of welcoming you back soon.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
PRICE RANGE
$379 - $853 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
the sanctuary at kiawah island golf hotel kiawah island, sanctuary hotel kiawah island, the sanctuary kiawah island
LOCATION
United StatesSouth CarolinaCoastal South CarolinaKiawah Island
NUMBER OF ROOMS
255
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Claim Your ListingTHE SANCTUARY AT KIAWAH ISLAND GOLF RESORT - Updated 2023 Prices & Hotel Reviews (SC)
Frequently Asked Questions about The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort
Which popular attractions are close to The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort?
Nearby attractions include Kiawah Beachwalker Park (2.2 miles), Kiawah Island (1.8 miles), and Freshfields Village (3.3 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, a pool, and an on-site restaurant.
Which room amenities are available at The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort?
Top room amenities include a minibar, air conditioning, and a flat screen TV.
What food & drink options are available at The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort?
Guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant, a lounge, and a poolside bar during their stay.
Is parking available at The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort?
Conveniently located restaurants include Jasmine Porch, The Ryder Cup Bar at Ocean Course Clubhouse, and Ocean Room at The Sanctuary.
Are there opportunities to exercise at The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort?
Yes, guests have access to a pool, a fitness center, and a sauna during their stay.
Does The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort have an airport shuttle?
Yes, The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort offers an airport shuttle for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Does The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort have airport transportation?
Yes, The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Is The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort located near the city center?
Yes, it is 0.8 miles away from the center of Kiawah Island.
Are any cleaning services offered at The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort?
Yes, dry cleaning and laundry service are offered to guests.