Where to Stay On Kiawah Island For Families, Couples & Golfers
Kiawah island is a beautiful small island within an hour or so of Charleston and a natural oasis. The island is known for being a world renowned golf destination and upscale resort surrounded by nature and beauty. Your choices of where to stay on Kiawah Island are relatively limited, and I’ve put together a guide so you can choose what will work best for your visit.
How to Decide Where to Stay On Kiawah Island
When it comes to where to stay on Kiawah Island you have to choice of staying at 1.) The resort the island is built around which is The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort 2.) A vacation rental or Airbnb or stay a minutes off the island at either the 3.) Andell Inn Marriott or 4.) the luxury spa resort the Dunlin by Auberge.
Keep in mind a lot of Kiawah Island is open to resort or golf club members only, so if you want to access the amenities, the resort’s complimentary private ride service, most of the beach access points, river access for kayaking and paddle boarding, some outdoor activities (which do require a fee) and Night heron park etc without sneaking around, then you will need to stay either at the resort or at a vacation rental with access to the resort.
Without access you can still enjoy beach walker park, the restaurants, biking from beach walker park and fresh fields village which is technically off the island. You’re also allowed to bike in if you would like to.
You can also use my Kiawah Island map to get a feel for where things are for the island before you choose!
Best Overall Choice For Where to Stay In Kiawah : Vacation Rentals, VRBO or Airbnb
If you aren’t looking to spend quite as much or don’t need the convenience of staying on the resort then a vacation rental is the way to go! You can either book one through the Kiawah Island Golf Resort or independent renters which you can find with a simple Google search or on Airbnb.
Vacation Rentals Through Kiawah Island Golf Resort
There are tons of rentals that you can get directly through the Kiawah Island Resort website. These rentals tend to be pricier and are best with larger groups, and they all include resort access. Make sure to make your reservation well in advance, like you would for any vacation home rental. An example of one of these homes is shown below – you can rent 116 Osprey Point to hangout in the beautiful backyard bungalow oasis!
Kiawah Island Airbnbs
For a more affordable stay or for a rental for smaller groups, Airbnb is great. You should be able to find all types of rentals as long as you reserve in advance, from smaller places for a couple or small family, to huge homes or oceanfront villas. Keep in mind if you rent through Airbnb there’s a high chance that your rental will not include resort amenities, but some do!
This 3-bedroom Airbnb and Guest Favorite includes access to the community pool and a gorgeous screened-in porch, while this 3-bedroom condo includes full resort access.
VRBO Kiawah Island Rentals
VRBO is another option for finding a vacation rental on Kiawah Island. I tend to prefer Airbnb overall as I feel like there are more options, but VRBO tends to have more luxury rentals. This beautiful rental has 2 bedrooms right on the ocean, while this 3-bedroom rental comes with access to a community pool.
Where to Stay On Kiawah Island For A Luxury Stay : The Sanctuary
The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort is a luxury 5-star resort and is the best option overall for convenience and an amazing stay, especially for families. On site you’ll find multiple pools, one right on the beachfront, a spa, lots of restaurants and really nice rooms. Keep in mind you’ll have a 25% discount on rounds of golf at their world famous golf courses if you do choose to stay at The Sanctuary, like the stunning Ocean course or Cougar Point.
A Moderately-Priced Gem : The Andell Inn
The Andell Inn by Marriott is another great option for where to stay on Kiawah Island for anyone with a car. The Cougar Point golf course is about a 10-minute drive from the hotel, and the hotel offers a shuttle to the beach which is about 15 minutes away. On the property you’ll be surrounded by beautiful marsh views with a restaurant and salt water pool on site and more of an intimate experience and a boutique hotel feel.
A New Luxury Experience : Dublin by Auberge
Finally the Dublin by Auberge is a new luxury hotel located just outside of Kiawah Island on a beautiful marsh. You can think of it as a similar alternative to The Sanctuary in terms of pricing, but with a smaller, more boutique feel, and beautiful southern design by Amanda Lindroth. The hotel also does not have direct beach access, and there is only a small saltwater pool, so this one is probably best for people traveling without children.
Now that you have a good idea of the island and best places to stay, it’s time to plan your activities! Visit my blog on the best Kiawah Island golf courses to find out which are the must-see courses.
Lauren Kessel is the owner and author for the Inspired Luxury Traveler blog. Lauren is passionate about travel and finding the absolute best experiences and destinations, from adventure travel to luxury travel and beyond. After earning her degree in Tourism, planning countless vacations for herself and others, and visiting over 12 countries and 30 states, she is sharing her knowledge and love of travel.
Lauren believes travel is an important way to learn about the different cultures, ultimately leading to more understanding and peace throughout the world.
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