The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort earned Mobil's five-star designation for 2008—yet another feather in a cap decorated with the AAA Five Diamond Award, membership in Preferred Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, and top ratings from Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, and Andrew Harper's Hideaway Report. Just 21 miles from the cobblestone streets of Charleston, South Carolina, the hotel provides an unforgettable venue for incentives and meetings on a ten-mile-long Lowcountry island fringed by white sand beach and acres of marshlands.
Although the island's wild beauty suggests an out-of-this-world location, a professional meeting staff oversees 18,000 square feet of state-of-the-art conference space at the hotel. The eight flexible meeting rooms, 255 gracious accommodations, and world-class leisure amenities create nearly limitless ways to customize a gathering. Plus, groups have access to lodging in nearly 600 vacation villas and luxury homes, more than 10,000 square feet of additional meeting space in the resort's freestanding East Beach Conference Center, and more than 20,000 square feet at a trio of golf clubhouses.
Golf lies at the heart of the Kiawah Island experience for sports enthusiasts. The action begins at the Ocean Course—designed by Pete Dye and home of the 1991 Ryder Cup Matches and the 2007 Senior PGA and 2012 PGA Championships—and goes on to four other courses by Jack Nicklaus, Tom Fazio, Gary Player, and Clyde Johnston. A Mobil Five-Star Award–winning spa—one of only three in North America—plus nearly a dozen fine restaurants and lounges, tennis, and extensive nature programs complete the array of amenities on hand.
Planner Reviews
From our planner community
Average Planner Rating
4.9
Arrival Experience:
5.0
Meeting and Function Facilities:
5.0
Accommodations:
5.0
Activity or Recreation Options:
4.0
Food & Beverage:
5.0
Conference Services Staff:
5.0
Guest Service Experience:
5.0
Recommendation to Planners:
5.0
Gorgeous property. Tons of beautiful meeting space. Ocean front on a private island. If your group is into golf, this is the place to be in Charleston. The only downfall is that nothing else is round it. All activities occur at the resort.
Overall Rating: 4.8/5
Ilse D. U.S. Equestrian Federation Corporate Planner
The staff is wonderful. If you need help, everyone was willing to help - you didn't get the "that's not my job" type of response. The staff goes out of their way to make it a spectacular event stay.
It poured rain 2 hours before our opening night dinner (to be held poolside), with a chance for more to come. Once it was decided to the outdoor event was a go, all guests saw was an army of people (hotel staff and event staff) reset the pool for the evening dinner. We told guests there would be a 30-45 minute delay due to the weather. With the army of people the hotel had on had, dinner was delayed 15 minutes.
Overall Rating: 4.9/5
Corporate Planner
Elite RatingAverage Planner Rating
This property has been certified Elite Platinum and meets at least 25 of Elite Meetings Criteria.
This endorsement is an independent unbiased determination granted only to the
hotels meeting the standards set by the Elite Meetings Advisory Board.
Elite endorsement is never sold or licensed.
4.9
2 reviews
Arrival Experience:
5.0
Accommodations:
5.0
Food & Beverage:
5.0
Guest Service Experience:
5.0
Conference Services Staff:
5.0
Meeting and Function Facilities:
5.0
Activity or Recreation Options:
4.0
Planner-to-Planner Recommendation:
5.0
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Capacity Charts
Room Name
Ballroom
562
N/A
0
5,940
N/A
0
250
400
330
440
0
0
84
0
Ballroom Foyer
360
N/A
0
3,870
N/A
0
0
0
0
410
0
0
0
0
Ballroom Salon A
169
N/A
0
1,815
N/A
0
105
200
144
189
0
0
0
0
Ballroom Salon B
225
N/A
0
2,420
N/A
0
108
208
150
200
0
40
48
0
Ballroom Salon C
84
N/A
0
907
N/A
0
50
95
70
90
0
0
20
0
Ballroom Salon D
84
N/A
0
907
N/A
0
50
95
70
90
0
0
20
0
Ballroom Verenda
337
N/A
0
3,630
N/A
0
0
0
269
379
0
0
0
0
Calhoun Room
161
N/A
0
1,728
N/A
0
0
0
24
0
0
0
24
0
Drayton
68
N/A
0
728
N/A
0
36
72
48
68
0
0
16
0
Heron
184
N/A
0
1,890
N/A
0
100
160
140
205
0
30
48
0
Heron I
84
N/A
0
900
N/A
0
60
105
72
100
0
0
22
0
Heron II
84
N/A
0
900
N/A
0
60
105
72
100
0
0
22
0
Middleton
68
N/A
0
728
N/A
0
36
72
48
68
0
0
16
0
Shoolbred
42
N/A
0
448
N/A
0
21
44
32
42
0
0
12
0
Terrace Ballroom
268
N/A
0
3,040
N/A
0
125
200
160
290
0
0
0
0
Terrace Ballroom A
134
N/A
0
1,440
N/A
0
75
145
105
150
0
0
40
0
Terrace Ballroom B
134
N/A
0
1,440
N/A
0
75
145
105
150
0
0
40
0
Terrace Ballroom Foyer
128
N/A
0
1,374
N/A
0
0
0
0
145
0
0
0
0
Terrace Ballroom Veranda
74
N/A
0
800
N/A
0
0
0
64
84
0
0
0
0
The Iris Room
56
N/A
0
600
N/A
0
33
66
48
63
0
0
14
0
Property News
Conde Nast Traveler magazine names Kiawah Island No. 1 island in North America and No. 2 island in the world in latest “Readers’ Choice” poll
Posted October 20, 2014
--Latest in long list of accolades for Kiawah Island and Kiawah Island Golf Resort
KIAWAH ISLAND, SC – In its newest “Readers’ Choice Poll,” the prestigious Conde Nast Traveler magazine today named Kiawah Island as the No. 1 island in North America and the No. 2 island in the world, behind only Palawan, Philippines. The same poll named nearby Charleston, South Carolina as the No. 1 destination city in the U.S. and the No. 2 destination city in the world behind only Florence, Italy.
Roger Warren, the president of Kiawah Island Golf Resort, said that this reflects the high-quality experiences the traveling public gets when visiting the island’s resort. “In addition to the world-class amenities that Kiawah Island Golf Resort offers, this ranking reflects the superior quality of our guest’s experience. Many islands have nice amenities. What sets Kiawah Island apart is the authentic southern hospitality that our staff extends to visitors. They truly feel welcome,” said Warren.
This award is just the latest in a long list of accolades recently won by Kiawah Island and Kiawah Island Golf Resort. In addition to achieving both Forbes Five Star and AAA Five Diamond ratings, Travel + Leisure magazine has named The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort the third best family hotel in the U.S. Conde Nast Traveler also named Kiawah Island Golf Resort as the 3rd best golf resort in the U.S. For seven of the last nine years, the leading on-line tennis travel website, TennisResortsOnline.com, named Kiawah Island Golf Resort as the No. 1 tennis resort in the world. This ranking is based on Kiawah’s overall tennis program including instruction, teaching staff, and facilities, as well as other resort facilities such as lodging, cuisine, service and value.
Golf Digest magazine named The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort as the 4th best public course in America while GOLF magazine has it as the 5th best public golf course in the U.S. Famed “beachologist,” Dr. Steven Leatherman (aka, Dr. Beach), named Kiawah Island’s over 10 miles of beach one of the top 10 beaches in the U.S.
The Spa at The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort has held Forbes Five Star status since Forbes started rating spas, and the resort’s recreation department has consistently been hailed as one of the top recreation and nature programs in the country.
“While we are proud of these awards and accolades, we are by no means resting on our laurels,” said Warren. “Plans are underway for additional improvements to the resort’s amenities and the staff constantly undergoes extensive training to improve our already exceptional service. We look forward to providing award-winning vacation experiences for guests far into the future.”
See Kiawah Island's ranking at Conde Nast Traveler's website: http://www.cntraveler.com/galleries/2014-10-20/top-30-islands-in-the-world-readers-choice-awards-2014/29
Located along 10 miles of pristine beach just south of Charleston, South Carolina, Kiawah Island Golf Resort is known as one of the top eco-friendly resorts in the U.S. In addition to Forbes Five Star/AAA Five Diamond Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, the resort’s 255-room oceanfront hotel and spa, the resort manages close to 400 private villas and luxury homes, nine restaurants, two tennis centers, a renowned recreation and nature program and has five championship golf courses, including the world-famous Ocean Course, site of the 1991 Ryder Cup, the 2007 Senior PGA Championship and the 2012 PGA Championship.
The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Awards & Recognitions
Posted August 22, 2012
One of the Top Resorts in the Country and the World!
The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort:
Five Diamond Award – American Automobile Association
Five Star Award – Forbes Travel Guide
Top Resorts on the U.S. Mainland (#3) – Conde Nast Traveler (2012)
Top Continental US and Canada Resorts (#11) – Travel + Leisure (2012)
Top property in the world (#37) Conde Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Award (2012)
Top Beach Resort in the world (#4) (#1 on the U.S. Mainland) – Andrew Harper Readers’ Choice (2011)
Top Family Resort in the world (#2) – Andrew Harper Readers’ Choice (2011)
Top Golf Resort in the world (#4) – Andrew Harper Readers’ Choice (2011)
Gold List Award – Conde Nast Traveler (2012)
Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary – Audubon International (2012)
Kiawah Island Spa (at The Sanctuary)
Five Star Award – Forbes Travel Guide (2012)
Best Hotel Spas in America (#11) – Travel + Leisure (2011)
Top 100 Resort Spas-U.S. Mainland (#18) – Conde Nast Traveler (2012)
Kiawah Island Golf Resort
Platinum Resort – Golf Magazine (2012)
Top U.S. Golf Resort (#3) – Conde Nast Traveler (2012)
10 Best Resorts for Family Reunions (#2) - Family Vacation Critic (TripAdvisor's family travel site)
Conde Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence-Most Excellent Golf Resort (2011)
Travel + Leisure’s Top Family Hotels in the U.S. & Canada (#13) (2011)
Best U.S. Golf Resort (#2) – Global Traveler magazine (2011)
Top U.S. Resort (#1) – Golf World magazine (2010)
Kiawah Island Golf
Rankings:
#1 Golf Course in South Carolina (The Ocean Course) – Golf Digest (2012)
America’s Toughest Course (The Ocean Course #1) – Golf Digest (2012)
America’s Toughest Course (The Ocean Course #4) – GOLF Magazine (2012)
Top 100 You Can Play (The Ocean Course #4) – GOLF Magazine (2011)
Among America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses (The Ocean Course #4) –
Golf Digest (2011)
Top 100 Modern Courses in America (The Ocean Course #19) – GolfWeek (2012)
Among Top 100 Courses in America (The Ocean Course #26) - Golf Digest (2011)
Top 100 Courses in the U.S. (The Ocean Course #27) – GOLF Magazine (2011)
Top 100 Courses in the World (The Ocean Course #45) – GOLF Magazine (2011)
Course Ratings: (2010)
5-star rating (The Ocean Course) – Golf Digest’s “Best Places to Play” guide
4 ½ -star rating (Turtle Point, Osprey Point and Oak Point) – Golf Digest’s “Best Places to Play” guide
4-star rating (Cougar Point) – Golf Digest’s “Best Places to Play” guide
No. 14 (Osprey Point) – Golf Digest’s “Top 50 courses for women”
Tournament Golf:
The Ocean Course, host:
1991 Ryder Cup, 1997 and 2003 World Cups, 2001 UBS Warburg Cup, 2007 Senior PGA Championship
The Ocean Course, future host:
2012 PGA Championship
Kiawah Island Tennis:
No. 1 Tennis Resort in the World – tennisresortsonline.com (2012-Six of the last Seven years)
Kiawah Island Meetings:
Pinnacle Award – Successful Meetings (9 years)
Gold Key Award – Meetings & Conventions (9 years)
Gold Tee Award – Meetings & Conventions (12 years)
“Stars of the South” Award – Meetings South (8 years)
Golden Links Award – Corporate Meetings & Incentives (11 years)
Planners’ Choice Award – Meeting News (10 years)
Greens of Distinctions – Corporate Meetings & Incentives
Kiawah Island Dining
Best of Award of Excellence (Ocean Room) – Wine Spectator
Best Down Home Cookery (Jasmine Porch) – Andrew Harper’s Hideaway Report
Restaurant of the Year (Ocean Room) – Charleston Post and Courier (2010)
Only Forbes 4-star/AAA 4-diamond steakhouse in the U.S. (Ocean Room) (2012)
Kiawah Island
No. 1 island to visit in the U.S. mainland (#3 in the U.S. including Hawaii) – Conde Nast Traveler (2012)
Happiest Seaside Town – Coastal Living (2012)
Top 10 beaches in America (#9) – Dr. Stephen Leatherman (aka Dr. Beach) – www.drbeach.org (2012)
No. 4 island in North America – Travel + Leisure (2012)
Forbes (formerly Mobil) Travel Guide and AAA Honor The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort with Coveted Five Star and Five Diamond Awards
Posted November 17, 2009
South Carolina Oceanfront Hotel's Spa Also Gains Top Rating While The Ocean Room Restaurant Obtains Forbes Four Star and AAA Four Diamonds
Kiawah Island, SC - November 2009 - Both the Forbes (formerly Mobil) Travel Guide and AAA have awarded The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort with their highest awards|-|Five Stars by the Forbes Travel Guide and Five Diamonds by AAA. This is the third year in a row that Forbes/Mobil has bestowed its highest award and the fourth time for AAA since The Sanctuary opened in 2004.
In addition, the Forbes Travel Guide recognized The Spa at The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort with Five Stars for the third year in a row, making it one of only 13 spas to achieve their highest designation.
The Ocean Room at The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, the resort's high-end steakhouse, earned both Forbes Four Star and AAA Four Diamond awards. It is the only steakhouses nationally to earn both Forbes Four Stars and AAA Four Diamonds. There are no Five Star or Five Diamond steakhouses.
"It is an honor to receive these distinguished and coveted awards," said Roger Warren, president of Kiawah Island Golf Resort. "To win them year after year is a tremendous credit to our staff who has continued to maintain the highest standards of service making The Sanctuary one of the finest destinations in the world."
The Sanctuary, which features 255 rooms and suites, also joins its sister properties The Jefferson Hotel in Richmond, VA, and The Hermitage Hotel in Nashville, TN, in achieving the coveted Forbes Five Star, creating an unrivalled portfolio of independent hotels. All three properties also hold the AAA Five Diamond rating. The Sanctuary's other sister property, The Inn at Harbour Town on Hilton Head Island in South Carolina, earned Forbes Travel Guide Four Star and AAA Four Diamond awards.
The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort is an oceanfront hotel and spa and is part of Kiawah Island Golf Resort, which features five championship golf courses, two tennis centers, nine restaurants and a variety of recreation and nature programs. It was named the No. 1 resort on the U.S. Mainland and Kiawah Island was named the No. 1 island in North America in the latest Conde' Nast Traveler "Readers' Choice Award." Additionally, readers of Golf World magazine currently rate Kiawah Island Golf Resort as America's top resort. It is a member of Preferred Hotels and Resorts Worldwide.
Forbes Travel Guide's 2010 Five and Four Star awards feature properties in destinations throughout North America, as well as our newest international ratings in Hong Kong, Macau and Beijing. The North American winners include 47 Five Star hotels. 21 Five-Star restaurants and 13 Five Star spas; Four Star winners include 147 hotels and resorts, 160 restaurants and 100 spas. The international winners include 6 Five Star hotels, 15 Four Star hotels, 5 Five Star spas and 9 Four Star Spas.
For more information about The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, visit www.KiawahResort.com and additional information about Forbes Travel Awards can be found at, www.ForbesTravelGuide.com.
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