Organic Oasis
South Carolina’s coastal treasure, Kiawah Island, is a haven of unspoiled natural beauty and luxurious living
It’s hard not to fall in love with South Carolina’s Lowcountry, a region characterized by ancient live oak trees, glistening marshes, wide beaches and crashing ocean surf. This romance is perhaps most alluring on Kiawah Island, which is sited just 21 miles from the city of Charleston.
The 10,000-acre gated community is accessible only to property owners and their guests, island employees, resort guests, vacation guests and commercial customers. Visitors enjoy 10 miles of pristine beaches and over 30 miles of paved trails, as well as a private club seven elite golf courses, including two of the top 100 residential courses in the U.S. and a renowned golf course that has hosted the Ryder Cup and the PGA Championship, which it will host again in 2021.
Vacationers looking for private quarters may rent out homes or villas, while those looking for amenities and dining options at arm’s reach can stay in the island’s luxury hotel, The Sanctuary. While seasonal visitors make up plenty of the island’s population, many of Kiawah’s inhabitants are part- and full-time homeowners. Kiawah property owners have the exclusive option to join the Kiawah Island Club, a private membership club that offers access to select amenities and venues, including the Sasanqua Spa (don’t miss the 90-minute massage), a 9,000-square-foot sports pavilion, a state-of-the-art fitness center and premier restaurants.
Though it’s home to jaw-dropping luxury homes and amenities, Kiawah’s landscape feels almost undeveloped; in fact, developer Kiawah Partners works alongside the Kiawah Conservancy to uphold the master plan established in 1975, which focuses on balancing the built world of architecture and its natural setting. And there’s certainly no shortage of outdoor activities to enjoy—whether its biking on the beach and island trails, kayaking the salt marshes, embarking on deep-sea fishing excursions, teeing off on one of the island’s golf courses, indulging in luxury spa services or simply soaking it all up beachside. kiawahisland.com
Available only to property owners, the Kiawah Island Club offers exclusive access to luxury amenities and experiences.
To a Tee
Club members and their guests have access to two of the top 100 residential courses in the United States. The 7,050-yard, links-style Cassique Golf Course is situated where the Kiawah River meets the Atlantic Ocean. Eight holes of the 7,039-yard River Course extend along the rambling Kiawah River and Bass Pond. A Golf Learning Center offers a digital practice range that measures improvement and progress.
Dining Destinations
Members can enjoy fine dining at Voysey’s, a private restaurant and club located inside the Cassique Clubhouse and helmed by executive chef Doug Blair and consulting chef Tom Colicchio. For beachside dining, club members can order specialty cocktails and lunch at the oceanfront Beach Club or Marsh House, which sits on Kiawah’s eastern tip and provides stunning marsh views.
Serene Retreat
At Sasanqua Spa, guests enjoy holistic-based treatments and spa packages designed specifically for Kiawah Island Club members. Overlooking the Kiawah River, Sasanqua includes seven treatment rooms situated over the marsh, an in-house chiropractor and a full-service salon. kiawahislandclub.com