Are you a meeting planner who's been longing for a fresh East Coast destination with world-class everything: oceanfront hotel, golf, spa, beach, water activities, meeting facilities, dining, and sightseeing? Your wait will be over in March, and your destination is The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island, near Charleston, S.C.
Ownership and management of Kiawah Island Golf Resort aim to make the new, $125 million “resort within the resort,” the finest golf resort on the planet. Prem Devadas, managing director for Kiawah Island Golf Resort, believes it's a realistic goal, given Kiawah's unspoiled, 10 mile-long beach, its unparalleled natural beauty, its collection of five golf courses, and its proximity (35 miles) to charming Charleston.
The Sanctuary is a stunning achievement on an astounding site — directly on the beach, but built in a manner that fits the environmentally sensitive surroundings.
The attention to detail at the 255-room hotel is extraordinary. Here's one example: Not only do all the guest rooms have fine views of the ocean, but the bathrooms were constructed so you have an ocean view while soaking in the bathtub.
For meetings, The Sanctuary has more than 18,000 square feet of meeting and conference space, including a 6,200-square-foot ballroom with grand pre-function area and courtyard garden and the 3,200-square-foot Ocean Room with outdoor terrace and function lawn.
The Pete Dye — designed Ocean Course, site of the famous 1991 "War By the Shore" Ryder Cup competition, is one of five courses at Kiawah. Not only does the Ocean Course have caddies (very rare these days), but the caddies are first-rate.