Luxury Hotels - Sea Island or Kiawah Island?

Hi

just deciding between these two for our few weeks in the South as a golf add for Mr carls888 on top of our Charleston and Savannah visits.

And thinking also about Reynolds Plantation RC, any good? We have to be around this area for the US Masters in April 2013.

Bear in mind that we have two small children with us, but they are used to great places to stay and do not need kids clubs or prearranged activities as such.

Thanks

C

PS: Is Atlanta worth afew days?

To me, it's no question: Kiawah. But I suppose that depends on whether you're staying at the Sanctuary or not. If yes, then I stand by my vote. If you're renting a house elsewhere on the island, then it depends. But for golf and related amenities, I think Kiawah wins hands down. The Sanctuary is a great place and offers excellent service and I think your kids would like it more than Sea Island.

Can't speak directly to Reynolds, but it's a nice place with an excellent Ritz. Golf is a little more prevalent, but I don't think it's as nice as Kiawah (or even Sea Island).

Thanks dchristiva

Nope no house renting, we will be at the resort.

Thanks for your response, it's so hard to tell what is what from websites and no-one we know have been to either place.

C

PS: Why do you think one is better than the other? Just curious... as it will help me round it all out.

Been to both. For me they seemed pretty much the same.... comfortable, predictable service, decent food. Having stayed at some real luxury resorts outside of the U.S., neither really rang my bell.

5khours, is there anywhere that you, or anyone else here, would recommend instead? Golfing is a must!!! Keep Mr C happy. Either in SC, Georgia, or SoCal?

Thanks

C

5khours, is there anywhere that you, or anyone else here, would recommend instead? Golfing is a must!!! Keep Mr C happy. Either in SC, Georgia, or SoCal?

Thanks

C

Sorry, I probably came across as too negative. All of these resorts are very, very nice by U.S. standards. Have also done Pelican Hill, Tiburon (FLA), Palmetto Bluff in the last couple of years, which were also very nice. I liked Pelican Hill the best (airport is convenient too).

We visit Kiawah several times a year. We are not golfers but the golf is known to be top quality and the PGA championship is being held at the Ocean Course next week. The island is a wonderful place for families with lots for to do, including nature and wildlife programs, a beach that goes on for miles, bike and walking trails, kayaking, birding. On our last visit, we went on a kayaking trip in the marshes and and an alligator walking tour and spent a lot of time on the beach. We stay at a condo, not the Sanctuary, but the public rooms and pool at the Sanctuary are beautiful. Food on the island is ok, not at the level of Charleston's. We spent a day at Sea Island years ago, but I don't remember it well enough to compare.

Thanks everyone.

As we are travelling so far (from Australia) we think we will stay at both.

We are having a week in Charleston, 3 nights Kiawah, 5 nights Savannah, 3 nights Sea Island, unsure whether to stay at the Lodge or Cloister yet though.

Any opinions?

Also anyone stayed at the RC Amelia Island lately?

C

The Lodge is on the golf courses, but is not on Sea Island proper. It has a gorgeous setting on the water. The Cloister is actually on Sea Island but is about a 10 minute drive to the Lodge and the Golf courses. It kind of depends on how much golf you plan on playing. If you are only going to play a round or so, I would stay at the Cloister. If you are playing 36 a day, then you ought to stay at the Lodge.

I just noticed that you have your kids with you. I would definitely stay on Sea Island, either at the Cloister or at the Beach Club which also has nice rooms and is right on the beach with all of the great pools etc.

Thanks everyone.

As we are travelling so far (from Australia) we think we will stay at both.

We are having a week in Charleston, 3 nights Kiawah, 5 nights Savannah, 3 nights Sea Island, unsure whether to stay at the Lodge or Cloister yet though.

Any opinions?

Also anyone stayed at the RC Amelia Island lately?

C

Avoid the RC Amelia Island. You will be disappointed.

If you are coming for golf, let me make four suggestions:
Casa Palmero at Pebble Beach
The American Club at Kohler (Wisconsin)
Pinehurst, North Carolina
Bandon Dunes, Oregon

While these properties generally would fall in the four-star-plus standard, they rank to me, in addition to Kiawah, as the top golf destinations in the US.

Casa Palmero is a small, deluxe hotel within the grounds of Pebble Beach. You get preferred booking (2 years advance booking) for golf at Pebble Beach, Spanish Bay and Spyglass. These courses rank on the must play lifetime list for all serious golfers. US Open winners at Pebble include Nicklaus, Watson, Kite and Woods. CP is the nicest property at Pebble, though the Lodge and the Inn at Spanish Bay are also nice. The Lodge wins for views (overlooking the 18th hole), but CP is tops for intimacy/luxury.

Bandon Dunes is a "build it and they will come" property. Remincient of Barnbougle Dunes down on Tassie (though more deluxe), this is some of the most memorable golf in the US. The property is the weakest on the list, but still acceptable.

Kohler up in Wisconsin is one of the courses in the PGA Championship rotation (one of our majors up here in the US). Owned by the Kohler faucet family, they have some very nice spa facilities and dining that was better than I anticipated.

Kiawah is also one of the top golf spots in the US.

If coming from Oz, I'd go to Pebble Beach as a matter of priority. It is close to SFO.

Let us know what you select.

Thanks to you both.
NYbanker, we are going to Pebble Beach on this trip in October as we will be driving the West Coast.

Then Mr C will go to the Masters (organising tickets now) so we will be basing ourselves in the South more in March/April.

Mr C loves golf so we are looking forward to staying and relaxing at these resorts. Will have a look at the other ones you suggest and perhaps do them on another trip. Our dates are pretty full for these two trips now.

Any tips on which courses are the best or a great instructor on site?

C

All of the coureses at Sea Island are great. They were all redesigned by the top guys just a few years ago. There is one course on Sea Island proper which is absolutely incredible. It is called Ocean Forest. It was a private club, but after the ownership change, the public may be able to play it. If you can get on, I would highly recommend that you guys play it.

I have been to Sea Island dozens if times. Please PM me if you have any questions about anything. It is one of my favorite places on earth.

Thanks everyone.

As we are travelling so far (from Australia) we think we will stay at both.

We are having a week in Charleston, 3 nights Kiawah, 5 nights Savannah, 3 nights Sea Island, unsure whether to stay at the Lodge or Cloister yet though.

Any opinions?

Also anyone stayed at the RC Amelia Island lately?

C

I live in Ponte Vedra Beach Florida. Home of The Players Championship (at TPC Sawgrass - where we're members). Since you are coming from so far away - and your husband seems to be an avid golfer - no trip to this part of the world would be complete without at least a couple of rounds of golf here at the 2 courses at the TPC - the world famous Stadium Course - with the "Island Green" - and the less famous but equally challenging Valley Course - which is now the home of a Nationwide Tour Event in October.

The TPC Sawgrass is affiliated with the Marriott at Sawgrass - and golf packages are available. Now I'm not going to lie to you - and tell you that the Marriott is a luxury property. It isn't. It is - well - a decent Marriott. Note that there are some villa type accommodations there. They were supposed to have been renovated - but I don't think that has happened. The main building has been renovated. The property is not on the ocean - but it has a beach club with shuttle access. It also has a spa - heated pools - etc. (the ocean is kind of cool for swimming here in the spring).

There are other places to stay here - and play at the TPC at "rack rate" (instead on a golf package). But none is a luxury property. And unless you want a room on the ocean - or good tennis facilities (the Marriott doesn't have any tennis IIRC) - I wouldn't recommend them.

If this is of interest to your husband - you should check about the date when the Stadium Course closes for The Players (it is usually about a month or so before the tournament in May). He should also keep in mind that he will be playing a world class golf course in almost PGA tour condition - and that the course will be cart paths only (cart paths only usually starts around December or so). FWIW - I play this course for fun once in a while. It is WAY over my head - I am a 65 year old female golfer with a 31 handicap and mostly play the Valley Course*. But if your husband is a 15 or so handicap or better - he should have a great (if frustrating) time of it. And if he pars the Island Green - that will be the highlight of his trip :).

Also note that there is an excellent teaching facility at the TPC - the Tour Academy - as well as a terrific club house with good (children-friendly) dining options. Also many different golf options/packages to choose from. If at all interested - DM me - and I'll give you some additional information/website links (this is after all the luxury hotel forum - not the luxury golf forum). Robyn

P.S. We spend a night at the RC Amelia Island now and then (it's about 45 minutes north of where we are). The RC is nicer than any hotel here. But you really can't compare the golf options.

*My playing the Valley Course (a Pete Dye course) and saying that it is challenging aren't inconsistent. I can't reach greens in regulation for the most part - and there is almost always an "easy way around" for players like me (who hit short/straight/down the middle). For better golfers/longer hitters - they are dealing with 16 holes of lateral water.

Thanks everyone.

As we are travelling so far (from Australia) we think we will stay at both.

We are having a week in Charleston, 3 nights Kiawah, 5 nights Savannah, 3 nights Sea Island, unsure whether to stay at the Lodge or Cloister yet though.

Any opinions?

Also anyone stayed at the RC Amelia Island lately?

C

In terms of spending time here and there (without taking things like a day playing golf into account). I think a week in Charleston is way too much. Four nights max IMO (we were there earlier this year). Five nights in Savannah - again too much. Three nights max IMO. Unless you're planning to use either place as a hub for long day trips.

Atlanta is worth a visit. I know there are things people hate about Atlanta - like the traffic. But it has some decent stuff to see. From the spring flowers (the Botanical Gardens is very nice) - to the Aquarium - to the High Museum (not world class but excellent for the SE United States). Also - I think Atlanta has the best "new southern food" in the south. A fair number of excellent restaurants.

Seems like you will be here during spring flowering season in the south. Which is great - a beautiful time to be here. But fickle in terms of weather. Our trip to Charleston was supposed to be during the height of azalea season. But we had a very warm spring - and all the azaleas were gone 2 weeks before we got there. OTOH - everything was early - including soft-shell crab season - which was a very sweet consolation prize :).

If possible - I would try to book hotels with 24-48 hour cancellation policies so you can change plans depending on the weather (at our age - mid-60's - and with a very elderly parent - 94 - still living - we always do that). This may not be possible with smaller places - but is almost always possible when you're dealing with hotel chains (including luxury hotel chains).

I don't know where your travels have taken you to. As a veteran of world class luxury hotels - well I don't think you'll find many/any in this part of the world. But you will find many perfectly acceptable places to stay that you can use as bases for exploration.

BTW - one place you haven't mentioned is Callaway Gardens:

http://www.callawaygardens.com/

Absolutely gorgeous in the spring. But certainly not luxury either. Robyn

P.S. We usually stay at the FS when we go to Atlanta. Because it's one of the few higher end properties left where I can still get a smoking room. I also like the location.

Hi Carls888 - I actually have visited ALL of these resorts and hotels just this year. They are all incredibly unique and perfect for just the right occasion. The Sanctuary and Kiawah is the grandest with the PGA having just been helpd there. Sea Island is more formal but AAA 5 diamond hotel and restaurant, just as the RC Amelia Island is, too. Sea Island is VERY family friendly...the whole Beach Club hosts families all the time! RC Amelia is family friendly, but might be smaller than what you want. Charleston has some amazing hotels, some with pools for families. RC Reynolds is great for access from Atlanta, golf, lake, food and relaxation. Also good for families as they have many kid friendly activities.

I can refer you to a Virtuoso travel advisor who is able to receive added amenities and value for you at all of these hotels. This would include breakfast, upgrade, kids amenities, resort credits and more. Also, they are Virtuoso and RC STARS so receive more VIP assistance for clients at all RC Properties.

PM me if you would like to hear more detailed opinions on any of the properties mentioned or if you need more recommendations!