The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island, SC

Kaden enjoys a custom sundae @ the Friday night Ice Cream Social.
Kendall & I at JB's Seafood on Shem Creek on the night we drove into Charleston. Keith even got my favorite children's boutique to open their doors for me after hours to shop...bonus points for the hubby!

Keith, Kaden & Kendall during a walk through the nature center and visit to the playground where Kaden of course made a new friend...my social butterfly.

Picture Perfect...my handsome man!

Kendall chases her shadow on the beach

Kaden @ the main pool

We are huge fans of Charleston, SC and travel there on average four times a year. We have tried about 5 or 6 of the hotels downtown as well as at neighboring beaches Isle of Palms & Folly Beach. This time we decided to venture towards one of the barrier islands, Kiawah Island, about 30 minutes outside of downtown Charleston. Through http://www.iprefer.com/ I stumbled on a deal at the Sanctuary Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort. I have read numerous articles about this beautiful island and needed to try it out myself. The experience was heavenly. No bright lights, fast food, or funky souvenir shops. It was like visiting paradise. The hotel is the type that learns your name before you arrive, opens the door before you get to it, puts a cold water in your hand at the pool before you ask for it, and my favorite has an evening turndown service where they dim the lights, put on soft music, cool off the room and put chocolates on your pillow :) The room we stayed in had a balcony overlooking the pool and unobstructed views of the Atlantic ocean & a huge soaking tub that the kids loved. We spent a lot of time at the main pool, one of three on the property, and enjoyed lunch & drinks poolside most afternoons. Kaden enjoyed camp on Friday & Saturday at the nearby Night Heron Park, where he was able to go on a treasure hunt on the beach! I even took the kids on a bike ride, which didn't quite turn out the way I pictured it would in my head, but fun nonetheless. We spotted an alligator walking through the park...yikes!!! Enjoyed the down home mac n chz at Jasmine's Porch and the Vanilla Bourbon French Toast at Brunch was divine and the creme brulee Keith ordered up from room service is still sneaking into my dreams! Nearby Freshfields Village (in the roundabout that connects Seabrook, John's and Kiawah Island's) offered a great array of shops, an old fashioned pharmacy w/ root beer floats and thick milkshakes, ice cream parlor, old time candy shop, and the King Street Grill w/ great burgers! Tip: the Sanctuary is best suited for a special romantic weekend or with your kids ages 3 and up, as that is the age requirement for day camp and most of the scheduled activities including kayaking, dolphin cruises, and alligator walks. Definitely pricey but you can find deals through IPrefer.com or sign up for alerts through the hotels website to find deals w/ breakfast included, resort credits or free upgrades. The island also has numerous villas you can rent for about half the price or houses through http://www.resortquest.com/. Although we had a wonderful time not sure we will be heading back too soon...the price is high and the kids, especially Kendall, are just too young to enjoy the numerous daily activities. However, I would like for Keith to play the famous Ocean Golf Course & I would like to eat at the Ocean Room...so I'm sure we will revisit eventually. We are city people and we love the convenience and charm of downtown Charleston & can't wait to go back.