Sweet Southern Escape

Wild Dunes Resort features 1,600 acres along the coast of South Carolina. In 2021, Wild Dunes unveiled its newest accommodation offering—The Sweetgrass Inn. The property boasts 153 coastal-inspired guest suites. The resort’s two-mile stretch of beach is ideal for sunbathing or long walks. At night, guests stroll The Shoppes at Sweetgrass, which features a variety of shopping, dining, and outdoor fire pits great for roasting s’mores. Escape the sun at The Spa at Sweetgrass.

Just fifteen miles from downtown Charleston is one of South Carolina’s gems: Isle of Palms. Stunning beach homes line the white, pristine beaches but at the far east end of the island sits an unassuming gated resort and residential property, Wild Dunes Resort. A stone’s throw from the Atlantic Ocean, Wild Dunes sits on 1,600 acres and features world-class golf, top-ranked tennis, award-winning restaurants, and two miles of beautiful beaches. It truly feels like a tiny beachside town; a charming boardwalk leads up to the beach and Charleston-style homes border open greens shadowed by towering oak trees where kids play Frisbee and catch fireflies (or as they’re called here, lightning bugs) at night.

It’s the resort’s charm and accessibility that has people from all over the country visiting, year after year. Part of that can be attributed to the variety of accommodations for couples to large families. At Wild Dunes there are two AAA Four Diamond properties to choose from: The Boardwalk Inn and The Residences at Sweetgrass. The Boardwalk Inn exudes southern hospitality with traditional decor and coastal touches found in each of the ninety-three rooms, which serve as a relaxing respite from the summer heat. Like its neighboring The Boardwalk Inn, The Residences are just a short walk from The Shoppes at Sweetgrass, which features a variety of retail stores and a fire pit for roasting marshmallows. The Residences feature one- to three-bedroom accommodations allowing for room to spread out or host in-home crab bakes and lobster boils after a long day enjoying the property. In 2021, the newest addition to the resort opened, The Sweetgrass Inn. The elevated modern-meets-coastal interior design of each of the 153 guest rooms is inviting and relaxing.

During the day, SUPs and kayaks are available for rent. If dry land is more your cup of sweet tea, don’t miss the resort’s award-winning golf courses. Golf Digest named Wild Dunes Resort as one of the “Best in State” for golf in South Carolina; with its Tom Fazio–designed The Links Course and Harbor Course, it’s easy to understand why. Whether you want to drive a meandering fairway by the marsh or tee up with a view of the ocean, there’s no going wrong with either course.

After a long day at the beach or pool, head to one of the many dining options on property. Wild Dunes offers everything from brick-oven pizzas and classic char-grilled burgers to freshly caught oysters, surf and turf, and other local seafood direct from the Carolina coast. End the night with ice cream on the boardwalk at Duney’s or an artisan cocktail (like a refreshing raspberry lemon drop) at Coastal Provisions, which is known for its specialty drinks.