Carolina on Course: Sea Pines & Kiawah in the Swing of Things

Lowcountry Luxe awaits Atlantans at these two golf-oriented getaways where coastal tides run alongside fairways and family fun stays in focus.

When a holiday dilemma pits two iconic, family-friendly, golf-soaked South Carolina resorts against each other, there’s only one sensible move for A-towners: skip the choosing and enjoy both.

That’s the approach VUE took recently, teeing up Lowcountry gems Sea Pines Resort and Kiawah Island Golf Resort. With shared DNA, coastal-focused New South dining, plenty of kid-friendly diversions, and genuine warmth and hospitality, these award-winning sister properties are primed to capture hearts and create lasting memories.

Of course, there’s golf. Bucket lists fill quickly at these idyllic resorts, just a two-hour drive apart. Together, they boast eight championship courses designed by legends including Pete Dye, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Davis Love III, and Tom Fazio.

Here’s what you’ll find:

Sea Pines Resort

The Inn at Harbour Town

Fronting the fabled Harbour Town Golf Links and set beneath the iconic candy-cane-striped Harbour Town Lighthouse, the Inn is the island’s premier luxury stay—and its only Forbes Four-Star hotel.

Oversized guestrooms and suites offer refined Southern comfort and ample lounging space. Inviting public areas include a golfer’s library and a verandah overlooking the links, complete with rocking chairs and a clubby bar pouring classic Southern libations.

Just a 9-iron from the Inn’s front porch sits the first tee at Harbour Town Golf Links, home to the RBC Heritage for 57 consecutive years since 1969, one of the longest-running single-site events on the PGA Tour.

The course, ranked among Golf Digest’s “America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses” and Golf Magazine’s “Top 100 Courses You Can Play,” was recently renovated by Davis Love III.

“So many things make this a special place,” Love said of the project. “It’s like the Pebble Beach of the East Coast—a place you want to see and play, with so much history.”

His updates honor Dye’s original design while subtly modernizing the course for today’s game.

A caddie elevates the experience—their local knowledge, green-reading savvy, and knack for tracking down wayward shots make every round more memorable.

Two additional courses round out the resort’s offerings. Heron Point, a Dye design refreshed in 2007, blends charm and challenge, while Atlantic Dunes—a 2016 Davis Love III redesign of the island’s original Ocean Course by George Cobb—faithfully follows the historic routing.

Off the course

Explore the 605-acre Sea Pines Forest Preserve on horseback at Lawton Stables, with guided trail rides, pony rides, and a small animal farm. Enjoy the resort’s 15-mile network of leisure paths for biking, jogging, or strolling; play pickleball or tennis at the Sea Pines Racquet Club’s 22 clay courts; or take in South Beach Marina’s New England–style village with waterfront dining, family-friendly spots, and boating excursions, there’s plenty to enjoy off the course here.

Dining options span the resort, from casual bites at Harbour Town Bakery & Café and Fraser’s Tavern to seafood and sunset views at Quarterdeck and the Ocean Lounge at the Sea Pines Beach Club.

A standout is Links, an American Grill, inside the Harbour Town clubhouse. This casually elegant bistro shines from breakfast through dinner. One memorable meal featured fresh swordfish over risotto with tomato beurre blanc, braised short-rib ravioli with sweet potato, ricotta, and truffle, and a decadent Knickerbocker sundae layered with rum-raisin caramel, vanilla ice cream, banana crème pâtissière, and honeycomb brittle.

Kiawah Island Golf Resort

The Sanctuary

Guests feel their blood pressure drop the moment they enter the winding, Spanish moss–draped, oak-lined road approaching The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, a 255-room, ultra-luxury oceanfront hotel and spa.

The aptly named resort holds both AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Five-Star ratings and sits on a 10,000-acre barrier island just 21 miles from Charleston. Guests are welcomed with genteel Southern charm and authentic hospitality in a dramatic setting along nearly 10 miles of Atlantic coastline.

Life moves at a slower pace here, what locals call “island time.” Oversized wing chairs, grand picture windows, fine carpets, and artisan crafts fill the lobby and public spaces. Quiet alcoves invite guests to curl up with a book or iced tea, gather for a game of checkers, or simply take in the sandy bluffs and ocean views beyond.

Oceanside golf

Golf takes center stage with five championship courses by top architects: the famed Ocean Course by Pete Dye—host of the 1991 Ryder Cup and multiple PGA Championships—along with Osprey Point by Tom Fazio, Turtle Point by Jack Nicklaus, Cougar Point by Gary Player, and Oak Point by Clyde Johnston.

“All of our golf courses are top-notch,” says Abby Welch, director of instruction. “Each is in fantastic shape and offers its own nuances.”

Welch notes the resort’s extensive training resources, including customized instruction at the Tommy Cuthbert Golf Learning Center. “We have a dedicated facility with a central putting green, TrackMan technology, video analysis, and plenty of practice space,” she says.

Programs include adult and junior clinics with morning lessons, lunch, and a nine-hole playing lesson in the afternoon. “Everything we do is customized,” Welch adds. “We work a lot with beginners—it’s a great way to start the game on the right footing.”

Families prioritized

Families are well served here, with enough activities to fill a week. Beyond kayaking, boating, and fishing, guests can bike, spot dolphins, or explore shelling and birding along the Kiawah River.

The Treehouse Activity Center is a standout, featuring bowling, golf simulators, an arcade, and The Perch, a laid-back hangout serving pizza, wings, and nachos for all ages.

A hands-on Art Studio offers “make-and-take” classes, from screen printing and tie-dye to stuffed animal creation and shark-tooth or shell jewelry.

Lowcountry coastal cuisine

Dining options span everything from casual BBQ to refined coastal fare. Two highlights:

Jasmine Porch, located in The Sanctuary lobby, focuses on authentic Lowcountry cuisine sourced from local farms and fisheries. Don’t miss the soft-shell crab in season,lightly dusted, fried, and served over lima beans and fresh creamed corn.

The Atlantic Room at The Ocean Course showcases modern American seafood with locally sourced catches and an extensive wine list. Its signature Country Captain—featuring fresh fish, shrimp, mussels, clams, and crab in a rich curry broth over Carolina Gold rice with curried almonds, is a standout.