The Sanctuary at Kiawah vs. The Dunlin Auberge: Which Resort is Better?
When it comes to people asking me about luxurious getaways near Charleston, South Carolina, two iconic resorts tend to come up in the conversation: The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island and the brand-new buzzy Dunlin, Auberge Resorts Collection. But if you’re wondering which one is actually better for your next getaway — you know I’m not the girl who’s going to say “they’re both great in their own ways!” and just leave it at that. Spoiler alert: I definitely have a favorite.
After visiting both, I’m breaking down the key differences for you all as you plan your own trips to the Charleston area, (or staycations if you live here like we do!) — from vibe, to the service, to the clientele, to the setting — so you can pick the right experience for you and the trip you’re going for!
The Sanctuary at Kiawah vs The Dunlin : The Setting
The hotels are located just 15 minutes away from one another, but the feeling is totally different.
Beachfront vs. in the Lowcountry
The Sanctuary at Kiawah sits directly on one of the most stunning stretches of beach on the East Coast — a wide, peaceful, private-feeling beach with super-soft sand that’s perfect for long walks, family days, bike rides, and sunset cocktails by the water.
In contrast, the Dunlin is located a bit inland on the new development “Kiawah River”. Its beautifully positioned for a picturesque marsh and Lowcountry view, so if that’s your vibe, it’s an ideal Southern setting! But, if you’re craving toes-in-the-sand beach days, you’ll have to drive to get there from the Dunlin.
My take: I’m a beach girl through and through. For me, nothing beats the ease of walking straight from your hotel room to the sand. Especially for families traveling with kids, a beachfront resort is a huge advantage.
Winner for setting: The Sanctuary at Kiawah
The Sanctuary at Kiawah vs The Dunlin: Design and Vibe
Traditional Elegance vs. Modern, Ultra-Aesthetic Charm
The Dunlin Auberge is undeniably beautiful. Think whitewashed walls, curated, chic interiors, and an airy, coastal-modern aesthetic that feels straight out of a design magazine!!! It’s charming, fresh, and very Instagram-worthy – perfect for a brunch or lunch date with the girls.
The Sanctuary at Kiawah, on the other hand, embodies classic Southern luxury. It’s an older hotel, for sure, but it is marked by elegant, traditional architecture, sweeping grand staircases, jaw-dropping art murals of the lowcountry, lush landscaping, and a true sense of timelessness. From the minute you step inside, you feel like you’re somewhere important – and somewhere truly special.
My take: The Dunlin is adorable for a day visit, or if you love a modern aesthetic vs a traditional one, but if I’m checking in for a luxury vacation, I want the tradition, setting, and grandeur that The Sanctuary offers.
Winner for atmosphere: It depends on your tastes! Traditional, European feel: The Sanctuary at Kiawah, Design-forward, modern feel: The Dunlin
The Sanctuary at Kiawah vs The Dunlin: The Service
The Sanctuary has been around for so much longer than the brand-new Dunlin, so it’s had decaaades to become great at the service. From pool and beach attendants ready to help you with your chairs, umbrellas and drink orders, everything here in our experience has felt easy and seamless.
While the Dunlin has a friendly team, they are still working out the natural kinks of being a brand-new property. Service can be slower, less intuitive, and not quite as polished — yet.
My take: When you’re investing in a luxury experience, service matters. A lot. And The Sanctuary delivers effortlessly.
Winner for service: The Sanctuary at Kiawah
The Sanctuary at Kiawah vs The Dunlin: The Activities
The Sanctuary at Kiawah has multiple pools, a renowned spa, five championship golf courses, and plenty of dining options. There is so much to do! The Dunlin, on the other hand, offers lowcountry-centric, nature-inspired activities like kayaking, birdwatching, and exploring the surrounding natural landscapes. Most people prefer the Sanctuary for all it has to offer, but those that are looking for a quieter, nature-focused getaway might head to the newer Dunlin!
The Sanctuary at Kiawah vs The Dunlin: The Clientele
At the Sanctuary, you get a loooooot of golfers, and a lot of families, of all ages, from babies to teenagers. Everyone was wearing either golf clothes or general resort wear or activewear. The vibe is effortlessly casual, and the pool was (surprisingly) never crowded. There is an adult pool and a family-focused pool. The Dunlin had a lot of groups of ladies (lunching and brunching, and in cute southern dresses) and southern couples in activewear, walking around the property exploring.
Which hotel is Best for Families?
If you’re traveling with kids, the beach access at The Sanctuary is a game-changer.
There’s plenty of space for little ones to run, swim, and play, the pools are big and the waves on the beach are tame and child-friendly.
Kiawah also offers a wide range of family-friendly travel activities, from bike rentals to nature walks to their famously-good kids’ camps!
The Dunlin, being on the river, is more limited in terms of kid-friendly water activities. The resort is beautiful but smaller, and in the heat of summer, being by the river (without ocean breezes) could feel very hot and sticky (and buggy) for little ones.
My take: For a family trip, The Sanctuary. With spacious accommodations and kid-friendly activities, it’s one of the most popular choices for families traveling to South Carolina.
Winner for families: The Sanctuary at Kiawah
The Sanctuary at Kiawah vs The Dunlin: The Dining
Who has better restaurants?
The Dunlin shines when it comes to a stylish brunch, lunch, or cocktails at Linette’s. The vibe is very aesthetic, and the food is great for a casual, elevated meal! I loved the crab ceasar salad and the cornbread skillet – yum!!!
At The Sanctuary, you get a wider variety of restaurants on property — from upscale fine dining to easy poolside lunches — and you’re also just a quick bike ride or golf cart ride away from even more options on Kiawah Island. You also have the 5-star steakhouse of the Ocean Room right on property. Also, if you’re considering upgrading your stay, the Club Level at The Sanctuary is our favorite travel hack. It gives you access to a private lounge with complimentary breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as afternoon hors d’oeuvres, evening cocktails, and desserts — all with that signature Kiawah service. It’s a perfect add-on for families or couples who want a more elevated, seamless experience without having to think about where to eat between beach and pool time!
My take: I’d visit the Dunlin for a meal if you’re staying on Kiawah — but honestly, Charleston has the best food in the world, so I’d go to downtown for some amazing dinners while you’re in the area (and check out my best foodie guide to Charleston recommendations)
The Sanctuary at Kiawah vs The Dunlin: Which Resort is Better?
Both The Dunlin and The Sanctuary have their strengths — but if you’re looking for the best choice for a getaway, The Sanctuary at Kiawah is the clear winner (for me!!!)
You get the beach (vs the marsh), you get better service, it’s great for families (the kids club is one of the very best kids clubs anywhere), and it’s what a relaxed coastal escape should feel like, with allll the Charleston charm.
The Dunlin is worth a visit — absolutely! Stop by for brunch, sip a cocktail, and take in the beautiful design! But when it comes to where you want to stay, I’d recommend either the Sanctuary at Kiawah for a more secluded, tucked away escape, or Wild Dunes if you want to be closer to Charleston but still have a kid-friendly beach hotel!
TL;DR: THE SANCTUARY vs DUNLIN
| Feature | The Sanctuary at Kiawah | The Dunlin Auberge |
|---|---|---|
| Location | On the beach | On the river / marsh |
| Vibe | Traditional, grand | Modern, very aesthetic |
| Service | Great | Just OK |
| Best for Families? | Yes! | Limited |
| Dining | Multiple options on-site | Great for brunch, lunch, cocktails, oysters |
| Overall Winner | The Sanctuary |
HOW TO GET FREE PERKS WHEN BOOKING SANCTUARY OR DUNLIN!
If you’re looking to book eitehr of these hotels, let my go-to travel agent [email protected] know – her name is Addie and if you tell her in your email that Jetset Christina sent you, she hooks up Jetset followers with FREE VIP perks like upgrades, free breakfast, and resort credits just for being a Jetset Christina reader!!!
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