Would you go to the Sanctuary at Kiawah opening day?

[Anonymous]

Every year we consider going to Kiawah. We have heard amazing rave reviews about this place from friends and on DCUM. We have considered going for spring break but it isn’t warm enough to swim in March/April so we always go elsewhere. Then we don’t go in the summer. Seems like it is finally a good time to go. Sanctuary is planned to open June 4. This is a low covid area. We will be the first guests so I don’t have to worry who was in the room prior to us. Tennis and golf will be open. Pools are by reservation only to allow social distancing. I believe chairs and umbrellas are also reserved in advance. We could drive there in 8 hours. Kids will be wrapping up school.

Would you go to the Sanctuary opening day?

[Anonymous]

Also wondering if this place is worth the long drive compared to Salamander or Nemacolin, places that are significantly closer. Cost is a non issue. Time in car is.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I would. but in answer to the second poster, it's not worth the long drive. it's not any nicer than salamander or nemacolin.

[Anonymous]

I just dont think this is worth the drive or the covid risk. If you can afford the Sanctuary, you probably have a nice house.

I am from SC and the people there are acting crazy. No social distancing. No masks. Not many ICU beds in the area. Sadly I think they may have a lot of deaths. I wouldnt assume it is a low covid area.

[Anonymous]

I live in NC and it has been an unusually cool spring. Are you sure it will be warm enough to swim in a couple of weeks? WE went once in early September and it was unusually cool. It was boring. Swimming was impossible in the ocean and the pools were freezing.

Also, agree with other posters about not assuming it is a low covid area. The rooms don't have kitchens so I assume you will be eating in restaurants. It's not exactly a "once in a lifetime" destination. Not sure why you would risk it.

If you just want to get away, find a beach house. Bring bleach and groceries.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I would. but in answer to the second poster, it's not worth the long drive. it's not any nicer than salamander or nemacolin.

Last time I checked neither of those were remotely near a beach, and the beach at Kiawah is a huge draw.

[Anonymous]

we've rented beach front townhouses a few times through Kiawah's resort - we went twice in June and the pools were really cold.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I would. but in answer to the second poster, it's not worth the long drive. it's not any nicer than salamander or nemacolin.

I am not a bit fan of Kiawah, but is far and away better than Nemacolin and Salamander. Both have awful food and poor service.

I would do Montage Palmetto Bluff, slightly shorter drive also.

[Anonymous]

I was going to book later in the summer. I'm not ready to book a hotel yet, but they also have affiliated villas and private homes where you can use all of the amenities. Great pricing right now. I know people aren't really using masks down there. I'm trying to wait as long as possible. Will probably book late July.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I would. but in answer to the second poster, it's not worth the long drive. it's not any nicer than salamander or nemacolin.

I am not a bit fan of Kiawah, but is far and away better than Nemacolin and Salamander. Both have awful food and poor service.

I would do Montage Palmetto Bluff, slightly shorter drive also.

How is Bluffton shorter from DC?

[Anonymous]

Yes, I would go. It is nicer than any beach setting in Rehoboth or Bethany. In non Covid times dining out is better in Charleston than meals at Kiawah. If restaurants are open
in Charleston for carryout it would be worth it. Charleston is well known for it's dining.
I remember ordering a pricey burger at Kiawah in the bar.

There is a lot to do in Charleston too. Charleston is well worth driving over to visit.

You can also rent villas there.

[Anonymous]

Current restaurant menu https://kiawahresort.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Kiawah_Best_Dining_Menu.pdf

During covid times see above.

I suspect they will expand upon that when you are there and have more locations open.

[Anonymous]

Kiawah is closer than Bluffton.

I've been to Kiawah (The Sanctuary), I've never been to Montage Bluffton.

Montage Bluffton is built on a river. Kiawah is ocean front.

I'd go to Kiawah hands down.

It looks like some of the river front rooms at Montage Bluffton are on swamps.

Kiawah hands down. The ocean is very nice there.

[Anonymous]

OP, I'm 15:49, 15:50 and 15:59

I've been to the Sanctuary and I've lived and worked in Rehoboth. Given the large number of cases in Sussex County I would not feel safe going there. I believe cases as of this morning are closing in at 4000. I know most of them are the poultry workers but the poultry worker family members clean the houses and work at the gas stations and groceries at the beach. I am currently on the eastern shore of Md. We are telling all of our workers to stay out of Delaware.

I have not been following the case count in Charleston. I don't think Kiawah is all that but it does have great ocean front. To me it is like many ocean beach resorts that you can find in Florida, think Amelia Island etc.

That said, I would feel safe visiting there (unless high covid count), I do not feel safe visiting the De beaches and visiting Kiawah comes with the plus of also visiting Charleston which is well worth visiting.

The beach season in Bethany and Rehoboth is just going to be weird this year.

Choice of Kiawah or DE beaches I'd go to Kiawah this year.

Charleston will be hot for walking around but is worth visiting sites there.

[Anonymous]

Why is there an issue with Delaware? I hadn't heard that it was high - but I guess not following closely.