Boutique Luxury Eco-Escape in Charleston Sea Islands: The Dunlin, Auberge Resorts

My husband and I had the pleasure of visiting The Dunlin for the resort’s opening season, and our Lowcountry long weekend was filled with highs. From its serene views to its laid-back sophistication, The Dunlin is a perfect retreat for couples, families and groups. Especially those who love golf, nature and relaxation.

The Dunlin Hotel Grounds

Location

The Dunlin is a 5-star boutique luxury hotel part of the renowned Auberge Resorts collection, located about 40 minutes from Charleston on Johns Island. With a front-row seat on the Kiawah River, the 2000-acre waterfront community gives guests access to miles of bike trails, championship-rated golf courses, pristine beaches and top-rated restaurants. The Dunlin’s proximity to Charleston also provides the opportunity to explore downtown and its rich history — but trust me, you will not want to leave. I recommend renting a car to give you maximum flexibility to explore the area.

Rooms

The 72 cottage-style guest rooms at The Dunlin are perfectly curated to feel like a home away from home. The hotel rooms are thoughtfully designed by Amanda Lindroth and blend a Southern aesthetic with English simplicity. White shiplap walls, wood and wicker details and accents of mint green create a light and airy retreat. Each room has screened-in porches seamlessly bringing the outdoors in, inviting guests to slow down and savor the natural beauty. I highly recommend the Saltgrass Suite, which overlooks the Kiawah River. It has a cozy living room with a fireplace and dining nook, and of course, a freestanding bathtub. Suites and various rooms can also be combined for families or groups traveling together.

Saltgrass Suite

Bathtub with View of Kiawah River

Activities

The activities at The Dunlin go beyond your usual fun in the sun. Each experience is authentically connected to local culture, from hands-on workshops to immersive adventures geared toward exploration. This destination cannot be fully experienced unless you get on the water. Whether you kayak on the river or head out to sea, you’ll be enveloped by the surrounding environment in a whole new way. If you’re up for fishing, I recommend taking a charter from St. Johns Yacht Harbor. Our captain was incredibly knowledgeable and even took us out to catch sharks - reeling one in is not for the faint of heart!

Pro tip: The area is very tidal-dependent. If you choose to fish, plan to be flexible with your start and end times for the best possible experience. Your captain will advise on the exact timing. This activity pairs perfectly with a relaxing pool day.

• Complimentary Activities: Enjoy house bikes, racquet and lawn games, a 1950s-inspired pool and firepits complete with s’mores

• Workshops: Dive into engaging workshops for all ages. Kids can learn about crabbing and how to spot native birds, while adults can participate in cocktail and candle-making classes using locally sourced ingredients.

• The Goatery: Experience farm life with a visit to The Goatery, an artisan goat dairy that doubles as an animal sanctuary. You can feed the local farm animals, pick fresh eggs and even participate in a 60-minute goat yoga flow.

• The Shindig: On Fridays and Saturdays, The Dunlin comes alive with The Shindig. This is a sunset soiree featuring live music on the porch — a highlight of our trip and the perfect way to unwind.

• Water Adventures: Choose from self-guided or guided kayak and paddle-board adventures. Guided tours include — Going For Grits, a kayak trip complete with picnic breakfast and Coastal Safari, a river outing in search of the dolphins, fish, birds and turtles that call this ecosystem home.

• Charter Fishing: Embark on an exciting fishing trip with options of inshore, nearshore and offshore excursions.

St. Johns Yacht Harbor

Offshore Fishing

Golf

Kiawah Island, located just beyond Johns Island, has exceptionally good golf courses, known for their challenging design, well-manicured greens, stunning views, and diverse wildlife. There are five main courses: Osprey Point, Cougar Point, Oak Point, Turtle Point, and The Ocean Course. We golfed at Osprey Point and Cougar Point, both of which I would recommend for intermediate golfers or couples play. The Ocean Course is absolutely stunning and is a must-visit, but only recommended for more advanced golfers as the course is quite challenging. TLDR: The Ocean Course is a better spot for lunch than golf if you are not an expert.

Pro tip: Tee times can book up quickly, so work with your advisor (me!) on reserving in advance. And make sure to get some swing juice — the Transfusion will have you under par in no time.

• Osprey Point: Listed among the "Top 50 Courses for Women" by Golf Digest, Osprey Point has wide fairways and manageable challenges, making this a great course for couples or groups with varying skill levels.

• Cougar Point: The course winds around the lakes and marshes, making for a scenic and fun round. The newly renovated Clubhouse is the perfect spot for a front porch sitting after 18.

• Oak Point: Perhaps the hidden gem of the five courses, Oak Point is situated on Johns Island against the Kiawah River. Described as a “low profile course with high caliber experience” golfers can expect rolling fairways, natural lagoons and an emphasis on strategy. Green fees here are also cheaper than the other Kiawah courses.

• Turtle Point: A classic Jack Nicklaus course that demands precision with its narrow fairways, strategically placed water hazards and small greens. It offers a rewarding challenge best suited for advanced players.

• The Ocean Course: This seaside course is one of the most iconic golf courses in the world. Known for hosting multiple PGA Championships, it’s considered the most difficult course in America due to its strategic, challenging layout and unpredictable coastal winds. This is also a walking-only course.

Cougar Point Golf Course

Osprey Point Golf Course

Spa

Auberge Resorts has the best massages. The Aster Spa at The Dunlin was no exception. The Aster Spa uses the ultra-luxe French Biologique Recherche product line for full skin and body treatments. I received an incredible 60-minute massage with Aster honey sourced from local apiaries (sounds sticky, but it was not!) that was the perfect post-golf indulgence. Outside the treatment rooms, there is a gorgeous relaxation room leading out into a private outdoor patio.

Dining

There are three dining options onsite at the Dunlin: Linnettes, the signature restaurant, Willet Room and The Cove for poolside service. All three restaurants are excellent, but we did venture off-property to get a taste of the local cuisine. For a unique and tasty experience, I’d highly recommend Lost Isle. This ever-unassuming, roadside hidden gem was the best dinner on our trip. Lost Isle serves up fire-to-table dishes in a casual outdoor backyard setting, with live music, solid cocktails and great vibes.

Pro tip: Lost Isle does not take reservations on the weekend, so be sure to get there around 5 pm at opening or after 8 pm. There will be a line, but it moves quickly and you can grab a drink at the bar while you wait.

• Linnette’s: Overlooking the Kiawah River, The Dunlin’s all-day restaurant delivers on southern hospitality. The restaurant commits to sourcing locally, offering fresh seafood from local fishermen along with produce and dairy from neighboring farms. The oysters, pastry trio and cornbread are not to be missed.

• Lost Isle: This place won’t stay a secret for long - Lost Isle was recently named one of “America's Best Restaurants” in 2024 by the New York Times. The menu has odes to Southern staples, but offers a unique twist as all dishes are cooked over open fires. The smoked tomahawk pork chop with tomato-cherry chutney, charcoal roasted carrots with brown butter, hazelnut sauce, chili and goat cheese and the whipped ricotta with chili honey and focaccia were our top favorites.

• Ryder Cup Bar: Whether you’re a lady that lunches or a golf pro, the Ryder Cup Bar at the Ocean Course clubhouse is the perfect spot for a relaxing and tasty meal with incredible views of the Atlantic Ocean. The “Bagger Burger” named after the Legend of Bagger Vance, which was filmed on Kiawah Island, and Crispy Shrimp are a must-order.

Other local favorites include The Royal Tern, for classic steak and seafood, The Wild Olive for farm-to-table Italian with a Southern twist and Wholly Cow for ice cream and sweet treats.

If you plan to head into Charleston, you’ll have plenty of eateries at your fingertips. After a day of sightseeing, I recommend Leon’s for champagne and oysters and the Citrus Club rooftop at The Dewberry Charleston for a cocktail.

Kiawah River Marshes

The Dunlin is a must-stay! The hotel impeccably delivers on unique design, excellent service and curated experiences. The proximity to Charleston allows for both city and coastal adventures at your leisure. The weather was quite warm in August, so I recommend a late spring (March–May) or Fall (September–October) trip. Aside from being a great couples destination, this is a perfect location for a girls’ getaway, golf trips and families. There are also many gorgeous colonial rental home properties tailored for groups. Contact me to book your getaway! I’ll handle all the details so you can relax and enjoy.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our South Carolina page.