The Dunlin Hotel on the Kiawah River
First of all, The Dunlin is pretty. I mean, everything is pretty.
The attention to detail in the design is over-the-top beautiful, from the sage green umbrellas in the umbrella stand at the entry, to the sagey-mint freestanding bathtub, to the to-go coffee cups. It was also voted the #1 Resort in South Carolina by Travel + Leisure. There's a reason for that. No detail has been overlooked.
When you pull up to The Dunlins’ circular driveway, the first thing you see is the beautiful view of the Kiawah River and the palm trees lined up in front of it. The expansive lawn welcomes you with white Adirondack chairs placed in a circle around a fire pit. The exterior of The Dunlin is a creamy white with cedar-shake siding and beautiful minty-sage-green shutters, carried through the rest of the resort. It’s branded like Tiffany blue, from the coffee cups to the bistro table on the porch outside your hotel room. It’s subtle, though, and beautifully done.
The pool area to the left is serene, with cabanas, palm trees, a pergola, and a pool bar. You won’t find any raucous parties at this pool bar; everything about it is serene. table on the porch outside your hotel room. It’s subtle, though, and beautifully done.
Ok, I know I get caught up in the aesthetics, but let's talk about the service at The Dunlin. Impeccable. You’ll be greeted with a courteous smile and escorted to your room, where the host will explain the amenities. Lovely, and rare.
The amenities at The Dunlin are well done, with beach cruiser bikes available for guests to roam the massive property. They are the white with the same mint/sage green Nantucket-style baskets, of course.The property itself is a treat, with bike paths, a dock, a market, and even a nearby goat farm. I love that The Dunlin focuses on simple pleasures and wellness, such as birdwatching, fishing, natural gardening and the selecting produce from the local farmer’s market. It's expensive, but it's also a return to nature and simplicity, in an elegant way.
You can even book The Dunlin's Aster Spa for a day pass or a 'wellness retreat.'
After checking in at The Dunlin, grab a water bottle (aluminum) from the cooler out front, or the bartender will make you a coffee at the lounge. Get settled in your room and wander to the back porch, where you’ll find comfy couches set up in conversational nooks. The view is spectacular. You can order a drink there or on the cozy couches inside the bar area. The wooden bar is beautiful in itself, with … and the drinks are creative and delicious, along with a nice wine selection and the classic cocktails, served in beautiful glasses, which I always love!
In your room, which carries through the sagey-mint color scheme, you’ll enjoy custom beds arranged to make the most of the space. There is a cozy canopy nook with a shelf for a nightstand, including chargers and a place to set a carafe of water. The porch outside is large enough for three or four people to sit comfortably. The Dunlin offers complimentary snacks - you know, the good kind? Organic nuts, trail mix, and that kind of thing. The bathroom is large and contains a shower, a freestanding tub, and a double sink. Lots of space. And I love a bathrobe. Always a nice touch.
It’s a quiet place. The Dunlin feels serene, like you should whisper. You could come for the weekend and not leave the property. Dining upstairs at Linnettes, walking the property, or riding bikes, sitting on the dock, taking out a kayak. If you prefer less activity, spend a day at the pool or book a spa appointment.
Be sure to walk down to the boat dock, where you can charter a boat, or just linger with your book in an Adirondack chair, enjoying the view.
Or, you could also easily choose to do nothing here at The Dunlin. It's that beautiful.
