Sometimes a trip is about adventure. Sometimes it is about discovering someplace new. And sometimes, a trip is simply about finding a little room to breathe.
After the sudden death of my father, my wife, our children, my mother and I needed to get away for a few days. We did not want to travel terribly far from home, and we were not looking for a packed itinerary. We simply needed a beautiful place where we could slow down, spend time together and begin processing everything our family had experienced.
That journey led us to what has become one of our favorite places in South Carolina: Kiawah Island and The Sanctuary Hotel.
For those of us living in the Upstate, Kiawah makes a wonderful long-weekend destination. It feels far removed from everyday life, yet it is still close enough to reach by car. With a thoughtful stop or two along the way, the drive itself can become part of the experience.
Beginning at Brookgreen Gardens
Our trip began with a visit to Brookgreen Gardens, located near Pawleys Island.
Brookgreen is much more than a traditional garden. Founded in 1931 by Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington, it brings together American sculpture, botanical gardens, Lowcountry history and native wildlife in one remarkable setting. Walking through the gardens gave us a peaceful beginning to the weekend. There is something restorative about being surrounded by old live oaks, carefully tended landscapes, sculpture and quiet pathways. It encourages you to slow your pace and pay attention to the beauty around you.
Brookgreen is the kind of place that can be enjoyed differently by every member of a family. Some may be drawn to the art, others to the gardens and wildlife, and others may simply appreciate having a beautiful place to walk and talk.
For travelers from the Upstate, it also makes an excellent stopping point on the journey south. Rather than rushing directly toward the beach, we allowed ourselves time to enjoy the Lowcountry as it gradually unfolded around us.
An Evening at The George in Georgetown
After leaving Brookgreen Gardens, we continued to historic Georgetown and spent the night at The George Hotel.
The George sits along Georgetown’s waterfront in the historic district, within easy walking distance of Front Street and the Harborwalk. The boutique hotel has 56 individually inspired guest rooms and combines traditional Lowcountry references with colorful fabrics, vintage furnishings, local artwork and contemporary details.
The hotel feels polished and special without losing the warmth and personality that make Georgetown so appealing. It was exactly the kind of stop we needed—comfortable, beautiful and connected to the character of the town around it.
That evening, we enjoyed a wonderful dinner at the hotel’s restaurant, The Independent. The restaurant celebrates the coastal setting with seasonal Southern dishes centered around seafood from local fishermen and ingredients from area farmers and purveyors.
There is something particularly enjoyable about checking into a lovely hotel, settling in and then being able to walk downstairs for dinner. No additional driving, no complicated plans—just good food and time together.
The George made Georgetown feel like more than a stop along the way. It became an important part of the trip.
A Stop Beneath the Angel Oak
The following day, we continued toward Kiawah Island, stopping first at the Angel Oak on Johns Island.
The enormous Southern live oak is estimated by the City of Charleston to be approximately 300 to 400 years old. It stands about 65 feet high, measures more than 25 feet around and shades an area of approximately 17,000 square feet. Admission to Angel Oak Park is free, although donations are accepted to help preserve the tree. Photographs cannot quite prepare you for seeing it in person.
Its massive limbs stretch outward and downward, some resting close to the ground before rising again. Standing beneath it, you are reminded of just how much history can pass beneath the branches of a single tree.
Considering the reason for our trip, the Angel Oak felt especially meaningful. There was comfort in seeing something so old, strong and enduring. It was a quiet reminder that life continues through seasons of change, loss and renewal.
Arriving at The Sanctuary
From Johns Island, we continued onto Kiawah and arrived at The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort.
The Sanctuary is designed to resemble a grand seaside mansion, offering the elegance of a luxury resort while still feeling distinctly connected to the South Carolina coast. The oceanfront hotel has 255 rooms and suites, all with balconies and custom furnishings.
From the moment we arrived, the hotel felt gracious and welcoming.
The architecture, interiors and grounds are beautiful, but what makes The Sanctuary memorable is the atmosphere. It is refined without feeling cold and luxurious without making you feel that you need to be anywhere other than exactly where you are.
We enjoyed a beach day, time at the resort and the simple pleasure of being together beside the ocean. After a difficult period for our family, having nowhere we needed to rush and nothing we needed to accomplish was a gift.
There is a particular kind of peace that comes from sitting near the water. The sound of the waves seems to soften everything else for a little while.
Drinks in the Lobby
One of our favorite spaces was The Sanctuary Lobby Bar.
The hotel describes it as an intimate room reminiscent of the parlor of a gracious Southern mansion. It offers specialty cocktails, wine, beer and spirits, with indoor and outdoor seating. Live piano music is also offered on Friday and Saturday evenings.
It was a spectacular place to enjoy a drink.
The setting invites conversation. You can settle into a comfortable chair, take in the architecture and enjoy being surrounded by understated Southern elegance. It felt special, but it also felt relaxed—the kind of place where no one is watching the clock.
The resort offers several dining experiences, ranging from casual options to elegant restaurants. That variety made it easy for us to enjoy the island without having to leave the resort every time we wanted a meal.
A Very Memorable First Round of Golf
One of the most memorable parts of our weekend was playing The Ocean Course.
Located on the eastern end of Kiawah Island, the Pete Dye-designed course has 10 holes running directly along the Atlantic and eight others running parallel to them. It has hosted the 1991 Ryder Cup as well as the 2012 and 2021 PGA Championships.
My mother had never played golf before, but she decided she wanted to try it.
There are certainly easier places where a person could begin playing golf, but there may not be many more beautiful or memorable ones.
She enjoyed it so much that she has now decided to take up the game. Watching her discover something new—especially during a trip that began from a place of loss—became one of the happiest memories of our weekend.
It reminded me that even in difficult seasons, new interests, new traditions and unexpected moments of joy can still find us.
The Ocean Course Clubhouse was equally beautiful. It is home to the golf shop, The Atlantic Room and the Ryder Cup Bar, making it a wonderful place to relax before or after a round.
The Ryder Cup Bar offers indoor seating and a covered veranda overlooking the course and the beach beyond. Even those who are not playing golf can enjoy lunch, a drink or a sunset while taking in the salt air and extraordinary views.
More Than a Weekend Away
This trip did not erase our sadness, nor did we expect it to.
What it gave us was time together.
It gave my mother a new interest. It gave our family a chance to share meals, walk beside the ocean, explore beautiful places and experience moments that did not revolve entirely around grief.
That is one of the reasons travel can be so valuable. A change of surroundings does not change what has happened, but it can give us enough space to see one another, support one another and begin making new memories together.
Kiawah Island has now become one of our favorite places in South Carolina. The combination of the beach, the natural beauty, The Sanctuary, wonderful dining and the extraordinary golf made it a place we will always associate with family.
A Long-Weekend Itinerary from the Upstate
For my real estate clients and friends looking for a restorative South Carolina getaway, this route makes a wonderful three- or four-day trip:
Day One: Leave the Upstate and visit Brookgreen Gardens before continuing to Georgetown. Check into The George and enjoy dinner at The Independent.
Day Two: Explore a little of Georgetown before driving toward Johns Island. Stop at the Angel Oak, then continue to Kiawah Island and check into The Sanctuary. End the day with dinner or drinks at the hotel.
Day Three: Enjoy the beach, the resort or a round of golf. Visit The Ocean Course Clubhouse for lunch, drinks or the view from the Ryder Cup Bar.
Day Four: Enjoy a slow morning by the ocean before beginning the drive home.
Hours, restaurant schedules, golf availability and reservation requirements may change seasonally, so it is wise to review each destination’s official website while planning.
A South Carolina Place Worth Returning To
We are fortunate in the Upstate to live within driving distance of so many different versions of South Carolina.
Within a few hours, we can leave the foothills, pass through historic towns and gardens, and arrive beside the Atlantic Ocean. Kiawah Island feels like a true escape without requiring air travel or an elaborate vacation plan.
For our family, this was more than a beach trip. It came at a time when we needed rest, beauty and one another.
We found all three on Kiawah Island.
And sometimes, that is exactly what a weekend away is meant to provide.
