Sanctuary at Kiawah Island
will feature wireless Internet

TravelGolf.com Staff Report

KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. (Sept. 20, 2003) -- The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island, a luxury oceanfront hotel and spa opening in March 2004, has announced it will feature complimentary wireless Internet access for all of its guests. The wireless capabilities will work throughout the hotel and its surrounding areas -- even as far as the sandy dunes that separate the hotel from Kiawah's 10 miles of beach, recently rated one of America's top 10 by The Travel Channel.

Providing they have a network interface card, guests will be able to check e-mails on their laptops from various spaces -- including the grand lawn that runs between the two guest wings, or from the pool deck and outdoor fireplace that are just yards from the Atlantic Ocean. In addition, the hotel will offer complimentary high-speed Internet access in all 255 of its guest rooms and suites.

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The Sanctuary, being built at a cost of $125 million at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, will contain more than 18,000 square feet of meeting and conference space, including the 6,200 square-foot Grand Ballroom with grand pre-function area. The Ocean Room, a 3,100-square-foot ballroom, has an unobstructed ocean view and garden lawn terrace. Each meeting and hospitality room, including the 1,728-square-foot Executive Boardroom Suite, offers convenient conference access to an attended business center with private work areas.

Each of the hotel's 255 spacious rooms and suites will feature five-fixture bathrooms with large marble showers, dual vanities, private water closets and shuttered bathroom windows. At 520 square feet, not including a large ocean view balcony, the standard King room is substantially more spacious than almost any other resort room in America.

At only four stories high, The Sanctuary has been designed to respect the environmentally sensitive oceanfront location. Because the resort has raised the foundation of the hotel to 20 feet above sea level, guests will have a view of the Atlantic Ocean when entering the lobby -- a rare experience on the East Coast.

The hotel will have a 110-seat fine dining room with a private wine room and ocean views, and a 160-seat casually elegant restaurant with an outdoor terrace for breakfast, lunch and dinner -- also overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The Sanctuary includes a lobby bar, a cigar and martini bar and an oceanfront poolside grill and bar. In addition the hotel offers 24-hour in-room dining, afternoon tea and a concierge level with private club room.

The Sanctuary also will offer a nature-based luxury spa, with 14 treatment rooms for massage, facials and wraps, as well as a sauna, steam room and whirlpool. An indoor pool with an ocean view terrace and Jacuzzi complement the spa, along with a beauty salon, and fitness center containing cardiovascular and fitness training equipment.

The Sanctuary will incorporate the classical and historical flavor of nearby Charleston, combining the highest quality finishes of stone, stucco, wood, slate, ironwork and brick. The interior décor has been developed from the gracious elements of traditional Southern designs. An avenue of Live Oaks, made possible by transplanting more than 100 50-feet high trees, will create a natural grand entrance unique among newly constructed properties.

The hotel's architects are Cooper Carry from Atlanta and Eddie Smith of Smith+McLane Architects in Richmond, Va.. The interior design firm is Hirsch Bedner & Associates from Atlanta, while the general contractor is Skanska Construction, also from Atlanta.

Kiawah Island Golf Resort's goal is to achieve both AAA's Five-Diamond and Mobil's Five Star ratings for The Sanctuary within two years of its March 2004 opening date.

Currently, no South Carolina property holds Mobil's highest distinction, while only 23 hotels, resorts and inns in North America can claim to carry the highest ratings from both organizations. One of those 23 is the resort's sister property, The Jefferson Hotel in Richmond, Va. In 2001, Forbes FYI named The Jefferson "Best Hotel in America." The Sanctuary's other sister property, The Hermitage Hotel in Nashville, Tenn., recently reopened after a 10-month, $17 million renovation, and is also seeking both organization's highest honors.

Kiawah Island Golf Resort operates the 150-room Kiawah Island Inn, 600 villas and luxury homes and five championship golf courses, including the world-famous Ocean Course -- home to the 1991 Ryder Cup and 1997 World Cup of Golf. The resort is only 20 miles from historic Charleston, which recently was named as America's third favorite domestic destination by readers of Conde Nast Traveler.

Standard nightly rates will range seasonally from $275-$525. The hotel's 3,100-square-foot presidential suite, with a soaring beamed ceiling and grand oceanfront terrace, will cost $4,500 per night. Call (800) 576-1585 or e-mail sanctuary@kiawahresort.com.

Any opinions expressed above are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the management. The information in this story was accurate at the time of publication. All contact information, directions and prices should be confirmed directly with the golf course or resort before making reservations and/or travel plans.