Restaurants in Charleston

On my website http://vacationkiawah.webs.com/ I talk about places to go see in South Carolina but did not mention restaurants in Charleston.  I did mention restaurants on the island in my last blog post.  So today I am going to talk about a few restaurants that my family and I have been to when we visited Charleston.  There is Sticky Fingers Smokehouse located in the historic downtown area of Charleston.  They have the restaurant menu, kid’s menu, and a family style to go.  On the restaurant menu there are starters, salads, hickory-smoked ribs, half slab combos, blues plate specials under $10, barbecue dinner plates, sandwiches, southern sides, signature sides, and desserts.  On the kid’s menu they can make their own kids meal, which includes the main course, a side, drink, and dessert.  On the family style to go there are express meals to go which range from barbecue & chicken to rib lovers.  I remember the times we would eat there as a big family and have a wonderful time eating and enjoying each other’s company.  There is Hyman’s Seafood Company in the historic downtown area.  There are appetizers, salads and homemade soups, po-boy sandwiches, regular combo platter, seafood dinners and other entrees, beverages, and cocktail specials.  This is a perfect restaurant to get wonderful food and be treated with respect by the servers.  They have two rules:  1) The customer is always right and 2) When in doubt, refer back to rule #1.  Sounds good does it not?  The Charleston Crab House is a roof top dining restaurant in the downtown area.  They have many menus for different options.  Such as restaurant week menu, lunch, dinner, fiddler crabs, beverages, desserts, and specials.  Sounds like you can have a wonderful time here and enjoy the freshest ingredients that they use to make their meals.  The last restaurant that I am going to mention is Noisy Oyster, which is also in the downtown area.  There are plenty of tasty meals at the Noisy Oyster on their lunch, dinner, kids, happy hour, and drink menus.  You will have a wonderful time at any of these restaurants.

Restaurants on Kiawah Island

There are plenty of restaurants on the island for your fine dining experience.  One is the Ocean Room, which writes its menu to support local agriculture due to the availability of fresh produce.  The Ocean Room is the only steakhouse in the US to earn both Forbes 4 Star and AAA 4 Diamond ratings.  Sounds amazing don’t you think?  There is the Jasmine Porch, which also works with local farmers to produce seasonal menus.  Jasmine Porch shows southern charm during breakfast and lunch every day.  They have interpretations of Charleston Shrimp and Grits and She Crab Bisque during dinner.  The Atlantic Room showcases Kiawah’s signature seafood with fresh seasonal ingredients.  This room gives an intimate private dining room adjacent to the main dining room.  Shrimper’s is located at the Straw Market in West Beach.  They revamped their menu and it has your favorite foods from around the world.  For instance, All-American, Southwestern, Cajun, Italian cuisine, unique flavors from Asia, and the Pacific Rim.  You can dine poolside in the heart of the park at The Night Heron Grill, which is great for a quick snack or lunch or dinner for the family.  It includes fried local seafood, specialty sandwiches, and blackened gator bites.  You can dine in or take-out at The Market at Town Center.  They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  Some specials are sandwiches, salads, pizza, steaks, seafood and pasta.  There is the Haulover Creek Grill located at Oak Point Golf Club.  So you can enjoy a continental breakfast before golf or enjoy lunch and drinks at the bar.  Osprey Point Grill at Osprey Point Golf Club is perfect to start and finish your day of golf.  There is Tomasso at Turtle Point Club House, which is at Turtle Point Golf Club.  It specializes in authentic cuisine from all regions that evoke true Italian hospitality.  Loggerhead Grill at The Sanctuary serves Island and Pan Asian influenced family friendly cuisine.  It overlooks The Sanctuary’s pools and the Atlantic Ocean.  Don’t forget about dessert!  There is Beaches & Cream at The Sanctuary.  It does not only serve homemade ice creams and homemade sweets.  It also serves breakfast and lunch.  There are specialty lemonades, iced coffees, lattes, and mochas to sip on.  Sounds like a wonderful dining experience that you will have while staying at Kiawah Island!

Kiawah Island Rental

Wanting to go on a relaxing vacation but not sure where to stay.  At Kiawah Island, you can rent a vacation homes, villas, and beach houses to stay in.  There are over 600 beach rentals that they offer to guests.  They also offer comfort and benefits for guests that reserve their stay through Kiawah Island Vacation Rental Program.  Such as preferred tee times on golf, door-to-door transportation service, advance reservation privileges at all resort-owned restaurants, and much more.  There are the Resort Villa Rentals, which are affordable and you can choose your location, size, and view according to your specific vacation needs.  As I mentioned in my blog Kiawah Island Resorts, there are three different types of villas you can choose from.  There are the Resort Home Rentals, which offer a view of marsh, scenic, or ocean throughout the ten-mile island.  The home rentals can offer the greatest amount of living space the resort has.  The Resort Private Home Rentals are great for family reunions and groups of any size.  They also offer a view of marsh, scenic, or ocean throughout the ten-mile island and the greatest amount of living space among the resort’s accommodation options.  The Resort Premier Vacation Home Rentals offer an exclusive selection of spectacular features in privacy and luxury.  Guests are provided with personalized service, which includes prior planning to their visit, customized arrival and departures, and coordination of your resort activities.  There is also full maid service each day, newspaper delivery, complimentary use of four bicycles, and full access to The Sanctuary fitness center.  Sounds like there are plenty of places to live in while on vacation at Kiawah Island with gorgeous views.

Cassique Kiawah Island

Today I am going to give you the top ten reasons to live at Cassique in Kiawah Island.

1)     Sense of Place

It sets you apart from the worries and pressures of daily life.  It gives you the opportunities to explore, relax, and socialize.

2)     Character

Due to the 19^th century, the homes, Clubhouse, and gardens take on the movement on art’s relationship with environment.  There is nature, contrast of colors, and natural light.

3)     The Clubhouse

It hosts book clubs, fireside chats, cocktail hours, and dinners.  It has a Lowcountry backdrop of marshland and supreme golf.

4)     Tom Colicchio – Designed Cuisine

Voysey’s is a private restaurant and pub located with the Cassique Clubhouse.  Tom will make inspired family-style dinners with the fresh ingredients that arrive each day.

5)     Tom Watson – Conceived Golf

Tom Watson a five-time British Open champion designed this golf course.  The course is 6,960 yards with a 72-par that blends natural beauty with a classic links-style layout.

6)     Sports Pavilion

The Pavilion is a wonderful place to get in shape and socialize with the neighbors.  It features personal trainers and professional instructors that lead private and group classes.  That consists of yoga and Pilates.  It also houses clay tennis courts, squash courts, lap pool, basketball court, and a gazebo.

7)     Exceptional Service

The staff pays special attention to each and every detail in order to anticipate Members’ needs.  From the greeting at the gate to the inner workings of the Clubhouse, your stay will be a pleasurable experience.

8)     Shopping and Dining

Close by Cassique is Freshfields Village with shopping, dining, and outdoor events.  There are 45 locally owned shops for guests to shop for groceries, sip coffee, or find the best Island apparel.  Sounds like you will have everything you need at your fingertips?

9)     Club Cottages

The cottages are perfect for housing and entertaining extra guests that are visiting.  This is close to the Cassique so you will not be far from those staying in the Cassique.

10)   Golf Cars

This is the newest addition to Cassique since the cars are comfortable and eco-friendly.  They can be purchased through Club Car.  This makes it easier to get around the neighborhood and a fun experience.

Kiawah Island Villas

There are fourteen different types of villas that I will be talking about today.  In my Kiawah Island Resorts post I talked about other types of villas such as the premier villa, deluxe villa, and resort villa.  The first one is the Boardwalk at Mariners Watch, which is just 30 minutes from Charleston, South Carolina.  The beach is also very close to the villa so you can read a book while looking out at the beautiful scenery or just directly walk out to the beach.  It holds up to six people.  Perfect for a family to stay in.  There is the Penthouse at Windswept, which is located on the East Beach of Kiawah and just 30 minutes from Charleston, South Carolina.  There is custom drapery, designer furniture and colors, original oil paintings, and granite countertops throughout the villa.  Also complete with full views of the ocean.  The Shell Seeker at Sparrow Pond is about a five-minute walk to the beach.  There is a screened-in porch that offers wooded-views of the landscape.  Steps Away at Oceanwoods is a peaceful place to spend a vacation with a two-minute walk to the beach and a short walk to Night Heron Park, The Sanctuary Hotel, shopping and restaurants.  The Clearview at Windswept is on the East Beach of Kiawah Island and has stunning ocean views from the large decks of the villa.  The Mariah is also at Windswept with luxurious comfort and beautiful views of the ocean.  At Windswept there is The Sea Breeze, which is perfect for couples to spend time together.  The Sandpiper at Shipwatch is on the West Beach of Kiawah and only steps away from the Atlantic Ocean.  The Treetops at Shipwatch is a short walk to the Straw Market, The Cougar Point Golf Course, tennis courts, shopping and restaurants.  The beach is just right off of the boardwalk from the villa.  Also at Shipwatch is The Vista is on the West Beach but the East Beach is only a five-minute drive or a fifteen-minute bike ride away.  It is right across the parking lot from the Straw Market.  The Escape at Windswept is perfect for couples or young families to spend a beach vacation.  It is only a minute walk to the beach from this villa.  The Shade at Seascape is on the West Beach of Kiawah with a short walk to the Straw Market.  At Mariners Watch is The Beach Cottage, which is on the East Beach of Kiawah.  The Mariner is at Mariners Watch, which is a thirty-second walk to the beach.  What could be better than that?

Golf Courses of Kiawah Island

Golf is pretty amazing down in South Carolina especially the five Kiawah Island golf courses.  They are the Ocean Golf Course, Turtle Point, Osprey Point, Oak Point, and Cougar Point.  I will explain the different courses that you can play on.  The Ocean Golf course just got ranked 25^th in Golf Digest’s 100 Greatest U.S. Golf Courses List and 4^th on Best Public Course List.  The course also hosted the 2007 Senior PGA.  The wind is just as terrible as it is in the United Kingdom and Ireland on this course.  Players can expect up to an 8-club difference on holes depending upon the direction and strength of the wind.  This course is located on the eastern-most end of Kiawah Island and has more seaside holes than any other course in the Northern Hemisphere.  This course also offers panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean.  The Turtle Point course is designed very traditional for a golf course with narrow fairway corridors, small greens, strategically placed water hazards and plenty of out-of-bounds.  It is one of the longest courses on the island and players need to be able to hit the ball well otherwise they will struggle for par.  There is wind on this course as well so players will not know how the wind will affect their shots.  Many players love to play on this course due to its traditional design.  The Osprey Point course includes four large, natural lakes, saltwater marsh, and dense forests of live oaks, pines, palmettos and magnolias.  It is a course for the better golfers, senior golfers and junior golfers.  Oak Point Course has gone through many changes over the last couple of years compared to the other courses.  This course is more of a strategy and thinking approach compared to pure power.  Sounds tough but I think it can be achieved.  Don’t you?  The last course on Kiawah Island is Cougar Point.  This course was redesigned in 1996 to feature a blend of short and long pars of three, four, and five.  Golfers need to have a great strategy to get through this course.  Sounds like people of all ages will love any of these five golf courses on the beautiful Kiawah Island of South Carolina.

Packages of Kiawah Island Resort

I will be talking about the different packages that you can have at Kiawah Island Resort.  There are six different packages that you can choose from.  The first one is the Sanctuary Golf package.  It includes accommodations at the oceanfront Sanctuary Hotel and a round of golf per day.  Then there is the Villa Golf package, which is a round of golf per day, accommodations in a one to four-bedroom villa or home, and daily housekeeping.  There are the tennis packages which include the classic tennis package or the ultimate tennis package.  The classic tennis package is two nights or more, accommodations at the Sanctuary Hotel or the villas, unlimited court time, unlimited round robin during stay, daily breakfast, and daily housekeeping.  The ultimate tennis package comes with three nights or more, accommodations at the Sanctuary or the villas, unlimited court time, two clinics or drill sessions, unlimited round robin during stay, use of ball machine and alley, tennis t-shirt, daily breakfast, and daily housekeeping.  Sounds like there are fun activities for people who love sports.  The fourth package is the Sanctuary Spa package.  This includes a one-night stay at the Sanctuary, a 60-minute Signature Massage per person, a Signature Facial per person, and a Signature Manicure and Pedicure per person.  There is the Romance package for the perfect getaway any time of the year.  This includes luxurious garden view accommodations in the Scenic View West Beach Resort Villa, rose petal turndown on evening of arrival, champagne and chocolates on arrival, dinner at The Ocean Room, Kiawah’s signature steakhouse, scrumptious breakfast buffet each morning, a couples massage at the Spa at the Sanctuary, and unlimited romantic walks on miles of Kiawah’s secluded beach.  Hey ladies need to getaway from the hustle and bustle well there is a Girls Getaway package just for you.  It includes daily breakfast for two, dinner at Jasmine Porch restaurant, a one-hour spa treatment, a custom facial, and round-trip transportation to nearby Charleston for a shopping visit.  Sounds lovely for us ladies that do not get to have some girl time.  There are many different packages to choose from but I am sure you can find the one you really love.

Kiawah Island Resorts

I will be discussing information about Kiawah Island resorts.  It is located on a beautiful barrier island just a few miles from historic Charleston, South Carolina lies Kiawah Island Golf Resort, the Official Golf & Tennis Resort at Kiawah Island.  There is plenty of space for you to fit your family in a vacation rental home or an island villa.  There are two different types of homes at the resort.  There are the premier homes, which include personalized services such as advanced planning prior to your visit, customized arrival and departure protocols and coordination of your resort activities.  You’ll enjoy full maid service each day, newspaper delivery and complimentary use of four bicycles to explore the island.  Fine Italian-woven, Egyptian cotton bed linens, spa-quality bath amenities and plush bathrobes provide luxurious comforts.  Then there are the private homes that are private resort residences that offer three to eight bedrooms.  This offers plenty of living space for big families.  They are located throughout the island and can be a choice of ocean, near beach and scenic views.  There are three different types of villas.  One is the premier villa, which is the most luxurious of the three villas.  There is a distinctive style that is shown throughout each home.  These are ideal for guests who want the finest vacation experience.  The Deluxe villas are the second choice guests have to pick from.  They are mid-priced and have contemporary kitchens and bathrooms.  Then there are the resort villas for guests.  They are the most economical offer for a comfortable stay.  It is outfitted with all the conveniences of home.  I will talk about the different packages available at the resort in my next blog.

The Sanctuary Hotel

Hello again!

Today I am going to be sharing with you information about Sanctuary Kiawah Island.  The Sanctuary Hotel is located along the pristine shores of Kiawah Island, South Carolina, this exquisitely designed oceanfront hotel, just thirty minutes from downtown Charleston, captures the spirit, history and charm of the beautiful south.  Come walk through the front doors and experience a seaside mansion, where you will be surrounded by the grandeur of the architecture and hospitality at its finest.  I will list the details and story of the Sanctuary Hotel in South Carolina.

1)     It offers 255 spacious rooms and suites.

2)     It includes 300 square foot Presidential Suite.

3)     Their king rooms are among the largest on the East Coast.

4)     There are custom made beds in the rooms.

5)     There are plantation shutters that open to living area and balcony.

6)     It was opened in August of 2004 off of the coast of Charleston, SC.

7)     It was designed to feel like it had been there for centuries.

8)     It is a four-story hotel with Charleston brick, stone, stucco, woods, slate, cooper and ironwork.

9)     It is elegant but not too formal with its high ceilings and traditional southern décor.

10)   It was raised 200 feet to allow unobstructed views of the ocean from the first floor.

11)   It has over 400 trees including 160 50-feet-high Live Oak trees to create a centuries-old feel.

12)   There is high-speed wireless Internet access that goes onto the beach.

Those are just a few of the details about the Sanctuary Kiawah Island Hotel.  Sounds marvelous?

Welcome to Vacation Kiawah!

Hello everyone!

This is my first time blogging. So I am a little nervous about it but I am sure I will get the swing of it during the course of this project. I am doing this for a class about electronic business management which will help me learn about a functional e-business.  I am going to give you information about Kiawah Island down in South Carolina.  Kiawah Island is a beach and golf resort located on a barrier island 15 miles (24 km) south of Charleston in Charleston County, South Carolina, in the United States.  It is a major U.S. tourist site which offers expensive spacious villas, large highly acclaimed golf courses, beaches, and other attractions.  Kiawah Island is part of the Charleston–North Charleston–Summerville Metropolitan Statistical Area.  Kiawah Island is home to the Kiawah Island Golf Resort.  Kiawah Island is located at 32°36′34″N 80°5′52″W / 32.60944°N 80.09778°W / 32.60944; -80.09778.  Kiawah was named for the Kiawah Indians who were led by their head chieftain or cassique.  In the year 1720, the Cassique of the Kiawah led English Colonists to settle at Charlestowne Landing.  Once the sole domain of the Kiawah Indians, this island off South Carolina's coast ranks as one of the region's cushiest resorts.  In past centuries, it served as plantation grounds, pasturelands, a logging site, and a family retreat.  It wasn't until the early 1970s, however, that its beginnings as a resort were realized, when a Kuwaiti-led group began to develop the island as a leisure destination.  I will be blogging next about Sanctuary Kiawah Island.