by Eric Bowman
Last updated: 4:25 PM ET, Mon May 27, 2024
The ideal beach vacation in the U.S. is where the moment you park your car, you dont have to get back in it until its time to drive back home.?
The place you choose to stay should at minimum have access to the beach, a pool, multiple restaurant options in walking distance and comfortable accommodations.
Sweetgrass Inn at Wild Dunes Resort in Isle of Palms, South Carolina delivers here and adds in some stellar bonuses like championship golf courses, luxury spa, and idyllic southern charm.
My family spent a three-day weekend exploring what the resort, which is a Destination by Hyatt brand, has to offer.?
Accommodations
The bedroom options at the Sweetgrass Inn include a King room, a double queen room, or a one-bedroom suite. Those with larger parties will want to check out the vacation rental options Wild Dunes Resort offers. The resort complex has 1,600 acres of oceanfront property, with the Sweetgrass Inn occupying only four acres.
There are only 153 rooms at Sweetgrass Inn, each complete with modern touches and plenty of space for families to feel comfortable. My wife and I traveled here with our one-year-old and our four-year-old. We never felt cramped in our double-queen room, which did have enough floor space to fit the babys travel crib.
The moment we walked in, my daughter shouted wow at the massive flat screen TV before an even bigger ahh! at the size of the balcony and our view of the pool and ocean.
Food and Beverage
The food and beverage departments are where a resort can really win over its clientele and bring back repeat customers.
Wild Dunes Resort dining options are all located in easy walking distance for guests at the Sweetgrass Inn.
Seafood lovers must dine at Oystercatcher, which is adjacent to the lobby inside Sweetgrass Inn. The fried oysters, the grilled swordfish, the cod fritters, I mean the list of deliciousness goes on and on here.
Another must for dinner is Coastal Provisions. Its a short walk through the plaza area located inside the Boardwalk Inn right next door. A mix of surf and turf here not disappoint - I am still dreaming of that filet mignon with truffle butter.
Parents dont fret, the kids menu at both of these restaurants included the classic favorites and the chefs do not mail it in either. Seriously, the chicken tenders were some of the best Ive sampled.
Youll smell the pizza at Coastal Crust when you walk through the plaza during meal times, which led to my son nearly leaping out of my arms to try and get a slice.
Laughing Gull overlooks the pool at Sweetgrass Inn and makes a great place for lunch or dinner. Its also the go-to bar for pool time, unless you want anything from the onsite food truck Tacos and Tequila.
The resort also collaborated with local brewery Commonhouse Aleworks on a delicious beer for guests. The Wild Dunes Golden Isle Lager was made specifically for Wild Dunes Resort, and let me just say the beer quickly became my new favorite. Ill have to return one day simply for the beer. Hudsons Market, in the plaza area, does sell individual cans and six-packs so guests can bring the taste home, on the beach or out on the golf course. It is worth nothing however, the price tag for one six-pack was over $30 when we visited.
No vacation is complete without a sweet treat though, and the Sweetgrass Inn has its own ice cream shop on location. The Sweet Shoppe in the plaza has the top ice-cream flavors and loads and loads of candy. Parents be warned, your kids will want it all!?
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Activities
Whether you want to sit back and relax or get out and move, your bases are covered when staying at the Sweetgrass Inn.
Theres the beach and the pool, which can be both quite active or rather relaxing depending on your point of view and current stage in life.
The ultimate relaxation is of course at the Sweetgrass Spa, that is, unless youre one to find true zen on the golf course. Wild Dunes has 36 holes designed by the famed Tom Fazio.
Theres also tennis and pickleball, and parents of littles can get those young ones moving at the playground right behind the courts.
Another spot families will enjoy in the plaza is Turtle Cove. During the day it serves a game room of sorts, which is a nice spot to escape an afternoon rain shower that might pop up. After 4 p.m. guests can buy a turtle making experience where kids can stuff their own turtle. These stuffed turtles are made from recycled materials too, making a great teaching moment for kids too.
Love to shop? The on-site SALT Boutique offers Lowcountry-inspired women's apparel and accessories. Theres also an art gallery on site in the plaza as well. Charleston is 30-45 minutes away for those who need more options though.
Wild Dunes Resort has won numerous awards, and its easy to see why.
Sweetgrass Inn gives families a plethora of ways to make a memorable vacation, which is the ultimate win.
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