Wild Dunes Resort Girls Trip
It’s no wonder I had never heard of Isle of Palms before our annual girls trip. A tiny barrier island of only about 6 square miles, it is tucked neatly against the South Carolina coast, separated from the mainland by the Intracoastal Waterway.
Technically considered part of the Charleston metropolitan area and only a short 30 minute drive away, this lovely little gem hosts about 4,000 inhabitants, shops, restaurants, and an array of gorgeous homes for both full-time residents and vacationers who have kept this beautiful place a secret for years. But the true jewel in the crown of this fabulous location is the expansive and wonderful Wild Dunes Resort, the perfect place for a getaway. Last month, I had the fun opportunity to spend a girls extended weekend at Wild Dunes Resort with 4 of my amazing girlfriends. Located at Isle of Palms (about 30 minutes outside of Charleston) it’s the perfect spot for a beach weekend away from the bustle of downtown.
The Sweetgrass Inn is the newest hotel within the Wild Dunes Resort. We stayed in a fabulous two-bedroom condo that was over 1200 square feet with two full bathrooms, a large, fully-equipped kitchen, and a nice deck with a table and chairs. All units also include a washer and dryer and housekeeping service, which was pretty sweet! It was nice to be able to wash out your beach towels and even nicer to have someone else make your bed and clean the condo! It was a short walk to the beach and a short drive to pretty much everything else. But one of the things we enjoyed the most was that there was an overstuffed sleeper sofa in the living room – perfect for each of us to relax and chat! We were impressed by the condo we stayed in, but all the condos online look like they are very similar and furnished very nicely. Some are right on the beach, which is the only suggestion I would make for our next visit – why not be at the beach and enjoy the view?
We arrived on Thursday, and headed to Ladies night Karaoke at Coconut Joe’s. Let me tell you it was the perfect ending to a day of traveling. We ate, we laughed, we sang and we had an amazing night. I will say be careful of the seagulls if eating on the deck upstairs. but, the drinks and grouper bites were a win win for me. Recommend 10/10
Friday morning, was a planned spa day at the Spa of Sweetgrass. The spa was expansive! And there were so many special details that made the entire experience very relaxing and indulgent. I’m so very grateful that we made a day of it. We enjoyed our cabana, pool, spa garden and all of the amenities for the entire day. The spa garden. It was serene, calm, and so beautiful. We each opted to have services ranging from facials, massages and scrubs. My favorite part is their heavenly spa! It has a private outdoor garden with plunge pool, cabanas and lounge chairs. You could spend all day eating, drinking, and reading out here! It is the perfect spot for a girls trip or romantic getaway!
I got the wellbeing massage, which was the first time I’ve ever received that kind of massage treatment. I wasn’t sure what to expect with the aroma therapy but I have to say they added a really nice touch to the already wonderful massage. An hour went by way too quickly, and after I finished, my girlfriends and I grabbed lunch at the Laughing Gull Restaurant & Bar.
Girlfriend Tip #1: For most of the dining reservations and attractions in Charleston, you will want to set up reservations weeks in advance of your girls weekend in Charleston. Weeks, not days! Most reservations can be set up through the individual restaurant or attraction websites.
Some of our highlights this trip were:
The Honey Hive Dessert Bar Permanently Closed
Girliend Tip #2: Wear comfortable shoes for all of the walking.
The Honey Hive – a late night dessert and dessert cocktails restaurant. This place is gorgeous with so many fun touches, and we were impressed by the super friendly staff. My friends and I each tried something different. No girls weekend in Charleston can be complete without fancy dessert!
Final Girlfriend Tip: If you did not drive and are using Uber/Lyft please request in adequate time for them to get to the isle. If not you will be late.
I had a few asking if this spot was kid-friendly, and I would say, “absolutely!” As a mom with I kids, I wouldn’t think twice about taking them here. Everything was so clean and accessible, and it’s the perfect spot to sip a frozen drink while your kids play in the splash pad. Did I mention the splash pad has really cool lights, too? It’s located behind the main pool, and there are so many spots to sit. It’s nice because the hotel provides super cute pink beach towels.
There is also an adult-only pool at the Boardwalk Inn if you’re looking for a kid-free vacation. The Grand Pavilion pools are family-friendly with panoramic ocean views. You can forget the stress of packing food and snacks for the family because of the dining options surround you. There are actually four pools to choose from when staying at the Wild Dunes resort. They have every type of environment you could dream of! Private, kid-friendly, lap pool, casual pool on the beach, etc.
The Sweetgrass Inn has so many fun outdoor activities like a fire pit, ping pong, cornhole, and more! If my parents took me here when I was a kid or teen, I would have been in heaven! I look forward to taking my family here one day.
The Sweetgrass Inn at the Wild Dunes resort, made for the perfect girls trip with the beautiful beach, great accommodations, wonderful food, relaxing spa experiences, and proximity to Charleston for some historic tours and foodie adventures! Stay up to date with me and all things from my recent trips by subscribing to my blog and following me on all of my social sites. I also created several reels on instagram to document our trip. And, there you have it! I hope you enjoyed my girls trip to Charleston itinerary and will find it helpful for planning your own girls weekend in Charleston! Would you add anything else?
XO, Kangelia.
