Auberge Resorts Collection, Kiawah River, South Carolina
The Dunlin
Debuting in 2024
COASTAL LIVING IN SOUTH CAROLINA’S SEA ISLANDS
The Charleston Sea Islands float like a string of sparkling beads along the Atlantic Coast. One of its finest, Johns Island, is home to The Dunlin—a new destination retreat on the banks of the Kiawah River surrounded by miles of golden spartina grass, giant oak trees and shallow marsh flats. Here, sunny days and starry nights unfold to the rhythm of the tides where herons and osprey peck at fiddler crabs and redfish swimming in the salty currents. Ribbons of gently flowing waterways curve around an abundance of wooded trails, hammock islands and fertile farmland where time moves more slowly and the simple pleasures of lowcountry living are a boundless source of joy.
- 2,000 acre resort, offering 20 miles of waterfront
- 20 miles from Charleston
- 72 cottage-style guest rooms and suites and 19 residential villas
- 100 acre working farm
- 20 miles of nature trails
Return to the River
A quintessential Southern retreat
CELEBRATIONS STEEPED IN SOUTHERN CHARM
Families and friends who gather here to celebrate love and life enjoy sweetly intimate spaces across the stunning sea isle. Swaying cordgrass, centennial oak trees and marshlands mirroring pastel skies create a cinematic backdrop for all manner of festivities. Mark a major milestone with a celebration in the 10,000 square-foot indoor-outdoor event space with panoramic views across the winding saltwater creek to Jack Island.
Celebrate in nature
Sustainable and local cuisine
Unique events venues
Lowcountry Living
Cool breezes blow through cottage-inspired guest rooms and river-view cabanas overlooking vast expanses of spartina grass. Large furnished porches offer a peaceful oasis to hear the whistles of Carolina wren as you page through a good book or catch up with loved ones. Inside, honey oak floors, white beadboard walls and mint green and wicker accents nod to classic southern style, while deep soaking tubs, built-in closets and linen fabrics stamped with signature prints add an atmosphere of home.
A sea island paradise
Across the river, around the bend, or down the way, there's always something to see, do or taste in the 2,000-acre expanse of Kiawah River. Whether its feeding friendly goats at the farm, spotting wildlife while cruising the tidal flats or casting a line to hook local game fish, The Dunlin is a haven for pastimes that soothe the spirit.
A local family farmstead
Named Charleston’s first agrihood, the Kiawah River community is home to Kiawah River Farm—a partnership of local family-owned farms that stretches across 100 riverside acres. Organic beef cattle are grass-fed on swaths of creek-side pasture, hens lay free range eggs daily, an artisan dairy produces high-quality goat cheese and 50,000 bees yield delicious golden honey. Farmers also cultivate a seasonal bounty of fruits, vegetables and wildflowers for farmer's markets and restaurants, while residents enjoy fresh produce through a Community Shared Agriculture (CSA) program.
Sea Island Trails
You could spend months exploring our labyrinthine of trails and never take the same path twice. Perfect for strolling, cycling or running, the routes pass through wildflower fields blooming with zinnias and hydrangeas, cordgrass covered marshes and cool maritime forests. Pause for an afternoon picnic under ancient oak branches or a peaceful yoga flow at sunrise or sunset. No matter where your journey takes you, you’ll discover that every moment is an occasion to commune with nature and watch wildlife coast by.
Blue skies and birdsong
Living well is a lifestyle at Kiawah River. A soundtrack of birdsong accompanies you on long walks down pretty paths of shady oak and pine trees. All around, the wetlands hum with life as their still surface mirrors the kaleidoscopic beauty of sunset skies. Taste the season when biting into luscious berries and melons from the farm. At the spa, book a couple’s massage in an airy treatment room or spend a sunny afternoon soaking in the sunshine and river views. With acres of enchanting countryside, fresh-air activities are always available to bring you closer to nature and those you love.
On the water
Paddle with herons and hawks, dolphins and sea turtles along the scenic byways of the Kiawah River. The property has no shortage of access points to push off on a kayak, stand up paddle or canoe. Below the water’s surface, a wealth of marine life thrives. Take a flats boat and a seasoned guide to angle redfish tailing in the shallow marsh flats and spotted seatrout plying mudbanks thick with oyster clusters. Or gear up at the adventure center for a lesson in catch-and-release fly-fishing on the Kiawah River. Our concierge is here to help you float around the sea island with ease.
Riverside dining
The land here is as fertile as it is beautiful. Crops of colorful fruits and vegetables like juicy heirloom tomatoes, savory artichokes and plump squashes are plucked fresh from the land for the table. In the riverfront restaurant and bar, chefs make use of the farm’s organic eggs, handmade cheeses and grass-fed meats, as well as seafood wild caught in nearby waters. Heaps of steaming oysters and 10-inch blue crabs, buckets of mussels and shucked oysters pile up on tables for friends and family to share and enjoy.
