Why Choose Wild Dunes for a Family Vacation
Discover what makes Wild Dunes Resort in Isle of Palms, SC my pick for the easiest vacation to take with kids!
Growing up in South Carolina, I visited Wild Dunes Resort, which is located about 30 minutes from Charleston, as a kid and loved it! However, it wasn’t until I took my own kids there that I realized how great it is for families! When my kids were 1 and 3, my husband had a conference there so I decided that the kids and I should tag along, even though that would mean me doing the 3.5 hour drive with the kids alone (one of them being freshly potty trained... IYKYK). It would also mean that even once we got there, my husband would still be busy at the conference so I would be solo parenting for the most part. I decided the juice was worth the squeeze (it usually is!!) and I’m so glad we went for it! Even solo parenting a 1 and 3 year old at the pool, I was able to relax and have fun, making this my pick for the easiest trip with kids we’ve done to date. The accommodation options, dining and access to activities makes Wild Dunes an (almost) effortless vacation options for families!
Wild Dunes Accommodation Options
Wild Dunes is a Hyatt property that has two traditional hotel options, but we always stay in a condo at the Residences at Sweetgrass, which offers regular hotel rooms up to three-bedroom condos. Anyone who has traveled with kids knows what a game-changer it is to be able to put the kids to bed in the bedroom, shut the door and enjoy a child-free evening instead of hiding in the bathroom or hotel hallway while waiting for the kids to fall asleep. Wild Dunes allows you to have the amenities of a resort with the space of our Airbnb!
Dining with Kids at Wild Dunes
When it comes to family dining, Wild Dunes has it down to a science. Since our first visit with our immediate family, we’ve since been with my husband’s extended family and they were even able to accommodate all 17 of us at dinner at multiple restaurants!
What I really love though is that there are several restaurant options that don’t require reservations, allowing you to enjoy your day at your own pace without hustling to be on time for a reservation. They also have several take out options that allow you to take food back to your room, the pool, or one of the many outdoor common spaces. Did I mention most of the dining options are only an elevator ride away from the Residences at Sweetgrass? And the furthest restaurant is probably less than a 10 minute walk away. We ended each evening with a sweet treat from the candy and ice cream shop located below the Residences at Sweetgrass. You can find a full list of the Wild Dunes dining options here.
Access to Family Activities at Wild Dunes
The reason that I was able to enjoy myself while solo parenting at 1 and 3 year old is because all of the activities are so easily accessible! If you’re staying at the Residences at Sweetgrass or Sweetgrass Inn, the zero-entry pool and splash pad is steps away once you get off the elevator. If you walk past the pool area, there is a paved path that takes you all the way to the beach. For anyone who was hauled kids and beach toys over sand dunes, this trek to the beach will be a breeze!
There is also a kid’s play room called Turtle Cove right below the Residences at Sweetgrass which has games, books, coloring, Legos and video games that you can drop by and play with if you need some additional entertainment. They also host craft time (a mix of complementary and paid options) and even a kids “night out” so that parents can enjoy a child-free dinner (for an additional cost).
If you want to venture off the resort, there is a nice playground in Isle of Palms and Charleston is also 30 minutes away, which is a whole other destination in and of itself! Growing up in South Carolina, I’ve been to Charleston a million times but not in a while and never with kids, so I’m currently out of the loop on Charleston recommendations. However, here is a family-friendly Charleston guide if you plan on heading that way!
If you’re looking for an easy, fun and relaxing getaway with kids, Wild Dunes is the perfect spot! As a travel advisors, this is one of the most popular spot I’ve booked for clients. If you book Wild Dunes through me, you’ll receive the following perks:
• Best available rate
• Daily breakfast for two
• Resort credit
• Priority for room upgrades
• Early check-in / late check-out requests
• Price tracking so if rates drop, I’ll rebook and save you money
If you’re interested in a free quote to visit Wild Dunes, please reach out! I’d love to help.
Have you even been to Wild Dunes? What’s your favorite easy getaway with kids?