The Spa at The Sanctuary, Kiawah Island Golf Resort

1 Sanctuary Beach Dr, Kiawah Island, SC

The Spa at The Sanctuary is the Forbes Five-Star spa at Kiawah Island Golf Resort's oceanfront hotel. The hotel was built to look like a grand Southern seaside mansion. The heat is all in one room the spa calls the aqua retreat: a dry sauna, a steam room and a mineral whirlpool with a waterfall, all under a cove ceiling modeled on ancient Roman baths. Around it are 12 treatment rooms done up like a mansion's back porch, with hardwood floors, greenery and ivory shutters, plus a sitting room and a sunlit solarium for lingering afterwards. The aqua retreat is not sold on its own. The sauna, steam room, whirlpool, locker rooms and lounges are free for anyone with a spa treatment booked that day, so plan around a massage or facial and arrive at least 30 minutes early to use them first. Hotel guests get first pick of appointments. Locals and other non-resort guests go on a waiting list for their chosen date and hear back 1-2 days ahead if a slot is still open, so flexible dates help. The spa and locker rooms are 18+ only. Robes and slippers are provided. A 24% service charge on every service covers gratuity and same-day facility access. Cancel by 4 p.m. the day before to avoid a penalty. The spa is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Book by phone at 843-768-6340. The spa closes for a few weeks each winter. Kiawah has announced a closure from January 3 to 24, 2027, so check before planning a January visit. The lounges serve citrus water, herbal tea, nuts and fruit, and the resort's indoor pool and fitness center make it an easy half-day with a walk on the Kiawah beach out front.

Quick facts

Type
Resort/Hotel Spa
Heat
Traditional sauna, Steam room, Mineral hot spring
Booking
Reservation required
Session style
Appointment-based
Age policy
18+

Hours

Last updated November 2026.

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