The Dunlin, Kiawah River

If you’re looking for the most gorgeous boutique hotel in the Charleston area, this is IT! Situated right on the river and oriented to enjoy the gorgeous natural landscape, this hotel is just beyond lovely. The decor is both cozy and elegant and with such an incredible attention to detail, it feels like you’re staying at the home of your most sophisticated southern friend’s vacation home. The staff is OUTSTANDING- anticipating your needs, offering bottles of water, hustling to get your car, and stopping to suggest a great restaurant and have a chat. The restaurant on property, Linettes, is also superb - the food is inventive and delicious and the wait staff is top notch. The Willett Room has the best lattes and scones and wonderful, creative cocktails- ask for Darrel, who will take fine care of you and suggest the perfect signature cocktail to suit your fancy. We never wanted to leave and will certainly be back as soon as possible!

The beautiful accommodations, exceptional service, and delicious dining exceeded my expectations, and I truly felt welcomed and celebrated throughout my stay. Your kindness and attention to detail did not go unnoticed, and I appreciate all the effort that went into making my visit so wonderful. Kudos to having an all-star team, that make such special memories for your guests. Thank you again for an unforgettable experience—We look forward to returning soon!

The Dunlin in South Carolina is a beautiful property with stunning natural surroundings, but it falls short of the high expectations expected at an Auberge property. While the setting is serene, the lack of indoor common areas to relax is noticeable. The biggest drawback is the limited dining options—having only one restaurant on the entire property means the menu should offer more variety to justify the exclusivity. Additionally, while the food is excellent, the value for the price isn’t quite there. The pool is well-maintained, albeit small, and the poolside service is a highlight. The gym and spa facilities are lovely, but the gym, which technically belongs to local residents, requires staff assistance for access, which is an inconvenience. The rooms themselves are beautifully designed, with elegant decor, comfortable beds, and lovely bathrooms. However, since the rooms are all located outside, inclement weather—like the rain we experienced—makes the trek to and from the main areas less than ideal. The staff at The Dunlin is incredible, but there simply aren’t enough of them to provide the level of service expected at a resort of this caliber. While it is understandable that this is the low season, the limited staffing is still noticeable. That said, the biking and walking areas are truly stunning, offering a great way to explore the property. Overall, The Dunlin has a lot of potential but still needs to refine its offerings, particularly in dining and overall guest accessibility. With some adjustments, it has the foundation to become a standout destination, but for now, it has a few kinks to work out.

What a fabulous property with even more fabulous staff/service! I stayed 3 nights with my pup (all Auberge properties allow dogs which is what drawn me to it) last week. Wonderful newer resort with amazing amenities. I think the best parts were relaxing in the soaking tub, having my pup visit the local farm animals (a 0.5 walk away), and enjoying cocktails at the Willet room. This property is PERFECT to bring your pup…so many walking trails, as well as a dog park. Also, bring the fam. Plenty of activities to do. It’s about a 30 min easy drive to Charleston. I have zero complaints about any part of my stay. Sam at valet is a true gentleman who gave impeccable service and recommendations.

TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE with the Dunlin. Do NOT waste your time. Made a reservation 5.5 months ago (Aug. 20th 2024) and they EMAILED me today (Feb. 4 2025) 5 and half months after making the reservation telling me my reservation was cancelled. I had already paid half the room upfront too. Their solution was for ME to book a different stay and would offer me $200 resort credit. Why would I ever want to come back if a reservation doesn't mean anything. They screwed up and didn't block off enough rooms for a group and just realized it so decided to cancel my reservation to fix their problem. If they would've canceled my reservation a week after I made it, a month, maybe even 2 months I may have understood. However, they waited until almost 6 months after the reservation was made to realize their mistake and their own incompetence. Instead of taking ownership of their mistake after that much time had past and telling the group they messed up with the bookings, they just decided to cancel my room and probably some others. Put their mistake off on me to deal with. Again, reservation was made 5.5 months ago!! Awful service from what is supposed to be a 5 Star Hospitality group. Glad we aren't going now if this is how they treat their guests before even arriving, can't imagine what its like once you actually get there.