Conde Nast Traveler ranked Kiawah Island the second in North America, and Kiawah Island Golf Resort among the top ten North American resorts. Indeed, from thirty miles of paved biking trails to ten miles of alluring beach, the resort has to offer.
Kiawah Island still remains a haven for visitors who stay here. However, there exist some more facilities that make the resort popular and highly acclaimed. To these belong five championship courses, including the renowned Ocean Course, home to the 1991 Ryder Cup Matches and 1997 World Cup of Golf. It will also play host to the 2007 Senior PGA and the 2012 PGA Championship. According to Tennis magazine, Kiawah Island is the top tennis resort in the United States, featuring a wide variety of programs for every skill level. For many years in a row, these programs have received a number of highest acclaims, including those by Tennis magazine in the 2004-2005 list of the Greatest US Tennis Resorts.
Kiawah is also home to two racquet clubs: West Beach and East Beach, which is evidence that none of its private homes or villas will be far from court.
Hidden by the trees, West Beach is situated across the road from Kiawah Island Inn, featuring fourteen Har-Tru courts and two lighted hard courts.
Farther down the island is East Beach, located amidst tennis villas, just minutes from the beachfront Sanctuary Hotel. Available here are nine Har-Tru and three hard courts. It was here that the US Clay Court Championships were played in 1990, as were the Fed Cup matches in spring 1998. Each of the courts has access to the patio, offering benches, shade, and an electric water fountain.
With its comfortable guest rooms, flexible conference facilities, spectacular outdoor venues, and superb location that makes it easily accessible from air or land, Kiawah Island Golf Resort offers a truly unique and memorable vacation experience. Guests are offered to choose from an array of accommodation options of this luxurious 255-room resort. All the guest rooms and suites feature modern amenities, like in-room safes, mini bars, VCR, cable TV, kitchens, room service, and more.
As an alternative, visitors may consider one of 1,300 three- to seven-bedroom private homes or 1,000 one- to four-bedroom villas, located in two luxurious resort villages. For those who want to stay in touch, there is an Internet room with high-speed Internet access, convention center, business services, and free parking.
Some additional facilities in Kiawah Island include four pools and a wading pool, spa and fitness center, health club, great shopping opportunities, children's programs, and more. Many of the recreational facilities of Kiawah Island can be found within Night Heron Park, containing a soccer field, a full length basketball court, a 25-meter swimming pool, playground equipment, a bike rental outlet, an excellent nature center, and a pavilion with a snack bar.