Kiawah Press Releases

Contact:

Bryan Hunter, Director of Public Relations
Kiawah Island Golf Resort
843-768-2749
bryan_hunter@kiawahresort.com
Preview and request images here.

KIAWAH ISLAND GOLF RESORT ANNOUNCES OPENING OF NEW WEST BEACH CONFERENCE CENTER

Kiawah Island, SC, March 3, 2020 – Kiawah Island Golf Resort is pleased to announce the opening of the brand new West Beach Conference Center on March 3, 2020. World-renowned architect Robert A.M. Stern Architects (RAMSA) designed the center, which pays homage to the enduring classical architectural tradition found throughout the South Carolina Lowcountry. Offering more than 23,000 square feet of pre-event and meeting space, the new facility will complement the already highly acclaimed and diverse group venues and amenities offered to groups hosted by the resort, including in the more than 500 Resort Villas.

“We could not be happier with the design and quality of the new West Beach Conference Center,” said Director of Sales & Marketing Heidi Nowak. “Many of the features incorporated into the design result from input sought from meeting planners we have developed close relationships with, and the West Beach Conference Center reflects the invaluable insight those planners provided regarding the elements today’s groups demand.”

Event space in the new center is anchored by the elegantly appointed but highly functional 10,000-square-foot Carolina Ballroom (divisible into subunits with six air-walls) supplemented by eleven breakout rooms. Situated around the exterior walls, the breakout rooms feature oversized windows that admit ample natural light and the soothing and inspiring natural beauty of the island. A fully-staffed full-service commercial kitchen accommodates chef-prepared banquets, meals and receptions. The new center will accommodate up to 1,000 for a reception or theater configuration or up to 600 for a classroom or banquet-style set-up.

An under-roof drive-in loading dock allows meeting materials and displays to be off-loaded directly into the conference center without the risk of exposure to the elements.

Kiawah Island Golf Resort is currently booking groups to host future meetings in the new center. Groups or meetings planners interested in hosting their next meeting in the West Beach Conference Center are encouraged to call our groups sales office at 843-576-1585.

Visit http://www.kiawahresort.com/expansion to learn more about Kiawah’s new West Beach Conference Center and other resort-wide expansions. To download a high-resolution images of the West Beach Conference Center exteriors, click here.

THE SANCTUARY HOTEL AND SPA EARNS TOP RATINGS

Kiawah Island, SC, February 12, 2020 – The Sanctuary and The Spa at The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort have both received the highest rating from one of the world’s most respected authorities in the hospitality industry. The Sanctuary and The Spa at The Sanctuary have earned the coveted Five Star Award from Forbes Travel Guide. This is the twelfth consecutive year the luxury property has earned the distinction of being the only Forbes Five Star Hotel and Spa in South Carolina.

“For Forbes Travel Guide to recognize The Sanctuary in this manner reflects the tireless effort and dedication of each employee who strives every moment to deliver our guests an unparalleled experience that is caring, gracious and genuine,” said The Sanctuary General Manager Bill Lacey.

The Forbes Travel Guide is world-renowned and the only global rating system for luxury hotels, restaurants and spas. Forbes inspectors anonymously visit hotels and spas that potentially offer the level of service and facilities to qualify for a minimum of two nights. During their stay, the inspectors evaluate each property’s service and facilities based on up to nine hundred objective standards. Inspected properties must score a ninety or higher to earn Forbes Five Stars.

To learn more about The Sanctuary Hotel and Spa at Kiawah Island Golf resort, visit www.kiawahresort.com. To view the full Star Ratings for 2020, visit ForbesTravelGuide.com. For a detailed explanation of how Forbes Travel Guide compiles its Star Ratings, click here.

###

ABOUT KIAWAH ISLAND GOLF RESORT
Located along 10 miles of pristine beach less than 30 miles south of Charleston, S.C., Kiawah Island Golf Resort consistently ranks as one of the country’s top resorts. It includes The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, the resort’s ultra-luxury 255-room hotel and spa – and nearly 500 private villas and luxury homes, five championship golf courses, including The Ocean Course, host of the 1991 Ryder Cup, the 2012 PGA Championship and upcoming 2021 PGA Championship. For 10 of the past 12 years, the resort has ranked as the number one tennis resort in the world by TennisResortsOnline.com, and features an award-winning recreation and nature program. Beginning spring 2018, Kiawah Island Golf Resort launched a three-year development that will greatly enhance the resort’s already world-class amenities. For more information, visit www.kiawahresort.com.

Celebrate the Holidays at Kiawah Island Golf Resort

Kiawah Island, SC, October 25, 2019 – From Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day, Kiawah Island Golf Resort offers a series of events and celebrations. Throughout the season, the resort, nestled within a pristine subtropical barrier island just south of historic Charleston, assumes a festive air as it becomes guests’ holiday home away from home.

• Thanksgiving at Kiawah – The resort presents a diverse range of chef-prepared dining options featuring traditional Thanksgiving fare, but free from the hassle of cooking and cleanup. Guests are invited to round out the weekend with a series of fun, family-friendly activities such as a sand-sculpting competition, seasonal craft workshops (to get a jump on holiday gifts) and a low-key Turkey Trot. The weekend wraps up with the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony in The Sanctuary lobby followed by the highly anticipated grand arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Claus, who make gracious time to hear each child’s wish list. Visit our holiday section to explore the full range of special Thanksgiving offerings and events.

• Christmas at Kiawah – The Tree Lighting Ceremony at The Sanctuary officially heralds the Christmas season, and the entire resort becomes festooned with tastefully wrought holiday décor. Each Saturday leading up to Christmas Eve, the resort invites guests and the public to afternoon cookie decorating celebrations (call 843-768-6251 to reserve a place for this popular activity).
On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, restaurants throughout the resort host festive holiday meals to properly ring in the season. Offerings range from Tomasso’s traditional Italian Festa dei Sette Pesci (Feast of Seven Fishes) on Christmas Eve to an elegantly sophisticated Christmas Day dinner at The Ocean Room. See our full range of holiday culinary offerings here.

• New Year’s Celebrations – Kiawah Island Golf Resort rings out the old year and rings in the new with three days of activities and festivities designed for guests of all ages. Get a one-day jump on New Year’s Eve with a Bonfire and S’mores at Night Heron Park and dance to live music. New Year’s Eve begins with a special Kamp Kiawah: Kid’s Night Out New Year’s Eve Bash at The Sanctuary, starting at the hotel’s indoor pool and culminating with a pizza party and video games. Both Jasmine Porch and The Ocean Room present special libations and dinner menus, followed by live music and cocktails at The Lobby Bar until 1:00 a.m. Guests stroll out onto the Grand Lawn to enjoy a fireworks display over the Atlantic Ocean. On New Year’s Day, shake off the cobwebs with a special brunch at Jasmine Porch, followed by a bracing Polar Bear Plunge in the Atlantic and 5K fun run on the beach.

Guests can begin making their holiday plans by visiting our holiday events page.

###

About Kiawah Island Golf Resort
Located along 10 miles of pristine beach less than 30 miles south of Charleston, S.C., Kiawah Island Golf Resort consistently ranks as one of the country’s top resorts. It includes The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, the resort’s Forbes Five Star/AAA Five Diamond 255-room hotel and spa, nearly 500 private villas and luxury homes, and five championship golf courses, including The Ocean Course, host of the 1991 Ryder Cup, the 2012 PGA Championship and upcoming 2021 PGA Championship. For 11 of the past 13 years, the resort has ranked as the number-one tennis resort in the world by TennisResortsOnline.com, and features acclaimed recreation and nature programs. Beginning spring 2018, Kiawah Island Golf Resort launched a three-year development that will greatly enhance the resort’s already world-class amenities.

Kiawah Island Golf Resort Welcomes Heidi Nowak as Director of Sales and Marketing

Kiawah Island, SC, June 4, 2019 – Kiawah Island Golf Resort is pleased to announce Heidi Nowak as Director of Sales and Marketing. Nowak is responsible for implementing sales, marketing and communications strategies to drive business and grow revenue at the oceanfront luxury resort and to position the brand as one of the top golf destinations in the world. As Director of Sales and Marketing, Nowak is a member of Kiawah Island Golf Resort’s Executive Committee, which helps set the direction for the resort.

“We are excited to welcome Heidi to lead the efforts of our Sales and Marketing team,” said Kiawah Island Golf Resort President Roger Warren. “Heidi has amassed an impressive track record in marketing communications, sales and operations for one of the world’s most recognizable luxury hospitality brands, and we have full confidence in her ability to bring a renewed vision to this vital role, particularly during this exciting time of growth and expansion.”

A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Nowak has built her entire career in the hospitality industry, most recently as Director of Sales and Marketing at Hotel Bennett, a newly opened Salamander Hotels & Resorts property in downtown Charleston, South Carolina. Prior to that, she worked for 23 years for The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. She served for two years as Director of Sales and Marketing for the luxury chain’s Grand Cayman property. She held the same role for nearly seven years at The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte, where she directed all pre- and post-opening sales and communications initiatives. She previously served in the company’s properties in Bal Harbour, Florida; Washington, D.C.; New York, New York; White Plains, New York; Detroit, Michigan; and Cleveland, Ohio. Nowak began her career in sales and marketing at The Ritz-Carlton in Cleveland, where she quickly rose in the ranks.

Nowak earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and an M.B.A., both from John Carroll University.

###

About Kiawah Island Golf Resort
Located along 10 miles of pristine beach less than 30 miles south of Charleston, S.C., Kiawah Island Golf Resort consistently ranks among the nation’s top destinations. It includes The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, the resort’s ultra-luxury 255-room beachfront hotel and spa, and 500 private villas and luxury homes. Amenities include five championship golf courses, including The Ocean Course, an internationally top-ranked tennis center, and award-winning recreation and nature programs. Beginning spring 2018, Kiawah Island Golf Resort launched a three-year expansion that will greatly enhance the resort’s already world-class amenities.

The Sanctuary Earns Top Ratings

Kiawah Island, SC, February 25, 2019 – The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort has received the highest ratings from two of the world’s most respected authorities in the hospitality industry. In January, AAA announced that The Sanctuary ranks among its select group of Five Diamond Properties for the thirteenth consecutive year. Last week, Forbes Travel Guide announced that it has awarded Five Stars to The Sanctuary. This is the eleventh consecutive year the luxury property has earned the distinction of being the only Forbes Travel Guide Five Star Hotel and Spa in South Carolina.

“For AAA and Forbes Travel Guide to recognize The Sanctuary in this manner reflects the dedicated effort of every employee that makes up my team,” said The Sanctuary General Manager Bill Lacey. “Each of these committed, passionate professionals fulfills our mission to provide every guest with an unparalleled experience that is caring, gracious and genuine.”

The Forbes Travel Guide star ranking system is recognized as the international gold standard for rating the hospitality industry. Forbes inspectors anonymously visit hotels and spas that potentially offer the level of service and facilities to qualify for a minimum of two nights. During their stay, the inspectors evaluate each property’s service and facilities based on up to nine hundred objective standards. Inspected properties must score a ninety or higher to earn Forbes Five Stars. Of the more than fifty thousand total hotels in the U.S., The Sanctuary is one of only seventy-nine to earn Five Stars from Forbes Travel Guide. Only two hundred ten properties worldwide attained a Five Star rating in 2019.

AAA annually awards either Four or Five Diamonds to the most distinguished hotels and restaurants throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. Inspectors visit hotels and restaurants to determine which are “AAA Inspected & Approved.” Of these, in 2019 AAA awarded Five Diamonds to only eight-five throughout the U.S., a distinction that recognizes those AAA Inspected & Approved properties that provide the ultimate luxury.

The Sanctuary is one of only forty-seven properties in the U.S. to attain both Forbes Travel Guide Five Stars and AAA Five Diamonds.

To learn more about The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf resort, visit www.kiawahresort.com. To see the entire list of Forbes Travel Guide Star winners and to learn more about the process, visit www.forbestravelguide.com . To see the entire list of AAA Five Diamond winners, visit www.aaa.com/diamonds/diamond-awards .

###

2021 PGA Kiawah Press

The 103rd edition of the Championship 2021 returns to the renowned Pete Dye-designed oceanfront layout in South Carolina after its first visit in 2012, when Rory McIlroy captured the Wanamaker Trophy by a record-setting margin. The Ocean Course is one of four venues to host each of the PGA of America’s major championships – The Ryder Cup (1991), the Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid (2007) and the PGA Championship. The Ocean Course also hosted the 2005 PGA Professional National Championship.

The PGA Championship also is the only one of golf’s four majors to be hosted in South Carolina. The announcement was made with Kiawah Island Golf Resort Chairman Bill Goodwin

The PGA Championship, the only all-professional major, features one of the deepest international fields in golf. Since 1994, it has perennially featured the most top-100 players in the Official World Golf Rankings of all golf Championships.

The Ocean Course has more seaside holes than any other courses in North America — 10 along the Atlantic Ocean with the other eight running parallel to those.

Designed from a ribbon of pristine sand dunes stretching nearly three miles along the Atlantic Ocean at the eastern end of Kiawah Island, The Ocean Course is par-72 layout that can be extended to 7,676 yards and is reminiscent of the great seaside links of England and Scotland.

Photography

If you need a particular photo for reproduction, please contact our Director of Public Relations Bryan K. Hunter and you will be given a URL to a website where you can choose the photos. If you are a meeting planner designing a brochure, the resort requires to see a proof before publication.

Press Releases

PGA of America to Conduct 2021 PGA Championship on The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort (.pdf)

Press Kit

If you need additional information, please contact resort marketing.

Kiawah Island Golf Resort Awards (pdf)
Golf at Kiawah Island Golf Resort (pdf)
The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort (pdf)
Tennis at Kiawah Island Golf Resort (pdf)
Recreation Activities at Kiawah Island Golf Resort (pdf)
Real Estate on Kiawah Island (pdf)
About Charleston, South Carolina (pdf)
Kiawah Island Quote Sheet (pdf)
Media Quotes About The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island (pdf)
Kiawah Island Golf Resort Sustainability (pdf)