Kiawah Island Thanksgiving Traditions

Families who return each fall attest that Thanksgiving Traditions at Kiawah Island Golf Resort keep them coming back. And what an advantage to kick your holidays off with a long stress-free weekend. Just leave all the work to us and give the family cook a break. All you have to do is rest, relax and recreate (and feast, of course) in fine fashion. We offer a surprising range of options to make any family grateful.

Flexible Feasts

Whether you’re staying in our Forbes Five Star and AAA Five Diamond Sanctuary hotel, a resort villa one of our luxurious homes, we provide a wide range of options for your Thanksgiving dinner.

A sumptuous buffet in the hotel’s Grand Oaks Ballroom offers numerous stations and a well-paired wine menu and decadent dessert options. Reserved seatings will begin at 11:00 AM, with priority reservations given to Sanctuary guests. Be sure to call 843.768.6251 to secure your reservations.

In the opposite (west) wing of the hotel, Jasmine Porch‘s Lowcountry-inspired Grand Buffet displays a smorgasbord of traditional Thanksgiving fare. Offering both lunch and dinner seatings in a relaxed yet elegant surrounding, again Sanctuary guests will receive reservation priority. Call 843.768.6252 for reservations.

If you opt to go light on lunch, The Ocean Room, The Sanctuary’s signature Forbes Four Star steakhouse, enhances its usual seasonal menu with a selection of an epicurean take on holiday classics (a children’s menu is available). For a truly nontraditional take, the adjoining Lounge offers a selection of sushi, small plates and sophisticated libations. Call 843.768.6260 for reservations (priority given to hotel guests).

On the main floor, the Lobby Bar proves an excellent place to gather for a pre- or post-dinner drink, with service available from noon until 11:00 PM.

Outside the hotel, Chef John Ondo at The Atlantic Room located in The Ocean Course Clubhouse has devised a special Thanksgiving buffet menu with his creative take on traditional favorite. Enjoy superbly crafted dishes that capture the spirit of the season while you soak in the spectacular views of the eighteenth fairway and the Atlantic beyond from The Ocean Course Clubhouse. Call 843.266.4085 to inquire about reservations.

The Players’ Pub at Cougar Point Clubhouse will serve Chef Tripp McDaniel’s special holiday menu along with his seasonal a la carte offerings anytime between 11:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Diners can opt to either dine in or order dinners to-go. While walk-ins are welcome, reservations are encouraged due to demand. Call 843.768.2771 for reservations.

If you prefer to host an intimate Thanksgiving feast in your Resort Villa or Home, you can still leave all the work to us with our Thanksgiving To-go option. Our Villa Banquet team has created a delectable menu of holiday favorites, available for carry out. Choose a full meal that serves 8-10 people, or order just the turkey or just the sides – either way, the cooking is on us! Click here for menu.

Finally, if you prefer grandma’s recipes and decide to tackle dinner yourself in your villa or house, at least allow our talented pastry team led by Resort Executive Pastry Chef Shannon Lee to supply dessert. We’ll have your freshly baked pumpkin, apple crumble or pecan pie (or one of each!) boxed and ready for pick-up the day before Thanksgiving. Be sure to place your order by Friday, November 19, and orders may be picked up at West Beach Conference Center on Wednesday, November 24, from 9:00 AM to 12 PM or on Thursday, November 25, from 10:00 AM to 4 PM. Click here to order your pies online.

On the Friday after Thanksgiving, you won’t want to miss experiencing the resort’s longest running tradition: an authentic Lowcountry oyster roast and barbecue at Mingo Point, an outdoor setting overlooking a breathtaking bend of the Kiawah River and expansive views of tidal marsh. Click here to learn more about the Mingo Point Oyster Roast & Barbecue and for information on how to make reservations.

Post-Feast Festivities

On the week leading up to Thanksgiving and throughout the weekend, Kiawah Island Golf Resort will offer a wide range of family friendly activities. Added to favorite traditions such as the Turkey Scavenger Hunt, the Turkey Trot, and the Sand Sculpting competition, you will keep entertained with activities old and new alike. Be sure to click here for the full calendar of exciting events.

Deck the Halls, Kiawah Style

On the Friday of Thanksgiving, thoughts instantly turn to the holiday season. While Kiawah provides a relaxing escape from the hustle (and hassle) of Black Friday, that doesn’t mean we go about business as usual.

Rather we kick things off with our highly anticipated tree lighting ceremony once the hotel staff has taken time to tastefully decorate the entire lobby. But that’s just a prelude to the main event: the arrival of Santa to The Sanctuary to visit with the children and collect notes on Christmas lists.

It’s simply impossible to mention everything. Get all the details and take the first step towards establishing your own holiday traditions at Kiawah Island Golf Resort.