Staying a Weekend at the Sweetgrass Inn
Wild Dunes Resort | Isle of Palms | South Carolina | Beach Near Charleston
Last weekend, we packed up the car and headed down to Isle of Palms, South Carolina, just outside of Charleston, to stay at the new Sweetgrass Inn at the Wild Dunes Resort. I know it’s only been a week, but I’m still in a vacation coma. I had so much fun putting this travel blog post together, showing you what to do, where to eat, and all the fun things the Sweetgrass Inn offers! We had some of the best meals last weekend. 
If you’re looking for a weekend getaway that involves relaxation, soaking up the sun, poolside drinks, incredible food, and fun activities, well, the Sweetgrass Inn at the Wild Dunes Resort is your dream vacation spot, and it’s just outside of Charleston SC.
The Sweetgrass Inn Wild Dunes Resort Isle of Palms
Our hotel room was decorated so cutely. One of the things we kept saying all weekend was how clean, and well-kept everything was. I don’t know if it was the fact that our 80-pound dog wasn’t in bed or what, but I slept like a baby through the night! The beds are soft, and everything around the rooms stays very quiet. Even in the middle of the day, we couldn’t hear the noise from the pool.
The hotel room had a fridge, a wardrobe for hanging up your dresses, a hand steamer, an espresso maker, luxury bathrooms, a balcony overlooking the pool, a couch, a desk area, giant flat-screen TV, a hairdryer, branded bath toiletries & hand sanitizer, soft robes and slippers, and an in-room safe. And don’t worry about packing towels (we did for the beach) because they have towels available by the pool! And if you forget anything, you can always stop at the Hudson Market for medicine, snacks, drinks, and more! You don’t have to leave the resort for anything. 
When we arrived, we cleaned up and took a little walk before dinner. Some of my favorite streets in the Isle of Palms are next to the Resort. The best time to walk them is at golden hour and in the morning. The way the sun hits the trees makes it look like the Spanish moss is glowing.
A few years ago, we took photos on the trail leading to the beach when we visited the Wild Dunes Resort. Those photos I took were published in last month’s Coastal Living Magazine! I had to stop by and take a photo in that spot to celebrate.
The Wild Dunes is just miles from the historic downtown Charleston and is located at the northern tip of Isle of Palms. If you’re looking for that Lowcountry charm, you’ll find that there. We were surrounded by 1600 acres of barrier island paradise filled with tennis courts, golf courses, pools, restaurants, bike trails, walking trails, gorgeous beach rentals, shops, and so on. The Wild Dunes is like its own little city.
On the first night, we had dinner at Sweetgrass Inn’s Oystercatcher. Oh, My Goodness! The restaurant is located in the lobby area, and there are many spots to sit. It’s one of the casual and comfortable settings where you sit outside, by the bar, or inside at the tables. We chose to sit at the high-top table by the pool. I always jump on the opportunity to sit outside.
The menu is sustainable seafood-focused with locally inspired small plates. The menu had so many great options to choose from, and goodness did it not disappoint. The flavors, the way everything was cooked to perfection, and the quality were top-notch.
I ordered the Heirloom tomato salad. I’m not even a big tomato person, but I could have eaten five more plates of this salad. It had such incredible flavors! It came with heirloom tomatoes, burrata, salsa verde, pickled berries, pistachios, and charred shallots.
Dinner at Sweetgrass Inn Ostercatcher
We ordered the corn puppies and okra for another small dish. If you plan on visiting, please promise me you’ll order these. My mouth is watering just thinking about how delicious and decadent these were. If I didn’t have to fit into a wedding dress, I would have eaten everyone and ordered more. There would have been no sharing allowed. The bowl had charred okra, green tomato chow-chow, sweet corn hushpuppies, cajun field peas, and mustard and old bay aioli.
For my meal, I ordered yellowfin tuna tacos. Wow, oh wow, oh wow, oh wow! The yellowfin was so fresh and each bite melted in your mouth. The wonton shell was super thin and crispy, which made the dish feel light. The tacos were topped with Asian mayo, shaved cabbage, togarashi, ponzu, and sesame vinaigrette.
Kyle ordered their entre special, a filet over a hollandaise sauce and topped with grilled asparagus. Everything we ate was absolutely delicious, and I wish I were at home to have licked the plate clean. For being such a casual spot to grab dinner, the food was absolutely five-star quality. 
On Saturday morning, we woke up early to start our day. There is complimentary coffee down in the hotel lobby and also a Nespresso maker in the room. I love that they had coffee ready around 7 am instead of later.
After downing a cup of coffee, we walked to the Wild Dunes Bike Rental Shop. It’s about a two-minute walk from the resort and right next to the tennis courts.
Renting Bikes Sweetgrass Inn – Wild Dunes Resort
I highly recommend renting bikes for the day or atleast for the morning. No matter where we go, biking is one of our favorite things! It’s a great way to explore areas without getting overly exhausted from walking. Plus, it’s a great workout. There’s something about being on a bike that makes you feel like a kid again, and coasting through the gorgeous streets is so relaxing.
The Wild Dunes Resort has biking trails that make biking safe and easy to navigate. 
The first place we biked to was breakfast, about a mile down the road, near the Wild Dunes Harbor Golf Course. The breakfast spot is called Huey’s Southern Kitchen, located in the Links Clubhouse. It’s the best spot to sit outside and watch the golfers while sipping coffee and throwing down some buttermilk pancakes!
Breakfast Huey’s Southern Kitchen – Wild Dunes Resort
But first coffee, and that’s exactly what I started with. The coffee was delicious, a subtle medium roast. I ordered Greek yogurt with fresh berries, granola, bacon, and eggs. Everything was fresh and delicious! The perfect fuel for a morning bike ride. 
We rode our bikes for two hours before returning to the resort! The weather was perfect, and since the trails are lined with trees, you don’t have to worry too much about the beating sun’s heat. It’s fun to go down all the little nooks and crannies. We liked stopping at the beach access points and gazing at the gorgeous cottages along the way. 
After returning our bikes, I was excited to have a relaxing afternoon by the pool. There are so many chairs to sit on, even on a Saturday, we didn’t find it hard to find two chairs together. Once you get down there, the pool attendants hand you the cutest pink beach towels. The pool was crystal clear, and the surrounding areas were tidy and well-kept.
Spending the day at the pool with frozen drinks from Laughing Gull Restaurant & Lounge
We ordered a rum runner and a frozen margarita to cheers to our weekend🍸🍹 Having the poolside bar made it feel like a vacation and less like our neighborhood pool back at home.
Is Sweetgrass Inn Wild Dunes Resort Kid-Friendly?
I had a few asking if this spot was kid-friendly, and I would say, “absolutely!” If I had kids, I wouldn’t think twice about taking them here. Everything was so clean and accessible, and it’s the perfect spot to sip a frozen drink while your kids play on the splash pad. Did I mention the splash pad has really cool lights, too? It’s located behind the main pool, and there are so many spots to sit. It’s nice because the hotel provides super cute pink beach towels.
There is also an adult-only pool at the Boardwalk Inn if you’re looking for a kid-free vacation. The Grand Pavilion pools are family-friendly with panoramic ocean views. You can forget the stress of packing food and snacks for the family because the dining options surround you. There are actually four pools to choose from when staying at the Wild Dunes resort. They have every type of environment you could dream of! Private, kid-friendly, lap pool, casual pool on the beach, etc.
The Sweetgrass Inn has so many fun outdoor activities like a fire pit, ping pong, cornhole, and more! If my parents took me here when I was a kid or teen, I would have been in heaven! I look forward to taking our future kids here one day. 
As if things couldn’t get any more convenient, we didn’t even have to pack up our bags to grab lunch. We ordered food from the Laughing Gull, a poolside restaurant located at the Sweetgrass Inn. Just like the dinner we had the night before, the food was to die for! The lunch at the Laughing Gull was so fresh and delicious. The Laughing Gull has a colorful atmosphere and Caribbean-infused cuisine. It was like sitting in a tropical paradise with its island flair. All-day frosé? Sign me up!
Fresh Poolside lunch at the Laughing Gull
We both ordered local baby greens salads with grilled shrimp (Kyle had the grilled chicken), charred red onions, pineapple roasted pumpkin seeds, heirloom tomatoes, tortilla strips, and the best vinaigrette ever! They also had some pretty delicious burgers on their menu that I will for sure order next time I’m back there.
Getting their sweet potato fries is an absolute MUST. They are thick and crispy 😋 And if you want to know a pro tip: dip them in the caramel cream sauce from the churros. Churros by the pool? Now that is a no-brainer! They just hit so good. When you’re served delicious food by the pool, you feel as if you’re living life the right way.
If you’re a vegetarian, they offer their burgers with the Beyond Meat burger as a substitute. Ok, maybe I’ll try that next time with their tropical macaroons. 
On Saturday evening, we headed to Coastal Provisions for one of the tastiest dinners! I remember Coastal Provisions impressing us the last time we visited, and once again, they didn’t disappoint.
Coastal Provisions is located at the Boardwalk Inn. There is inside and outside dining available. Just know, you’re going to have the ultimate dining experience no matter where you choose to sit. They pretty much had to roll us out of there because our food comas were severe. It’s highly recommended that you make a reservation to secure your spot! If you can’t get a reservation, grab the food to go from Coastal Provisions and head out by the beach to have a picnic.
Coastal Provisions is a proud Platinum Partner of the South Carolina Aquarium Good Catch Program. Their meals are based around local & sustainable seafood, meat, and seasonal vegetables sourced from local and regional purveyors around Isle of Palms and Charleson, SC. I love that they support locals by serving up local.
Dinner at Coastal Provisions Wild Dunes Resort Isle of Palms | Located at the Boardwalk Inn
We ordered a few appetizers since we were so hungry! We had an early lunch, and I made sure not to snack in between because I knew how delicious the food is at Coastal Provisions, and I was excited about it. We started with the tuna poke with tamari, benne seed, chili garlic sauce, scallion, avocado, rice, and cucumbers. The poke was so fresh and flavorful.
Next, we had fried green tomatoes. The tomatoes were so flavorful, and I loved how they kept showing up in most of our meals over the weekend. This goes to show that the restaurants use local and in-season ingredients. The fried green tomatoes were so crispy on the outside but not heavily breaded, just the way I like them. They were topped with arugula, kale pesto, blackberry chow-chow, and a spicy buttermilk dressing. Don’t think twice about ordering these!
If I had to pick one thing for you to order that you may not otherwise…it would be the chickpea fries. I’m not a chickpea lover, but WOW WOW WOW! They look like little french toast sticks. They have a mashed potato texture and flavor in the middle with a crispy outer layer. We dipped them in the leftover sauces from the fried green tomatoes. They also come with an Alabama white sauce that was so delicious.
I had their fresh catch entree special, the yellow snapper with broccoli, and served over a puree for my meal. And not surprisingly, it was delicious! Kyle ordered the roasted chicken roulade. It came with chicken breast, chicken country sausage, sun-dried tomato pesto, herb vinaigrette, heirloom tomatoes, goat cheese, and pickled shallots. It had so much flavor, and if you’re a chicken sausage lover, you’ll appreciate the creativity of this dish using those ingredients! 
It’s so convenient that Hudson’s Market is located right outside the lobby doors. If you need some snacks, grab-and-go wraps, ice cream, wine, beer, Tylenol, coffee, or other items, they have almost everything there for you. Their coffee was delicious!
Hudson’s Market Breakfast Sweetgrass Inn – Isle of Palms – Wild Dunes Resort
For breakfast on Sunday, we had their BYO breakfast sandwich. They had so many styles of bread to choose from (including gluten-free), different cheeses, breakfast meats, and more. We tried the gluten-free bagel with cheddar cheese, egg, and sausage. It was pretty tasty! We split the most decadent blueberry muffin and enjoyed their fresh coffee. It’s steps away from the beach, so you could also take it for a beach walk with you early in the morning. 
One of my favorite parts about staying at the Sweetgrass Inn is that it’s steps away from the beach. Packing bags, finding parking, and carrying beach chairs to a beach can be more work than fun. I loved that we could leave our hotel room and head down to the beach anytime we wanted. We just walked the gorgeous beach access path, which opened up to the most beautiful Isle of Palm beach.
Beach Picnic Wild Dunes Resort – Isle of Palms
We took morning and evening walks on the beach each day. There is nothing better than the purple skies at sunrise and sunset. Back in Iowa, I used to dream of living this close to a beach, and I will never get sick of it. I used to watch Nicholas Sparks movies repeatedly to live through the characters by the ocean. 
Again, Sweetgrass Inn is so convenient! Don’t bother packing up beach chairs; you can rent chairs for a fun beach day, and they come with an umbrella. The best part is that they are strong enough to handle heavy winds. There is nothing worse than chasing after your beach umbrella or chairs. Not that I would know what that feels like…👀 😆 Renting chairs takes away the stress of it all.
Rent beach chairs for a fun beach day | Sweetgrass Inn Wild Dunes Resort
We packed a small bag and sat by the beach for a while before heading to the pool. They have a shower for getting the sand off your feet right before heading back to the resort area.
After spending the whole afternoon at the pool and beach, we got cleaned up and headed to Sullivan’s Island for one of my favorite sweet treats. It was just a few miles down the island.
Gelato and Coffee at BeardCatSweetShop – Sullivans Island
I ordered an iced coffee with almond milk and a cup of pistachio and Biscoff almond gelato. It was mouthwatering and the best way to cool down in the heat. I have been to BeardCat Sweet Shop a few times, and it’s tradition always to stop when we are that close! 
On Sunday morning, I headed down to the spa for the ultimate relaxation. If you book your stay at the Wild Dunes Resort, booking a spa day should be a top priority! You get full access to the private spa jacuzzi and cabana-style relaxing areas, and you have access to it all day. That means you can go to the spa early, take a nap by the pool or in your room, and head right back to the spa later on. The changing and locker room at the spa was immaculate, and I needed to find out what green they used to paint the lockers.
The Spa at Sweetgrass Inn – Wild Dunes Resort
I had my very first hot stone massage, and it was so relaxing. I officially need to make hot stone massages a regular part of my life. After my massage, I headed to the pantry to make complimentary herbal tea. I took it outside to relax by the jacuzzi. This spa reminded me of a place I stayed in a while, visiting Napa. It’s so worth it if you’re visiting.
I was so sad to pack up and leave Sweetgrass Inn. I wanted to stay there for a few more days, so next time, I’m booking a four-day weekend! Oh, and if you’re worried about not being able to fit in your workout, they had the most impressive hotel gym I have ever seen in my life! So many treadmills, weights, and multiple Pelotons! Kyle was so happy he didn’t have to break his Peloton streak. We cannot wait to go back! 
After taking off, we stopped at Sullivan’s Island Co-op to grab a quick bite before heading out on the road. We originally thought about trying Poe’s Tavern, but it was pretty packed! I have been there before, and it’s terrific, so we decided to try something new!
Brunch at Sullivan’s Island Co-op – Frose Flights!
The Co-op looked super casual, and the menu was exactly what I was craving! We had some kombucha (I was tempted to get the frose flight, but I will save that for next time!), avocado toast, and a chicken salad sandwich. This spot should be on your list! You go in, order at the counter, and take it outside to eat.
I hope you all enjoyed this Ulitmate travel guide to Sweetgrass Inn at the Wild Dunes Resort in Isle of Palms, South Carolina! I am already planning to go back again! It’s one of the best gems to have so close to Charlotte, NC, and Charleston, SC!
Questions for you!
- What is one activity you LOVE doing while traveling?
- Have you ever been to Wild Dunes Resort?
- Do you have any summer trips planned?
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Thank you all for stopping by to read today! & thank you, Sweetgrass Inn, for inviting us down to stay for the weekend!
this post was not sponsored, but our stay and meals were courtesy of the hotel
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I’ve been loving doing some sort of massage while on relaxing vacations! Definitely depends on where I’m going, but we love trying new restaurants and new foods!
I have not! But now I need to add it to my list 😆
Chicago for my friends bach party at the end of June! She found an adult tea party thing to do and I’m stoked lol
Did you say adult tea party?!?! ok I need these details! omg fun!
My favorite vacation activity is experiencing the town as a local. I love to stay where the locals live, go for a walk etc. Its why i always stay in brooklyn instead of Manhattan!
That’s the way to do it!
I love to shop unique boutiques wherever I visit! And I would be interested in the shops in and around Wild Dunes Resort, since I’ve never been there, but would like to go. I’ve been to Hilton Head, Charleston and Folly Beach (great vibes there…)
No trips planned for summer yet, but I am going to NY in October to visit with friends in my hometown.
You should try to visit Beaufort because of all the cute little shops! I think you’d love it!
♥️
I LOVE getting massages on vacation – visiting the spa at whatever hotel we stay at is a must! Sometimes vacation can feel like chaos, especially if you’re trying to fit in a ton of sightseeing…so that little bit of peace and quiet is the best!
I never realized how much I needed the spa until I visited this one! Now I’m going to do the same and make the spa a top priority!
I have missed your travel blogs and bright photography. I love that the world is slowly going back to normal and travel is possible again. When I’m on vacation I like to Kayak or go on a long hike.
Thank you, Jess! Feels good to be traveling more places!
Kayaking is so much fun 😍
The one thing I always do on vacation is go to the best rated coffee shop & get whatever special they have then just walk around on my own to soak up the new atmosphere. It might sound a bit boring, but I always feel less stressed and relaxed after I do this,lol!
I love that! 😍 Coffee shops are always my top priority too! Not boring at all!
Where is your hat from? It’s simple and goes with everything! I need it!
TjMaxx! They have so many great hats in there!
Looks like sooo much fun! I’m jealous! ❤️✨
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Thanks, Charmaine!
This looks fantastic! I have to go!
I haven’t been but it is now officially on my list for a little long weekend staycation. I used to live in Charleston and miss it so much! So gorgeous!
Wow what an incredible place to stay, it looks so beautiful and relaxing. I love going out and exploring the area like talking a hike, local coffee shops, or if I’m near the sea taking a day diving trip. I’ve never been to a wild dunes resort, though I have been to the most amazing blue lagoon resort in Rarotonga a few times and just love it. oh a summer trip sounds so good, we are heading into winter now so only snow trips planned for the next few months. Have a great weekend,
Totally enjoyed reading your daily activities, as we have rented a beach home at Wild Dunes next month. Now we have so many good ideas about what to do and what to eat, that I cannot wait. Thank you soooo much!!
Can you tell me if there is any transportation available to Historic Charleston?
I love your travel blogs! Just recently went to Savannah to visit my old stomping grounds (went to SCAD). Now that travel is coming back, will you get vaccinated to keep yourself and others safe?
Looks amazing! Did the resort invite you all to visit, or did you plan this on your own?
If it’s a trip with our kids, we try to do a date night by finding a sitter through an agency. We love traveling with our kiddos but it’s always nice to have time just the two of us!
I love taking a morning walk down by the beach or around the town depending on where we’re traveling 🙂 The Wild Dunes Resort looks amazing and I love all of your photos!
I love checking out favorite spots that the locals frequent! Hidden, neighborhood spots where everyone knows each other. 🙂 I feel like you can get a real taste of the local flavor!
Yes, we’ve been to Wild Dunes (still have my fav coffee mug from there) and this reminds me we need to go back!
In our place, we are still under lockdown, so can’t travel. ☹ But your pictures look oh-so-adorable! The resort looks a place where you could just unwind and relax while sipping on a margarita. And you look cute as a button in all the pics!
We love Wild Dunes but haven’t been since it’s been renovated. We love Hudson’s and also Tavern and Table in Shem Creek is our fav dinner spot!
I’ll have to add Tavern & Table to my list for next time!