Both islands are located south of Charleston. It is about a 45-minute drive to the city, depending upon traffic. You can be in the city in no time if you get bored.
The islands offer an excellent opportunity for you to relax in a peaceful, stress-free environment. We stayed on Kiawah Island, a gated community that will host a PGA tournament in 2012. The island offers miles of trails for walking (solo or with your buddy) and biking. The beach is wide and clean, though not the best place for hunting seashells.
We suggest that you rent bikes, if you do not bring your own, to explore the beautiful island. Several shops provide reasonable rentals. We rented bikes at the Night Heron Park Nature Center on Kiawah Island since we decided on the spur of the moment to ride. You can walk up, pay the fee, and ride away.
On Kiawah Island, you will find only one hotel: the Sanctuary. Your wallet will be a lot lighter, and they do not allow pets to stay there.
We rented a condo, which you can do on both Kiawah and Seabrook Islands. A quick Internet search will give you several companies such as Beachwalker and ResortQuest that offer rental listings. You can also use homeaway.com and vrbo.com, which offer rentals directly through the owner. If pool access is important, be sure to check with the owner. In most cases, pool privileges are not included. (Some of the fancier homes on the islands have private pools.)
Don’t let the exclusivity of the islands keep you from staying. You can find very affordable options, especially if you travel with other parties and do not stay during peak season. For example, our average daily rate was $90 (excluding pet fee); yes, we travelled with another couple. You cannot find a decent hotel room anywhere for that rate.
The condos have kitchens with basic cookware and cutlery. You can prepare your meals there and save money. You will find a nice (albeit slightly expensive) grocery store, Newton Farms, nearby, or you can head off the islands for a 15-minute drive to the Piggly Wiggly or Publix grocery stores.
When you grow tired of cooking and want a nice, affordable meal, head over to Red’s Ice House at Bohicket Marina on Seabrook Island. The crab cake appetizer was wonderful – just the right ratio of cake to crab. The shrimp were plump, fresh, and delectable. Outdoor seating is available so you can take your buddy with you.
While you are at Bohicket Marina, check out the Beached Dog (http://www.thebeacheddog.com/). We spoke with co-owner Heather after meeting her husband (and co-owner) Neil on the marina. He was being walked by the couple’s mastiff. In addition to baths and grooming, they offer pet-sitting and exercise visits, in case you need someone to check in on your buddy during your stay. They even do pet photography. We did not use their services but were impressed with the shop’s cleanliness and their friendliness.
Regardless of what you do while you are there, we think you will have a relaxing getaway. We absolutely love the laidback, casual, and pet-friendly atmosphere and cannot wait to go back. Happy Summer!
Rescue Mommy and Daddy
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