Have you ever heard of Kiawah Island? If not you’ll likely be hearing all about it this summer if your husband/boyfriend/friends are into golf because the Kiawah Island Golf Resort is hosting the 2012 PGA Championship. Last week, before all the NYFW madness began, I spend four blissfully relaxing days at the resort with my father who’s a big golf fan (seriously he goes around calling himself Tiger after a good game…), and let me tell you if you’re looking for a Valentine’s Day gift your loved and YOU can enjoy — book some time at this resort this year! I don’t care much about golf or tennis (the two main activities there), but not only is this resort located beach-side, they’ve got multiple outdoor and indoor pools along with hot tubes, a sauna, a steam room, fitness classes, and one of the most luxurious spas I’ve ever been to. Not to mention countless restaurants including a Forbes 4 Star and AAA 4 Diamond rated one. Honestly I would have never expected food to be amazing in South Carolina, but not only was it fantastic, if you so choose, there are many healthy options (if only I had opted for them and not the foie gras in a grand marnier blanket…).
If you’re in a relationship with someone who is always nagging you about not being into golf/tennis or simply in a relationship with someone who loves those sports this is the perfect faux-selfless gift (does that sound awful!?). Let the men enjoy golf and you go luxuriate in the spa! Or if you’re single, it’s a great place to go with a friend for a spa/beach weekend out of it (it was a nice alternative to Miami, which is where I usually go to de-stress).
On my first day there, after spending some time sweating out my toxins in the steam room, I indulged in the resort’s signature body wrap massage. Basically the therapists strategically places heated, grain, and herb filled wraps on your tension areas while you get a full body massage. The wraps smelled amazing and I’m a heat lover (who is still ALWAYS cold!), so it was perfect for me. All I can say is spending four days almost entirely unplugged from the stresses in my life was an amazing treat that I’m very grateful to have had. I should also underline that this resort is HUGE so if you do go get a car because while the spa, fitness center, pools, and some restaurants are in the main building, the golf courses and some of the other restaurants are a good 15-20 min drive (yes, the resort is that big…). Lastly I didn’t do it while I was there because I was, well, lazy, but there are a ton of organized actives including bike tours and walks. Check-out the spa menu here.
