Thank you to Freshfields Village for sponsoring today’s post! As always, all opinions are my own.
One of the best parts of my job is the flexibility to travel, but it doesn’t always line up with my husband’s availability. So when the team at Freshfields Village reached out to work with me, I instantly jumped at the chance! Not only is Kiawah, South Carolina a quick 4-hour drive from Charlotte, but it also fell around my 3-year wedding anniversary. How perfect is that?! I have visited the vibrant city of Charleston many times before, but I had yet to make it to this serene South Carolina beach town. Read on to learn why I think this Kiawah Island community is a great option for your next couple’s retreat.
Andell Inn is a luxury, boutique hotel nestled towards the back of Freshfields Village. It has a certain upscale-rustic charm to the decor as you walk into the front desk. While most boutique hotels I’ve previously stayed in offer smaller accommodations, I was really impressed with how spacious the rooms were. We stayed in the King studio apartment that offered a pullout couch, a king-sized bed, and an expansive bathroom vanity set up. The rooms also feature a full kitchen if you care to save money and make a few meals at the hotel. There’s complimentary breakfast included in your stay which is always a plus, too!
One of the frequently asked questions, while I was sharing on IG stories, is if Andell Inn is kid-friendly. While the vibe gives off more of an adult feel, there were still plenty of families bustling about even if they weren’t in the majority. There’s a decent-sized pool if you want to take a break from beach days and you can easily rent bikes from the store next door to keep them occupied! I’d most suggest this Kiawah getaway spot for couples looking for a romantic weekend, but it’s really perfect for anyone!
The best part of any vacation is the food. Thankfully, the dining options at Freshfields Village are anything but scarce. For a celebratory night out, I would suggest Hege’s Restaurant. It has an extensive menu with high-quality options. My husband ate the tuna steak (which was in his own words, “the best he’d ever had”) and I had the steak and frites! Also their homemade cornbread and sourdough were impeccable. I would suggest eating outside for the best experience! On our final night in Kiawah, we dined at Forty-Eight Wine Bar – named for its 48 wine varieties to try on top. You can purchase a pre-loaded card and then taste wine in 1 oz, 3 oz, or 6 oz increments. So basically, the best place to take your girlfriends on a beach vacation!
Other food highlights include Cafe Eugenia– one of Freshfields’ newest spots! It’s essentially a small bite or bakery set up all made fresh in-house. The sausage biscuits were so good I had to come back and grab more for the road before we left! If you’re looking for a heartier breakfast you can enjoy the complimentary setup included in your stay at the Andell Inn or a smoothie from Java Java Coffee.
Where do I even start with all of the things to do?! Have you ever come back from a vacation and felt like you immediately need another one from how exhausted you feel? Thankfully, that’s not the case at Freshfields Village because you have an equal opportunity for rest and relaxation along with fun in the sun.
Beachwaker Park is the only public beach on Kiawah Island, but don’t let that deter you. It has over 10 miles of sandy bliss and I’d venture only feels crowded on peak weekends. As a bonus, Andell Inn offers guests complimentary shuttles to this beach where you can rent chairs and umbrellas. They do have a snack bar, but like any beach day, I’d suggest getting there after breakfast, bringing a few light bites, and heading back after lunchtime to avoid the harsh sun. You can also explore the neighboring beach towns of Folly Beach or other getaways right outside of Charleston!
We had a private tennis lesson at the Sports Pavilion in Cassique. It was so nice to be active but also test our skills a bit! The last time we played tennis (in college LOL) we struggled to get a rally. After our lesson, we came back to charlotte and were able to enjoy a few games together! As mentioned earlier, we were able to ride our bikes around the shops and trails surrounding the property. Everything is super bike-friendly so we didn’t have to worry about safety.
I strongly hold the belief that massages are better by the beach. Maybe it’s just that ocean air hitting you to make it feel ten times more peaceful? Regardless, when I saw there was a spa I immediately looked to book couples massages. Unfortunately, they only had one massage therapist available for the time we were looking for so I had a hydrafacial instead. I’m not overexaggerating when I say it was the best hydrafacial I’ve had in YEARS. My skin was visibly glowing for days afterward and I’m still enjoying the after effects 2 weeks later. Highly recommend a visit here if you get the chance!
Because the shops were in such close proximity to Andell Inn, it was super convenient to visit during our free time. We found a few swim trunks for Will and a new sun hat! Their stores were a bit preppier in style for my taste so I didn’t take home anything besides accessories and a few (gorgeous) pieces of jewelry. My favorite spot had to be the local book store! Is anyone surprised? I loved chatting with the two workers about our favorite romance novels and new releases. Will had to gently nudge me out of there so we could make it to our next activity on time. But I would definitely go back next time I’m in town!
Our time in Kiawah was too short! I can’t wait to go back and explore all of the parts of the island that we missed. All in all, it was just what we needed for a quick couples getaway to celebrate. I’m already planning our next trip! If you end up visiting Kiawah Island or Freshfields Village in the future, please let me know if you love it too! Any additional questions about our trip? Comment below!
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A fellow Charlottean! I haven’t made it down to Kiawah either, but this has me thinking about it since I can work on blogs from anywhere. Great thing about the entrepreneur lifestyle, get up and go! I’ll have to head down, thanks for the recs!
Hi Amanda, I’m so glad you liked it! It really is the perfect getaway from the Charlotte area :)