Kiawah Island Golf Resort is a resort on Kiawah Island, South Carolina that is located along a ten-mile (16 km) mix of inland and beachfront property approximately thirty miles (50 km) southwest of Charleston. Opened in May 1976, it consistently ranks as one of the country’s top resorts. The resort is home to The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, a Forbes Five Star/AAA Five Diamond 255-room hotel and spa. The resort also manages nearly 500 private villas and homes and has more than a dozen restaurants.