A Hidden Gem Outside Charleston: The Dunlin, Auberge Resorts Collection Site Visit

The Dunlin is truly a hidden gem since it is tucked away on the once very rural Johns Island about a 20-30 minute drive from Charleston’s main historic downtown peninsula. This picturesque property is nestled right along the Kiawah River and marsh, making the views all the more stunning and unique compared to other traditional waterfront properties. You feel quite connected and immersed with the surrounding nature and wildlife and immediately notice how quiet and peaceful it is away from the hustle and bustle.

Upon arrival

The property features condo or apartment-style buildings that house each of their 72 guestrooms and suites for a more boutique style feel. Not all of them have elevators for accessibility so please inquire with the property directly for a room within a building with an elevator. Guestrooms are great for girls’ trips, honeymoons or even family vacations as connecting rooms are available upon request. The majority of rooms have a marsh view as only a small number of rooms have no water view.

Guestroom interior

There is a gorgeous on-site hotel guest-only outdoor pool with marsh views complete with hot tub, cabanas, lounge chairs both in the sun and in small alcoves for shade. There is a small pool-side window, called The Cove, for ordering drinks and some small plate food items. Hotel guests also have access to the neighboring pool and amenities over at The Spring House right next door. The Spring House is the Pool Clubhouse for the Kiawah River residents, making this location all the more exclusive.

Waterfront outdoor pool

Lounge poolside

Other amenities include the spa, which is also open to the general public, with an adjacent private, serene outdoor tea garden adjacent to the building for before or after your service. There is also their fabulous restaurant, Linnette’s, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner (closed between 2pm & 5pm) featuring coastal comfort food signature to the Lowcountry — very seafood forward. Their lobby bar, coined the Willet Room, oozes southern luxury and sophistication. Great for a cup of coffee while you check your emails with a view or a drink before dinner.

There is also a small outdoor dog park right on the property as this hotel is dog friendly! There is a simple one-time pet fee of $150 per room per stay. The little extra charm that this hotel offers is Dunby the dog! You will notice throughout the property and in each of the rooms that there is a small wicker figurine of a dog. He is essentially the hotel’s unofficial mascot — a sentimental token of the hotel’s owners. The staff will often dress up the dog in the rooms based on the occasion of the guests staying there such as: a bandana with a company’s logo on it or dressed up for a bride/wedding or birthday. They will even pose or move him around the room to do different things — this is something fun that kids will love! It is charming and thoughtful and completely unnecessary but will certainly be memorable for your guests when they stay here.

In addition to the above, the area on the property has a goatery you can visit, a small farm and pickleball courts. The hotel offers rides on their trolley or via golf cart to get around. For guests needing to go off property or even off-island, they have access to cars to borrow for a few hours or for the day to make getting around easier and avoid needing to rent a car. The property has beautiful outdoor spaces such as their Saltmeadow which has unobstructed river-marsh views and Adirondack chairs for relaxing and socializing outdoors.

The Saltmeadow

Interior marsh view

Travelers should be aware of traffic and drive times on and off of Johns Island to ensure timeliness when getting around especially to and from the airport as there are only two (2) bridges and roads on and off the island. During high traffic times, this can sometimes cause drive times to be longer than usual for getting into downtown and to the airport. I would recommend leaving at least 45 minutes in advance for an arrival on the downtown Charleston peninsula and at least three hours prior to your flight departure time for the Charleston International Airport.

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