Suggestions for upcoming trip to Kiawah

We are family of 4(kids 10,12) planning 5 day trip in early April. Interested in villa(probably East Village). Wanted to know if worth extra $ for premier over deluxe accomodations or spending extra for ocean view vs. scenic/partial ocean view. Will it be warm enough to go in ocean? Assume that pool at Night Heron will be heated. We are also interested in spending some time in Charleston and trying to decide if better to spend last night at hotel(Harbourview) in historic area prior to returning to airport. Will have rental car and ? whether spending entire time in Kiawah with day trip to Charleston would be easier. Any recommendations for carriage tour, plantation visit would be appreciated. Hominy grill and Jestines(? spelling) were also suggested. Thanks for the help!!

Suggestions for upcoming trip to Kiawah

Definitely rent a villa in East Beach, close to Night Heron Park recreation, The Sanctuary Hotel, food court at East Beach Center, etc.

View is a consideration important consideration -especially in April when you will enjoy your screened porch: However, it need not be an ocean view. You might wish to rent a two-bedroom condo, in Parkside or Windswept, overlooking Night Heron Pond. The lake has wonderful activity from wading birds, water birds, turtles, jumping fish, and even an alligator. Your kids will like watching the action. Night Heron Park is very close (3-5 minute walk) onto the beach.

';Premier'; villas are recently renovated and redecorated condos and cottages. They are likely to have higher-end kitchens and bathrooms, and to have more of a ';designer'; look than the other categories of villas. Remember that the ';premier'; designation is based only upon interior appointments and decor ... ';Premier'; has nothing to do with the view or the location.

I am not sure that the Night Heron Park pool is heated. Because it is shallow and in full sun, it does warm up very quickly in April if we get sunny weather. The ocean should be warm enough for playing in the waves; if you are used to cold, northern water, you will probably find it quite pleasant.

I%26#39;ll break off now, and let someone else respond to your Charleston questions.

Welcome to Kiawah!

Suggestions for upcoming trip to Kiawah

Here%26#39;s some suggestions for a day in the Kiawah/Johns/Wadmawlaw Island areas, kids should enjoy just about all of this...

Here%26#39;s a source for a wonderful kayak trip, he takes no more than 6 people at a time. If you call Ralph, tell him you heard about him from Beth...

www.kayakcharleston.net

Take a dolphin tour in the marshes, call them to arrange ahead of time. They depart from the Cherry Point Landing where there is a shrimp dock (unfortunately, I think you will be too early for shrimp season)...

http://www.bohicketboat.com/

You can hit the Angel Oak on the way...

http://www.angeloaktree.org/

The only tea plantation in the United States...

http://www.bigelowtea.com/act/

And the winery...

http://www.charlestonwine.com/

You can take a picnic (there is a park area at Cherry Point w/tables, there are tables at the winery and I think at Angel Oak) or stop at one of the local restaurants...

http://www.jbssmokeshack.com/

http://www.thefathen.com/

This would keep you all entertained for several hours, there is a lady out at Angel Oak who sells sweetgrass baskets for about as ';reasonable'; as they get.

I%26#39;d just spend the entire time out at Kiawah, unless you really want that night in town. We always do day trips, it%26#39;s only 40 mins. to town (allow an hour when you head back to the airport).

Yes, do the carriage, the boat trip to Ft. Sumter, Hominy is great, Jestines gets high marks too. You may all enjoy the view from the Market Pavillion, go up there for an afternoon break. It%26#39;s easy to park in Charleston, here%26#39;s a map that will help...

www.charlestoncvb.com/pdf/chaspenmap.pdf

If you have bikes and a carrier, be sure to take them with you or plan to rent on Kiawah, there are miles and miles of trails and 3 towers to climb for views.

Enjoy your trip!

Hi Larry- My family and I have been making the trip to Kiawah for several years now and we used to stay in villas when we went. Once my brother and I started getting a little older (in our teens), my parents found that renting a house was actually a good alternative. They have found some houses rent for comperable prices to higher end villas and a house gives us all a little extra breathing room. I though I might suggest it as an alternative. A site that we have had success with for finding a home is:

www.resortquestkiawah.com/adv_search.htm

There are some others though like Pam Harrington and Great Beach that I am sure are good as well. There are also a handful of owner run rental sites online. Otherwise, east beach was our prefernce for villas.

I would also back the first responder in saying that Night Heron pool is not heated. I believe the only true heated pool is at the Sanctuary.

As far as Charleston goes, it makes a great day trip. I am not sure that you would want to stay the night there unless you really want to take in all of the sites.

Kiawah has been our family%26#39;s favorite since I was young and some twenty years later we are still going back time and again. You and your family will have a great time. Enjoy!

also looking for suggestions for something to do prior to checking in at villas as we arrive into charleston airport in am and check-in not till 4:30....would going to Magnolia plantation br reasonable?

You could go to any of the plantations as they are all in the same direction, the usual first choice is Middleton.

You could also try any of the above listed activities (unless you want to save them for some afternoon while on the island).

Have a great visit to Kiawah, you%26#39;ll love it!