Shem Creek » resorts

S.C. makes ‘Affordable Beach Resorts’ list

Charleston Native — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 17:38:45 +0000

Pawley’s Island up the coast was the only S.C. resort to make the ‘Affordable Beach Resorts’ list this time around, so congratulations!

Just south of Myrtle Beach is Evans Pelican Inn, an informal antebellum beach house. All nine of the simple rooms have ceiling fans and screened windows to make the most of the salty sea breeze (there is air-conditioning, too).

The Southern-style breakfast includes biscuits, grits, and crab salad. The inn fills up fast during the summer months, but spring is actually the most pleasant time to go, because average temperatures range between 68 and 83 and the humidity is low.

The best way to see this narrow barrier island, which is squeezed between a salt marsh and the Atlantic, is by bicycle. Rent one from Pawleys Island Beach Service (10570 Ocean Hwy.; 843/237-4666) and spend the day exploring. Travel + Leisure also suggests checking out weavers at the nearby Hammock Shop.

From the Shem Creek blog.

S.C. makes ‘Affordable Beach Resorts’ list

SCPRT launches new website devoted to SC coastline

Charleston Native — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 16:42:59 +0000

The S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism has launched a new Web site devoted specifically to the Palmetto State’s 200 miles of coastline. The site is so new in fact that it took a minute to load, and when it did, it just redirected to a sub-domain off their existing site. Here’s the direct link: SCPRT’s new beach site.

The Web site at www.SCBeaches.travel provides up-to-date travel information on three distinct areas – the Lowcountry and Resort Islands, Historic Charleston and Myrtle Beach & the Grand Strand – along with interactive games for kids, weather, maps and a photo album.

Using keyword research, SCPRT has organized the new site in a way to make it more accessible to the Internet search engines that millions of consumers use when looking for unique, fun and affordable beach trips. It also provides the state’s tourism partners on the coast with a clear portal for their consumer message.

SCBeaches.travel is the latest in a series of Web sites created and maintained by SCPRT. The others include the state’s official tourism site at www.DiscoverSouthCarolina.com, the Web site of the S.C. State Park Service at www.SouthCarolinaParks.com and specialized offerings such as www.SouthCarolinaGolf.com, www.SavorSouthCarolina.com and www.CarolinaGirls.travel.

The state tourism agency also maintains sites designed specifically for cellphones and other handheld devices. They are www.DiscoverSouthCarolina.mobi and www.SouthCarolinaParks.mobi. They contain key information about South Carolina attractions, events, lodging, shopping, dining, golf courses and state parks.

_{Now I know why my logs have been showing so many hits for “South Carolina beaches” lately.}

From the Shem Creek blog.

SCPRT launches new website devoted to SC coastline

Kiawah Island Makes Exclusive ‘Top 10 Golf Resorts’ List

Charleston Native — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 19:40:08 +0000

The only feature preventing Kiawah Island from making the exclusive Top 10 Golf Resorts list in the past was that it didn’t have super-luxury accommodations – until The Sanctuary opened anyway.

In Coastal Livings newest rankings, Kiawah Island’s Golf Resort now has every reason to make the designers of it’s 5 championship golf courses happy: Jack Nicklaus, Pete Dye, Tom Fazio, and Gary Player, and we’re certainly proud of it here in Charleston too.

UPDATE: Kiawah Island Golf Resort’s Ocean Course makes #25 in 2009

Other South Carolina courses in the top 100:

#73 – Long Cove Club on Hilton Head Island
#75 – Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head Island
#85 – Cassique – a private course of the Kiawah Island Club & 2009 U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship host
#87 – Sage Valley in Graniteville, S.C.

From the Shem Creek blog.

Kiawah Island Makes Exclusive ‘Top 10 Golf Resorts’ List

SC Ranks High In Condé Nast Traveler 2008 Readers’ Choice Awards

Charleston Native — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 19:15:56 +0000

Condé Nast Traveler readers have spoken up, and here is the result: their 21st annual Readers’ Choice Awards. Here is a breakdown of the South Carolina standings:

Charleston -	#2 USA City
Kiawah Island -	#2 North American Island
Hilton Head -	#7 North American Island
Kiawah Island’s Sanctuary Hotel -	#3 Top Resort, mainland USA.

Isle of Palms Boardwalk Inn – #30 Top Resort, mainland USA.

images courtesy of Condé Nast Traveler

From the Shem Creek blog.

SC Ranks High In Condé Nast Traveler 2008 Readers’ Choice Awards

St. Kitts Island Resort in Christophe Harbour

Charleston Native — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 23:42:07 +0000

Anybody spending more than 5 minutes in the Charleston area quickly learns who the Long’s & Darby’s are – especially if they’re interested in anything having to do with real estate.

What many people don’t realize, is that when the Kiawah Development Partners bought Kiawah Island from the Kuwaitiis back in 1988, it was planting the seed for the 1991 Ryder Cup a mere 3 years later – an extraordinary feat to accomplish – only to be topped by the U.S. actually bringing the Ryder Cup home that year!

Fast forward 20 years and several development projects later, including the Doonbeg Golf Club in County Clare, Ireland, and we arrive at the newest golf course for the KDP: the $2B Christophe Harbour, St. Kitts in the West Indies.

“We are not going to let economic conditions deter our enthusiasm for this project,” – Darby at the groundbreaking ceremony for the 18-hole golf course designed by Tom Fazio.

The resort community sits on approximately 2,500 acres with 6 beaches. When opened in 2010, the resort will feature 5-star hotels including a Mandarin Oriental and Auberge Resort, a Tom Fazio signature golf course, a mega-yacht marina, yacht club, myriad shops, restaurants and activities, plus a private club and residences.

Speaking of golf, if you’re into HD computer games, check out World Golf Tour where you can tee off from Kiawah Island’s Ocean Course!

From the Shem Creek blog.

St. Kitts Island Resort in Christophe Harbour