After a 9-month hiatus, it feels grounding to be back. Sometimes it takes stepping away completely to realize just how much you enjoy the creative outlets you pour yourself into. Since January, life has been a whirlwind of real-life milestones from switching jobs, moving, and more recently, getting married! Once these moments wrapped up, we knew we needed a real pause. That led us to our mini moon at The Dunlin, Auberge Resorts Collection on Johns Island, South Carolina. It was the perfect riverfront resort that felt beautiful and true to the serene, and slow pace of the Lowcountry.
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Sharing some of my favorite beach essentials: sleek and waterproof sandals, and the best Korean sunscreen!
After all of the wedding celebrations, my husband and I didn’t want to plan another hectic travel itinerary. Since we got married in Long Island, our first instinct was a quick mini-moon out in the Hamptons. But a quick search for hotels left us flabbergasted by the limited options, and exorbitant prices. I thought, there’s plenty in the U.S. we haven’t seen. Thanks to Reddit’s r/chubbytravel channel, I noticed The Dunlin Auberge and was convinced this may be the play.
I rented my entire vacation wardrobe from Nuuly (review HERE). Get off your first rental with my referral link. Dress is Farm Rio.
Pro Tip: You can share your travel preferences with The Dunlin, and they can plan your entire itinerary for you!
When choosing The Dunlin Auberge for our mini moon stay, it was really important to me that the property integrated sustainable practices. First, I learned the property is built around the natural topography while minimizing impact to the wetlands. The interiors of the rooms are also so beautifully done, emphasizing natural textiles and native woods. I personally adored the calming green color scheme!
We also had dinner at Linette’s, the property’s in-house restaurant, on our first night. (The blue crab cheese dip with fried saltine crackers was to die for!) I later learned that all ingredients are sourced directly from surrounding Johns Island farm and local fisheries.
The area surrounding Kiawah River is home an incredible amount of wildlife. For example, we learned that over 300 birds migrate through the ecosystem each year! While you are there, here are some special experiences to take advanage of:
Apart from that, you can always relax by the pool or jacuzzi. One thing I found fun was bringing our own pool float. You can find some affordable, travel-friendly ones below!
The Dunlin’s 4-hour car rental perk is just enough time to get you out to one of the nearby beaches. Also they provide complimentary beach towel, chair, and umbrella rentals along with free sunscreens! We split our excursions between Sullivan’s Island and Folly Beach. The two couldn’t feel more different, so choose which one is right for you.
The vibe here is understated, historic, and residential. We were surprised when we arrived that there were barely any souvenir shops. This is truly a beach town with a slow, contemplative feel. I found 3-4 hours to be the perfect amount of time there. Remember to make a reservation the Michelin-rated restaurant The Obstinate Daughter while you are there!
Once we arrived, we were greeted by the sound of upbeat music and vibrant souvenir shops, a clear contrast to Sullivan’s island. Folly is all about easygoing surf culture. The energy is eclectic, and social, and you’ll see tons of surfboards out in the water. In hindsight, I wish we had carved out more time to spend here, but remembered needing to hurry back to our afternoon Coastal Safari. On your way back, remember to grab a casual bite at Rita’s Seaside Grille.
As much as we loved the quiet rhythm of our Dunlin mini moon, having Charleston nearby offered us the best of both worlds. We ended up heading downtown twice: once after an afternoon on Sullivan’s Island, and again on our last day to soak up the city before our flight home. Here’s what we saw, did, and ate which is by no means a full guide, but we enjoyed the short time we had.
If you are planning a post-wedding reset, The Dunlin is the perfect bridge between refined luxury and environmental stewardship. The grounds are well-kept, and remain respectful to surrounding wildlife. There is truly so much to offer, while remaining just a drive away from vibrant Charleston. Not to mention, the staff at The Dunlin is super hospitable, and will make sure your stay exceeds your expectations in every way!
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