Wild Dunes Resort — Hotel in Isle of Palms

My wife and I spent a wonderful day at Wild Dunes Resort this December (2024), and it was truly magical. We started our day by sampling delicious fare at Coastal Provisions and Coastal Crust, two fantastic dining spots within the resort. Since it’s the off-season, we found the atmosphere peaceful and relaxing—there wasn’t the usual hustle and bustle of summer, so we could fully unwind and take in the quiet coastal beauty.

One of the highlights of our trip was strolling along the beach and then catching the sunset by the Boardwalk Burger Bar area, where the two pools are located. The view was breathtaking, with the colors reflecting on the water and the shoreline. Throughout the resort, everything was decked out for the holidays—Christmas trees, lights, and lots of cozy fires scattered around the grounds. In the village area, we noticed a mix of smaller, real-wood fires and large (8-foot diameter) gas fires, each surrounded by inviting rocking chairs.

It was also fun to see that they had Santa events for children, as well as Christmas carol singing, which gave the whole resort a festive vibe. As someone who’s been visiting Wild Dunes for 23 years, it still feels fresh and memorable every time I return. Whether you’re a family, a couple, or grandparents looking for a relaxing getaway, I highly recommend coming here—especially during the holidays when the beach takes on a whole new flavor. You get the best of both worlds: a tranquil off-season escape, plus all the warmth and excitement of the Christmas season.

I even got to catch up with some old friends who work at Woodies, Security, and Seagrass, which added a personal touch to the day. Thank you to the entire Wild Dunes team for another memorable visit. We can’t wait to come...

I booked Wild Dunes Resort through Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts expecting a polished, premium stay. What I got instead fell well short of that standard.

The resort is inconsistent—some areas are pleasant, but others feel neglected. The main pool area is attractive and has a jacuzzi, but during the day it’s overrun with children, making it impossible to enjoy any peace. The only “adults-only” option was a dirty pool with no jacuzzi, leaving no true luxury space to relax. I was especially glad I didn’t stay on the Boardwalk side—it looked dated, worn, and far less appealing than other parts of the property, and I would have been very disappointed if that had been my view of the resort.

The real failure, however, was in the handling of my Amex perks. None of my included benefits were applied at check-in or during my stay. When I reviewed my bill, I discovered I was being charged more than double the correct amount in resort fees and other charges. Had I not caught the error, I would have unknowingly overpaid by hundreds of dollars. It makes you wonder if they just assume most people won’t notice—so they profit more at the guest’s expense. I had to speak with multiple people to get it fixed—while the staff were pleasant, I received no restitution for the error or the inconvenience. For a property partnered with Amex, this is unacceptable.

TLDR: If you’re booking here expecting a luxury, hassle-free experience—especially as an Amex FHR guest—you should be prepared for overcrowded amenities, inconsistent quality, and billing mistakes you’ll have to...

This is an amazing resort. The amenities, restaurants, service staff, and grounds are exceptional. If you're a golfer, I highly recommend this place. They have two amazing courses that you can play, and the hotel will give you a shuttle to and from the courses and the driving range. The Links course hosts a number of holes right off the ocean. We saw alligators, deer, and several other types of wildlife while playing a round of golf. It was quite beautiful.

Have you ever heard the saying "southern hospitality"? Well, this resort is the embodiment of this. Every request within reason was met with a smile and can-do attitude. I don't think we encountered a single employee who didn't seem to enjoy their job. Everyone had a smile on their face and gave the impression they wanted to be there.

I would highly recommend this resort to families with children who want to get away but will have somewhere their kids will enjoy. The pools were very kid friendly and had two restaurants positioned on either side of the area for easy access to food and drinks. From tacos and tequila to fried jerk chicken sandwiches, smash burgers, and beer, there's something for everyone in your group to enjoy. I was amazed to see the level of organization throughout the entire property, which is quite sizeable. They hosted weddings, business conferences, and retreats during our stay, which all seemed to go off without a hitch.

I highly recommend this place if you want quality, comfort, and service...