Is Wild Dunes Resort – Sweetgrass Inn and Boardwalk Inn worth it? Honest pros and cons
Yes — Wild Dunes Resort – Sweetgrass Inn and Boardwalk Inn is worth it for travelers who want a full-service beach resort with multiple pools, onsite dining, spa access, tennis and golf. It’s best for families and active couples; note there is a resort fee, valet-only parking policy, and some adults-only spaces.
In this guide
What this resort is like
Wild Dunes Resort – Sweetgrass Inn and Boardwalk Inn is a two-hotel property offering 246 total guest rooms and suites across Sweetgrass Inn and the Boardwalk Inn. The Sweetgrass Inn includes a spa and larger meeting spaces; the Boardwalk Inn has 93 coastal-style rooms and an adults-only pool.
The property lists direct Atlantic beach access, multiple pools (including a children's pool and an adults-only Boardwalk Inn pool), tennis courts, bicycle rentals, and priority access to two Tom Fazio-designed golf courses. Complimentary Wi‑Fi is included in rooms.
- Total rooms: 246 (Sweetgrass Inn + Boardwalk Inn)
- Pools: multiple outdoor pools (resort materials list 4–5 pools, plus a children's pool and an adults-only Boardwalk Inn pool)
- Spa: The Spa at Sweetgrass with treatment rooms and a private outdoor spa garden
- Onsite activities: tennis (12 outdoor courts), bike rentals, seasonal recreation and water excursions
| Hotel | Notable feature |
|---|---|
| Sweetgrass Inn | Full-service spa, larger meeting/event spaces |
| Boardwalk Inn | Adults-only pool, Coastal Provisions in the lobby |
| Property | Multiple pools, beach access, tennis and golf options |
Rooms and suites — how they differ
Room types range from standard Rooms to larger suites; notable names include Room (Boardwalk Inn), Junior Suite (Boardwalk Inn), The Boardwalk Suite Ocean View, Boardwalk Inn options with Pool View, and a variety of Sweetgrass Inn rooms including Premium Room, Premium Suite, and Room, with Sofa bed configurations.
Some rooms list exact bed setups (for example, Room (Boardwalk Inn) offers 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds; Premium Suite, 1 Bedroom (Sweetgrass Inn) offers 1 King Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed). Several room categories include balconies or patios; the property warns some outdoor spaces may not be suitable for young children.
- Examples of room names exactly as listed: Room (Boardwalk Inn); Junior Suite (Boardwalk Inn); The Boardwalk Suite Ocean View, Boardwalk Inn; Room (Sweetgrass Inn); Premium Suite, 1 Bedroom (Sweetgrass Inn).
- Rooms include complimentary Wi‑Fi and in‑room bottled water as part of resort fees.
- Rollaway beds and cribs are not available — plan bedding accordingly.
| Room name | Bed setup (as listed) |
|---|---|
| Room (Boardwalk Inn) | 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds |
| Junior Suite (Boardwalk Inn) | 1 King Bed and 1 Queen Sofa Bed |
| Premium Suite, 1 Bedroom (Sweetgrass Inn) | 1 King Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed |
Dining and bars
The resort lists eight restaurants and nine bars across property. Signature outlets include Coastal Provisions (in the Boardwalk Inn lobby), Oystercatcher Bar + Restaurant at Sweetgrass Inn, and the Laughing Gull Restaurant & Bar at the Sweetgrass Pool Complex.
Some restaurants require or accept dining reservations (Coastal Provisions and Oystercatcher are explicitly noted as accepting reservations). Breakfast, lunch and dinner hours are published for key outlets.
- Coastal Provisions: breakfast 7:30–11:30 AM; lunch 12:00–4:00 PM; dinner 5:00–10:00 PM (Bar menu 4:00–10:00 PM).
- Oystercatcher Bar + Restaurant: breakfast and dinner service, with bar hours listed separately; reservations accepted.
- Laughing Gull Restaurant & Bar: poolside casual dining, open daily 11:00 AM–9:00 PM.
| Restaurant | Typical service |
|---|---|
| Coastal Provisions | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (reservations accepted) |
| Oystercatcher Bar + Restaurant | Breakfast & Dinner (reservations accepted) |
| Laughing Gull Restaurant & Bar | Poolside Lunch & Dinner (walk-up) |
Spa, fitness and wellness
The Spa at Sweetgrass is located on the Sweetgrass Inn lobby level; resort material lists it as roughly 10,000 sq ft with 14 treatment rooms and a private outdoor spa garden with plunge pools and an infrared sauna.
Spa treatments (massages, facials, body treatments, alternative therapies) can be booked by phone or online; spa access (but not treatments) is included in the resort fee in some communications. The property also lists a main fitness center on the second floor of Sweetgrass Inn with stated daily hours.
- Spa at Sweetgrass: 14 treatment rooms; private outdoor spa garden; specialized signature rituals noted in resort materials.
- Fitness center: main facility on Sweetgrass Inn second floor; hours listed daily (use requires a valid key card).
- Salon services (manicures/pedicures) and youth-friendly salon options are available on the Plaza near Sweetgrass Inn.
| Facility | Detail |
|---|---|
| The Spa at Sweetgrass | 10,000 sq ft, 14 treatment rooms, garden and plunge features |
| Fitness Center | Located on Sweetgrass Inn second floor; open daily |
| Salon at Sweetgrass | Manicure/pedicure services; 'Little Starfish' option for children |
Fees, policies and practical notes
A 16% resort fee is shown as added to each accommodation rate; a separate destination fee of $4.56 per accommodation, per night is also listed. The resort fee covers items such as fitness center use, Wi‑Fi, on-property transportation, complimentary games, bottled water and 24-hour security according to resort materials.
Valet parking is the only on-property parking option (resort materials list a valet fee). The property is cashless at resort-operated outlets and accepts major credit/debit cards and mobile payments. Pets are not allowed; service animals are exempt.
- Resort fee: 16% (covers specified amenities including Wi‑Fi and fitness center).
- Destination fee: $4.56 per accommodation, per night (listed separately).
- Valet-only parking (fee applies); property operates cashless on-site.
- Pets not allowed; a minimum $400 fee is listed for violations (service animals are exempt).
| Policy | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Check-in / Check-out | Check-in begins at 4:00 PM (up to midnight); check-out by 11:00 AM |
| Minimum age to check in | 18 years old (resort policy) |
| Rollaways / cribs | Not available at the property |
Who should consider staying here — and who should not
Good fit: families who want pools, kids’ programming (Island Adventures/Turtle Cove Family Center), easy beach access, and onsite dining; active travelers who plan to use tennis courts, bike rentals or book golf tee times.
Less good fit: travelers looking for budget stays without resort fees, guests traveling with pets, or those who need rollaway beds or cribs (not available). Also note some adults-only pool hours and designated 21+ spaces such as The Nest rooftop bar.
- Recommended for: family beach vacations, spa-focused getaways, tennis/golf-focused stays, group events and weddings.
- Not recommended if you need on-site pet accommodations, extra rollaway bedding, or strictly cash payments.
- Consider contacting the resort in advance about room outdoor spaces if you have very young children.
| Traveler type | Suitability |
|---|---|
| Families with kids | Suitable — children's pool and kids' program offered |
| Couples looking for quiet | Suitable if you choose Boardwalk Inn and adults-only pool or quieter season |
| Pet owners | Not suitable — pets are not allowed |
