
Wild Dunes Resort – Sweetgrass Inn and Boardwalk Inn
Best for families and activity-focused stays: beach access, multiple pools, tennis, golf and seasonal kids’ programs.
Prices in other currencies are estimates. You’re charged in USD.
Wild Dunes Resort – Sweetgrass Inn and Boardwalk Inn is a full island beach resort on Isle of Palms with multiple pools, on-site golf and family programming; read this if you want a seaside resort with activities and kid-friendly options. The Cooper is a five-star waterfront luxury hotel in downtown Charleston; read this if you want central access to historic Charleston, restaurants, and a compact luxury hotel experience.
Updated · About a 30-minute drive (roughly 25–30 miles) between Isle of Palms and downtown Charleston.

Best for families and activity-focused stays: beach access, multiple pools, tennis, golf and seasonal kids’ programs.

Best for downtown stays focused on Charleston sightseeing, restaurants, and a centrally located five-star hotel experience.
When Wild Dunes wins: choose Wild Dunes if you want on-site beach access, a resort with many pools, year-round family programming and a wide range of dining and event spaces on a single property.
When The Cooper wins: choose The Cooper if you want to stay in the heart of historic Charleston with quick access to Waterfront Park, walkable dining and cultural sites, plus a compact five-star hotel with a spa and waterfront rooms.
Bottom line: Wild Dunes is a full-service island resort built around beach, pools and activities; The Cooper is a downtown luxury hotel for travelers prioritizing Charleston’s historic core and waterfront location.
| Category | Wild Dunes Resort – Sweetgrass Inn and Boardwalk Inn | The Cooper |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Laid-back coastal resort with family and activity focus | Refined downtown luxury hotel with waterfront views |
| Location | Isle of Palms island property with direct Atlantic beach access | Downtown Charleston on Concord Street, steps from Waterfront Park |
| Size (rooms) | 246 rooms across Sweetgrass Inn and Boardwalk Inn | 191 individually decorated guestrooms |
| Who it's for | Families, multi-activity stays, beachgoers, event/wedding groups | Couples and travelers wanting central access to Charleston attractions |
| Pools & beach | Multiple outdoor pools (4–5 reported), children's pool and an adults-only pool, direct beach access | One outdoor pool; waterfront location but not a beach resort |
| Restaurants & bars | 8 restaurants & 9 bars including Coastal Provisions and Oystercatcher | 3 restaurants, 1 coffee shop/cafe and 24-hour room service |
| Spa & fitness | The Spa at Sweetgrass (10,000 sq ft, 14 treatment rooms), multiple fitness options | Full-service spa, spa treatment rooms and 24-hour fitness facilities |
| Events & meetings | Extensive event space across multiple ballrooms and outdoor venues (up to 35,000 sq ft total) | Conference center with ~20,000 sq ft and 3 meeting rooms |
| Accessibility & services | On-property transportation, gated resort, valet parking only, cashless outlets | Concierge, valet (surcharge), multilingual staff, airport shuttle (surcharge) |
| Nearby highlights | Isle of Palms beach, marina, golf courses and island recreation | Waterfront Park, Charleston City Market, museums and historic district within walking distance |
Wild Dunes sits on Isle of Palms with direct Atlantic beach access and resort grounds that include pools, golf and tennis.
Choose Wild Dunes if you want a self-contained beach resort setting and outdoor recreation on Isle of Palms.
The Cooper sits in downtown Charleston steps from Waterfront Park and a short walk to the City Market and historic sites.
Choose The Cooper if you want to stay in the historic downtown and prioritize easy access to Charleston’s restaurants and museums.
Sweetgrass Inn and Boardwalk Inn offer a broad mix of room types and suites across the two buildings, some with ocean or pool views.
Choose Wild Dunes when you need family-friendly room options, suites or ocean/pool views across a resort campus.
The Cooper offers 191 individually decorated guestrooms with waterfront and balcony room options.
Choose The Cooper for individually styled rooms in a compact luxury hotel with several waterfront room types.
Wild Dunes has a wide, family-friendly dining program spread across the resort from casual poolside to signature coastal dining.
Wild Dunes is a good pick when you want multiple on-site dining choices without leaving the property.
The Cooper offers a smaller set of on-site restaurants and a more curated downtown dining experience.
Choose The Cooper if you plan to eat out in Charleston or want a compact hotel dining program supplemented by city restaurants.
Wild Dunes emphasizes its beaches and multiple pool settings, including family and adult-only options.
If pools plus real beach access are central to your trip, Wild Dunes is the straightforward choice.
The Cooper provides a hotel-scale outdoor pool and direct waterfront location in downtown Charleston rather than ocean beach access.
Pick The Cooper if you want a downtown waterfront stay and are not prioritizing beach or multiple resort pools.
Wild Dunes centers wellness around The Spa at Sweetgrass and many outdoor activities across the resort.
Wild Dunes is for guests who want a full wellness menu plus outdoor activity options in a resort setting.
The Cooper includes a full-service spa and 24-hour fitness facilities suited to an urban luxury stay.
The Cooper works well for travelers who want a luxury spa and immediate access to Charleston’s evening scene.

Wild Dunes — children's pool, kids’ programs, multiple family-friendly restaurants and many on-site activities.

Wild Dunes — direct Atlantic beach access and several pools across the resort.

The Cooper — steps from Waterfront Park and a short walk to the City Market and downtown museums.

The Cooper — five-star guestrooms, waterfront room options and a downtown hotel footprint with curated services.
Wild Dunes — it has direct Atlantic beach access and several resort pools; The Cooper is waterfront in downtown Charleston but not a beach resort.
The Cooper — it's in downtown Charleston steps from Waterfront Park, the City Market and many restaurants within walking distance.
Wild Dunes is explicitly family-friendly with kids’ programs and a children’s pool. The Cooper accepts families (adultsOnly: false) but is oriented more toward adult luxury and downtown sightseeing.
Wild Dunes: yes — The Spa at Sweetgrass accepts non-guest bookings and day passes. The Cooper: spa services are offered; contact the hotel for non-guest policies.
Explore how Wild Dunes Resort – Sweetgrass Inn and Boardwalk Inn stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·