
Wild Dunes Resort – Sweetgrass Inn and Boardwalk Inn
Best for multi-generational or active beach vacations where pools, on-site golf and family programming matter.
Prices in other currencies are estimates. You’re charged in USD.
Wild Dunes Resort – Sweetgrass Inn and Boardwalk Inn is a large, family-friendly beachfront resort on Isle of Palms with pools, golf, tennis and a full-service spa; read this if you want a coastal, activity-rich stay. The Dewberry Charleston is a design-forward five-star hotel in downtown Charleston; read this if you prefer urban luxury, walkable heritage neighborhoods, and a boutique hotel experience.
Updated · about 25–30 km apart (roughly a 25–30 minute drive)

Best for multi-generational or active beach vacations where pools, on-site golf and family programming matter.

Best for downtown stays focused on food, museums, shops and a design-forward luxury hotel experience.
When Wild Dunes wins: choose Wild Dunes if you want direct Atlantic beach access, multiple pools (including an adults-only pool), on-property golf and tennis, lots of on-site dining options, and family-focused programming.
When The Dewberry wins: choose The Dewberry if you want a compact, five-star downtown base for walking to museums, Marion Square and the Upper King design district, with in-house restaurants, bars and a full-service spa in a Beaux Arts setting.
Bottom line: Wild Dunes is a resort for beach, recreation and family groups; The Dewberry is a downtown luxury pick for travelers who want design, restaurants and easy access to Charleston’s historic core.
| Category | Wild Dunes Resort – Sweetgrass Inn and Boardwalk Inn | The Dewberry Charleston |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Large beach resort with active, family-minded programming and extensive facilities | Compact, design-forward five-star urban hotel with boutique atmosphere |
| Location | Isle of Palms beachfront property (resort on island) | Downtown Charleston at 334 Meeting Street, steps from Marion Square |
| Size | 246 rooms across Sweetgrass Inn and Boardwalk Inn; expansive grounds and multiple event spaces | 152 rooms |
| Audience / ages | All ages — family-friendly with kids’ program and children's pool; adults-only pool available | All ages — not adults-only |
| Pools & beach | Multiple outdoor pools (4–5 reported), children's pool and an adults-only Boardwalk Inn pool; direct Atlantic beach access | Not published |
| Restaurants & bars | 8 restaurants and 9 bars across property (Coastal Provisions, Oystercatcher, Laughing Gull, etc.) | 2 restaurants and 2 bars; The Living Room is a noted on-site restaurant |
| Spa & wellness | The Spa at Sweetgrass — 10,000 sq ft, 14 treatment rooms, outdoor spa garden and day-pass options | Full-service spa with treatment rooms; in-hotel spa services available |
| Known for | Beach access, golf (two Tom Fazio courses), tennis and family activities | Design-forward luxury, downtown location and walkability to cultural sites |
| Event & wedding capacity | Extensive event space (multiple ballrooms, Grand Pavilion, capacity for large weddings up to several hundred) | Several meeting rooms (3) and ballrooms suitable for smaller to mid-size events |
| Transportation note | Resort is on an island; ground access via Isle of Palms Connector and transfers to downtown require a drive or public transport | Centrally located in downtown Charleston; walkable to many attractions |
Wild Dunes sits on Isle of Palms with direct access to an Atlantic beach and broad resort grounds.
Choose Wild Dunes if you want a beachfront resort setting removed from downtown’s bustle.
The Dewberry is a five-star hotel in downtown Charleston, a short walk from Marion Square and cultural sites.
Choose The Dewberry to stay in the middle of Charleston’s walkable historic and dining neighborhoods.
Wild Dunes offers a wide range of room types across two hotel buildings and suites geared to families and resort stays.
Wild Dunes provides more variety in room sizes and family-oriented layouts.
The Dewberry’s room lineup is focused on luxury guest rooms and suites with refined design touches.
The Dewberry is for travelers who prioritize downtown location and upscale, design-led rooms.
Wild Dunes has multiple casual and signature dining options across the resort suited to families and resort rhythms.
Expect breadth and variety — convenient for staying on-property for most meals.
The Dewberry offers an on-site culinary program sized to an urban boutique hotel.
The Dewberry suits travelers who want refined hotel dining and easy access to many downtown restaurants.
Wild Dunes’ on-property pools and direct beach access are central to the resort experience.
Pick Wild Dunes for swimming, lounging and easy beach time without leaving property.
The Dewberry is a downtown hotel; water access is not a defining feature.
The Dewberry is not a beach or resort-pool destination; it’s about downtown proximity and hotel luxury.
Wild Dunes centers wellness around The Spa at Sweetgrass plus outdoor recreation.
Wellness here pairs spa treatments with lots of outdoor, active options on the island.
The Dewberry provides a full-service spa and an urban nightlife base for walking to bars and restaurants.
The Dewberry fits travelers who want a hotel spa plus immediate access to city evenings and culture.

Wild Dunes — multiple pools, kids’ program, beach access, tennis and on-site golf.

The Dewberry — central location steps from Marion Square, restaurants and museums.

Wild Dunes — The Spa at Sweetgrass with outdoor spa garden and many treatment rooms.

The Dewberry — design-forward rooms and curated in-hotel dining in a five-star setting.
Wild Dunes — it offers direct Atlantic beach access, multiple outdoor pools, a children’s pool and an adults-only pool.
The Dewberry — it’s downtown and walkable to Marion Square, museums, galleries and many restaurants.
Wild Dunes is explicitly family-friendly with kids’ programming; The Dewberry accepts families but is a downtown luxury hotel geared toward adults and couples as well.
Wild Dunes allows non-guests to book spa treatments and day passes; The Dewberry’s full-service spa availability for non-guests should be confirmed directly with the hotel.
Explore how Wild Dunes Resort – Sweetgrass Inn and Boardwalk Inn stacks up against other hotels nearby:
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