The Cloister

Do yourself a favor and save your money! For a resort that has claimed to be 5 stars, this property completely misses the mark on many levels. We have stayed here many times but every time we become more and more disappointed. This review is coming from a family that also hosted a wedding here that was (for what we spent) a complete miss. We have traveled around the world and at this price point I have NEVER had such horrible customer service!! From check in to check out, this property and staff treat you like you’re staying at a Days Inn, not a five star resort. I believe that when you are spending thousands of dollars a day to enjoy a property, the top priority of the hotel should be the guest experience! Instead, all we’ve heard this go around is “No”…. No you can’t go here, No we can’t accommodate, No you can’t enter here, No we can’t help you with that. Full disclosure, we spent 25k to rent a “cottege” here for a family vacation and have been so disappointed upon arrival that I will never give this hotel another penny! EVER. So please, if you’re thinking of coming here, don’t! Take your hard earned money and visit an ACTUAL five star resort, this is NOT it!

We had a fantastic anniversary stay at the Cloister! It was our first time and after reading mixed reviews, I wasn't sure what to think. It was a perfect 65 degrees almost every day, we were able to be outside, ride bikes and explore the island. I will say, I could see if it was summer or on Christmas versus just close, I could see crowds being an issue! The pools were open and heated, the decorations were next level! Our service everywhere we went was great, everyone was so friendly from the valet crew, cleaners, bartenders, all of it - we felt so welcome! Drinks from Sean at the river bar in the cozy living room were fantastic, could have stayed all night! We took a shuttle over to the Lodge and had drinks during the bagpipe player then dinner at the bar - incredible all around. Rhett, Grace and Valarie were incredible. Spa - Great amenities, the outdoor mineral pool may have been my fav! good massage, really nice experience - numerous pools saunas and things to do, could stay all day! festive cocktail offered as well Gym - awesome workout classes! make sure to sign up but really nice facilities Overall, it's a luxe getaway - while family-friendly, it has a high price tag! everything you need is there but there is a premium and you pay for it all. We didn't know we'd be charged for the bikes when we took them out, same with the cost for valet - I think they just assume people are ready to fork over the money! Wouldn't have changed what we did but prices weren't listed at the bike stand, the way we got them very much felt it was included (and frankly should be!) I would recommend leaving the resort, we had great meals at La plancha, the porch and Tramici.

Our family stayed at the Beach Club over Easter weekend. While there were some memorable highlights, our overall experience was disappointing, especially considering the standards typically associated with Sea Island. We understand that the holiday weekend likely contributed to the high volume of guests, and we hope some of the issues we encountered were due to that unusual level of activity. Areas of Concern: Service at The Cloister and Beach Club: Upon check-in at The Cloister, we were met with a rather unwelcoming reception. The front desk staff offered no greeting, information about the property, or assistance. The only comment was a curt, “Your room is not ready.” There was no offer to store luggage or help with parking. Fortunately, as returning guests, we were already familiar with the property and able to navigate on our own. Our room at the Beach Club was not ready until after the 4 p.m. check-in time, and no apology or explanation was provided. That said, the suite itself was clean and well maintained. Dinner at the Georgian Room: This was the most disappointing aspect of our stay. While the service was attentive, the quality of the food did not meet expectations. Both my husband and son ordered the ribeye, which unfortunately resembled something from a roadside diner in both presentation and taste. In truth, the quality was comparable to what one might expect from a chain restaurant, not a fine dining establishment. Given Sea Island’s reputation, the overall level of service across the resort—and particularly at the Georgian Room—was underwhelming. Highlights: Bowling at the Beach Club: This was a delightful experience. The staff was warm and accommodating, and the food options were enjoyable for the children. Easter Brunch at The Lodge: This was the standout of our visit and the reason we are willing to consider returning. From valet to reception, dining staff to golf shop attendants, every team member at The Lodge provided truly exceptional service. A special thanks to Blair Webb, the Lodge Manager, who went above and beyond to ensure a five-star experience, even on a busy holiday weekend. His leadership and dedication were evident, and we are truly grateful for the memorable brunch. If not for our children's preference for the beach, we would likely stay at The Lodge on our next visit. Thank you again, Mr. Webb, for ending our trip on such a high note.

We were given a room with a beautiful river and marsh view but even the view couldn’t overcome the fact that the Cloister on Sea Island is in desperate need of a renovation from top to bottom and inside out. The HVAC puts out cold wet air and is very noisy. Everything becomes damp — bedding, clothes even the rugs. It smells like mildew through the hotel and rooms. Bathrooms are old and moldy. It isn’t the beauty it once was and we’ve been coming here every year for years. Additionally the staffing has really suffered. Everyone is on temporary visa at a place that was known for having long standing employees. The only highlight is the kind housekeeping team. Food is dismal. Service is meh. The Cloister at Sea Island isn’t measuring up and its glory has faded. I hope a southerner with a sense of Sea Island’s significance and a lot of money buys it and returns it to its glory. It is a shame to watch it fade so much and so quickly.

Hotel unwisely decided to pressure wash every single floor in my Garden Suite building. Standing water on slippery tiled floors an enormous danger. Manager told me that there were signs noting slippery floors….as though that would eliminate the risk!

My wife and I really had the most amazing time we have had in over 10 years. The beauty and service is unmatched