The Cloister on Sea Island | St Simons

With a history going back over 85 years noteworthy guests have included seven U.S. presidents, royalty, sporting legends, and generations of families who return to Sea Island year after year. The Sea Island Company have an extraordinary record for providing exceptional hospitality: they own four Forbes Five-Star experiences: The Cloister at Sea Island, the Georgian Room restaurant, The Spa at Sea Island all on Sea Island and The Lodge at Sea Island which is actually on St. Simons and renown for its 3 championship golf coursees. The company was sold in 2016 to the Anschutz family who also own the famous Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs another multi award winning property proving, if any proof were necessary that the Cloister is an exceptional place.

As the name might suggest the architecture of The Cloister is Mediterranean in style. Terra cotta roofs, sunlit garden patios and old-world elegance mix with up to the minute modern comforts. Expanded in 2016 to include a Garden Wing, the hotel now has 276 rooms and suites overlooking the Black Banks River, Atlantic Ocean or lush coastal environment. The Georgian Room, is just one of the nine restaurants that make Sea Island a premier culinary destination, The River Bar features easily shared classics in a casual setting overlooking the tidal Black Banks River and the Tavola continues the Mediterranean feel offers simple Italian deliciousness.

Luxurious as The Cloister undoubtedly it,it is very much a family resort. It has Camp Cloister for the under 14s and a variety of teen focused programs from tennis to golf. And of course, there are always events designed for the whole family. Among the Cloister traditions are Tuesday and Thursday night Bingo games and Gold Brick sundaes.

Situated across from The Cloister, the Sea Island Beach Club overlooks Sea Island’s five miles of private Atlantic Ocean beach. It has three swimming pools, private cabanas, beach and lawn activities, a 100-seat cinema, Waterfront Lounge for Teens, and Sea Island Kids, a rallying point for Camp Cloister which offers a myriad of activities designed to educate and entertain 3 – 14 year olds. and children’s activities. For dining, the Beach Club also offers casual experiences at Southern Tide, overlooking the ocean, and at the Snack Shack, Flip Flop Bistro food truck, and the Wonderland Sweet Shop. The choice of activities is bewildering but includes tennis, shooting school, fishing, kayaking, paddleboarding, sailing, hunting, and falconry.

Rather more formal than the Beach Club is the Cloister Wine Cellar which exudes old-world charm from the antique oak ceilings, brick-lined arches, wrought iron chandeliers and long tapered candelabras, including more than 10,000 bottles and 1,000 labels of Old World and New World vintages. It is available to use for special evenings for 8 to 14 guests.

Rooms

Cloister guest rooms and suites are exquisitely appointed with lustrous wood furnishings, exposed beam ceilings, overstuffed chairs, hardwood floors, handmade Turkish rugs, luxurious bed linens and stone baths with deep-soaking tubs.

Why we like it

An elegant resort with superb facilities