The Cloister at Sea Island

This was our 6th visit to Sea Island in 8 years and our first time back in two years and we were so sad to see the property decline! Our beach club room had many problems and there was a pervasive smell of sewage all around the area. We had almost no hot water one day and no water pressure. The rooms are in badly need of a refresh. Memorial Day weekend was so crowded I almost had a panic attack at the pool. SO MANY PEOPLE. Beach service took over an hour and blended drinks arrived melted. Management did make it right when I brought all of this to their attention but I hope the owners are planning a renovation soon!

After many years of loyally visiting for Memorial Day this may be our last. While the grounds remain absolutely beautiful the service at this historic property continues to decline. Our reservations made several months in advanced and confirmed twice over the phone, were not honored as requested, luggage was handled so poorly that they damaged the contents braking a large and thick wine bottle and staining our clothes in the process. Management gave us a half hearted apology and didn’t charge for laundry service. Finding a chair by the pool at the Beach Club is nearly impossible, beach chairs are also extremely hard to get and service takes over an hour. Finding a table for lunch took close to an hour every day and forget about dinner on site without a reservation, River Bar took 2 and half hours to seat us. For a hotel of this caliber and tradition, this price point is no longer justifiable for nostalgia of better days, very sad.

The amenities at this resort are amazing! Loved the Georgia Room dining experience! The spa & staff members treat you like royalty!

Lives up to its reputation through beautiful rooms, comfort and excellence throughout every aspect of the stay!

We planned this trip for months to celebrate our 10-year anniversary—babysitters arranged, 7-hour drive, reservations set, everything lined up for what was supposed to be a memorable, romantic stay at The lodge at the Cloister at Sea Island. Six hours into the drive, we get a call: “Good news—you’ve been upgraded to a cottage due to a glitch.” Interesting choice of words, considering what waited for us. Check-in was pushed back (4:30… then 5:30), cutting it close to our 6:30 dinner reservation. Strike one. Strike two? The anniversary wine gift my husband planned as a surprise was casually handed to us at the front desk instead of being set up in the room like it was supposed to be. Nothing says “romance” like a front desk transaction. Then we get to the “upgrade.” Not a luxury cottage. Not a romantic escape. Just an old redone house with zero ambiance—something we could’ve booked ourselves down the street for a fraction of the price. Like an Airbnb not worth 1600 a night ambiance. After going back and forth with management and being told there were absolutely no rooms available at the Cloister or lodge, we realized this “once-in-a-decade celebration” had turned into a complete disaster. So we did what any rational couple would do—we left. A huse is not what we signed up for. We wanted the intimate experience that the lodge had to offer. At 8 PM. And drove 7 hours back home. 10-year anniversary: canceled by poor planning, breach of contract, and a definition of “upgrade” that needs serious reconsideration. Do better. I’ve cried myself to sleep. I’ve cried in the car all the way home now. I am devastated !!. A mom with two kids and a demanding job was looking forward to a romantic break with her husband. I’m Crushed. Heartbroken. How did this happen? We had a confirmation for the lodge. I’m still in disbelief that my 10 year anniversary was Absolutly ruined.