With the recent debut of Timber’s Kiawah Ocean Club & Residences, the southern charm of Kiawah Island and Charleston has been re-imagined. The property features 21 new luxury residences, creating the first new residential community on Kiawah’s oceanfront in more than 30 years. What to expect? “We are just steps from the beach, so owners can start vacationing the moment they arrive,” says Timbers Kiawah Owner Services Supervisor Catherine O’Brien.
 
Nestled along three oceanfront buildings, the fractional residence club lives like a posh resort, with hassle-free amenities including year-round onsite management, concierge services, pre-arrival provisioning and planning, owner storage, daily housekeeping, and more. With interiors concepted by the touted J. Banks Design, the spirit of Kiawah is anchored in hues of blue and local artwork, while residences feature floor-to-ceiling windows and large outdoor terraces.

Keeping in line with Timbers Resorts’ global conservation efforts, “Timbers Kiawah is dedicated to protecting the wildlife on the island,” says O’Brien. “During sea turtle nesting season, we make sure all residences are in compliance by having lights out and sheers drawn every evening by 9 p.m. We educate our residents upon arrival on what they can do to help keep the baby turtles safe and help them find their way to the water.”
Additionally, the property features special beach cruiser bikes, with a sea turtle print designed by Peter Millar. Proceeds from the sale of each bike are donated to the Town of Kiawah’s Turtle Patrol program. “We use paper straws with a sea turtle print (great for educating the Timbers Tykes!) and bamboo to-go style cutlery to reduce the single-use plastic waste,” adds O’Brien. “All residences come stocked with a jute bag for owners and guests to use instead of grocery bags, and 6 MiiR reusable water bottles. We have two refilling stations on property that count how many bottles of water we have saved.”

Though owners and their guests will be hard-pressed to leave the resort, Charleston is a must, too. Here, O’Brien gives her not-to-miss Charleston hit list.
 

Charleston Guide: Live Like a Local

 
Best Coffee: Kudu Coffee & Craft Beer. For a more elegant atmosphere, try La  Patisserie.
Top Breakfast Spot: The Palmetto Cafe (downtown) is more upscale, while Sweet Water Cafe (downtown) is more casual. Hit  Three Little Birds (James Island) for shrimp n’ grits, while Sunrise Bistro (Johns Island) serves amazing breakfast pizza.
For the Adventurist: Bulls Island Experience and Awendaw Passage Palmetto Trail
Chic Boutiques: Ben Silver for men, Copper Penny for women, and if looking for home inspiration, don’t miss The Hidden Countship: Italian Boutique for Fine Living.
Top Farmers Market: Charleston Farmers Market, located downtown at Marion Square

Best Oysters: 167 Raw. Yum!
Finest BBQ: Rodney Scott’s BBQ
Art Stars: Gibbes Museum of Art, Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art, Old Slave Mart Museum
Rooftop Cocktails: The Watch Rooftop & Spirits and Fiat Lux
Dinner Date: Purlieu (downtown)—the French dip is amazing. And at Wild Olive (Johns Island), order the charred octopus and the gnocchi.
Favorite Bookstore: Indigo Books (Freshfields Village, Johns Island). Blue Bicycle Books (downtown).
Lowcountry Lifestyle Inspiration: Nathaniel-Russell House Museum, Edmondston Alston House
Nightcap, Please: The Gin Joint, Felix