5 Top-Rated Luxury Retreats to Visit this Winter

Indulge in cozy comfort and quiet luxury at these five winter retreats within driving distance of the Lowcountry.

Story by Lance Hanlin

Each year Forbes and AAA honor the world’s most exceptional hotels, spas and restaurants, recognizing the select few that earn five stars or five diamonds. Fortunately for Lowcountry residents, several of these world-class destinations are just a scenic drive away, and December is the perfect time to visit. The pace slows, the crowds fade, and even the most elegant resorts take on a cozier, more personal feel. Offseason rates make the experience even sweeter. Whether you’re craving a quiet spa weekend, a romantic escape or a few nights of guilt-free pampering, these five luxurious retreats make it easy to trade daily routines for soft robes, warm fires and peaceful views.

The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort

Location: Kiawah Island, SC
Drive time: 2 hours, 15 minutes (114 miles)

This five-star resort pairs Lowcountry elegance with oceanfront tranquility. Guest rooms ($340-$640) overlook the sea or gardens, while the 3,000-square-foot Presidential Suite (about $3,200) offers a fireplace, custom furnishings and a private balcony. The Spa at The Sanctuary rejuvenates with ocean-inspired treatments ($230-$600), and guests can explore 30 miles of bike trails or the resort’s 10-mile private beach. After golf on the Ocean Course, dine at The Ocean Room, a five-star steakhouse famed for its 21-day, wet-aged ribeye, then relax by the fire pits on the Grand Lawn as dolphins surface beyond the dunes.

Montage Palmetto Bluff

Location: Bluffton
Drive time: 35 minutes (19 miles)

This five-star retreat blends Lowcountry charm with effortless sophistication. Guest rooms and suites ($536-$1,760) pair refined design with coastal warmth, while cottages with fireplaces and screened porches ($1,319) offer extra cozy comfort. Spa Montage features treatments inspired by the landscape, using river mud, sea salt and warm stones ($195-$750). Guests can kayak the May River, shoot sporting clays or play the May River Golf Course before dining at River House, where sweeping views and candlelit ambiance set the mood. Afterward, slip into Hush, a hidden speakeasy that captures the art of quiet indulgence.

The Cloister at Sea Island

Location: Sea Island, Georgia
Drive time: 2 hours, 30 minutes (118 miles)

This five-star Mediterranean-style retreat captures the grace of Southern hospitality with lush courtyards, elegant rooms ($626-$1,256) and five miles of beach. The 2,200-square-foot Black Banks Suite (about $2,900) adds sweeping marsh views from a wraparound balcony. Fill your days with golf, sailing, biking or horseback rides along the shore, then unwind at the Spa at Sea Island with a $55 access pass or a signature treatment ($110-$490). Dinner in the main dining room showcases Georgia grass-fed beef and prime cuts from Chicago’s Linz Meats, a fitting finale to a day steeped in coastal luxury.

The Umstead Hotel and Spa

Location: Cary, NC
Drive time: 5 hours (323 miles)

North Carolina’s only five-star hotel, The Umstead pairs natural beauty with quiet sophistication. Overlooking a private lake beside Umstead State Park, it offers elegant rooms and suites ($709-$1,259) and a 1,725-square-foot Presidential Suite ($2,959) with custom furnishings and a sweeping balcony view. The 16,000-square-foot spa spans two stories, offering nature-inspired treatments ($75-$345), while the heated pool and sculpture garden invite relaxation. Dine at Herons, the hotel’s five-star restaurant, where artful, locally sourced dishes showcase ingredients from its own farm.

Old Edwards Inn and Spa

Location: Highlands, NC
Drive time: 5 hours, 30 minutes (323 miles)

Tucked in a storybook mountain village, this European-inspired retreat offers cozy luxury and relaxed charm. Guest rooms and suites ($292-$1,925) blend comfort and character, while the Church Street Cottages ($555-$740) add fireplaces and screened balconies. The spa’s warm stone treatments ($70-$450), fireside lounges and crisp mountain air create a perfect mix of rest and rejuvenation. After a day of mountain hikes or chasing waterfalls, enjoy an elegant dinner at Madison’s, where locally sourced dishes pair beautifully with fine wines. Then settle into the Highlands rhythm: slow, scenic and effortlessly stylish.