If you’ve been dreaming of a resort that manages to feel both grand and deeply relaxing, somewhere that keeps your kids entertained while you have a moment to relax, let me give you my honest The Cloister at Sea Island review after our recent stay. Spoiler: it completely exceeded my expectations, and I genuinely believe this is one of the most special resort experiences in the country.
We visited with our two kids (age 1 and 3), and from the moment we crossed the causeway onto the island, everything felt different. The salt air, the Spanish moss, the manicured grounds, it all signals that you are somewhere truly extraordinary. I felt like we were in a different country, not a different state.
The Cloister at Sea Island Review: First Impressions
The Cloister at Sea Island is not your average luxury hotel. The architecture is absolutely stunning and I was mesmerized every time I noticed a new design detail. I was fascinated by the terracotta tile roofs, white stone cloistered walkways, wrought-iron chandeliers, and semi-circular balconies draped in lush greenery. Every hallway, every courtyard, every corner of this property is thoughtfully designed. It feels less like a hotel and more like a Mediterranean estate that also happens to have impeccable service.
The grounds are enormous and I didn’t expect there to be so much for exploration. The property stretches across a private island surrounded by salt marshes, river views, and live oaks, with five miles of private beach just across the street. It never feels crowded. In fact, there were moments where I felt like we actually had the whole place to ourselves, which is incredibly rare for a full-service resort of this caliber.
The Cloister at Sea Island Review: Our River Room
We stayed in the River Room with a king sized bed and balcony and it was absolutely stunning from the moment we walked in. The room had the signature Cloister aesthetic: exposed wood beam ceilings, a handcrafted Oriental rug underfoot, rich warm furnishings, and that elevated-yet-cozy quality that makes this property feel unlike any other hotel I’ve stayed in. The first detail I noticed was the arch leading towards the bed and it was then that I realized, this was part of their Spanish Mediterranean theme throughout the property. I never stayed at a hotel with that specific detail and I loved it.
I have to highlight the the balcony overlooking the river because it was one of our favorite room features. On our last morning, we had breakfast brought to us in-room and ate out there with our coffee while the kids made friends with a squirrel and watched the river. It was one of those slow, quiet, perfect travel moments I’ll genuinely remember forever. In-room dining at The Cloister is beautifully presented, unhurried, and exactly the kind of indulgence a family trip like this calls for. And if you have kids, you know sometimes dining away from crowds and a restaurant environment is what keeps you sane.
The bathroom was spacious with a rain shower and deep soaking tub, which was perfect for both the adults and the kids. The bed was the kind of comfortable that makes you briefly consider just staying there all day. On our first night, we all had amazing sleep after a day of travel and I felt more restful than I did at home. The room felt like a sanctuary and I almost forgot we were in Georgia.
The Solarium: My Favorite Room in the Entire Property
I have to talk about the Solarium because it genuinely stole my heart. This glass-ceilinged room with its beautiful brick parquet floors and soft, filtered natural light is the kind of space where time slows down. They serve complimentary coffee and pastries here every morning, and I made a point of stealing a few quiet minutes there each day before the kids woke up.
There are live lovebirds, cozy seating, and the most peaceful energy. If you’re staying at The Cloister at Sea Island, do not skip the Solarium. It’s one of those details that makes this resort so special and memorable. We passed the solarium every day to get to our room and the kids loved saying hi to the birds in each passing. It truly was part of our daily routine and such a special experience.
The Cloister at Sea Island Review: The Spa Experience
I don’t say this lightly, the Spa at Sea Island gave me one of the best massages I have ever had! The spa itself is a destination within the destination. It’s housed in a 65,000-square-foot facility with an indoor courtyard atrium, rock pool, hot pools, cold plunges, hydrotherapy, steam and sauna, and a full salon. The vibe is serene and unhurried. You genuinely feel like you could stay in there all day (and you should plan to).
The individual treatment rooms are private and beautifully appointed. But what sets this spa apart is how deeply skilled the therapists are. My massage left me feeling completely restored in a way I haven’t experienced in years. If you go to The Cloister at Sea Island and skip the spa, you’ve made a serious mistake. Book your treatment before you arrive because spots fill up fast, especially during the summer.
Dining at The Cloister: Something for Everyone at Every Meal
Dining at The Cloister at Sea Island is genuinely one of the highlights of the stay, and what makes it so impressive is how well it covers every mood and occasion, from a special night out without the kids to a casual poolside lunch where everyone can relax.
The Georgian Room is the crown jewel (Georgia’s only Forbes Five-Star restaurant), and every detail reflects that distinction. The food is an elevated take on American Southern cuisine with impeccable presentation and service. This is your special-occasion dinner, and it absolutely delivers. Reservations fill up, so book before you arrive.
Tavola was honestly one of our family favorites. Rustic Italian, family-style dining with homemade ravioli, fresh seafood, salads, and pizza straight from a Mugnaini wood oven. The atmosphere is lively and warm so it was the kind of place where the kids feel completely at home and the adults still get something genuinely delicious. It was the perfect dinner for a night when everyone was tired but still wanted something special.
Southern Tide at the Beach Club is the kid-friendly gem on property. Casual, beachside, relaxed energy and a kids’ menu that actually has good options (not the usual sad nuggets-and-fries situation). My two were very happy here, and the adults got to eat properly too, which is really all you can ask of a resort restaurant. The River Bar & Lounge is perfect for evening cocktails or a lighter dinner. European-influenced menu, great drinks, lively energy.
Across all four restaurants, the food quality is consistently high, the service is attentive without being overbearing, and the menus all have strong options for kids and adults alike. At a resort this size, it would be easy for the dining to feel like an afterthought, but at The Cloister at Sea Island, it’s a genuine part of the experience.
The Beach Club: Family-Friendly Perfection
The Sea Island Beach Club sits right across from The Cloister on five miles of pristine private beach, and it is absolutely the heart of family life at this resort. There are multiple pools, beachside dining, and an entire wing dedicated to kids. As a family travel blogger and a mom, I’ve been to a lot of resorts and the Beach Club genuinely stands out for how well it serves families without sacrificing the elevated, beautiful feel of the property.
The beach itself is stunning: soft sand, warm Georgia coast water, and enough space that it never feels crowded. Beach attendants set up chairs and umbrellas, and the whole setup is effortlessly lovely. I highly recommend prioritizing a walk on the beach during sunset. It was one of the highlights of my trip and such a lovely experience to unwind with the kids.
Kids Activities at The Cloister: They Will Not Want to Leave
This is where The Cloister at Sea Island truly earns its reputation as one of the best family resorts in America. The activity programming for kids is exceptional, and my children were completely obsessed.
Camp Cloister is a supervised kids’ program for ages 3–14, split by age group, running mornings through early afternoon. There are also evening Kids’ Night Out sessions on Fridays and Saturdays, which means the adults get a proper dinner in peace.
Beyond the camp, kids can enjoy:
• Pony rides at The Stables at Frederica: a lakeside stroll atop a friendly pony, plus a chance to learn about horse care. Truly magical for little ones. It was my 3 year old son’s first time riding a pony and I could not be more proud! I mentioned this activity to him at the start of the trip (probably a slight mistake) and he kept asking about it because he couldn’t contain his excitement. This will go down as a core memory for him and for me too!
• Glitter mani-pedis, cookie decorating, and paint parties at the Kids’ Club at the Beach Club. (We took a painting class and my son enjoyed it. He did his own abstract art but truly it’s one of my favorite decor pieces in our apartment today).
• Dock fishing and wildlife walks
• Bike lessons and stargazing
• Build-your-own stuffed Sea Island sidekick
Clay Shooting: An Unexpected Highlight for Adults
One of the activities I made sure to book for my husband was the clay shooting experience. Sea Island offers an intro to clay shooting as part of its extensive activity menu, and it was so much more enjoyable than he expected. The instructors are patient and enthusiastic, and there’s something genuinely thrilling about it. If you’re traveling as a couple or with older kids, add this to your list. It’s one of those only-at-Sea-Island experiences that sets the property apart from every other luxury resort we’ve visited. He was happy he had one hour to himself while I enjoyed the spa. It was a win win for both of us.
The Decor: Absolutely Beautiful From Start to Finish
I could write an entire post just about the interiors of The Cloister at Sea Island. The rooms are spacious and classically beautiful, with exposed wood beam ceilings, handcrafted Oriental rugs, rain shower bathrooms, and balconies overlooking the river or marshland. Every suite has its own character, vaulted ceilings here, a river view there. The attention to detail is extraordinary: the library ceiling alone looks like the work of master artisans, painted board by board.
The property is designed so that beauty is everywhere including the koi ponds in the garden corridors, impeccably manicured grounds, limestone sidewalks, and cozy hidden corners around every turn. I kept wandering just to see what I’d find next.
Final Verdict: Is The Cloister at Sea Island Worth It?
Every honest Cloister at Sea Island review has to answer this: is it worth the splurge? Absolutely, unequivocally yes. After everything including the spa, the Solarium, the Beach Club, the pony rides, the clay shooting, the kids’ programs, the gorgeous rooms, here’s my takeaway. The Cloister at Sea Island is a must-do resort for families who want a truly elevated experience. It is spacious enough that you never feel crowded, beautiful enough that you want to document every corner, and thoughtfully programmed enough that every member of the family is genuinely taken care of.
It’s rare to find a resort that keeps kids this happy while also delivering world-class spa experiences, stunning architecture, and the kind of serene, private-beach energy that actually lets parents exhale. The Cloister does all of it, and it does it with grace.
If this is on your radar, stop deliberating and book it. You won’t regret a single night. My partner and I are confident that we’ll return, whether that’s by ourselves or again with the kids in the future.
Have you been to The Cloister at Sea Island? I’d love to hear about your experience in the comments!
