My cousin’s family has been going to Wild Dunes for years. Every summer, I’d see their sun-kissed photos on my Facebook feed, a vision of sandy beaches and sparkling pools. But with rooms priced at $500 per night or more, a trip like that seemed out of reach for my family. Thanks to credit card points, we found our way to this amazing resort on Isle of Palms, near Charleston, South Carolina. 

Wild Dunes is the only Hyatt beach resort in the Carolinas, making it a perfect domestic getaway for those of us living on the East Coast. Brand explorers, take note–this is a Destination by Hyatt property, one of only 18 in the United States. We drove from our home in Raleigh, splitting the trip with an overnight stay at the Hyatt Place Florence Downtown–a stop that would work well for anyone driving in on I-95. For those flying in, the closest airport is Charleston International Airport (CHS), about a 45-minute drive from the resort. I highly recommend renting a car to explore beyond the property and see the best of what Charleston has to offer.

Maximizing Your Stay with Hyatt Points & Credit Card Rewards

How We Booked Our Stay at Wild Dunes on Points

We booked our three-night stay in a junior suite for 90,000 Hyatt points, which I transferred from my Chase Ultimate Rewards account. The cash price for the same stay was over $2,100, giving us an incredible value for our points. Wild Dunes is a Hyatt Category 5 property, with award nights for standard rooms ranging from 17,000 to 23,000 points per night. I highly recommend booking well in advance; we secured our junior suite nine months ahead of time, and I’m glad we did, as suites were completely sold out closer to our travel dates. Our junior suite in the Boardwalk Inn was perfect for our family of four. The room was also equipped with a mini-fridge and a microwave—a definite plus for families!

Unlock Free Valet Parking and Breakfast with a Guest of Honor Award

For our stay, we were able to apply a Guest of Honor award, which confers all the perks of top-tier elite status. This can be a game-changer for your budget–this award gave us free valet parking ($35/day value!), complimentary breakfast, and late checkout. The free breakfast was a huge money-saver; we received a $25 voucher per person, per day, which more than covered our delicious meals at Coastal Provisions and Oystercatcher.

Our stay was also a case study in why you should book the room you actually want rather than relying on upgrades, which are never guaranteed. We knew we wanted a suite to have room to spread out, and separate sleeping quarters from our kids. I was glad we booked straight into the room we wanted, because if we had been counting on a complimentary upgrade from our Guest of Honor, we would have been disappointed.

The Resort Experience: A Paradise for Families

Pools, Beach, and Fun for All Ages

Wild Dunes Resort is a massive complex with two traditional hotels (the Boardwalk Inn and the Sweetgrass Inn), vacation rentals, and condos. The resort’s main appeal is its incredible pools and easy beach access. The Boardwalk Inn has an adults-only pool, but the fantastic family-friendly pool at the Sweetgrass Inn is just a five-minute walk away. The family pool features a splash pad, a zero-entry side, and a hot tub, perfect for all ages.

For beach lovers, a short stroll down the boardwalk leads you to the beautiful beach. The water in August was wonderfully warm, and we spent hours watching pelicans dive for fish.

Pro Tip: Beach chair and umbrella rentals are pricey at $50 per day, so you’ll want to bring your own. It might even make sense to buy some on the way to the resort to save money.

Dining at Wild Dunes (and Smart Spending Tips)

While Wild Dunes is not an all-inclusive resort, there are plenty of dining options to suit all tastes and budgets. Our complimentary breakfast was a fantastic money-saver. For lunch and dinner, there are a variety of choices, from casual grills to fine dining. We loved Coastal Crust for its kid-friendly outdoor seating, ping pong tables, and delicious pizza and salads.

Credit Card Tip for Dining: One important note for fellow points and miles optimizers: the on-site restaurants are independently owned, and their charges may not count as Hyatt spend. This means you won’t earn the typical 5 points per dollar by charging these purchases to your hotel folio (I earned zero points on room charges during this stay). Instead of charging to your room, it’s best to pay for dining separately with a credit card that gives a bonus for that category, like the American Express Gold card.

Beyond the Resort: Exploring Charleston, SC

While you could easily spend your entire trip at Wild Dunes, the resort is a perfect home base for exploring the Charleston area. We spent a rainy day in North Charleston, where we found the North Charleston Fire Museum—a hit with our kids and very budget-friendly at just $12 for our family! For a full-day excursion, historic downtown Charleston offers attractions like Fort Sumter and the South Carolina Aquarium. Just be prepared for the heat and humidity of a Lowcountry summer!

Final Thoughts on Our Wild Dunes Family Vacation

Wild Dunes Resort is a true Southern gem, a place where families can relax, play, and make lasting memories. By leveraging credit card points and being strategic with your spending, you can make a trip to this incredible destination more affordable than you might think. We can’t wait to go back!

Follow My Adventures! Find me on Instagram and Facebook as @kates_on_a_plane for more pictures and videos from Wild Dunes.