The Cloister

What a spectacular Forbes 5 Star resort The Cloisters is. As first time guests we were greeted with amazing holiday decorations from the drive in, hotel grounds, and lobbies. The Christmas trees and decorations were simply gorgeous. From the car park, valet, to our check-in -- wonderful welcoming staff. Our visit improved with each staff member we encountered. Day One - Check-in and room arrival was splendid. We opted for the River View suite (north wing) which did not disappoint. The gorgeous, vaulted ceiling (3rd top floor) and veranda overlooking Black Bank River at sunset was spectacular. We enjoyed the adult pool and steamy hot tub at the beach club prior to dinner in the River Bar. Our first day at The Cloisters was epic with sumptuous surroundings, gorgeous landscaping, and superb staff. Day Two - We enjoyed the gorgeous Cloisters Spa which had excellent staff, amazing facilities, and wonderful indoor lap pool and hot tub. Both Men's and Women's locker rooms were excellent. The afternoon was spent at The Lodge at Sea Island Club (25 minutes away by hotel driver) with golf, sunset bagpiper, and delicious dinner in the Oak Room. Day Three - spent off resort exploring St. Simon's Island and the Georgia Sea Turtle Rescue Center on Jekyll Island. Another wonderful visit to the Spa followed by the best dinner yet in Tavola. We had an amazing last night dinner, wine, and Sorbet dessert to celebrate our successful trip. Special kudos to the following Cloisters staff who made our stay fantastic; Alvin - valet car park Bruce - bell hop extraordinaire Morgan & Nicole - Beach Club Paul, George, Valencia, Carl, and Ashley - River Bar staff. Viego and Cericka - Oak Room. Ashawnie - Tavola. Jacquetta, Ada Rosa, and Stefany - room attendants. I give The Cloisters Sea Island the highest recommendation possible. We cannot wait to return in 2025.

Do yourself a favor and save your money! For a resort that has claimed to be 5 stars, this property completely misses the mark on many levels. We have stayed here many times but every time we become more and more disappointed. This review is coming from a family that also hosted a wedding here that was (for what we spent) a complete miss. We have traveled around the world and at this price point I have NEVER had such horrible customer service!! From check in to check out, this property and staff treat you like you’re staying at a Days Inn, not a five star resort. I believe that when you are spending thousands of dollars a day to enjoy a property, the top priority of the hotel should be the guest experience! Instead, all we’ve heard this go around is “No”…. No you can’t go here, No we can’t accommodate, No you can’t enter here, No we can’t help you with that. Full disclosure, we spent 25k to rent a “cottege” here for a family vacation and have been so disappointed upon arrival that I will never give this hotel another penny! EVER. So please, if you’re thinking of coming here, don’t! Take your hard earned money and visit an ACTUAL five star resort, this is NOT it!

Absolutely beautiful resort. It was definitely the most amazing hotel room I have ever stayed in. You will feel like royalty! Every server and resort employee was responsive and helpful. We stayed at the beach mostly. The attendants quickly set up our chairs and umbrella. The Cloister adult pool was also a favorite. It was fairly empty and overlooked the river and marsh. One gripe- we went to the beach club around noon. You could not get a chair at any pool (family and adult) AT ALL unless you go early. I can’t imagine paying that much money to stay at a resort and not be able to get a chair by the pool. It says they have a 30 minute rule for leaving towels on chairs to save, but I didn’t really see it enforced. If not for the Cloister pool, I would have been really disappointed. Yes everything is expensive but you will be treated like royalty. .

Our family stayed at the Beach Club over Easter weekend. While there were some memorable highlights, our overall experience was disappointing, especially considering the standards typically associated with Sea Island. We understand that the holiday weekend likely contributed to the high volume of guests, and we hope some of the issues we encountered were due to that unusual level of activity. Areas of Concern: Service at The Cloister and Beach Club: Upon check-in at The Cloister, we were met with a rather unwelcoming reception. The front desk staff offered no greeting, information about the property, or assistance. The only comment was a curt, “Your room is not ready.” There was no offer to store luggage or help with parking. Fortunately, as returning guests, we were already familiar with the property and able to navigate on our own. Our room at the Beach Club was not ready until after the 4 p.m. check-in time, and no apology or explanation was provided. That said, the suite itself was clean and well maintained. Dinner at the Georgian Room: This was the most disappointing aspect of our stay. While the service was attentive, the quality of the food did not meet expectations. Both my husband and son ordered the ribeye, which unfortunately resembled something from a roadside diner in both presentation and taste. In truth, the quality was comparable to what one might expect from a chain restaurant, not a fine dining establishment. Given Sea Island’s reputation, the overall level of service across the resort—and particularly at the Georgian Room—was underwhelming. Highlights: Bowling at the Beach Club: This was a delightful experience. The staff was warm and accommodating, and the food options were enjoyable for the children. Easter Brunch at The Lodge: This was the standout of our visit and the reason we are willing to consider returning. From valet to reception, dining staff to golf shop attendants, every team member at The Lodge provided truly exceptional service. A special thanks to Blair Webb, the Lodge Manager, who went above and beyond to ensure a five-star experience, even on a busy holiday weekend. His leadership and dedication were evident, and we are truly grateful for the memorable brunch. If not for our children's preference for the beach, we would likely stay at The Lodge on our next visit. Thank you again, Mr. Webb, for ending our trip on such a high note.

Completely Overrated and Out of Reach. Sea Island is a beautiful place, I'll give it that. But beautiful doesn't justify the absolutely exorbitant prices. Everything, from the accommodations to the activities, is priced at a level that's simply offensive. Unless you're a multi-millionaire, you'll feel like you're constantly being gouged. Even getting onto the island feels exclusionary, with private access and a strong sense that you don't belong if you're not a member or staying at one of the high-end resorts. The service was… fine, but not outstanding enough to justify the price tag. Honestly, you can find equally beautiful beaches and luxurious accommodations elsewhere without feeling like you're taking out a second mortgage.

Hotel unwisely decided to pressure wash every single floor in my Garden Suite building. Standing water on slippery tiled floors an enormous danger. Manager told me that there were signs noting slippery floors….as though that would eliminate the risk!