The Cloister

Disappointing overall - especially for cost. Advertised like a five star experiences delivers 2 star everything. Pros: lots of activities, beautiful property, convenient parking, mostly lovely staff, responsive concierge staff during stay, and wonderful suite layout for a large family Cons: food was expensive and average at best (eating off property was superior every time), no great options for breakfast on property, room service tasted like exclusively microwaved food, absolutely filthy suite (mold on air vents, dirty water stains on the baseboards, dead and dried out frogs and bugs, clothes in washer and dryer from previous guests, dirty refrigerator and dishwasher, floors that were so filthy our feet were dirty), asking for a crib when we booked the hotel and followed up and of course no crib on arrival, routinely having to initiate cleaning of our room via phone calls and text messages, unresponsive/uncaring managers and check out staff when the cleanliness of room was brought up throughout the stay, at check out, and then they would not return phone calls or emails to discuss, if you visit on a weekend be prepared to fight for a lounge chair near the pool but beach was much easier, odd operation hours for many activities and features on property Overall we enjoyed the resort but the room was a well decorated skeevy motel room - we were only there for a brief stay and we drove but the whole time I kept thinking to myself how badly I felt for people that flew there to visit and had to stay in those rooms for more than a few days. I would not recommend to anyone unfortunately.

Basically 3 properties in one. Coastal, beach front and golf. Style is traditional, yet amenities, service, food and details are all world class. Some of the best golf facilities I have seen.

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.