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RECOGNITION
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A Remarkable Milestone for The Dunlin: Our First MICHELIN Key Award
Dear Team,
It is with immense pride and gratitude that I share some truly exciting news: The Dunlin, Auberge Collection, has been awarded its first MICHELIN Key.
This distinction represents one of the highest honors in hospitality, a recognition of excellence, authenticity, and the heartfelt service that defines who we are. It celebrates not only the beauty of our property, but more importantly, the dedication, care, and craftsmanship each of you brings to our guests every day.
This award belongs to every member of our Dunlin family, from our culinary artisans and housekeepers to our front-of-house hosts, itinerary designers, engineers, and leadership team. It reflects countless early mornings, late nights, and the shared belief that what we do here is special.
Thank you for your hard work, your passion, and your unwavering commitment to creating delights that stay with our guests long after they leave. I couldn’t be prouder to lead such a talented and heartfelt group of professionals.
Let’s take a moment to celebrate this incredible milestone and then continue to write the next chapter of excellence together.
Team Member Recognition
Team Member Recognition
Dunlin Delights
Werner and Jan Recovery
Good morning,
I left a gift for the Werner and Jahn families last night before they went to dinner off property. @Connor Langner helped me engrave and print a photo from their crabbing and casting experience with Tia yesterday. They had so much fun and left with so many great memories, I’ve linked some photos below!
They are leaving today, so please be on the lookout and wish them safe travels back to Chicago, as well as a relaxing rest of their spring break. I had the chance to sit with both families on the trolley yesterday to the deep water dock and connect with them, they absolutely loved the area and thought it was beautiful. The kids especially had the best time!
Left some goodies from the FUN experience closet for each family and a note, as well as a post card for a little spring break keepsake!
A Perfect Babymoon Escape: Relaxation and Thoughtful Details at The Dunlin
"We recently stayed at The Dunlin, Auberge Resort for our babymoon and left feeling truly relaxed and grateful for the experience. The property itself is absolutely beautiful, serene, thoughtfully designed, and perfect if you’re looking for a peaceful coastal escape rather than a busy resort atmosphere.
From the moment we arrived, the attention to detail stood out. We were pleasantly surprised to find a complimentary bottle of non-alcoholic sparkling wine, a handwritten note, and an adorable goat stuffed animal waiting in our room to celebrate our babymoon. It was such a thoughtful touch and immediately made us feel cared for; nothing felt overlooked.
Our suite was stunning, with intentional design touches that made the space feel both luxurious and comfortable. We especially loved the in-room tub and fireplace. The only small suggestion would be adding a second lounge chair near the fireplace so two people can enjoy the space comfortably. We improvised with a chair from the breakfast nook, which worked fine, so it certainly didn’t detract from our stay.
We also spent time at the on-site Aster Spa, which was a wonderful experience. The facility was clean, calm, and beautifully designed, with a peaceful garden area and quiet sitting room that made it easy to fully unwind. We both received massages and left feeling refreshed; it was a perfect addition to a relaxing babymoon stay.
The grounds are well planned with plenty to do without ever feeling crowded. We enjoyed the fire pits, the heated pool and hot tub (great for year-round use), and the access to water activities through Coastal Expeditions. One feature we especially appreciated was the ability to text the concierge directly from our room, which made it incredibly easy to request anything we needed without interrupting the relaxed pace of the stay. The complimentary Mercedes-Benz car service was also a huge plus too. It made quick trips into nearby shopping areas effortless when we needed anything.
Dining was a highlight. Linnette’s was excellent, with warm service and beautifully executed dishes. The goat ice cream is absolutely worth trying. While some reviews mention limited menus, we personally found the offerings thoughtful and satisfying.
I also want to note that several concerns mentioned in older reviews appear to have been addressed. We found ample drinking water available and had no issues with mirrors or basic room amenities. If anything, a few additional towel hooks or bath bars would be helpful, but again, this was minor.
At times you can hear guests on the outdoor stairs or children playing, but never at disruptive hours, and it felt consistent with a family-friendly luxury property rather than a negative.
Overall, the staff throughout the resort were welcoming and accommodating, and the atmosphere felt calm, polished, and intentional. We would absolutely consider returning; next time with our older kids and our dog, especially knowing there’s a dog park and easy access to family-friendly amenities like the farm and goatery.
If you’re looking for a refined, peaceful Lowcountry retreat that prioritizes design, comfort, and a slower pace, The Dunlin delivers!"
A 50th Wedding Celebration | "Just Married"
Sharing a fun Dunlin Delight that the team executed for our NG1 guests - The Cohen family.
The Cohens were here celebrating their anniversary with their entire family (including their 7 grandchildren). They had a family photoshoot scheduled at The River Barns and the team wanted to do something special for them to aid in the celebrations.
Katie, Kerianne, and Ally got to work! They wanted Mr. and Mrs. Cohen to feel like they did all those years ago, and so decorated their trolley with "Just Married" signs and the classic cans trailing off the trolley (photos and videos attached)!
The Cohens were SO surprised and Mrs. Cohen even started crying (happy tears, don't worry)! They took tons of photos with the trolley before heading over to their photo session. Our shuttle driver, Carl was in on the action too, playing with the grandkids and taking all of the photos. As the guests were loading into the shuttle, he was asking them each for the names and relation to Mr. and Mrs. Cohen (son, daughter in law, etc.)!
Update: The Cohen family loved Takin' in the Crabs and were so patient with this weather. We did oyster wishes with the family before their photoshoot started which they enjoyed. Ian Cohen shared that he travels weekly for work and he has been very impressed with his stay (he mentioned this multiple times during the shoot). He was very impressed with the standards and operations and even more impressed when he learned we were only 1 year old. Amazing job everyone!!
Incredible job to Katie, Kerianne, Ally, and Carl for personalizing their stay and ensuring that every moment has been one to remember!
1,000 Pieces
In her Pre Arrival communication with The Werner Ladies, Ally learned that this trip is an annual mother and daughter trip. She also learned that their trip last year included a stay at The Colony Hotel in Palm Beach, Florida!
In a twist of fate, a previous guest had left a puzzle in their room - featuring the Colony Palm Beach pool! Ally wanted to ensure that the Werner mom and daughter duo were able to reminisce on the trips of the past, and celebrate new memories being made in this chapter at The Dunlin. Ally carefully deconstructed half of the puzzle, and delivered it to their room with a note, reading...
"As you embark on this year's mother/daughter trip, we hope that this brings back fond memories of last year, and helps you to create new memories this year!"
A picture is worth a thousand words - and as the Werner Ladies begin to arrange their one thousand puzzle pieces, we know that this gift holds value in countless memories for them both to cherish together, forever.
Incredible job, Ally, in designing, personalizing, and executing such a unique Dunlin Delight! Way to go, and keep up the excellent work!
Carliegh's Baby Shower
Thank you to everyone involved in celebrating Carleigh, a travel advisor, last Friday during her baby shower! And, to share some photos for anyone who was not able to witness the incredible pastry creations which accompanied the event.
During a private Southern Sips Mixology Experience, Carleigh was treated to cake and cake pops crafted by Chef Elizabeth. Carleigh is a former large animal veterinarian, who has traveled abroad extensively for this position, leading her to eventually enter the travel industry as an advisor focused in areas like Africa and Asia. So, it was only fitting that Chef Elizabeth and her team developed an array of beautiful safari-themed sweet treats for Carleigh! Thank you, Chef Elizabeth and Morgan!
I want to also to Kerianne and Emma for their assistance with setup, and to Juleon for his care and knowledge as the instructor for the experience. The entire group of Dune Travel (founded by Tiffany Cornelius, their primary guest and planner) enjoyed their visit to The Dunlin very much, thanks to all of your hard work and preparation!
Return of the G.O.A.T!
I am so excited to share another amazing "Dunlin Delight" executed by our excellent shuttle driver (and brand new certified trainer!), Michael Washington, alongside our In Room Dining team!
Even in his free time away from The Dunlin, Michael is incredibly passionate about helping guests explore Charleston and the Lowcountry! Everywhere he goes, Michael is an excellent ambassador of our team, sharing his passion for his work and connecting with guests from all around the world.
Recently, Michael accepted an Uber ride for a guest leaving the Charleston Airport, headed to none other than - you guessed it - The Dunlin! Along the way, Michael shared his expert knowledge of Charleston and the Kiawah River, as well as his experience working at our beautiful property. The guests were so moved that upon arrival, they remarked upon how much they had enjoyed their ride with Michael, and how incredible their first impression of our team had been because of him!
To express his gratitude, Michael worked with our In Room Dining team to send an amenity of the guest's favorite wine and a handwritten note during their daily service today (see below).
We are so proud of Michael's continued dedication to the guest journey as an incredible representative of our team - a true G.O.A.T!
Takin' in the Crabs feat. The Christiansen Family
As repeat Auberge guests, the Christiansen family specifically selected The Dunlin for our unique experiences. Their son, Dylan (9 years old), planned this trip for his family and absolutely LOVES crabs. Dionne shared this lovely story in a recent Google review:
"After we booked, we got an email from Katie about our upcoming stay and I told her that our son was the one who chose South Carolina for Spring Break and planned all our activities and places to eat. She asked me the name and ages of our children. To our surprise, when we arrived, she had picked out perfect gifts for them. They loved them. And when Katie heard that our son loved crabs and wanted to go crabbing, she organized a back-up plan in case we didn't catch any. At the dock, Chance, our guide, had gone out earlier and caught some crabs - that way if we didn't catch any (we didn't, lol!), the kids would still get the experience of seeing and holding crabs. And as we were leaving, Chance gave Dylan a crab figurine as a gift."
"There were so many touch-points during our stay that went the extra mile; from the binoculars and bird guides given to us before we went kayaking, to the extra care making sure the resort bikes were the perfect height for our children. Even just the conversations the staff had with our son were special to him - they made him feel like a 'grown up' and he loved it."
"Y'all have a lovely little slice of South Carolina coast, and wonderful staff to make everyone's experience that extra bit special. Thank you!"
To express his gratitude for such a memorable stay, Dylan even created beautiful postcards of his favorite scenes across our property. From his memorable midnight golf cart ride with Michael Simmons to excellent meals at Linnette's with "Mr. Matt" and "Ms. Heather," it is clear that we have left such an impact on Dylan and his family!
A Christmas Delight
Our guests returned to a very merry turndown service from our incredible housekeeping team: Caitlin, Elena, Liz and Aideen for your execution!
Of course, no Christmas Eve would be complete without the delicious cookies featured below, courtesy of our talented pastry team. Thank you Chef Elizabeth and Chef Morgan for your delicious cookies in this festive surprise!
Huge thank you to Gracie (for her exceptional calligraphy skills), Reese and Katie to craft the handmade Dunlin Oyster Shell Christmas Ornaments. Also, thank you to Kass and Rick from Engineering for supplying our tools!
Best Friends Club
Last week, we had The Morris family stay with us with their kids, Saylor and Skylar. While the Morris family did experience a few hiccups during their stay, Saylor and Skylar became instantly friendly with the entire front of house team...so much so that their parents said it wiped away any memory of the issues.
From Sam playing endless freeze tag with them, to them trying to convince us that Jace's name was Jacob, and Elise helping them make smores every night, it's safe to say that they spent every moment hanging out with the GS team. Therefore, the team created the Best Friends Club, in which Saylor and Skyler were the VIP members!
On the last day of their stay, Saylor and Skylar caught a huge fish! They were so proud that they brought the dead fish to the front drive to show it off to "The Best Friends Club".
Elise snapped some pictures of them and Emily created the most perfect frames for them to take home.
On the day of their departure, they made sure to hug everyone goodbye approximately 100 times and said that they want to come back every single weekend! Saylor even said that when she has kids, she wants to bring them back here so that her kids can be in the Best Friends Club (she's 6 years old....)
Amazing job to the guest services team for creating little Dunlin guests for life!!!
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