48-Hour Sale: 50% Off All Rooms at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, South Carolina

The oceanfront Sanctuary Hotel, on South Carolina's Kiawah Island, is a class act.

Here's a deal that isn't being publicized except through word-of-mouth.

For a short 48 hours starting 7 A.M. today, November 11,  through 7 A.M. November 13, 2009, rooms are 50% off at South Carolina's Kiawah Island Golf Resort, a beach- and golf-lover's lowcountry vacation spot an hour south of Charleston. The discount rate applies to all types of accommodations—either at the elegant Sanctuary Hotel, or the island's villas and private homes which are scattered around this ten-mile-long island. I've vacationed at the Sanctuary—both with and without my small children—and it's one of the rare, coddling hotels that perfectly caters to both types of getaways. At this time of year, the Sanctuary's indoor pool is also the only swimming option available (its heated outdoor pool closes after Thanksgiving). When we checked for December 26-30, we were quoted an Oceanfront Room for $226 per night, compared to the usual $452. The least-expensive Gardenview room (which still measures more than 500 square feet) was available for $151 per night (all prices include the 11.5% tax).

A bonus for golfers: Also as part of the 48-hour sale, greens fees for the acclaimed championship Ocean Course drop to $196 per round (usually $271), while the island's other 4 courses—Cougar Point, Osprey Point, Turtle Point, and Oak Point—are discounted to $100 per round (usually $156).

Dates: From now through December 30, 2009, including Thanksgiving and Christmas. Blackout dates are December 11-12, 2009.

How to book: This promotion is only bookable via phone reservations: 1-800-654-2924. Mention the 48-hour sale.

Condé Nast Traveler approved: The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island was voted the number one Mainland U.S. Resort in the 2009 Readers' Choice Awards, which is in the current November issue.