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Thank you to Sailor’s Rest Airbnb for the hosted stay. All opinions are my own.
What a joy, to return to the Charleston area recently. I traveled to that charming, historic city for the first time last September, so there was a sense of familiarity this visit. However, this trip also provided opportunities for new experiences, something I dearly love.
Sailor’s Rest Airbnb served as home base for this adventure. Located on Johns Island, just outside of Charleston, this incredible property housed me during my stay and also offered beauty, sanctuary and restoration.
I’m excited to share this gem with you!
The Story Behind Sailor’s Rest Airbnb
Neil and Ginny lived aboard a sailboat in the Caribbean and Bahamas for many years, island hopping and flowing with the ocean currents, literally. With hearts turned toward helping others, they sailed where they were most needed and gave freely from their resources and wisdom.
After daughter Sarah arrived, they decided to settle on Johns Island, South Carolina, to establish a permanent home and raise their child.
Neil and Ginny built a house reminiscent of those on the islands they so loved. They occupy the upper floor of the round house and offer the lower level as an Airbnb. Sarah co-hosts the Airbnb with her mother Ginny, while Neil continually works on the grounds, creating a hidden oasis.
Together, through Sailor’s Rest, they beautifully fulfill their desire to offer the gift of hospitality to others.
Sailor’s Rest Airbnb
The Airbnb apartment offers two spacious bedrooms, a full bath, a dining area, living room and a fully equipped kitchen.
As the welcome sign indicates, guests enter through the blue door, where a key awaits on the kitchen counter. The accommodations are all on one level, making it easily accessible.
The apartment is suitable for an individual, couple, two couples, or a family. Plus there’s a portable pack-n-play for a baby along with a highchair and a countertop bathtub. The property is kid friendly.
The apartment feels very secure. And while the owners live upstairs, and may be seen working on the property, they allow guests privacy and the freedom to enjoy the entire property. They are friendly, down to earth people who are willing to chat and share their fascinating story.
Take a Peek Inside
Let me give you a tour of the unique and inviting apartment.
Kitchen
The blue door opens into the large, fully equipped kitchen. To the right is a utility closet with a stacked washer and dryer unit. The kitchen provides everything needed to create meals onsite, with a full sized refrigerator and electric stove, microwave and cooking supplies, pots, pans and utensils. Essentials such as cooking oil, salt and pepper, plates, bowls, glassware and silverware are all there.
A kitchen is so important to me. Sarah graciously shared the location of the nearest grocery store, before I arrived. After dropping off my luggage at the Airbnb, I picked up groceries for my stay. I made full use of this kitchen and enjoyed the large windows above the sink. The views of the gardens and grounds inspired me to carry my meals outdoors to eat.
Dining Area and Living Room
A dining area with table and chairs for four opens onto the large patio outdoors. Adirondack chairs in front of a fireplace provide additional seating and make a great spot for reading, sipping wine or toasting marshmallows in the evening.
Beyond the dining area a cozy living room invites guests to curl up with a good book and read or watch television. Artwork by Sarah and Ginny hang on the walls. These beautiful pieces are for sale.
Bathroom
The full bath contains a walk in shower. The Airbnb provides conditioning shampoo, shower gel and lotion along with washcloths and towels. A toothbrush/toothpaste set is available if you forget to bring yours. And I found it so helpful that when I needed a small bandaid, the first aid kit in the bathroom had them.
For convenience, a second bathroom and infrared sauna room are located outdoors, between the pool area and covered biergarten. There’s also an outdoor shower by the pool.
Bedrooms
Two spacious bedrooms offer queen sized beds, closets and dressers with drawer space. I didn’t sleep in the second bedroom, however the bed in the room I slept in was extremely comfortable.
I chose the bedroom with the sliding glass door leading to a private patio…and a hammock! That hammock provided an ideal spot to relax, daydream and read. A table and chairs set on the patio gives another place to dine or sip a cup of hot tea while enjoying the view.
Sailor’s Rest Gardens and Grounds
I’ve stayed at other Airbnbs. However, I’ve never stayed at one like Sailor’s Rest! The property surrounding the Airbnb is whimsical, exotic and so beautiful. I felt like I had an entire lush paradise all to myself.
Paths wind through tropical plants and beneath arbors and trellises covered with flowering jasmine. Water features splash and gurgle. Intimate nooks invite the wanderer to sit and reflect and little surprises wait around every bend in the path. I so enjoyed exploring the grounds and sitting on all the benches, chairs and swings.
Zen Garden and Bistro Table
The Zen Garden with its wall of towering bamboo plants, water feature and stain glass art is a serene place to reflect, meditate, journal and express gratitudes. A perfectly placed bench provides a spot to sit and appreciate the surroundings.
The bistro table set is tucked into a garden space near a play area for children. A cornhole set invites kids of all ages to play.
Patio Area
Just outside the apartment, the large patio offers multiple places to sit and visit, eat a meal, journal, read or reflect. I loved carrying meals out here to enjoy while surrounded by nature.
Koi fish occupy a large pond on the patio and an outdoor fireplace is the perfect spot for the evening.
The Biergarten and Pool
Walk by the fun yellow door and through the passageway to reach the covered biergarten. This space makes a great outdoor dining area, gathering spot or a place to play board games. The outdoor bathroom and sauna are located next to the biergarten.
Follow the path to the pool area for fun in the sun. And rinse off in the outdoor shower after a swim.
My Experience at Sailor’s Rest Airbnb
I’m so grateful for the days I spent at Sailor’s Rest. While I used the mornings to explore Charleston and the islands, I spent my afternoons and evenings at the Airbnb.
The apartment is clean, comfortable and charming. Everything I needed was there to make healthy meals and enjoy downtime.
And the gardens and pool provided hours of enchantment. Creating this post and looking at the photos brought tears to my eyes as I remembered my time at Sailor’s Rest. The warm spirit of hospitality that permeates the property invited me to rest and to focus on myself.
And the beauty of the grounds called to me, “Come play and seek and find”. It was a call I joyfully answered.
Stay at Sailor’s Rest
I don’t want to keep this place a secret! In fact, I want everyone to know about this beautiful oasis on Johns Island.
Sailor’s Rest is conveniently located. Historic downtown Charleston is about a 25 minute drive from the property and the airport, 30 minutes away. I rented a car from the Alamo airport location and drove to Johns Island.
And it’s the perfect vantage point for discovering all that the islands have to offer. See the Angel Tree on Johns Island. Visit the Charleston Tea Garden on Wadmalaw Island. Nearby Freshfields Village is the place to go for shopping and dining. And Kiawah Island offers golf courses and beaches. Watch for my upcoming post for a list of things to do while on Johns Island.
Ready to enjoy a bit of paradise on earth? Check out Sailor’s Rest on the Airbnb site HERE. Plan that trip. Ask me questions about Sailor’s Rest, Charleston or the islands.
And when you visit, tell Neil, Ginny and Sarah “hello” from me!
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