Story by Hailey Wist
Photographs by Patrick O’Brien

In 2024, The Cape Club will open its doors to Kiawah Island Club Members. This long-awaited amenity will feature an oceanfront infinity pool with chaise lounges and cabanas, an expansive sundeck, and a Latin-inspired restaurant led by Kiawah Island Club Chef Nico Quintero and Culinary Advisor Chef Mike Lata. The menu will reflect an elevated take on traditional Central and South American flavors and preparation. And like so many of Lata’s renowned restaurants, there will be an emphasis on fresh, local seafood.

“The Cape Club is a dream realized,” says Clubhouse Manager Leslie Bunnell. “It was so incredible to watch this project take shape. We’ve had such an amazing team of visionaries—from Lata and Quintero concepting the culinary side to Cortney Bishop Design and Kennon Williams Landscape Studio creating such an enchanting setting.”

According to Bunnell, The Cape Club strikes an earthy middle ground between Marsh House and The Beach Club. Where Marsh House is tucked away and serene, The Cape Club is more social and lively. Where The Beach Club is a family favorite, The Cape Club offers a refined setting.

Proximity is also key. The opening of The Cape Club will round out the oceanfront amenities available to Club Members. The pool and restaurant will offer lunch and drinks by the beach, providing Members with the opportunity for al fresco daytime dining throughout the year.

By design, The Cape Club is intended to feel seamlessly integrated into the landscape. Everything is open-air—the porch and bar flow onto the pool deck, creating a continuous space that appears to float above the dunes. The thoughtful orientation of the design takes evening sunsets and maritime breezes into account, with the expansive deck opening wide to the shimmering Atlantic.

And really, that’s the best part of an oceanfront amenity—the beach. Kiawah boasts some of South Carolina’s most stunning coastline, with a wide, white-sand beach that unfolds from the dunes. The intent of this amenity has always been to immerse Members in this natural environment.

A ribbon boardwalk connects the pool deck to the beach, allowing Members to easily move between the two. The Cape Club will offer full service to beach chairs as well as poolside. And Members can stroll or bike up from the beach to enjoy a cocktail or a sunset dinner.  

“From exceptional service to the highest-quality ambrosial Latin fare, we intend on redefining your poolside experience.” – Clubhouse Manager Leslie Bunnell

“The menu at The Cape Club will reflect the attention to detail throughout the property—luxurious in its simplicity.” -Chef Mike Lata

“I grew up in Colombia and then in the San Francisco area. The dishes from my childhood were defined by big, bold flavors—very homey. In my career, I’ve learned how to balance and refine all these influences for very clean dishes. There’s going to be a lot of cilantro, avocado, and smoked chilies. I’ve always enjoyed the smokiness of aguachiles and love cooking with ancho chiles, cumin, and coriander. It’s all the flavors I grew up with, and they translate well through multiple cuisines.” -Chef Nico Quintero