City: Hilton Head, SC

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (843) 842-2400, (800) 334-1881

Address: 130 Shipyard Dr.

Description: If you’ve ever stayed in a Crowne Plaza, you’re familiar with all the little details that make this hotel a special place to stay. For starters, the beds and linens are a part of this chain’s image. There are sleep aids like masks, special aromatic sprays, and turndown service. The Hilton Head Island version of Crowne Plaza incorporates the hotel’s standard delights with the aesthetically pleasing elements that are unique to this island paradise. For example, the grounds at this Crowne Plaza are spectacular, with small islands of colorful flowers planted throughout and around the beautiful palm, pines, and live oaks. Built in a U-shape on the ocean in Shipyard Plantation, the Crowne Plaza opens onto a breezy courtyard filled with subtropical gardens, extensive green spaces, and lagoons crossed by graceful wooden bridges. One bridge is a favorite spot for couples saying their wedding vows (The hotel has its own notary public.) The large courtyard is also the location of a pool, outdoor hot tub, toddler’s pool, and Dockers, which serves light fare and drinks open-air-style and around the poolAmble down to the beach, and you’ll pass by the beach snack bar, which specializes in snow cones and hot dogs. Nearby is the hotel’s 7,000-square-foot outdoor pavilion, which is popular for meetings, dinners, and those weddings we referred to. The Crowne Plaza has 340 rooms, including 9 suites, with views of either the island, the courtyard, or the ocean. Portz, a more upscale restaurant within the resort complex, is romantic and offers ambience plus some outstanding favorites: a delicious shrimp bisque (with just the right amount of dry sherry), and a variety of hand-cut steaks with truffle butter. Brellas Café offers breakfast, lunch, or dinner indoors or on a waterside terrace. It’s a less-expensive option. A traditional breakfast buffet is served there, and guests will be anxious to line up for the hotel’s signature Southern Pecan Sticky Buns!The hotel’s leisure activities department operates Camp Castaway, a structured and supervised program for children ages 3 to 12. Among the many activities provided are shell hunts and turtle feedings for the youngest kids, games on the beach and in the pool for those ages 6 to 12, as well as bike tours. The program runs from May 28 thru Sept 4 (Wed through Fri 6:30 to 10 p.m.). The cost is $45 per child with the second child receiving $10 off (minimum of two children). For more information, call (843) 842-2400, ext. 7620, by 5 p.m. the day of the program. Adults seeking opportunities to exercise can find them at the Crowne Plaza’s fully equipped fitness center (with Cybex training equipment) and adjacent indoor pool and at Shipyard’s golf courses and tennis courts.