City: Hilton Head, SC

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (843) 842-8000, (800) 845-8001

Address: 23 Ocean Lane

Description: Try the tropics with a Southern accent. The Hilton Oceanfront Resort combines the best of both worlds for a spectacular holiday on the ocean. Oversized guest rooms decorated in traditional Southern themes (shades of green, wooden accents, striped fabrics) are designed to give you a “beach house” feel with all the amenities of a luxury hotel, including full mini kitchens, private balconies, wireless Internet service, and in-room safes. Open hallways are tranquil with flowing ocean breezes, and a maze of lagoons winding their way through the flourishing greenery give this beachfront Hilton Hotel at Palmetto Dunes a semitropical aura. The extra-large rooms have equally spacious balconies, each with at least a partial view of the beach and sea. All 296 rooms have ceiling fans in dining areas and separate vanities in bathrooms. Oceanfront suites offer the same amenities, only with 1,000 square feet of space and a separate bedroom, living and dining rooms, and extra-spacious balconies that overlook the beach. The five-story hotel is built in a horseshoe shape that opens onto the beach, and the nooks and crannies of the spacious garden within the horseshoe feature small courtyards, rambling wooden decks, and plenty of seating for quiet afternoons spent reading or napping. Dining options are abundant here. For a fun and casual oceanfront cafe, try the Buoy Bar. There are fun tropical-themed drinks galore, artfully presented chilled salads, outstanding burgers, and an unspoiled view of the ocean! The Palmetto Market is new and boasts a trendy, luxurious atmosphere. This is where you’ll dine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The Lavazza Coffee Bar and Cyber Café is filled with freshly baked items, deli sandwiches, and specialty desserts, and you can bring your laptop if you need to catch up on business or correspondence. There’s also an adults-only pool for those seeking a quieter atmosphere. For more relaxation, try one of the two oceanfront whirlpool baths or the variety of services at the Ocean Tides Spa and Fitness Center. With kayaking so popular on the island, the Hilton offers 10 miles of lagoons! When the day is over, schedule a treatment at the Ocean Tides Spa (843-341-8056). The Coastal Cabana Massage is performed in a private cabana beside the ocean. The 50–80 minute treatment is available for singles or couples. Call for rates. The hotel offers special rates for golf and tennis at the courses and courts at Palmetto Dunes, and special activities for children via Seaside Adventures Club. This day and evening camp program from Memorial Day to Labor Day is for kids ages 4 through 12 and is priced at $45 per child for a full-day session, $35 per child for a half-day session, and $30 per child for an evening session. The Hilton has 15,000 square feet of meeting space and the shorehouse open-air pavilion, and there’s a shuttle from the hotel to all the activities Palmetto Dunes and nearby Shelter Cove Harbour have to offer.