By Jennifer Olvera
Hilton Head Island, north of Savannah, Georgia, is a highly cultural destination with arts events, symphony performances and wine tastings throughout the year. Also a favorite destination among golfers, the area is home to destination-worthy
resorts and hotels that feel worlds away from the mainland.
Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa
Located on the north end of Hilton Head Island in the Port Royal Plantation, this Euro-style hotel offers gracious views of the Atlantic. The postmodern architecture---complete with cupolas---combines with a seaside vibe that walks the line between subdued and grand. Neutral-toned guestrooms feature private patios; suites have dinettes and an entertainment area with a wet bar. resort activities include volleyball, tennis, croquet and swimming in three pools. Palmetto-lined boardwalks lead to the resort's spa, which is decked in fountains and surrounded by lush foliage. There's a gym, too, as well as a kid's club offering crafts, games and beach excursion for children. Two restaurants, one a buffet, and a poolside bar provide a place to kick back.
Two Grasslawn Ave.
Hilton Head Island, SC
(800) 228-3000; (843) 681-4000
Crowne Plaza Resort Hilton Head
Guests of this elegant, nautically themed oceanfront resort in Shipyard Plantation can meander through the lush landscape or dine in style at Portz, a seafooder just off the mahogany-paneled lobby. An indoor and outdoor pool, sauna and whirlpool as well as on-site shopping, promote a vacation state of mind, while sleep amenities like soothing CDs, eye masks, lavender spray and ear plugs ensure a good night's sleep. Pillow-top mattresses, high-speed Internet access and private balconies are among the in-room amenities.
130 Shipyard Dr.
Hilton Head Island, SC
(843) 842-2400
Sea Pines Resort
This collection of well appointed accommodations---which vary in style---range from one- two- and three-bedroom villas to privately owned estates. Some have pools; others feature decks or screened-in porches. Fully equipped kitchens, microwaves, washers and dryers and dishwashers are present in all. The breathtaking, 5,200-acre property is replete with palmettos and oaks covered in Spanish moss. There's also a forest preserve on the property where bird-watching is a favorite pastime. Two swimming pools, half a dozen restaurants, grills and cafes and three golf courses cater to vacationers, as does the beach club, which arranges watersports during the summer months.
32 Greenwood Dr.
Hilton Head Island, SC
(843) 785-3333
Palmetto Dunes
Located on the Atlantic Ocean, this 2,000-acre golf resort has three courses, a tennis center and 11-mile lagoon where guests can kayak or canoe. Beachcombers can appreciate its 3-mile stretch of sand, where swimming, bike riding, surfing and boogie boarding pass the time. Accommodations consist of villas, condos and private home rentals, all with distinctive décor. Shopping, nightlife and entertainment are on site, while a range of dining options means guests can grab grub from the general store or settle in for an elegant waterside meal.
4 Queens Folly Rd.
Hilton Head Island, SC
(800) 827-3006
About the Author:
Jennifer Olvera, a DePaul grad, has been writing professionally--and covering topics from health to weddings, shopping and the green scene--for over a decade. In addition to penning international travel features for Chicago Tribune, LA Times and Frommers.com, she has become one of the preeminent dining, food, and entertainment writers in Chicago. Jennifer's work has regularly appeared in Zagat and Chicago Sun-Times as well as on Citysearch.com and Gayot.com.
