It’s said that 1 in 5 grooms propose to their wife each holiday season. With all the love and joy in the air between Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas and New Year’s, it’s no surprise to us! If you’re one of the lucky couples who’ve decided to head to wedded bliss this holiday season, you might want to consider a Hilton Head wedding as the perfect place to tie the knot.

Whether you want a quiet beachfront affair surrounded by close friends and family or a lavish event in a beautifully-decorated venue with hundred of guests, Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort can help. Anne Graves, our catering and events manager can make your wedding dreams come true. If you’d like to see some of the beautiful Palmetto Dunes weddings we’ve had throughout the resort, take a look at our online testimonials.

 We also encourage you to keep connected with us on Facebook and Twitter as one bride, Marie, did. She was able to ask questions each day the week in advance of her Hilton Head wedding on Twitter, tweet us updates on the excitement while they were in town and then post all their amazing pictures on Facebook and Twitter to share with our online family. We enjoyed Marie’s wedding both online and offline!

We hope to hear from all you newly-engaged couples so we can help create your dream wedding. Please give Anne a call at 866.650.4130 or you can fill out a request form. Happy wedding planning from all of us at Palmetto Dunes!

Most people will start 2012 with a list of resolutions like:

1. Eat healthier
2. Work out 5 days a week
3. Be more organized
4. Stop procrastinating

We’d like to offer you a resolution list that’s not only more fun to achieve but also gives you tasks you can complete with your friends or family.

1. Try kayak fishing - The calm waters of our lagoon system make the perfect atmosphere for beginners to learn how to keep balance in their kayaks and reel in one of hundreds of huge red fish swimming beneath.
2. Become a pirate for the day - Grab your eye patch and hit the high seas on a sailboat out of Shelter Cove Harbour. Our Pirate Adventure cruise is only $30 a person and gives you the opportunity to help hoist a sail or take the wheel! 
3. Explore a little history- The historic Leamington Lighthouse sits on the Arthur Hills course and was built in 1879. This little piece of history is said to be haunted, and we dare you visit around Halloween for a fright!
4. Take a 2-wheeled day trip- Hilton Head Island is perfectly built for bikes. There are more than 50 miles of bike paths throughout the Island, and Palmetto Dunes has a little more than 5 miles of paths within the resort. Spend the day seeing all our island has to offer while also working on that boring “lose weight” resolution that’s on everyone’s list each year! Head over to Hilton Head Outfitters to rent the perfect bike for you and the whole family.

We hope these resolutions spice up your usual list and that on the very top of your 2012 list it says: Plan a Palmetto Dunes vacation! Happy New Year and we hope to see you all in 2012! 

While most of the country is bundling up and sitting by their fireplaces, here at Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort we’re out and about playing in 70-degree weather. From tennis and golf to fishing and kayaking, the activities don’t slow down here in Hilton Head when winter rolls in. To keep our winter visitors, active we’ve got some great seasonal deals for the tennis, golf or outdoors fanatic.

Hilton Head Outfitters is offering unlimited biking, kayaking and canoeing throughout the winter.  For $49 per person you can rent a bike for the whole month or you can buy a bike for 25% off! Guests can also buy a year membership for $300 per couple or $199 per person, and enjoy unlimited kayak and canoe rentals!

Winter is actually the best time to start fishing in our lagoon system, because red fish, speckled sea trout and sheephead are bountiful. Head on over to Shelter Cove Harbour to take one of the many fishing charters with Captain Trent Malphrus. You’re sure to reel in a big one!

If tennis is more up your alley, you can purchase a monthly membership through February for only $200 per person that includes two hours of court time per day. Finally, if you’d like to play with us AND stay with us, we’ve got a 30-night resort accommodations package that includes golf, bikes, kayaks and tennis starting at only $1,200 per person. We think that’s a deal!

 Call us 866-744-7558 and find out all the ways you can save this winter season! 

December is a month full of shopping, decorating, eating and being with family. Watching movies together is a holiday tradition for many families who gather and watch the same flick year after year. Here at Palmetto Dunes some of our favorite holiday movies are, of course, based around a vacation! Check out our list and see if any of our favs are on your list too!

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989) - This is the ultimate holiday vacation movie that will have the whole family in hysterics! The Griswolds prepare for Christmas by inviting their entire family to their home. As all the family members arrive from their travels you quickly see the Griswol’s genuinely just have the worst luck!

Home Alone (1990) - A true holiday classic, Home Alone is based on the McAllister family and their decision to vacation in Paris, France for Christmas. Things go haywire for their son, Kevin, when he’s left home alone on accident. While being home without his whole family seems incredibly fun at first, Kevin ends up spending Christmas Eve protecting his house from two crazy burglars!

The Holiday (2006) - If you and your family are more into romantic comedies, then this contemporary Christmas movie will do the trick. Two heartbroken women decide to switch houses in different countries for the holiday. Iris leaves her home in London to move into Amanda’s LA home, and Amanda travels to London to stay at Iris’ cottage. Both women might start their season off with boy-troubles but by Christmas they have both fallen in love!

So, hit the TV guide, Red Box, Netlfix or your movie collection and enjoy. Happy Holidays! 

If you’ve ever been to Hilton Head, then you know the most common form of transportation is bike! This 2-wheeled ride and Christmas have a long history together, as the bicycle is one of the most common items on a child’s wish list for Santa.

Hilton Head Outfitters has the new craze in bikes that’s on lots of kids’ lists this year. It’s called Zike! The Zike combines a normal bike with the workout of an elliptical machine. These super kid-friendly bikes have been featured on The View and Extra.

You can get the Zike in 4 different versions:

1. The HotShot- Great for ages 5-9 because it’s small but fast enough to keep them entertained. Adding the stepping motion increases balance and coordination while making fitness fun for children.
2. The FlyBy- This Zike is a step up from the HotShot with double chains for more speed! The handle bars are adjustable and it’s made specifically for kids 8-10.
3. The SlingShot- This hybrid scooter is more advanced and made for children older than 10. The speed on this Zike rivals a BMX bike!
4. The Saber- If your child is looking for the mack-daddy Zike, the Saber is the answer. With seven speeds and larger tires, your child will be zooming by their friends riding “normal” bikes.

All these versions come in multiple colors, including blue, green, red, yellow and more. If a bike is on your child’s Christmas list this year, why not try something different and fun with the Zike?! We guarantee they will have a speedy good time. 

It’s that time of year again … time to deck the halls and trim the tree!  Most of the decorating decisions come down to white or colored lights, which ornaments will be on the front of the tree and what bows to put on your wreath. Why not try something a little different this year with a beach-themed holiday? Here are a few ideas to make your winter décor feel a little more tropical.

1. Shell Wreath - Instead of the traditional holly wreath with a red bow, you can decorate your door with a wreath made of shells. Whether you use Styrofoam and attach shells collected from your last vacation or simply add shells to a more traditional wreath, it will look give everyone who comes through your door a little taste of the coast.
2. A Boat Themed Mantel- Coastal Living magazine has a great example of how you can combine garland, stockings and a small boat to give your mantel that warm, and nautical, holiday feeling.
3. The Beach-Themed Tree-  To give your tree a little taste of the beach, try only white lights and lots of white, clear, silver and blue balls. Fill in the spaces with beach-related ornaments, such as boats, crabs, beach chairs and flip flops, to really give your tree that vacation vibe.

This holiday, instead of just wishing you were out of the snow and in the sand, bring the beach to your home with your decorations. We’d love to see how your family decorated this holiday season so please feel free to share your pictures with us on Facebook! Happy Holidays. 

We thought it would be fun to share a little bit of history about the resort that so many of you call home, home away from home or vacation heaven.

It all started for Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort back in 1967 with the first major project being the development of the lagoon system. One year later, in 1968, development began on our championship Robert Trent Jones golf course

The early 70’s brought the addition of the Inn Villas, Beach Villas, Water Oak Villas, the Chimney Cove development and the groundbreaking of the Hyatt Hotel. In 1973, the Fazio course was started and the Jones pro shop was expanded. The following year our wonderful Tennis Center was completed and the end of the 70’s allowed us to finish Ocean Cove Villas, Turnberry Village and the Fazio Tennis Courts. We ended the decade with the acquisition by Greenwood Development Corporation.

The 80’s brought more growth in our accommodation arena by adding Captain’s Walk, Captain’s Cove, St. Andrew’s Common and more. In 1980 construction began on Shelter Cove Marina, making it an exciting year for us! Three years later came the dedication of Shelter Cove Harbour and the popular King Neptune sundial, the largest working figurative sundial in the world... In 1986, the Arthur Hills Course opened, completing our acclaimed, award-winning golf trifecta.

Over the past ten years, the resort built a new Tennis Center in 2001, and in 2002, the Robert Trent Jones course was completely renovated.

Look how far we’ve come since 1967! Who knows what will be in our future, but we look forward to all the great things to come and providing our guests with more activities than ever. 

Lots of women come through the Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center each year, and one complaint that we’ve heard a lot is about their tennis bags. They are often too large and bulky for the average woman to haul around. That’s why we started carrying the very stylish and sleek Life Is Tennis JETPAC bag.

Designed by a female tennis player for women, these bags come in a variety of shapes and sizes while also allowing you to pick from lots of fun patterns. The Winter collection provides prints such as Enchantment, Reptilian and Silver Vogue. Here at Palmetto Dunes we carry many different styles, including small and large slings, as well as totes.

So this holiday season give the gift that will make dreams of days spent in our tennis clinics and nights spent on our lighted tennis courts. The Life Is Tennis bag is a must-give this holiday season for all the lady tennis players in your life! 

While winter may slow down most of the country, visitors to Hilton Head can stay active no matter the time of year. With daytime temperatures averaging between 50-60 degrees during the winter, it’s great weather to get outside and play a round of golf with us here at Palmetto Dunes.

This winter we’re offering two new golf packages and programs that will not only help improve your game but will bring a little piece of Canada to our Island.

If  you’re  looking  to improve your golf game while the weather is milder, the Palmetto Dunes Golf Academy is offering a new “Five Ways to Better Golf” assessment and coaching package. Led by Doug Weaver, Palmetto Dunes’ director of golf instruction, guests receive assessments of the following five systems of their golf game: mental, full swing technical, short game technical, equipment and fitness.

Hailing from Granby, Quebec, Michel Dion, joins our golf team this winter to help with instruction. Winter brings many of our Canadian golfers to Hilton Head and Dion’s experience and French-speaking abilities will bring a whole new dynamic to Palmetto Dunes.

Spend your winter with us improving every aspect of your golf game, and we’ll have you looking like a star in time for spring and summer!  

Reel in the right holiday gift this year for the fishing fanatic in your life.  The Palmetto Dunes Ships Store has the perfect fishing shirt: Bonehead by Columbia. The Bonehead collection is made of cotton poplin, creating that lived-in comfort feeling. It also features mesh-lined vents on the shoulders to help keep you cool when you’re reeling in the big one!

For those super sunny fishing days, you can always use the hook and loop on the collar to keep the sun off your neck. If all these features aren’t enough, there’s also a hook and loop closed fly pocket at the chest, a utility loop, a rod holder loop and a tool holder all on this shirt to help keep your hands free to work with your rod lines and lures.

This amazing shirt is available for men and women, short and long sleeve and in several colors.  If you order or pick up this gift before December 31, you can also take advantage of a 20% discount at The Ships Store.  

Stocking Stuffer Special: If you need a fishing stocking stuffer to go with the Bonehead shirt by Columbia, you should pick up a Tervis tumbler. We have a large selection of cups, lids and handles here in Hilton Head! 

It’s quickly becoming that time of year when you sit at the table to give thanks, hear holiday music on the radio and spend hours of your weekend wrapping gifts. The holidays are full of fun here on Hilton Head Island, and if you’re planning a trip here before 2012, you won’t be bored or disappointed.

The holiday excitement begins with Thanksgiving here at The Dunes House in Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort. We’re serving up a traditional style Thanksgiving Day feast so if you’d be thankful for no cooking and no clean up, this is the perfect option for your family! If you’re staying that weekend, The Arts Center of Coastal Carolina is hosting the Community Christmas Tree Lighting to move us directly into the Santa spirit.

Come celebrate this joyful season with us at Shelter Cove Harbour Friday, November 25 by getting your picture with Santa, live entertainment and even free ornaments from Christmas on the Harbour for the first 200 children. The fun continues into Saturday with holiday sales and amazing deals from many of the shops in Shelter Cove.

Want to feel like you’re walking in a winter wonderland while you’re here on the Island? Then the Hilton Head Winter Wonder Festival on December 9 is a must-add to your calendars. From 4-8 p.m. at Shelter Cove Park, you can roast marshmallows, create holiday crafts or even hunt for the golden candy cane. This event is a wonderful family-friendly festival that allows parents and grandparents to come for free with their children!

For more information on events happening while you’re here on a fabulous winter vacation, click here!

It might be freezing outside and you’re thinking more about wearing scarves than swimsuits but this Christmas why not get the family a present that will warm everyone’s heart? A trip to Hilton Head Island!

Here at Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort you can find the perfect home or villa located near the ocean, golf course or lagoon depending on how your loved ones want to spend their vacation.

2118 Windsor Place has an oceanfront view and plenty of space for your whole family. The large open balcony is a great place to drink your coffee in the morning or wind down at night to the sound of tbhe ocean breeze. Enjoy views of the ocean from your private balcony overlooking an oceanfront pool with a spa, barbecue area and children's pool.

We know that many families love to gather in the kitchen and this unit has a spacious kitchen that’s open to the living and dining room. Another great feature is that all four bedrooms have their own private bathroom, making it easy for everyone to clean up and get ready after a day in the sand. The Arthur Hills golf course is a short walk away for all the golfers in the family, and you can enjoy two hours of free tennis court time each day you stay with us!

So call us now at 866-744-7558 and get the whole family a gift they will truly enjoy. Also, when you book early, you’re eligible for some really amazing deals!

Not sure what to get the golf lover on your list? Let Palmetto Dunes help with our holiday gift guide! Our first suggestion: the new TaylorMade Burner 2.0 Iron!

This iron delivers distance with progressive top lines and a thinner face. They’ve also designed shafts specifically for each head and every iron has been reinvented by TaylorMade. Another impressive upgrade is that the weight of the club is lower and wider for a higher level of forgiveness. You’ll never hear the golfer in your life complain about turf-drag or shortened ball flight with this club, reaffirming that you bought them the right holiday gift.

All of our golf pros are really enjoying the new TaylorMade Burner 2.0 Iron and would recommend it to any level of golfer. You can call us now 843.785.1136 or stop by our proshops for more information or to pick one up. We can’t promise that your golfer’s clothes will be wrinkle free, but we can promise that this iron will be a welcomed addition to their golf bag! 

We don’t want your vacation in Hilton Head to feel like an episode of Gilligan’s Island or Lost. We know that sometimes it can be confusing to get around the Island, and we want to provide you with the best Hilton Head maps to help you navigate the perfect vacation.

If you’re looking for a general map of Hilton Head Island, try the Chamber.  Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort and Shelter Cove Harbour are located directly in the middle of Hilton Head Island off of 278 West. Once you make it in the resort, the Welcome Center can provide you with helpful maps of the resort, Shelter Cove or directions to any location on the Island.

For those who want to prepare in advance, we have several maps that will let you know your location at all times. If you’re staying with us at Palmetto Dunes, we have maps for each section of the resort from the villas at Windsor Place to Captains Quarters. If you’re coming to participate in many of the activities, we provide this map can help you get to all three golf courses, Hilton Head Outfitters and even the Conference Centers. We even have a special map for all the bikers out there outlining all the biking trails on the entire Island!

So the next time you’re here don’t spend any of your time wondering how to get to Shelter Cove Harbour or The Dunes House, let us do the work for you! 

Here at Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort we love our guests! Whether you stay with us year-round, visit for a week or come for the day to enjoy our activities we value you all. One special guest, Austin, touched our hearts when he came for a fishing excursion with Captain Trent Malphrus.

For more than six years, Austin has been battling acute lymphocyte leukemia, which he was diagnosed with at 8 years old. After three years of treatments, his love of basketball was taken from him but a newfound passion for hunting, fishing and music was awakened inside him. The Make-A-Wish foundation granted his wish and sent the DeGroot family to Hawaii on a deep-sea fishing adventure. Due to strong winds and intense waves, they were unable to go on the fishing trip.

Since then the family has found their outdoor retreat a little closer to home, here in Hilton Head Island. They’ve been coming to the island for the past five years and Austin has gone after the “big catch” each year. On the last visit they came to visit us at Hilton Head Outfitters and we set them up with fishing extraordinaire, Captain Trent.  Finally, Austin was able to reel in the big one: a redfish!

After a great day on the Palmetto Dunes lagoon fishing, Austin said “Mom, my life is fulfilled I've done everything I've ever wanted to do!” We’re very thankful to have been a part of Austin’s big day and great catch and hope to see the DeGroot family on the island for many more years to come!

There are so many things to be thankful for here in Hilton Head, South Carolina. The gorgeous weather, the beach, fishing, biking, great golf and tennis and all the amazing people! If you’re looking to skip the early snow this year and have a warm Thanksgiving, come celebrate with us at Palmetto Dunes. The average temperature here in November is upper 60’s to mid 70’s, making it great weather to hit one of our three golf courses, walk the beach or to play tennis all day!

Thanksgiving Day will be celebrated in a big way at our beach front restaurant, The Dunes House! On Thanksgiving, Nov. 25, from 11 am - 5 pm you can enjoy a huge Thanksgiving buffet your grandmother would be proud of. You can also pre-order a meal for carry-out. Just call us at 843-686-9623 or email us at carryout@palmettodunes.com.  The best part is you don’t have to cook or clean up when you’re done!

The buffet is $27.95 per person plus tax and gratuity and $13.95 for kids 12 and younger. Here is the menu for Turkey Day:

Thanksgiving Menu at The Dunes House:

Mix Greens Salad with House Dressings
New England Clam Chowder
Citrus Brined Deep Fried Tom Turkey
Oven Roasted Organic Free Range Turkey
Corn Bread Stuffing
Green Bean Casserole
Honey Glazed Baked Bone in Spiral Ham
Miss Liz's Three Cheese Mac and Cheese
Candied Yams
Garlic Mash Yukon Gold Potatoes
Fennel and Rosemary Crusted Prime Rib
Desserts include: Frankie Mae's Famous Pumpkin Pie, Keylime Pie,
Southern Bourban Pecan Pie, Sweet Potatoe Pie and Cookies.
Regular menu will not be served at this time.

We’ll also be hosting a holiday kick-off celebration the day after Thanksgiving and we’ll be sharing information soon with all the details. Whether you join us or celebrate at home, happy Turkey Day!

You work hard to stay in shape when you’re at home, and you certainly don’t want to let all that hard work go to waste by stopping on vacation. No worries. When you come to Palmetto Dunes, we’ve got you covered. Hilton Head Island is the perfect place to run, bike or even try something new, like beachfront yoga! Here are some options to help you return with the same, or better, beach bod that you arrived with:

Hilton Head Outfitters offers a wide variety of bicycles to rent. Guests can bike through the smooth streets, which are perfect for a calm, breezy ride. If you’re up for more of a challenge, try a vigorous ride on the beach, which can burn up to 500 calories an hour! Another Palmetto Dunes activity that really gets the blood flowing is Cardio Tennis!

If you are a yoga enthusiast, you’ve got plenty to choose from. With many yoga studios around the island, you’re sure to find the right fit!  Our favorite is oceanfront yoga. What could be a better workout than practicing poses with the waves crashing serenely in the background? Beach Yoga is available in front of the Dunes House on Palmetto Dunes taught by Pamela Eaton.

If you’re interested in visiting a more traditional gym, there are several on the island to try.  We have an Anytime Fitness, Beach City Health and Fitness and Players Club Fitness Center to name a few. But, if you’re looking for an awesome challenge we suggest trying CrossFit. Our own tennis maven, Jackie, attends each morning and highly recommends it!

So whether you’re into tennis, biking, running or lifting here in Hilton Head Island, we’ve got all you need to get your sweat on! Let us know if you try any of our suggestions and how they “work out”.

Are your kids dreaming of their spring or summer spent at Palmetto Dunes? Reading a book about the beach is a great way to bring those memories to mind, while encouraging a love of reading at the same time.

Head to the library or the bookstore and turn it into a fun outing as you look for your “beach book.” Here are a few children’s books set at the beach that we highly recommend.

• Great for younger children, Seashells by the Seashore by Marianne Berkes, tells the tale of a little girl collecting seashells at the beach. Filled with colorful illustrations, the book teaches children to count the shells the girl collects.

• At the Beach is another great beach-inspired read. Written by Anne and Harlow Rockwell, this book is a fun way to excite your child for an upcoming vacation to the beach. It’s full of images explaining all the many activities you’ll enjoy by the sea.

• Perhaps our favorite pick takes place not exactly at the beach, but in the ocean itself.  The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister is a classic for children of all ages. The spectacular illustrations combined with a great moral about sharing make this a must-read!

So cozy up with your little ones this fall and dream of days at beach. Happy reading!

Halloween is in just two short weeks, which leaves little time to find a costume. For those who are super busy and don’t want to spend a lot of time or money on a cool get-up for Halloween, we’ve got you covered with some Palmetto Dunes-inspired costumes for the whole family!

1. Dad as a golfer:

-polo shirt

-khaki shorts/pants

-golf shoes

-sweater to tie around your neck

-golf glove

2. Mom as a tennis player:

-tennis skirt/dress

- visor

-tennis shoes

-racket

3. Child as a Surfer:

-bathing suit

-cover up

-surfboard: can be made out of cardboard and painted by your child

-shell necklace or a lei

4. Toddler as a Sea Turtle:

- green hooded sweatshirt

- green sweatpants

- 2 large sheets of dark green felt

- light green and tan felt

- 2 large googly eyes

- pillow stuffing or newspaper

- fabric glue

This costume requires a little more work than the other three but is still very easy and super inexpensive to create. Follow these simple steps from HGTV and don’t be afraid to get a little creative with it!

These are just a couple ideas that are fun and can be pulled together with items in your closet. Got more cheap and easy costume ideas? Tweet us an idea or a picture @PalmettoDunesSC or post to our Facebook page!

Visiting Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort and need to stock up on groceries for the week? Look no further than the Resort’s own Palmetto Dunes General Store! Palmetto Dunes General Store, located at 1 Trent Jones Lane, is a great place to pick up anything you need for your Hilton Head vacation.

Open daily from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., Palmetto Dunes General Store has everything you need from groceries to a fine selection of cigars. It’s the island’s one-stop-shop with something for everyone. The store offers a large selection of ice cream and candy for those young at heart. And for those with more discerning tastes, Palmetto Dunes General Store has a great wine and beer section. The store is even the perfect place to pick up a few gifts! It’s always stocked with T-shirts and hats that make great souvenirs.

The Palmetto Dunes General Store is not just your average market. It also offers some delicious meals. Breakfast and lunch are served every day starting at 6 am. The store has a large menu full of Southern classics and unique specialties. Stop by for a homemade cinnamon roll or have a plate of the “Best Fried Chicken” on the island.

The Palmetto Dunes General Store is the best place on the island to pick up anything you may need for your stay. We hope to see y’all there!

Palmetto Dunes has everything: beautiful beaches, challenging golf courses…and even our own ghost. Residents of the island have been telling the creepy tale of the “Blue Lady” for years. This ghostly apparition is said to haunt the outbuildings surrounding the Leamington Lighthouse located on the Arthur Hills Golf Course and is apparently not too fond of stormy weather.

Caroline Fripp and her father, Adam, tended the lighthouse in the late 1890s. In 1898, a major hurricane hit the island without warning. Legend has it, that night Caroline and Adam stayed in the lighthouse trying to keep the light bright for a ship that was dangerously close to the shore. Sadly, Adam dropped to the floor and suffered a heart attack. Caroline took her father to their nearby house and on his death bed he asked her to keep the light burning throughout the storm.

When Caroline returned to check on her father he had already passed. It’s been said that she paced back and forth between the lighthouse and the keepers house for several days wearing the same blue dress she had on during the storm and calling out for her deceased father. Some sources have said that Caroline died of shock a few years after her father’s death but others say she lived a long life warning others of high tides and storms and always wearing blue.

Today, the story lives on. Many have reported seeing the “Blue Lady” or feeling her presence on stormy nights. So beware, the next time you visit the Leamington Lighthouse, you might just meet the ghost of Caroline Fripp, a spirit that awakens with the sound of wind and rain!

Vacation is all about relaxation. Wondering where to wind down on Hilton Head? We’ve got all the info you need on spas in the area and the best packages and treatments!

At Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort, you can choose from many vacation packages that include relaxing massages, facials or manicures. If your main goal is playing golf in the morning and chilling out all afternoon, then our “Tee for Two” package is a great choice. We also have all the spa treatments you could dream of in our “Silver Celebration” and “Romantic Retreat” packages.

If you’re staying with us and looking for a quick fix, there are many options within the resort or close by. Try the Spa Soleil at the Marriot Hilton Head right here in Palmetto Dunes. They even have a teen spa, which makes for a perfect mother-daughter getaway. The Hilton Hotel also has a phenomenal spa in house that’s worth the walk or bike ride.

So the next time you’re staying at Palmetto Dunes, take a little time for yourself and escape to the spa.

Our Robert Trent Jones Course was the first golf course built at Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort, and it’s a favorite of many. In fact readers of Golfweek magazine voted it among their favorite courses in the Southeast.  The course offers 18 holes, 11 of which wind alongside an 11-mile lagoon system.  The Jones course is most famous for its par-five 10^th oceanfront hole, one of only two on the Island.

Built in 1967 by Robert Trent Jones and significantly reconstructed in 2002 by longtime protégé Roger Rulewich, this course aims to please. After reshaping tees, elevating fairways and improving the drainage system, the course re-opened and was named the 2003 Golf Course of the Year by the South Carolina Golf Course Owners Association and is ranked four stars by Golf Digest. The Jones course plays 7,005 yards from the championship tees.

And that’s not all! The course also claims the largest pro-shop at Palmetto Dunes, and one of the largest on the Island. From Nike and Adidas to Burberry and Travis Mathew, we have it all. After you purchase those new clubs make sure you hit our free custom club fitting every Monday, Wednesday and Friday! We hope to “tee” you soon.

Got a hankering for a Louisiana PoBoy or some authentic Cajun gumbo? Hilton Head Island may not be the first place that comes to mind when thinking of these down-home delicacies; however, this month, The Island Recreation Association will be bringing the Bayou to us!

Starting at 11 a.m. on October 15, Shelter Cove Community Park will turn into Bourbon Street for the annual Cajun Food Festival. The fest is chock full of fun for the whole family. There will be Cajun cuisine sure to please everyone from fried oysters to red beans and rice.

Keep your children happy by letting them hit the “Kid’s Zone”, complete with moon bounces, arts and crafts. While the kids are having a blast, don’t forget to visit the Outdoor Business Expo, which is new to this year’s festival. During the Expo, businesses from around the area will be showcasing new products and services throughout the day.

Proceeds from the Cajun Food Festival will benefit the Island Recreation Association’s Scholarship Fund, which assures that every child, regardless of financial hardship, will be able to participate in recreation. Good food, good people and a good cause? What more reason is there to check out this year’s Cajun Food Festival? For more information visit www.islandreccenter.org or call (843) 681-7273. We hope to see you at our version of the Bayou!

Shannon Tanner holds a special place in the hearts of all who’ve visited Palmetto Dunes, as well as Hilton Head locals and those strolling through Shelter Cove during the summer season. Although summer has come to a close, he’s keeping his musical act in motion by heading into the school systems with his “Wish to Be Just Who You Are Shannon Tanner School Tour.”

This anti-bullying campaign uses Shannon’s music to teach children important life lessons and the impact of bullying on kids. Shannon says the inspiration came from  some of his own childhood memories, as well as the ever-growing number of cyber bullying reports.

Shannon has been performing at our HarbourFest event for 24 years and we hope his anti-bullying campaign shapes the lives of children for many years to come! Check out this amazing video below of Shannon performing at Roaring Brook School!

Hilton Head is full of events, activities and wonderful restaurants, but we’re also only a short drive from historic Bluffton, S.C. The week of October 16-23 will bring the perfect opportunity to visit Hilton Head and check out the Bluffton Arts and Seafood Festival too! In its seventh year, this festival celebrates local seafood, history, art and, most importantly, Southern hospitality.

The 15-minute drive to downtown Bluffton is a great day trip and you can participate in events such as kayak tours, Iron Chef competitions or oyster roasts. Make sure you take your children too, because the Palmetto Animal League will have pets to adopt or play with. If you’re more of the workout junkie, this festival has you covered with a 5K on Saturday, October 22.

The days and evenings will be filled with tons of entertainment from jazz musicians and singers to best selling authors. Your children will be amazed by the juggling work of Ben Matthews and the Carolina Clowns from Charlotte, N.C. Don’t miss Saturday nights’ fireworks spectacular that will be the perfect end to a great event.

Let us know if you go and what you enjoyed the most!

The weather is starting to cool down which means it’s a great time to get a group of friends or bring your loved one on a golf getaway here at Palmetto Dunes. There’s no better time to play golf than in the fall here in South Carolina. We have tons of beautiful Hilton Head rental homes and villas that overlook one of our three award winning golf courses but 951 Inverness is a must-see villa!

Remodeled in 2009 and situated on the 12^th hole of the George Fazio course, this three-bedroom, three- bath villa is perfect for a group or a family. After a morning on the fairways you can cool off in the community pool that’s only a short walk from your villa or chill out by watching TV on the flat screen in the living room!

Make sure to take advantage of our other activities, such as the two hours of free tennis court time and discounted bike rentals, that you receive when you book your villa through Palmetto Dunes. Another great bonus of renting with Palmetto Dunes is that you can enjoy lunch, dinner or mid-afternoon cocktails at The Dunes House!

951 Inverness is ready to make your fall golf outing perfect, so check out its availability, gather up your gang of guys or group of gals and call us at 866.380.1778. Fore!

Vacations used to be a time to turn off your phones and completely get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. These days, it’s tough to get away without turning off your smart phone!

Our advice: Put your phone on silent but keep it charged just enough to take advantage of these apps to make your Hilton Head vacation more interesting, informative and less expensive!

1. Hilton Head Island - The Official App: Released by the Hilton Head Visitor Convention Bureau, this free app allows you to book dinner reservations, find the best hotel or resort for your trip and look up Island events.
2. Foursquare - This popular geo-location tool is used by our team here at Palmetto Dunes to reward our wonderful guests. Check in at our golf courses, tennis center or Shelter Cove for great deals on all our activities!
3. TideApp - Our guests are always curious about high and low tides and this smart phone app lays it all out for you so you don’t come back from a beach walk to find your towel floating in the ocean!
4. Twitter - Having this social media application can truly help you have a great Hilton Head vacation! By following us, you can ask questions about where to eat, drink, activities to try or anything else you might want to know. We’re on seven days a week, so even if you’re here on the weekend we will be able to help you out! Tweet us today @PalmettoDunesSC!

So on your next adventure to Hilton Head keep your phone on and connect with us to create your perfect trip! We hope to see you soon.

If you’ve been to see us for a summer vacation, spring break or quick getaway in the last year and a half then you’ve probably seen the famous Charles Fraser statue. The life-sized bronze statue of Charles Fraser and his alligator, located at Compass Rose Park, is part of the public art fund created by The Community Foundation of the Lowcountry in 2010. The goal of the fund is to install public art and sculptures to beautify our Island.

This year the public art fund is bringing 20 pieces of outdoor sculpture to the Coastal Discovery Museum from September 25 through December 31. There will be works of art from local, national and international artists, and by the end of the year one piece will be selected to remain in Hilton Head and become a permanent part of our public art collection.

If you’re planning a visit between now and the end of the year, this is a free, must-see walking tour of some fantastic art. So whether you’re into modern, classic or contemporary, come to Hilton Head this fall and winter and get artsy with us!

Designed by American professional golfer and golf course architect George Fazio, this Palmetto Dunes course is often perceived as the most challenging Hilton Head golf course. Fazio, known for his uniquely-shaped bunkers, designed long par-4s beset in water hazards and bunkers.

The George Fazio Golf Course is the only par-70 course on Hilton Head Island and requires players to not only be precise in their play but to be prepared to play long. Starting play off with a 432-yard 1^st hole and ending the game with a 462-yard 18^th hole gives you an idea of how demanding the course can be.

In 2010, the course underwent grass replacement to promote consistent year-round play for our golfers. We replaced the TifDwarf Bermuda grass with a more shade-tolerant, Diamond Zoysia grass, a warm-weather grass that handles salty soil and high traffic well. This upgrade has created a more enjoyable and consistent experience for players on all 18 holes of the George Fazio Course.

Ranked among the Nation’s Top 100 Courses, the Fazio course at Palmetto Dunes was built in 1974 and is still referred to by many visitors and locals alike as their favorite course on the Island!

See a complete Course Map and get some tips from the pros on playing this course.

Have you ever been walking the beaches here in Hilton Head and seen some amazing sandcastles? We’ve seen some masterpieces grace our sand, for sure, and we want to share some sandcastle building tips with you! And hey, if you want to start building before you get to the beach, we’ll give you some at-home ideas too!

The Tools You’ll Need: A shovel with a long handle, a bucket, a few carving tools like a spoon, a plastic knife and a fork!

Location, Location, Location: Make sure not to start your sandcastle too close to the shoreline or all your work will be destroyed by the incoming tide! Keep in mind that you’ll need water to hold your castle together so don’t go too far from the ocean unless you want a good workout.

Get to Digging and Building: Start by digging a hole far enough down to reach the water table (where the sand is damp). Using very wet sand and your hands, create a base for your castle. Stack sand blocks on top of one another until you get your sandcastle the height and width you want.

Decoration Time: After you’ve built the base, it’s time for the fun part. You can use the knife to chisel in a brick pattern and the spoon to scoop out openings for a door. Another cool technique is to make a “drizzle” roof by taking super wet sand into your hand, hold your hand over the desired location and let the sand drip down. You can also use coral, shells and other washed up items to jazz up your creation!

So get to building and share your castle pictures with us on Facebook!

This month Hilton Head Island is hosting the 2011 Ecotourism and Sustainability Tourism Conference. This is the first time the conference has been held in the southeast and we’re excited they decided to come our way!

From September 19-21, the Westin will fill up with businesses and individuals who are interested in conservation and sustainability.

As expected, the entire event will promote “green” by only serving fair trade organic coffee, using recycled paper products and equipping businesses to make sustainable changes. We as an island have already taken strides by implementing Hilton Head Island Difference, which connects companies and people who are looking to create a healthier, safer and sustainable world with projects.

For more information on the conference, check out this interview with Susan Thomas, vice president of our Visitor and Convention Bureau.

If you’re celebrating an anniversary, honeymoon or just need a vacation with your honey, we want to help you plan the perfect beach date. We suggest starting off your day with a nice bike ride through the resort. We have more than 5 miles of paved bike paths at the resort with beautiful natural surroundings for you to explore.

On your ride, stop by the General  Store and pick up sandwiches, chips, fruit, drinks and a towel or blanket for a nice picnic to take to the beach. Next, stop by Hilton Head Outfitters where you can rent your beach chairs and an umbrella. Then head toward the sand and surf to enjoy a relaxing picnic while you watch the dolphins frolic and unwind watching the waves.

Cap your day with a romantic dinner. A couple of of good options include Alexander’s in the resort, which is known for its extensive wine menu, or Ela’s in Shelter Cove, which has outstanding view to accompany their menu!

If you need even more relaxation, many of our packages include spa treatments, champagne and other sweet activities to try. We even offer a Silver Celebration package for couple celebrating 25 years of marriage.

What’s your favorite romantic activity when in Hilton Head? We hope to see all you love birds here soon!

The Arthur Hills course, ranked 4.5 stars by Fodor’s Gold Digest, features a series of rolling dunes, as well 10 holes on the water. Named the South Carolina Course of the Year in 2009, the course was designed to encourage precision.

The dunes create many opportunities for off-balance lies and the ocean breezes present an additional challenge. TravelGolf.com says, “There is very little sand on the course, making the hazards a little harder to pick out. Beware the swales, tight fairways and lots of water.”

Most people recognize the Hills course by the Leamington Lighthouse that sits on the 15^th hole. The lighthouse, built sometime between 1879 and 1880, was part of a navigational system of lights guiding ships into Port Royal Sound. It’s the only historic lighthouse on Hilton Head and one of only a few surviving in the state of South Carolina.

Don’t forget we serve breakfast and lunch at the grill and we dish up a mean New England Clam Chowder that you have to try. We hope to see you all out at the Hills course and if you have any questions ask for our head pro there, Clark (he’s wonderful).

A few months ago there was the social media craze “planking” where an individual lies in a plank position in unusual places and then posts the image on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. This term has taken on a whole new meaning recently in the fitness and water activities world.

Many people are taking their love of paddleboarding and combining it with yoga. Floating yoga is new to the South but has been all the rage in Hawaii for some time now. Standard yoga moves such as the plank, crunch or downward dog are a bit more challenging when performing the moves on water!

There are a few places in nearby Charleston, S.C. that are offering paddleboard yoga classes and we’ve seen a few brave souls tightening their cores here in Hilton Head giving it a go. Would you like to see one of these classes come to Palmetto Dunes? Would you try it?

What’s more Southern than peach pie and tomato sandwiches? To be sure you don’t miss out on your trip to Hilton Head, we want to fill you in on some of the area’s best farmer’s markets.

Every Tuesday from 2-7 p.m. through Dec. 22, the Farmer’s Market in historic Bluffton, S.C. offers up fresh fruits, veggies, chocolates, peanut brittle and dry aged beef. Make sure to also check their website for some recipes straight from the farm to your vacation table.

Beyond the amazing produce and goodies you can buy, they have amazing BBQ meals, fresh-squeezed lemonade, delicious kettle corn made to order and fun activities for the whole family!

If you’re looking to stay a little closer to Palmetto Dunes, the Hilton Head Island Farmer’s Market at Historic Honey Horn is a must try. It’s held each Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. through October 31. They will also have several Holiday Markets if you’re in town during November or December. Shop for fresh eggs, lettuce and watermelon from the people who actually grew them!

So get out there and take the family to enjoy a wonderful day of excellent food and great times. Let us know what you pick up and what delicious meal you whip up when you get home to your villa!

Fall means football, falling leaves and cooling temperatures but here at Palmetto Dunes, it also means lots of tennis. Over the span of three months, we host four diverse tournaments with a mixture of locals and visitors – both young and old!

To kick off the fall tennis season, we’re hosting the 3rd Annual Palmetto Dunes Tennis Fall Classic Sep. 2-4 and if you’re interested in playing you need to register by Sunday, Aug. 28. We end the month with our 26th Annual Banana Open Challenge that showcases top Banana Tournament players from across the southeast.

If you’re with us in November, come out and play in our 17th Annual Wild Wing Café “Nutty Buddy” Tennis Classic. This tournament is open to visitors and locals in mixed doubles or men’s and women’s doubles teams. The fall tennis season is wrapped up Nov. 18-20 with the David M. Carmine’s Memorial Tennis Championship. This tournament is open to all adults but juniors must have a current USTA membership to participate.

Want to stay up to date on all tennis events and tournaments at Palmetto Dunes? Find them on our website along with downloadable entry forms! Keep in mind that if you’re looking for a great fall getaway, every vacation booked through Palmetto Dunes directly includes 2 hours of free tennis court time daily! We hope to see you on the courts this fall and out and about in our beautiful resort!

If you’ve ever been to Hilton Head or seen a picture, you know that biking is a huge part of our island life. With more than 5 miles of bike paths in Palmetto Dunes and more than 50 miles of paths on the whole island, it’s no surprise Hilton Head was recently awarded the Silver level Bicycle Friendly Community award from the League of American Bicyclists.

Only 130 communities across the country have received this award, and we are only one of three resort communities on the East Coast who boast the silver level honor!

Here at Palmetto Dunes we rent more than 4,000 bikes a week in the peak summer months at Hilton Head Outfitters and it’s one of the most popular activities at the resort. As soon you turn into our gates, you’ll likely spot lots of folks enjoying the natural beauty of the resort on bike. You can also rent helmets, seats, lights and other accessories at Outfitters.

The next time you’re in town make sure you see Hilton Head by bike and enjoy one of the most bike-friendly communities in the country!

Here at Palmetto Dunes we have three award-winning golf courses that we love to brag about. What you may not know is that besides the courses themselves, we also have three amazing pro-shops located on each course!

Our main pro-shop is located at the Robert Trent Jones course and is the largest on the island with a wide variety of merchandise. At all of our pro shops, you can find the newest up-and-coming designers, like Travis Mathew, and many of the classics, such as Cutter & Buck and Underarmour. All three also have the latest equipment from Titleist, Cobra, Cleveland, TaylorMade and Nike.

Beyond our collection of clothing and equipment, each pro-shop also has a grill inside that is open daily for lunch and dinner. Every Thursday the Jones course has all you can eat tacos from 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m! Need something warm before a cold tee time? Come by the Arthur Hills grill and try a bowl of Liz’s homemade New England clam chowder. It’s delicious!

Have you been to our pro shops? Did you find something you can’t live without?

We are always looking for new and creative ways to reward our guests and residents. This summer we decided to take to our smart phones and jump on the popular trend of “checking in” on Foursquare. We saw that lots of people were already using their phones to check in at many of our locations, so we created some specials to make checking in even more fun.

Whether you’re a golfer, tennis enthusiast, outdoorsman (or woman) or water lover we have a Foursquare deal tailored for you. It’s super easy to unlock these specials with just a simple download of the mobile app for any smart phone or you can sign up online at Foursquare.com!

Take a look at our current check-in deals and feel free to Facebook or tweet us what specials you’d like to see next!

Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center: “Get an extra hour of court time every 3^rd check-in!

Arthur Hills Course: “Get a free bag of range balls on your first check-in”

The Dunes House: Mayor Special (for the person who frequents the location the most often) “Thanks for being our Mayor! If you check-in during happy hour you receive one free frozen drink off the drink menu. Enjoy!”

Robert Trent Jones Course: “If 10 people check in at once, get 10% off one item at the pro shop!”

Hilton Head Outfitters: “Congrats! For checking in with us, you get a 20% discount on kayak rentals. Hope you have a great time!”

George Fazio Golf Course: “The Mayor can get 20% off his greens fee for the day.”

The General Store: “The first person to check in between 6 a.m. – 8 a.m. gets a free large coffee with their breakfast purchase!”

Shelter Cove Marina Ship’s Store: “Get 20% off the anything in the store with the exception of convenience items for checking in!”

So go be our friend on Foursquare and start checking in!

Next month is the start of two months full of tennis tournaments here in Hilton Head, S.C. While we’re preparing for four tournaments hosted here in September and October, one of our team members is preparing to head west for a California tournament!

Our very own Mary Jackson, group coordinator at the Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center, is headed to the United States Tennis Association (USTA) Nationals in Rancho Mirage, Calif.! At the tournament, held Oct. 14-16, she will represent the Southern Section in the 4.5 Senior Women’s division. This is a huge honor and one that Mary and her team worked very hard to achieve.

Here is a blurb from Hilton Head’s Island Packet newspaper about their win: “The senior 4.5 women's team from Palmetto Dunes Tennis Club brought back a title Tuesday from the USTA League Southern Section Championships in Mobile, Ala. The team finished 5-0 in the tournament and lost just one court in the five matches, wrapping up the championship by breezing to a 3-0 victory in the finals against a squad from Atlanta.”

We’re so proud of Mary and her entire team and wish them the best of luck at USTA Nationals. If you want to come learn from some of the best, check out all of our wonderful tennis clinics here at Palmetto Dunes!

One of the most popular forms of transportation here on Hilton Head Island is biking, and the majority of bikes around the island are beach cruisers! Between the salt water in the air, sand and humidity, it’s important to keep your two-wheeler maintained.

Before you take your bike out for a ride, always check your tires for pressure, tread and make sure your chain isn’t dried out. Simple fixes include adding air to your tires or lubing up your chain with a little oil. By avoiding these little maintenance issues, you’ll be able to keep your bike up and running for years!

Due to all the salt in the air, we recommend storing your bike indoors, especially if you only get the bike out during the summer months. It’s a good idea to spray your bike off after your ride to rid it of the saltwater and sand contaminants. It’s important to also remember that Hilton Head Outfitters rents a great selection of different types of bikes for adults and children if you don’t want to worry about the maintenance part at all!

What does Labor Day mean to you? Is it the official end of summer, a day off work, the last day to wear white or the beginning of college and NFL football season? Well, here at Palmetto Dunes it means one last chance at a summer getaway for the family. Labor Day weekend is full of fun activities here at the resort, specially crafted with your entire family in mind.

This Labor Day treat your loved ones to learning a new skill or polishing up an existing one. How about three days of our Family Golf School? Golf is a timeless skill to learn, and one of your kids will thank you for sooner or later. The program was designed by our resident golf pro and former PGA tour professional Doug Weaver. We also have great opportunities to practice your tennis skills with our junior and adult clinics.

After all that practice, it might just be nice to spend this last weekend of fun and summer biking or kayaking our 11-mile lagoon system. Sometimes just telling you how fun our activities are just isn’t enough, you have to see it yourself! Check out this video highlighting the adventurous family fun here at Palmetto Dunes!

Don’t you just want to hop in the car now and head our way? We understand… Come on down!