In just a few weeks, Hilton Head Island will be sipping some of the best wines around. March 5-10 is the 27^th Annual Hilton Head Island Wine and Food Festival and it’s now one the largest tented wine events on the East Coast. For six days winos and foodies will invade the island to sample amazing Lowcountry dishes and outstanding wines.

The Festival kicks off March 5 with a “Great Chefs of the South Wine Dinner.” There will be a few of these throughout the week with time and location coming soon. Can you imagine anything better than talented local chefs pairing each course with a different glass of wine?!

If you’re interested in expanding your wine knowledge, then Friday night’s Grand Tasting and Silent Auction is perfect for your palate. Proceeds from the silent auction benefits educational opportunities for students in the hospitality programs of study at the University South Carolina Beaufort and the Technical College of the Lowcountry through the John T. and Valerie Curry Educational scholarship fund.

Saturday, March 10 wraps up the fun with the big Wine and Food Festival from Noon to 3 p.m. The Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn will turn into a wine lover’s dream with the opportunity to mingle with winemakers, sample hundreds of wines, listen to live music and snack on some amazing hors d’oeuvres. Admission is $45 and includes access to all tastings and a souvenir wine glass.

Start planning your Hilton Head trip to Palmetto Dunes for this awesome event. We’d love to see  you here to enjoy spring-like weather, fine wine and delicious food! 

We’ve heard from so many of you who are already counting down the days, weeks or months until you hit the beaches here in Hilton Head, South Carolina. Spring break is right around the corner for most and summer will be right behind! We’re getting just as pumped as y’all about the beach season and to get you even more in the mood, we’ve come up with a list of must-do activities while you’re visiting us at Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort.

One of the most beloved Palmetto Dunes locations, The Dunes House, plans to re-open in late February, just in time to feed the spring breakers and summer vacationers the best fish tacos and drinks around with an unbeatable oceanfront view.

March not only brings us the spring breakers but also the Tennis Welcome Exhibition and Happy Hour and Demo Days.  Every Monday night at 5:30 p.m., we get our employees and guests together to enjoy cocktails and lemonade while watching our tennis pros play on Centre Court. If you really enjoy tennis, then our Tuesday 2 p.m. Demo Days is the perfect way to test the newest equipment and ask our pros any technical questions you may have.

Summertime brings lots of activities unique to Palmetto Dunes like stand up paddle boarding and our amazing surf school. Learning to paddle board can be tough in the ocean waves so we provide lessons on our calm 11-mile lagoon system!

Our surf school has taught tons of people to hang-10 over the past few years and it’s back this year to teach a whole new crew. Even if you’ve never even attempted to stand on a board, our instructors will have you surfing before you know it. Just check out these young surfers.

Summer wouldn’t be complete without HarbourFest at Shelter Cove Harbour and nightly performances by Shannon Tanner, a Hilton Head summer tradition that families return to enjoy year after year.

We can’t wait to see you all this year and hope you’ll enjoy all the Palmetto Dunes classics, while also trying a new activity or event! Oh, and you might have so much fun that you see fireworks! 

January is the month where many Americans are gung-ho with their list of New Year’s resolutions. Lots of people are hitting the gym and checking out the health food isles at the grocery store, but we’ve also heard many people say they also resolve to spend more time with family. If you’ve been trying to get your immediate, or extended, family together for a while or want to plan a family reunion, why get the gang together at Palmetto Dunes?

Between our beautiful homes and villas, three world-renowned golf courses, tennis, bikes, fishing, shopping and the beach, every person in your family will be happy and entertained. What many people don’t realize when deciding where to stay Hilton Head is that when you stay with Palmetto Dunes, you get the best deals available on all the activities at the resort, as well as lagoon activities and boat charters out of Shelter Cove Harbour. You also get two free hours of tennis time each day!

Shelter Cove Harbour, just across the road from the resort, is also a great place to take the fam, because there are plentiful restaurants to enjoy each night and a variety of shops to peruse. Our group planners can even help create a special dinner at The Dunes House or a more formal party to celebrate your family reunion.

So, ring up your family, start matching up calendars and settle on a date. Then give us a ring at 866-744-7558 or click here and we’ll handle the rest.

We hope to see your whole gang here soon! 

So you’ve set the date, picked the location and asked your friends to be in your wedding party but you just can’t ask the boss for an extra week off for your honeymoon quite yet.

The honeymoon is the icing on your wedded bliss cake but for many it’s extremely challenging to plan more time off after the wedding planning week amidst work or school schedules. That’s why we’ve created the Mini Moon Package.

This mini vacation after your nuptials will give you the much needed breather you need but will allow you to go back to work or school without taking too many extra PTO days! This package is also ideal for those looking for a long weekend getaway to rekindle the flames for Valentine’s Day with all the spa, food and romance you could want.

 The Mini Moon package includes:

• 4 days /3 nights in a resort view villa at Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort
• One $100 Dinner certificate to your choice of Bistro 17, Conroy's, HH Prime or Ela’s
• A 50-minute couples massage (includes 20% gratuity) 
• Luxurious Facial Treatment or Therapeutic Body Scrub for 2  (includes 20% gratuity)
• One-day bike rental for two to explore miles of paved pathways beneath towering live oak trees and to ride on three miles of pristine beach
• Two hour double kayak rental to paddle along a peaceful 11-mile lagoon waterway
• Two hours of tennis court time per day per villa or home at the Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center
• Preferred rates and priority access to all resort activities and amenities

Be bold and follow in the footsteps of William and Kate and Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries (except try to stay married longer than 72 days) and try our new Mini Moon. Call us at 866-744-7558 for more information and make sure to visit us at www.palmettodunes.com . 

We know that many of you are experiencing chilling temperatures, snowy skies and icy roads. While we can’t make it summer any earlier and we can’t raise the temperatures to the lovely mild days we’re experiencing here on Hilton Head, we can give you live updates and visuals of the beach every day! We have two webcams set up on the resort, one at The Dunes House and the other at The Robert Trent Jones Golf Course.

If you’re in need of a little golf action on a cold day, check out the webcam at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Course. This beautiful course was renovated in 2002 to reshape fairways, trees, greens and bunkers. We were also able to improve the natural draining of the course by linking it to our 11-mile lagoon system. The Jones Course has 11 holes that run by the lagoon and 10^th hole has a spectacular view of the ocean! This webcam is sure to make you want to pack up your clubs and head down to Hilton Head.

If you’ve had a rough week and need a minute of rest and relaxation from work, then check out The Dunes House webcam. The Dunes House is known for their awesome fish tacos and amazing view of the ocean. This webcam is situated in the perfect place to give you a view of guests enjoying lunch and watching the waves rolling in! If you’re a romantic, check this webcam on the weekends for a chance to see a wedding happening live on the beach!

We want to bring you a little piece of Hilton Head and all that Palmetto Dunes has to offer whenever you want it by maintaining these webcams. The best part is the next time you’re here you can tell your family or friends to tune in to see what a great time you’re having on vacation! 

The Gullah culture is all around us here in Hilton Head but it’s in full bloom each February when we celebrate Gullah Heritage month. Gullah is more than a language or the name of the people; it’s a way to preserve the traditions and struggles of those West Africans who were brought to South Carolina and Georgia as slaves.

Since 1996, The Gullah Celebration has been celebrating and honoring all things Gullah on our Island by holding daily events from February 1- 25. The overall goal of the Celebration is to raise awareness and funds to support minority-owned businesses and to bring this historic culture to tourists.

Each event showcases an aspect of the Gullah culture, such as food, music, arts and history. You’ll be amazed at the beautiful voices of Gospel singers, the intricate weavings of sweetgrass to make a basket and the amazing tales coming from a group of storytellers.

Put on by the Native Island Business and Community Affairs Association, Inc. and Native Islanders Property Owners Association, these events are sure to provide entertainment for your whole family. Saturday, February 4 will bring one of the most popular events, The Taste of Gullah, which gives you the opportunity to taste classic Gullah dishes for only $10.

Many events are free and open to the public, and we hope you’ll check out the complete list of all the happenings during Gullah Celebration Month. If you’ll be with us in February, be sure to make time taking in a little bit of the history that truly makes Hilton Head something special! 

We’re kicking off 2012 with four wonderful tournaments for all our golf and tennis friends out there. While we know many of you are stuck in snow and ice, why not head to Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort and spend a little time outside in milder temperatures at one of these entertaining events.

On  January 21, we’ll hold the Martin Luther King Golf Tournament at our Arthur Hills course. Locals will invade our golf course to play in honor of the great Martin Luther King Jr. Next, during the first weekend in February, the Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center will host the No-Snow Tennis Classic from the 3^rd – 5^th of the month. Grab your racquet and head down to Hilton Head for some great tennis play with a guarantee of no snow!

We’ll also honor all those in the food and beverage industry in Hilton Head with our annual F&B Golf Tournament on February 16. This will be the tournament’s 8^th year at our George Fazio course and you can enter now by simply clicking here. This tournament is all about the locals and at least one person from your team needs to be in the food and beverage industry.

The 26^th Annual “Luck of the Irish” Doubles Tournament will bring us into March with tennis teams that are sure to please. We hope to see lots of men’s, women’s and mixed doubles team this year. It’s only $45 per person for one event or $55 a person for two events. You can register your doubles team by clicking here and filling out the entry form.

We feel very lucky to have such amazing events happening this winter season and to be able to engage with all the Hilton Head locals and out-of-towners through these events. Whether you “love” tennis or golf, we hope this blog post got you on “par” with some tournaments to enjoy this year! 

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner so why not get your love something different this year? Forget the extravagant floral arrangements, the chocolate and stuffed animals and think about a romantic retreat to Hilton Head, South Carolina. We’ve worked out an amazing package for all the love birds out there and it’s the perfect getaway for Valentine’s Day.

This package includes:

• 4 days /3 nights in a resort view villa at Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort
• One $100 dinner certificate to one of our wonder restaurants
• The Omni’s Ocean Tides Spa Massage- choose a Calming Currents 50-minute massage, a Couples 50-minute massage, or a Coastal Cabana Massage
• Luxurious Facial Treatment or Therapeutic Body Scrub for 2  (includes 20% gratuity)
• One-day bike rental for two to explore miles of paved pathways beneath towering live oak trees and to experience riding on three miles of pristine beaches
• Two hour double kayak rental to paddle along a peaceful 11-mile lagoon waterway
• Two hours of court time per day per villa or home at the Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center
• Preferred rates and priority access to all resort activities and amenities.

You and your honey will be relaxed, rejuvenated and in love with the fact that you can do all these activities without ever leaving our resort. This romantic package provides relaxation, adventure and wonderful accommodations. We look forward to making your Valentine’s Day the best it’s ever been! 

It’s that time of year again! Time to start thinking about spring and summer vacations and we hope you choose Hilton Head. We’re offering some great deals if you book your vacation here at Palmetto Dunes early and we wanted to highlight one of our wonderful Hilton Head rentals.

We know you want to spend your vacation in total paradise and 2526 The Morrings is pretty darn close! This two bedroom, two and a half bath villa comfortably sleeps six people, perfect for a family or group.

 The location is ideal within the resort because you’re very close to The Dunes House, the beach and you’re right at the pool. The master bedroom has a king bed while the guest bedroom comes with two queen beds. The kitchen is open to the living room and den, allowing you to easily cook dinner while chatting with your family.

For those early birds who book now, we’ve got  a great deal if you stay 5 or more nights. Call us at 866-744-7558 and you’ll only pay $250 to reserve your vacation, plus we’ll throw in free bikes and two hours of tennis court time each day! Your remaining deposit won’t be due until February 15, 2012.

This 2012 Early Booking Special won’t last forever but the memories in this beautiful villa will! We hope to see you all in Hilton Head soon! 

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!

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! 

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. 

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!

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!

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.

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.

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!

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!

Hilton Head Island is looking for families and groups to be featured on "Getting Away Together," a PBS reality show that will be aired in 2012. If your family or group of friends is in dire need of a vacation, this is your chance! All you have to do is tell them why your group deserves the vacation!

Is your clan kooky? Is your family just outright hilarious? They want to hear what makes your group special, and you could be on your way to a dream getaway. Who wouldn't want a documented vacation on Hilton Head Island? From golfing, spas and beautiful beaches, there’s something for everyone on this unique Island.

To submit your story, check out all the details here and good luck!

Most people know Palmetto Dunes by the amazing array of activities we offer, like our world class golf. You can pretty much do anything you want without ever leaving our resort. What some don’t know is that we directly manage many of the beautiful homes and villas on the property, as well. By renting your Hilton Head vacation rental through us, you get great discounts on all those activities you love like bikes, kayaks, tennis and tee times!

If you’re still looking for that last-minute summer vacation with your family, we have just the villa for you! 755 Queens Grant is a completely updated unit featuring two bedrooms and two baths. It’s been remodeled with plenty of upgrades, such as new flooring, appliances and cabinetry.

This unit also features three beds and a sleeper sofa so you can fit the whole family! It’s walking distance from golf, tennis, shopping and, of course, the beach. When you come home from a long day of fun and sun, you can relax in the living room that comes complete with a flat screen TV, DVD player and Direct TV.

The best part is this villa still has a few availabilities in August and September! So give us a call at 866-744-7558 and we’ll set you up!

Our group liked being in walking distance from our condo to the course and sleeping late rather than having to drive a long distance to get to a course!