When you’re on vacation, eating great food is half the fun! At Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort and Shelter Cove Harbour, we have plenty of wonderful places to dine whether you’re looking for a casual stop on the beach or a gourmet meal overlooking the water.

This week, we wanted to share some of the best Hilton Head appetizers from around Palmetto Dunes and Shelter Cove.

Dunes House Chicken Nachos
Take a break from the beach or ride your bike over to the oceanfront Dunes House within the resort. Our appetizer pick from this fun outdoor restaurant is their Chicken Nachos. Indulge in tortilla chips smothered in grilled chicken, queso, black bean relish and jalapenos. Sour cream and salsa is served on the side. Tip: Get plenty of napkins!

Big Jim’s BBQ, Burgers & Pizza Sliders
At Big Jim’s restaurant, located at the Robert Trent Jones course, try the sliders. It’s the perfect appetizer to share with a group of buddies! Choose from three smoked pulled pork or smoked chicken sliders with cole slaw and pickle OR three Angus beef sliders with smoked onion and pickle.

San Miguel’s Guacamole Dip - Shelter Cove Harbour
This is one of the best guacamole dips on the island complete with fresh avocados blended with tomatoes, onions and spices and served with their flour tortilla chips. Enjoy the view, a  margarita and chips and guac!

HH Prime’s Shrimp & Grits (Omni Hotel at Palmetto Dunes)
You can’t come to the Lowcountry without eating shrimp and grits -- it’s a Southern staple! HH Prime, located within the Omni Hotel at Palmetto Dunes, offers a plate full of jumbo shrimp and grits made with smoked cheddar cheese, tasso ham and sherry butter sauce. Delicious!

Ela’s Blu Water Grille, Shelter Cove Harbour – Mama’s Fried Green Tomatoes
Another Southern must-have is fried green tomatoes! Get your fill at Ela’s Blu Water Grille, a Shelter Cove restaurant with a fantastic view. Your tomatoes will come lightly fried and crispy and served with Creole sauce, the owner’s family tradition.

Alexander’s Seafood Restaurant & Wine Bar’s Oysters
If you’re a visitor to the island, you may not have been exposed to the joy of eating oysters! We consider it a delicacy down south. Alexander’s, located within the gates of Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort, offers North American cold water oysters on the half shell in half dozen or a full dozen. You can also try their Oyster Baked Oyster Combination of three Rockefeller oysters topped with bacon, spinach and hollandaise sauce and three Savannah oysters topped with shrimp, crab, scallops, bacon and cheddar cheese. This dish will make anyone a fan of oysters!

Which dish sounds the best to you? Which appetizer are you dying to try? We hope you enjoy dining at Palmetto Dunes and Hilton Head when you visit us this spring and summer. Bon Appetit!

Take a break from the cold and snow and head down south for your Thanksgiving Day festivities. Imagine, a sunrise walk before you start cooking and a post-dinner bike ride under mossy oak trees after dinner.

Palmetto Dunes offers a variety of ways to celebrate Turkey Day at the beach whether you’d like to do the cooking or leave it up to us.

Guests of Palmetto Dunes can literally have Thanksgiving at the beach at the oceanfront Dunes House. The restaurant will be offering a buffet from 11 a.m-5 p.m. featuring sides like mac and cheese, mashed potatoes and green bean casserole; turkey , lamb and round of beef as entrees; and pumpkin pie, pecan pie, ginger snap bread pudding and double chocolate cookies for dessert. The buffet is $27.95 per person, $13.95 for children 12 and younger. Reservations are required by calling (843) 686-9623. See the complete menu.

Our new Big Jim’s restaurant at the Robert Trent Jones course, which opened earlier this year, will also be open on Thanksgiving. Reservations are not required and they’ll be offering traditional Thanksgiving plated dinners with all your favorites. The cost for Big Jim’s is $18.95 per person or $9.95 for kids 12 and younger. Those with large parties should call ahead of time to ensure there is space. Call (843) 785-1165.

If you’d prefer to hang out at your Hilton Head vacation home inside Palmetto Dunes, but would rather leave the cooking to someone else, we’ve got you covered! Let us bring you a gourmet Thanksgiving to go ready on Thanksgiving Day starting at 11 a.m. at Big Jim’s restaurant. Be sure you have your order in by Nov. 18 at 5 p.m. by calling 843-686-9623. Our to-go dinner includes roast turkey and top round of beef, stuffing, mashed potatoes; choice of three sides among collard greens, mac & cheese, green bean casserole or squash casserole; and pumpkin or pecan pie for dessert. Complete menu. $15/person, minimum 2-person order.

Be sure to rent your bikes ahead of time to ensure they’re ready to go for your Turkey Day bike ride to burn off a few calories. Call Hilton Head Outfitters at 866-380-1783 to reserve your bike rentals.

Hilton Head offers plenty of Black Friday shopping if you’re looking for some deals. Head across the street to Shelter Cove for specials all weekend. Many of the stores are offering 20% and higher sales, and restaurants will have food and drink specials, as well. See the complete list of sales and deals.

Santa will also make an appearance at the statue of Neptune Nov. 23 from Noon- 3 p.m., arriving on a firetruck no less!  The first 200 kids get a free Santa pin and there will also be a bounce house to burn off some of that holiday energy. Shelter Cove will also have live music from Target Band from 1-4 p.m. on Black Friday.

Come spend your Thanksgiving in Hilton Head at Palmetto Dunes. We promise it will be a Thanksgiving you’ll never forget! Call us at (866) 744-7558 to book your stay today.

There’s some great shopping throughout Hilton Head but within Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort there are some must see shops.

Shelter Cove Harbour doesn’t just host HarbourFest, Shannon Tanner and summertime fireworks; it’s also the home of a variety of interesting shopping. Located on beautiful Broad Creek, the waterfront shopping at Shelter Cove Harbour makes for a fun day! Here are some of the stores you need to peruse the next time you’re in town.

Clothing and Accessories

Camp Hilton Head- This cute store has great Hilton Head hats, tees and beach bags. If you’re looking for a vacation souvenir, this is the place.

Neptune’s Kids- Carries a wide variety of clothing, games and gifts for kids of all ages. Your children will surely fall in love with this store.

Taffeta- If you’re looking for a beautiful outfit for a special night out or want to check out the latest fashions from Europe, come on in.

Home and Garden

Christmas on the Harbour- Get in the holiday spirit year round with some of the best Christmas decorations like ornaments, nativities and holiday stem wear.

Neptune’s Niche- Unique home and garden accessories as well as a selection of glassware, artwork, jewelry, woodwork, ironwork, pottery and textiles by Lowcountry artists.

Art and Photography

The Golf & Boat Club/ Bolton Smith Gallery- Original artwork by R. Bolton Smith and resort wear.

LaBelle Image Fine Art Gallery- A popular art gallery featuring original work by artist Richard Riverin and unique art to complement the existing décor of your home.

Legacy Design Photographers- Looking to capture your family vacation memories? The team at Legacy can create beautiful images of your children, engagement photos or family reunions!

Nash Gallery- This gallery showcases some beautiful wood, metal, glass, ceramic and handmade jewelry from North American artists.

Salon

Salon Shelter Cove- If you’re looking for a new do, a blow out or even a Keratin treatment while in town, this salon will help you out. Walk-ins welcome!

Shelter Cove has something for everyone and we hope you spend a day walking in the sun from store to store enjoying the day. Don’t forget that there are also 7 wonderful restaurants for you to sit and have lunch and dinner! What’s your favorite store in Hilton Head?

From the golf course to where to eat and drink we’ve compiled tips and information from the staff at Palmetto Dunes to help you get the most out of your visit to our resort.

Golf

1. “Golf shots at Palmetto Dunes Resort feel different than in many parts of the country for two reasons: the grass is different and so is the soil.” – Doug Weaver, Head of Golf Instruction
2. “When putting on Bermuda grass at Palmetto Dunes Resort, you have to consider the grain of the grass, which is influenced by slope, sunset and nearby water. Lessons with the instruction staff can lead to significantly improved putting.”  – Doug Weaver, Head of Golf Instruction

Tennis

1. “Guests at the resort don’t have to travel with their racquets. Our demo racquets are available for use in all our clinics, lessons and round robins and can even be rented for personal play.” - Brian Kiggans, Head Tennis Professional
2. “Starting the first Monday in March, the Tennis Center begins their Monday Night Pro Exhibitions at 5:30 p.m. During that time, we offer a discount on retail merchandise in the Pro Shop. Starting the first Tuesday in March, the Tennis Center kicks off Demo Days at 2 p.m. and demo day discounts are offered as well.” – Jackie Reynecke, Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center

Dining

1. “It’s 5 o’clock and you’re on the beach; just walk directly up to The Dunes House and enjoy a beachy cocktail. No shoes required!” –  Chris Fleury,  Director of Food & Beverage
2.  “You have to try the fried chicken, green beans and macaroni at The General Store. They cook all items fresh each morning!” – Frank Gaston, The General Store and Hilton Head Outfitters
3. “The grill at the Arthur Hills Course makes Liz’s homemade New England clam chowder daily! It’s delicious.” – Amelia Johnston, Marketing Coordinator

Activities

1. “When the weather is warm, the best time to go fishing is in the morning; you’re bound to get more bites. Also, a great tip for fishing inshore during the colder months is that the first quarter and last quarter moon produce more fish.” – Captain Trent Malphrus , Palmetto Lagoon Charters
2. “When you book your accommodations through Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort, you get the best deal on the whole island on golf, bikes, tennis, kayaks and so much more.” – Karen Morris, Director of Sales

Misc

1.  “Visit the Rotunda, also known as the Welcome Center. We have an on-site concierge available seven days a week to answer all your Hilton Head questions.” – Jennifer Carlin, Revenue Manager

If you’ve never stayed with us before, feel free to ask us any questions you have by emailing customerservice@palmettodunes.com or you can “like” us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and we’ll answer your questions there.

Do you have a great tip for visiting Palmetto Dunes? 

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! 

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! 

We’re gearing up to see lots of people on the Island and throughout our resort in the next several months. Between Valentine’s romantic getaways, spring break travelers and summer vacationers, we’re going to be seeing lots of you.

But you’ve got to get here first and so we’ve gathered some great tips on packing, as well as traveling with children to help you get here without a hitch.

Packing tips for the pros:

1. Ladies protect your bras by using these cleaver cases by CupCase. This way you won’t have to bend the underwire or worry about creases. They’re stylish too and can be put in the suitcase or carried alone as a bag.
2. If you don’t want the soles of your shoes to touch your clothes while in your suitcase, place them in a cheap shower cap.
3. Pack your bikinis in one of these cute bags so they’re easy to find and they’re also waterproof so you can pack wet suits at the end of your trip.
4. Pack baby powder because it’s known to get sand off your skin quickly and easily!
5. Also, don’t worry about packing your beach chairs, umbrellas or fishing rods because Hilton Head Outfitters has all of those for rent!

Here are also just a few awesome traveling with children tips:

1. Want to pack healthy strawberries as a snack but don’t want the mess with the kids biting the tops off? Go ahead hull strawberries quickly with just a plastic straw!
2. If your kids love cut apples but they brown too quickly, cut the apple and while it’s still all together place a rubber band around it to prevent browning.
3. It seems like everyone has an iPad and iPhone these days and here’s a great lists of travel game apps that will certainly keep the kids -- young and old -- busy!

Do you have any great packing tips or ideas for traveling with kids? Please share! We hope to see lots of you in the next several months! 

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 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!

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!