Spotlight

In early 2008 Hilton Oceanfront Resort unveiled hh Prime, its elegant new restaurant. The two-story space is open and airy, with high ceilings, interior and exterior fireplaces, an open kitchen, a spacious bar and live nightly entertainment. Guests can also enjoy breakfast at hh Prime, including waffles, eggs and various bakes goods. For lunch, they serve soups, salads, burgers and sandwiches. There’s dining indoors or outside on the patio and lower deck area, which also has a private Gazebo. The more intimate upstairs dining area provides a grand view of the ocean.

By Sam Boykin

(December 2008) Many argue that it’s impossible to improve upon Mother Nature’s handiwork. But Hilton Oceanfront Resort comes close by seamlessly integrating its sublime tropical surroundings into a one-of-a-kind getaway. The AAA-rated Four Diamond property offers its guest the splendor of the South Carolina coast, along with luxurious amenities, delectable dining options and a host of activities.

Any stress or preoccupations you might bring with you will quickly dissipate as you turn onto Queens Folly Road and into the impossibly lush 2,000-acre Palmetto Dunes resort community. A short drive alongside towering palmetto trees and oaks draped in Spanish moss takes you to Hilton Oceanfront Resort’s main entrance.

Like the rest of the 13-acre property, the reception area is green and alive with abundant vegetation, including annual flowers and a yellow-flowering Chinese flame tree situated just before the portico. Attentive valets decked out in colorful tropical gear provide a warm greeting, and help with your luggage. 

The resort’s sleek and modern lobby, complete with plush, comfy couches, ushers guests eastward to the upper courtyard, which is dominated by a picturesque fountain. The fountain’s wall was refinished with flagstone in early 2008, giving it a more natural look and feel. Submerged lights in fountain’s upper bowl provide a warm, inviting glow at night.

Water cascades down the fountain’s curved stonewall into a lower lagoon section and under a pair of pedestrian footbridges. These connect to a series of wooden walkways, which wind through the rest of the resort’s expansive, multi-sectioned brick courtyard and meticulously landscaped garden terrace.

Here, alongside additional water fountains, playful pelican sculptures and a vast array of tropical trees and plants, including some 1,400 annuals and 1,800 azaleas, guests can gather at curved wooden benches and several covered tables. There’s even a fire pit for cozy nighttime get-togethers and parties.

This main courtyard area is bookend by the north and south lodging centers, and sits adjacent to the resort’s new fine-dining restaurant, hh Prime, and the chic XO Lounge, both of which have ample outdoor seating that overlooks the courtyard. 

The property’s convenient and interconnected walkways extend to what is essentially a giant deck. This is where you’ll find two pools (one for adults only), hot tubs, a private cabana, the resort’s laid-back Buoy Bar, and a second lagoon filled with brightly colored Koi. It all seamlessly flows together and creates an environment so inviting and fun you almost forget the beach is just steps away. 

The Rooms
Hilton Oceanfront Resort has 324 luxurious and spacious guest rooms. These include eight Inn Suites, which offer separate bedroom and living room areas, and 20 Ocean Front Suites, which are 1,000-square-feet and include an additional half-bath and extra large wrap-around balcony. The rooms and suites are located in two five-floor lodging centers, which are situated on either side the resort’s courtyard and garden terrace areas. The intimate layout of each tower—both of which have open atriums allowing natural sunlight into the hallways —gives guests easy and convenient access to the beach, restaurants, and pool/recreation areas.

And like the rest of the property, the guest rooms, most of which overlook the ocean, blend in nicely with their natural surroundings. In fact stepping out onto the private balconies—especially the rooms on the upper floors—feels a bit like being in a tree house as they’re surrounded by towering oaks, pines and palmettos. 

All of the guest rooms have two queen beds or a king, and a kitchenette stocked with flatware and dishes, a microwave oven, coffeemaker, mini-fridge, sink and plenty of cabinet space. If you need to stay connected, there’s high-speed Internet access, dual telephones with data ports, Playstation and large desks. All rooms also have ceiling fans, 27-inch flat-screen TVs with on command movies, and a 4-person dining table. The bathrooms are spacious, with a shower-tub combination, dual separate vanities, hairdryer, and a line of bath products from the resort’s spa. Pets are not allowed. Room service is available until midnight.

Restaurants
In early 2008 Hilton Oceanfront Resort unveiled hh Prime, it’s elegant new restaurant. Formerly the resort’s Regatta Lounge, the two-story space is open and airy, with high ceilings, interior and exterior fireplaces, an open kitchen, a spacious bar and live nightly entertainment.

Its sleek and modern design provides a nice contrast to the tropical, natural setting elsewhere at the resort. The restaurant, which seats just over 100, specializes in dry aged USDA prime graded beef, including filet mignon, New York strip, prime rib and the massive 22-ounce porterhouse.

Other culinary treats include fresh seafood, pasta dishes, decadent desserts, and the island’s largest wine selection, with over 2,000 selections to choose from.

Guests can also enjoy breakfast at hh Prime, including waffles, eggs and various bakes goods. For lunch, they serve soups, salads, burgers and sandwiches. There’s dining indoors or outside on the patio and lower deck area, which also has a private Gazebo. The more intimate upstairs dining area provides a grand view of the ocean.   

Another new addition is the XO Lounge, which replaced Mostly Seafood Restaurant. Located next door to hh Prime, it offers an extensive selection of imported liquors, wines,  champagne flights, cocktails and martinis, as well as a delectable appetizer menu with sushi, calamari, shrimp, mussels and baked brie. 

Just outside XO Lounge is a spacious deck with plenty of tables and big, cushioned, low-slung chairs where guests can socialize and soak up the atmosphere. A small pond is located near the deck, which has underwater lighting and is surrounded by a variety of plantings including a banana tree, holly ferns, and an European fan palm. Live nightly entertainment, a small dance floor, big screen TVs and friendly staff have helped make XO Lounge a popular new nightspot on the island.

For casual poolside fare, check out Buoy Bar. At this laid-back spot you can dine on chilled salads, burgers, sandwiches and other munchies along with a variety of cold drinks while soaking up the sun on the spacious deck and enjoying a breathtaking view of the ocean.

Recreation
When you’re at a tropical paradise like Hilton Oceanfront Resort, it’s hard not to have a good time, especially when there are so many different ways to enjoy yourself. If you’re simply looking to relax and unwind, you’ll be able to enjoy two pools and Jacuzzis, and of course, miles of pristine, sun-kissed beachfront right outside your door. And at the Cabana Beach Shop, you can find everything from boogie boards, Frisbees, and kites.

There’s also the Mariner Gift Shop, which has a wider selection of clothes, beach supplies and other goodies. The more adventurous can rent a canoe or kayak and explore Palmetto Dunes’ 10-mile lagoon system, which has over 40 species of birds and fish. There’s also a kids’ playground, sand volleyball, basketball courts and on-site bike rentals. To work off the previous night’s feast, you can work up a sweat at the fully equipped fitness center, which has cardiovascular equipment, circuit weight equipment, fitness classes and personal training.

Of course Hilton Head is known as one of the country’s greatest golfing destinations, and you’re right in the heart of it at the resort. The Palmetto Dunes Golf Club offers three championship courses, including the renowned Robert Trent Jones Oceanfront Course, which was named the 2003 Golf Course of the Year in South Carolina

All the courses have been recognized and praised by such publications as Golf Magazine, Golf Digest, and Golf & Travel. There’s also a pro shop and professional instruction available. The resort offers several different golfing packages and specials as well. If tennis is more to your liking, check out the Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center. This world-class facility has 25 courts and has been voted among the 50 greatest U.S. tennis resorts since 1975 by Tennis Magazine. Seasoned pros provide expert instructional programs, and there’s always an opportunity for a competitive game with daily round robin tournaments and a full schedule of seasonal activities.

Finally, after an event-filled day—or if you just feel like spoiling yourself—schedule a decadent spa treatment at Ocean Tides. Just steps away from the beach, the spa has specially trained therapists ready to pamper you with a full array of services, including massages, body treatments as well as skin and nail care

Incorporating the ocean setting into its treatments, one of the spa’s specialties is the Pure Lava Shell Massage, designed to bring about balance, harmony and healing. Spa services are offered daily from 9am until 7pm. Appointments are also available by request for sunrise and evenings. It’s recommend you make your spa reservation at least two weeks prior to your visit.

Conference Facilities