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| For the beach lovers, there are 12 miles of sandy beaches. Water enthusiasts can choose from sailing, water-skiing, fishing, parasailing and kayaking. |
By Tom Crosby
(October 2008) Like many of the stellar resorts on Hilton Head Island, the approach to The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa meanders through the quiet grounds of Port Royal Plantation, past the manicured golf courses of Port Royal Golf Club, plush retirement communities, the columned verandah of the golf clubhouse and the world-class tennis complex.
Colorful flowers, live oaks draped with Spanish moss and lush landscaping along the way prepare guests for the top-notch service and upscale design of the Westin, a AAA Four Diamond rated hotel and home to the first Heavenly Spa by Westin in the continental United States.
Upon entering the lobby foyer, guests enter the grand lobby and are greeted with white tea scents that refreshes and evokes a mood of tranquility. The white-columned lobby with light oak floors, spidery brass chandeliers and huge potted plants add to an ambiance reminiscent of a plantation living room in the "Old South."
Upon check-in, guests should remember to ask for a nightly turndown and extra pillows and blankets, if needed. As a part of Breathe Westin, a smoke-free initiative, all guest rooms are non-smoking.
 Valet parking is available and the resort automatically charges guests a daily resort service charge that has become a standard on Hilton Head Island.
That fee covers Starbucks "Westin Blend "coffee packs (decaf and regular) and two Carnation milk chocolate packets; shuttle to all resort amenities and the Shelter Cove Marina or Mall;; poolside amenities like floats, noodles, ping pong, etc.;; free local phone calls up to 60 minutes ; a daily copy of USA Today during the week and the local Island Packet newspaper on weekends and access to the hotel's state-of-the-art WestinWORKOUTâ and fitness room which is equipped with Nintendo Wii-Fit.
The hotel's 412 guest rooms, which include 28 suites, are similar to flowered floor to ceiling black-out curtains, light brown wallpaper trimmed at top with candy canes under white crown molding and a Berber-like brown carpet. Regular room size is approximately 400 square feet.
Rooms in the U-shaped hotel all have private balconies with ample space for a set of table and chairs to enjoy sometimes spectacular views of either the ocean or garden.
Gold wood moldings around mirrors and traditional lighting with brass fixtures decorate the bathroom. The bathtub/shower features the Heavenly Bathâ dual showerhead and has a substantial wall handle and a clothesline for drying bathing suits, etc. A phone is on the wall next to the commode.
Bathroom amenities are Westin branded and include soap; shampoo, conditioner, bubble bath, bath gel, body lotion, shoe cloth, shower cap, Q-tips and sewing kit.
The two hanging closets contain a safe, hair dryer, iron, ironing board and waffle-design cotton/polyester bathrobes made in Turkey. An alcove has a marble top with coffee maker above a refrigerator stocked with refreshments and a mini-bar.
The typical room has a 24-channel television in the armoire along with two huge drawers and two smaller ones. Beds (double or king) have wooden headboards and walls have seashell and fish prints. In addition to a rectangular writing desk with a wooden chair, there is a smaller, round table in the corner with a stuffed chair. Literature includes a Hilton Head Island Vacation Directory and a guest services directory and dining guide. Ice machines can be found on all floors by the elevators.
The public facilities at the Westin rival other destination resorts. Hallways and the grounds sport human-sized pelican sculptures by sculptor Walter Palmer. (The place for a meal or drink in the evening is at Turtles Beach Bar & Grill overlooking the ocean and during the day Turtles Poolside is open seasonally from 10:30 am to 6 pm. for drinks and food al fresco).
Other artwork, including paintings, can be found in the halls leading to the fine the Carolina Cafe, which seats 216 and also has an outside terrace, weather permitting.
 On Sundays mornings, brunch is served from 10:30 am to 2 pm in the café and it is popular not only with guests but island residents. Room service at the hotel is available 24 hours a day.
The well-maintained grounds include a 140-thousand gallon main pool with poolside chairs for approximately 400 guests. Complimentary towels are provided at the Tiki Hut. There are two outdoor pools and an outdoor whirlpool within the palmetto tree-lined grounds.
Beach aficionados can rent beach chairs and umbrellas from an independent company but charges can be made to your room.
A third pool, indoors with 29-thousand gallons, sits beneath and in front of the WestinWORKOUT health club which has Cybex and LifeFitness machines, free weights, treadmills and stationary bikes.
Sauna and steam rooms complement dressing areas with amenities like combs, razors, aftershave, etc. The WestinWORKOUT is open to all resort guests as well as local members.
 The first Heavenly Spa by Westin in the continental United States was opened in April 2007 to the delight of spa aficiandos. This 8,000 square feet spa consists of 9 treatment rooms including a deluxe massage suite featuring dual massage beds and an oversized soaking tub. The spa also includes a full-service salon. The well appointed mens and women’s locker room each have saunas and steam rooms. The women’s locker room also has a whirlpool.
Sport enthusiast have access to three championship 18-hole golf courses, designed by Pete Dye, George Cobb and William Byrd, Arnold Palmer, and Davis Love III at the award-winning Port Royal Golf and Racquet Club. The Club boasts 14 tennis courts, with Har-tru and clay surfaces and miles of bicycle and jogging paths winding through Port Royal Plantation. Hilton Head Island has been named by Golf Magazine one of the world's top ten golf destinations and features more than 40 courses within minutes of the resort. The Westin offers special golf packages year-round.
For the beach lovers, there are 12 miles of sandy beaches. Water enthusiasts can choose from sailing, water-skiing, fishing, parasailing and kayaking.
Port Royal Sound is the largest watershed in South Carolina where seven slow-moving navigable rivers meet - the Beaufort, Pocataligo, Tullifiny, Coosawatchie Broad, Chechesse and Colleton. Its part of the "Low Country" extending from Charleston through Beaufort to Hilton Head Island.
The Westin has a solid reputation as a family-friendly destination. Besides the Westin Kids Club, the Hilton Head property offers half- and full-day camp for children ages 4-12 in the Discovery Room and Westin Destination Club for the entire family. Westin Kids Camp features age and skill-specific activities, ranging from sand castle-building to scavenger hunts. There's also Kids' Night Out, an evening program just for kids that includes dinner, movies, poolside games and arts & crafts, that lets parents get away for a few hours on their own. Westin Kids Club and evening programs are offered Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Other services include a 24-hour business center; concierge, and two retail shops - Ashley Allen for fine clothes and Island Treasures for gifts and sundries.
Ballrooms and meeting rooms are on the first floor to the right of the lobby entrance. The Gazebo Lounge off the lobby on the first floor is also often used for art exhibitions, meetings, cocktail receptions, etc.
The hotel has garnered numerous awards in addition to AAA's prestigious Four Diamond rating. Some include the Conde Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Gold Reserve List Award (2006), Top 500 Hotels Award from Travel + Leisure (2006), Corporate & Incentive Travel Magazine’s Greens of Distinction Award (2007) and Meetings South’s Best of the South Reader’s Choice Award (2008).
For information on special packages, visit westin.com/hiltonheadspecials. Special packages include: “Reserve & Relax”, “Family Fun, ”Stay and Play” golf package and the “Awaken Your Senses” spa package. (Updated October 2008)
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