SOUTHERN COMFORT

An island oasis with Lowcountry charm awaits in Hilton Head

BY ALISON BAILIN BATZ / PHOTOS BY HILTON HEALTH CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU

While just 45 minutes from Savannah and 90 minutes from Charleston, Hilton Head Island – often just called Hilton Head –feels like it is in a world all its own.

As the first eco-planned destination in the U.S., its modern design dates back to the 1950s and is focused on unobtrusively blending tourism with nature, not the other way around as with most vacation hot spots. Lush and tropical in every direction, no buildings may be more than five stories high, neon signs and billboards are strictly forbidden, and one would be hard-pressed to get permission to cut down a tree for any reason. Believe it or not, the region – just 12 miles long and 5 miles wide – does not even allow streetlights so as to not take away from the beauty of the stars each night.

Luxe Accomodations

Even the resorts, which feature dozens of upscale gems, have been sustainably built and run since day one. Of note are The Inn & Club at Harbour Town and the Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa. Each offers a wholly difference experience.

The Inn & Club at Harbour Town

The 60-room boutique inn is located on the first tee box of the iconic Harbour Town Golf Links, which is among the most famous courses in the nation and for more than 50 years has been host to the PGA Tour’s RBC Heritage golf tournament, each year taking place the week after the Masters Tournament. The public course, which is just one of 23 courses spread along the island, was designed by Pete Dye and Jack Nicklaus with challenging narrow fairways, overhanging oak trees and menacing lagoons. Guests who stay at the inn have ample access to the course and are also walking distance from the Harbour Town Yacht Basin, a full-service marina with a vibrant candy cane striped lighthouse that offers year-round cruises and boat tours, private fishing charters, and a variety of exciting watersports. The area surrounding the marina is dotted with boutiques, gift shops, excellent dining options including the Harbour Town Bakery & Cafe and Quarterdeck –which has 270-degree views of Harbour Town and Calibogue Sound that are as delicious as the food and drink ¬– and several other attractions. Families will love the Gregg Russell Harbour Town Playground, a nature-inspired destination for children to run, jump and play in a real treehouse; and everyone that comes to town seeks a photo with the grand Liberty Oak, which is a 325-year-old, 55-foot tall, 90-foot-wide oak tree.

Guests at the inn also have access to the Sea Pines Beach Club where they will enjoy VIP waterfront service with craft cocktails, an impressive wine list, and several culinary options, plus a rooftop bar that is breathtaking in every direction at sunset. The club also provides its guests and visitors with air-conditioned bathrooms, beach umbrellas and chairs, bike racks, and outdoor showers to rinse off in after a day of fun on the beach or in the water.

Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa

Should 24/7 access to the water be preferred, the Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa will check all the boxes.

It is located in the Port Royal area of Hilton Head, which is a private, oceanfront, gated community known for its intimate beaches as well as for being a mecca for all things seafood. The resort itself is an anchor in Port Royal, beloved for its three lavish pools just steps from the ocean, 8,000-square-foot Heavenly Spa by Hilton, ample suite offerings, opulent Oceans lounge, alfresco View 32 restaurant and bar, private beach, and access to both hiking and biking trails as well as the Port Royal Golf & Racquet Club.

Nature Explorations

No matter the accommodations guests choose, and in addition to beach time and golf, spending time in nature should always be on the itinerary while visiting Hilton Head. Likely the most popular natural experience is seeking out (from a safe distance, including from the water on a sea kayak) Loggerhead turtles, which nest across Hilton Head year-round. Seeing the baby Loggerheads hatch and make their journey to the ocean for the first time is a true bucket list experience. Another year-round resident: the Bottlenose dolphin. As such, there are copious naturalist-led and self-guided dolphin tours. If up for something truly out of the ordinary, do not miss the Island Skiff Adventure Tour. This up-close-and-personal journey allows guests to drive their own two-person skiff boat for approximately 30 miles. Led by a guide boat, experience dolphins, fish, and dozens of other wildlife in their natural habitat. Skiff Adventure also offers mini boat tours, which journey through the back creeks and local landmarks in addition to zooming to all the dolphin hangouts.

If seeking something more romantic, check out Outside Hilton Head, an experience outfitter that hosts dreamy catamaran sails at sunset complete with Champagne, music, and an expert naturalist. Pro tip: kick off an evening of romance prior to the catamaran or cap off the evening after the cruise with drinks and dinner at one of the many culinary treasures in town. Nunzio is the place to go for those in the know seeking Italian cuisine; Skull Creek Boathouse for fresh seafood and upscale twists on Southern classics; Canoe Club for oysters and coastal cuisine with ingredients drawn directly from the May River; Sage Room for a chef’s table dining experience; and Charlie's Coastal Bistro (formerly L'Etoile Verte) for casual-yet-refined French fare with Lowcountry flair. Learn more at www.hiltonheadisland.org.

BY ALISON BAILIN BATZ