Staying at the Marriott in Hilton Head, we were shocked to find that the bargain of the year was also one of the best bets in town. For a mere $79 a night we found commodious respite in a generously sized suite, warmly decorated with all new furnishings thanks to a recent $26 million renovation that revamped everything on site from the restaurant to the lobby to the fabulous pool and beachfront. With our own private balcony, in-room coffee, room service, robes and data port, we were tidy as an oyster in its shell in no time!
Located in Palmetto Dunes, the Marriott has taken into consideration all possible needs of guests. A stop in the spacious, open-air lobby, decorated in tropical furnishings, finds the first of many small tokens of care where courteous, helpful concierges dole out island information as if you were the first and only guest.
If you stay a bit longer, you'll appreciate the in-house restaurant cafe that serves up outlandish brunch buffets complete with waffle and omelet stations, some staffed by French-speaking cooks. Three other restaurants including a popular lobby bar where sporting events are shown on the big screen, making it easy to stay at the compound full-time, if you like You can even have your hair done at the beauty salon or barber in house, or shop at any of the gift shops for sundries and necessities. For more demanding food purchases, there is even a grocery and provisions store on the lower level. A guest laundry or valet service is on hand for refreshing the wardrobe after long walks on the beach and sand-castle building.
The pool area is sized appropriately for the huge ten-story hotel, with inviting landscaping, a whirlpool and children's pool that caters to small-fry. Quinn's II, the beachside café serves light snacks and sandwiches during the active day. An indoor pool guarantees that inclement weather will not thwart your desire to doing a little splashing and stroking, and a health club helps you stretch out before hitting any of the five 18-hole golf courses available to guests. At the oceanfront, long stretches of smooth, white sand seem to entice everyone to their favored manner of beach activity, whether jogging, strolling or scavenger hunting.
We spent a good amount of time out and about during our short stay on the island and weren't able to take full advantage of all the services and amenities in the hotel, but it was great knowing they were there. During a walk on the beach I spotted the townhome/condos just adjacent to the property that fronted directly on the beach. Kids ran into the ocean and back to their "home" as if it was their private frontyard. Guests lounged on the beach long into twilight, and frisbees whirled until darkness or mother calling put an end to their flights.
Everything here seemed so relaxed, easy, accommodating. Just what a beach vacation should be.