A Relaxing Weekend Getaway at Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort
Disclaimer: We are not paid to promote any restaurant, hotel, activity, product, or attraction. All opinions are subjective and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
Hilton Head Island offers no shortage of beautiful resorts, including a handful of luxury 4 star options to choose amongst. Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort is a great getaway for anyone who seeks a great resort with attractive on-site amenities so you don’t have to leave to find something to do. It’s the perfect getaway from big congested cities like Atlanta.
Mike surprised me with a birthday trip to this wonderful resort. I typically avoid pricey resorts outside of special occasions. Hilton Head, located on the southern tip of South Carolina, is famous for its beautiful beaches, world famous golf courses, and mild year-round climate.
Spring and fall are the best seasons to plan your visit. At this time of the year, temps will be cooler and less humid so you can enjoy all sorts of outdoor activities, including: golf, tennis, sand volleyball, and biking. Our October trip was just perfect weather-wise. There were barely any crowds and the temps were perfect for soaking in the hot tub, strolling along the beach. If your prime goal is swimming, then you will want to plan your visit during the summer as the temps (both outside and the pool) are way too cold this time of year!
So many activities on-site, you don’t have to leave the property!
Golf – Palmetto Dunes Golf club features 3 award-winning courses which have been recognized by popular publications such as Golf Digest and Golf Magazine. We are not golfers, but if you are this is likely another perk of staying here.
Tennis – Because the resort is located within the Palmetto Dunes Resort community, you have access to the Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center, featuring 25 courts (8 of which are lit up at night). The center has been ranked 9th in the world by Tennis Resorts Online. Lessons are available. We love tennis, but unfortunately we had too many activities planned.
Biking – The island is home to more than 80 miles of scenic biking trails, 5 of which are located on the resort’s property. Bike rentals are available. Whether you feel like taking a scenic cruise along the beach or taking a long ride along the Hilton Head Island trails, you’ll experience a great workout, a nice breeze, and breathtaking views!
Sand volleyball and basketball courts are also available.
Palmetto Dunes beach: Just steps away
Although all these amenities are great, the highlight for me is the convenient access to the beautiful Palmetto Dunes beach! You can literally walk down to the beach in under 5 minutes. The beach is wide, sandy, and clean – perfect for walking, jogging, bike riding, or relaxing with a book. Umbrella and chair rentals are available at the resort.
Be sure to take a stroll around sunrise – the best time of the day to enjoy some peace and quiet and maybe even see some wildlife.
The beautiful pool & spa amenities
If you are looking more for relaxation, look no further than the resort’s 3 outdoor pools. The adult’s only pool will please couples seeking a quiet, relaxing escape. Poolside service is available too, so you never have to get up! Soaking in a hot tub (2 on-site) after a day of sports, especially on those cooler fall and winter nights, is so relaxing. We spent a lot of time relaxing in the hot tub at night: the temps were so perfect for doing so. The pools were pretty dead in mid October because of the cooler temps.
Relaxing & games
The relaxing outdoor fire pits will warm you up quickly on those chilly fall and winter nights. Grab a freshly brewed cup of Starbucks coffee or Tazo tea, conveniently located on site, and enjoy the resort’s peaceful setting. I loved that they had complimentary live music to enjoy each night of our stay.
If you craving even more relaxation, be sure to book an appointment at Ocean Tides Spa. Here you will find a great assortment of luxury treatments including: facials, massages, and body treatments. Couple’s treatments add the perfect touch to a romantic getaway. They also offer a number of seasonal specials. Mike surprised me with a wonderful spa for my birthday. I loved the amenities and the treatment itself.
In addition, the resort offers many places to hang out and relax. Scattered around the beautifully manicured and landscaped grounds, you will find comfortable rocking and relaxation chairs, perfect for enjoying the cool fall nights in South Carolina. Live music is played each night at the resort’s HH Prime restaurant, so grab a drink, relax by the fire, and enjoy some fun oldies.
Other amenities at the resort include: a life size chess/checkers board, bean bag games, a ping pong table, and a fitness center (although who needs it when you can take a gorgeous stroll at the beach!?). Here’s a few pics of the fun games the resort had set up.
The small fitness center is nothing to write home about, but may come in handy on a rainy day. Me? I prefer taking my workout outdoors especially in such a gorgeous area.
A beautifully landscaped property
The landscaping is so amazing – this is probably what I loved most about staying at this resort. Everywhere you look you will see all sorts of trees. Everything is well maintained and clean. The lush surroundings really add to the relaxing, escape atmosphere. The entire courtyard is covered with trees, as are the pool areas.
The rooms
The rooms were much nicer than expected. After reading many negative reviews, I have to say I was more than pleased with the nice size and tropical inspired decor. The bed was very comfortable – I have no complaints here. Amenities include: free Wi-Fi, a 42 inch flat screen TV, and a small kitchenette.
Each room features a private balcony, with an ocean, courtyard, or parking lot view. We were more than satisfied with the courtyard view, which includes views of the gorgeous landscaping. We also had a perfect spot for listening to the live music each night. Note: All rooms were renovated in Spring of 2015.
The housekeepers are very friendly. Check out this nice birthday note our housekeeper left for us! What a nice surprise to walk into the room and see this cute birthday note.
Resort dining options
One restaurant and a coffee shop/cafe are conveniently located on site. HH Prime is a steakhouse which features a beautiful outdoor patio and live music during the dinner hours. The setting is beautiful. The fireplaces and great courtyard views added to the romantic ambiance. The chef was able to cook us a specialty gluten-free and vegan meal.
It’s nice to know that as a steakhouse they will still cater to guests with specific food requests. We had a slight problem with the breakfast staff not being able to accommodate allergy requests, however, for the most part the restaurants were more than willing to help. Be sure to speak to a manager if you have specific requests.
The Palmetto Cafe is the place to pick up a steaming cup of coffee (the exclusive coffee of Omni brand) in the morning or a light lunch. They open early so you can grab a coffee and head to the beach to watch the sunrise. Convenience foods and drinks are also available. A nice variety of sandwiches can be enjoyed for lunch. The lounge areas includes TVs and computers, although I prefer relaxing outside in the beautiful courtyard.
There are 2 bars on site: XO Lounge and Buoy Bar, your poolside option. XO is open seasonally and features live music. Omni’s Buoy Bar is the place to relax with a few tropical drinks and your favorite comfort bar foods. Great views of the ocean and a lively tropical flair add to the resort’s fantastic pool area. You can even get poolside service!
Why stay here with all the choices in Hilton Head?
Service is, for the most part, professional, prompt, and willing to accommodating. We had a slight issue at check in where they checked us into the wrong room, however, the manager was apologetic.
Overall, our stay was fantastic. There were a few small issues, but for the most part it was a terrific birthday weekend. This location is absolutely perfect, a tropical paradise in a quiet setting. Convenient access to the beach, a beautiful pool area, gorgeous landscaping, and a great on site restaurant – what more could you ask for in a beach vacation?
Although you could easily spend an entire weekend just lounging around thanks in part to the resort’s fantastic amenities, relaxing setting, and convenient access to the beach, there are many other great activities to enjoy in the Hilton Head area. Here are a few of my recommendations. Also take a look at my HHI weekend guide for further area recommendations.
A Low Country Backyard Restaurant – A great casual restaurant with a cozy, comfortable outdoor patio. The menu features a selection of country favorites that are sure to please everyone (lot of gluten-free choices is a big plus!).
Kayak Hilton Head – Take a fantastic 2 hour guided tour with an expertly trained guide. As you explore the salt water estuary, you will have the opportunity to observe various forms of wildlife in their natural habitat, including: dolphins, manatees, minks, and plenty of birds. Read more about our experience with Kayak Hilton Head.
A day trip to Savannah (A must-do!)
Savannah is only an hour drive and highly worth a daytrip if you are into history. Here you will find beautiful historical architecture, great tours, and dozens of top rated restaurants. Be sure to take a trolley tour through the historic streets of downtown and enjoy a dinner at one of the city’s many great restaurants. You can check out my vacation guide for full details on all the great walking tours, beautiful public squares (there are 22), great local restaurants, and more.
