Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort

Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort is the best base on Hilton Head for families and groups who want space, a kitchen and a full menu of activities, and it is the island's classic villa-rental resort. It covers about 2,000 acres in the middle of the island, between the Atlantic and Broad Creek, and the visitor bureau notes that Travel + Leisure Family magazine named it the number one family resort in the United States. Rather than a single hotel, it is a resort community of villas and homes rented through the resort, ranging from oceanfront and ocean-view villas to larger homes, so you can match the size and budget of your group. The amenities are the draw. Three championship golf courses wind through the property; tennis is a long-standing strength; and an eleven-mile system of lagoons threads the resort, where Hilton Head Outfitters rents kayaks and canoes for calm, sheltered paddling that suits beginners and children. The beach in front of the resort is wide, firm and among the best on the island, with plenty of space even in summer. Bike paths link the villas to the beach, the lagoons and the island's public pathway network, so many families park the car for the week. Shelter Cove Harbour, with its restaurants, shops, theater and boat tours, is just across William Hilton Parkway. Guests receive access to the gated resort, and the full-service Omni and Hilton beachfront hotels also sit within Palmetto Dunes, for those who prefer daily housekeeping to self-catering. Book directly through the resort's rental team for amenity access and support.

Choosing a rental: oceanfront villas put you steps from the sand with sea views from the balcony, and they are the most in demand in summer. Villas set back from the beach or along the lagoons and fairways cost less and are often larger, with the beach a short walk or bike ride away. Larger groups and multigenerational families should look at the larger homes. Read each listing carefully, because villas are individually owned and furnished, and check what is included, such as linens, beach equipment and bike rentals, as well as cleaning and resort fees.

Making the most of it: rent bikes for the week, paddle the lagoon early in the morning when the water is still and wading birds are feeding, book tee times on the resort's courses ahead in spring and autumn, and walk across to Shelter Cove for dinner and sunset over Broad Creek. Families with young children appreciate having a kitchen for early meals and the calm lagoon for a first kayak. The resort runs seasonal family activities; ask what is on during your stay.

The trade-offs: a villa is not a hotel. There is no front desk in your building, daily housekeeping is not standard, and quality varies from unit to unit, so choose carefully and read recent reviews. Minimum stays often apply in peak season, with Saturday-to-Saturday weeks common in summer. In November and the cooler months, rates fall, minimum stays relax, and the golf and cycling are at their best.