Hilton Head Island, SC has over 11 miles of white sandy beached for you to enjoy!

It was recently announced that Fox News has named Hilton Head Island, SC as the best beach in the U.S.A. And we couldn’t agree more!!! For years we have talked about the 11 miles of beautiful white sand, the quiet and relaxed atmosphere and the number of water activities you can enjoy while on the Island. It is great to learn that others agree with us.

We would like to invite you to join us! Even though the summer is almost over, our beach is perfect for a Fall getaway. Besides the time you can spend relaxing by the ocean, we have a number of festivals and activities to fill your time with us. Call one of our Vacation Planners today at 1-800-671-5155 to learn about our Fall specials

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Our guests often ask us about the benefits of making their vacation rental reservation a year in advance. There are numerous benefits in doing this, but we wanted to take this opportunity to highlight a couple of them here.

1. Secure your perfect property before someone else does.  Have you found the vacation home or villa that perfectly matches the needs of your family? Sometimes it can be difficult to make sure that you can get that same place each year if you wait too long. By placing your reservation early, the perfect vacation rental will be yours!!

2. Don’t have your vacation funds in place yet? That’s OK – it only takes a $250 deposit to place your reservation. The remainder of the normal 40% prepayment will be due about 5-6 months before your arrival, and as always, the final payment is still due 30 days before your arrival.

3. Hoping for a good deal if you wait?  While sometimes a good deal can be found, will it be in the vacation home or villa that you love? Will the vacation home, villa or condo you rent match the needs of your traveling party? By securing your vacation rental this year, you will have a “good deal” more choices. 

Whatever the reason, Beach Properties of Hilton Head is ready to help you make your 2011 reservation. Please call one of our Vacation Planners today at 1-800-671-5155, or book online 24 hours a day/7 days a week!!!

We are so excited here at Beach Properties to have been voted by our loyal guests and owners, as well as the Hilton Head community as the Island Packet Readers’ Choice Awards – #1 Vacation Rental Company on Hilton Head Island!!!!  This is not only a great honor, but also a reaffirmation of what we try to accomplish each and every day—an enjoyable vacation experience for anyone who stays with us!!!

Our company was founded in 1995 by Ray & Linda Moloney, originally from Ohio.  After vacationing here on the Island with their families, they made the decision to make Hilton Head their home and to start a company which could provide luxury vacation rentals for their families, friends and well…anyone who wanted to visit and vacation on Hilton Head.  Over the course of the last 15 years the company has grown, but we still maintain that same philosophy…to treat our guests as we would like to be treated. 

It is a simple philosophy, but has come to mean everything to our employees.  We strive every day to make sure our guests and owners can trust that we are taking care of their needs and their vacation rental property.  We aim to make sure that our guests have a vacation experience they can tell their families and friends about for years to come.

So . . . we would like to thank everyone who voted for us, and everyone who has helped make Beach Properties of Hilton Head the company we are today!! As always, we are here for you . . . whether it is to professionally manage your property or to help you find the perfect vacation rental home or villa!!

To get your Preferred Guest card - reserve one of our homes or villas for your next Hilton Head Island vacation!!

Beach Properties of Hilton Head is proud to introduce our Preferred Guest Program. This program provides guests in our vacation homes & villas the ability to receive discounts at local stores, restaurants, and activities. The response has been great from the Hilton Head community and we are so excited to be able to offer this program to our guests.

Please check out the Island Info pages on our website. As you look around at the numerous activities on Hilton Head Island, you will see the discounts offered at these establishments. When you find a place you would like to visit, you just present the Preferred Guest card you received in your Guest Arrival Packet and the discount is yours!!!

Some vendors do require advance reservations, so please take a look before you come down. Click here to view the list of discounts and specials. Also – this is an on going project for us, and we are always searching for more businesses to participate. We recommend that you check out the discounts while you are here on the Island as well because you never know if a new offer will be posted!!

As always, Beach Properties of Hilton Head strives to make your vacation memorable!!!

159 North Sea Pines Drive - A beautiful 3 bedroom home located in Sea Pines

Many of our guests have come to Hilton Head Island year after year, and are familiar with what is included in the home or villa they have selected to rent. We have put together this list of the 5 most frequently asked questions for new visitors to Hilton Head, or for those new to vacation rentals in general. Please read through, and let us know if we can provide additional information to make your stay a memorable one.

5. Is there a washer and dryer in the home/villa? Yes – All of our homes and villas are equipped with their own washer and dryer. We also provide our guests with a single load box of laundry detergent.

4. Are there things for the beach? No – we do not provide any thing for the beach. There are number of companies on the Island that will rent you chairs, umbrellas, toys and even towels for the beach. They will even have them at your home and villa before you arrive so you can “hit the beach” right away!!! These items may also be purchased inexpensively at one of our local stores.

3404 Sea Crest in North Forest Beach - Provides gorgeous views off the ocean and is close to everything Hilton Head has to offer!!!

3. Are the Linens Included? Yes – when you arrive you will find that all of the beds have been made, and are ready to sleep in. If your property has a sleeper sofa, the linens can be found in the Master bedroom closet. There will be extra pillows, and blankets in the bedroom closet, as well. Each guest will also receive 2 bath towels, a hand towel and a washcloth.

2. Is there wireless Internet access? Yes – all of our properties have FREE wireless Internet. Any access codes can be found in your home or villa.

This spring we have added a number of new villas and homes to our vacation rental selection!! We are very excited to have been able to add so many luxury homes and villas, and wanted to share some of them with you. Many of our new properties have been newly renovated and offer a variety of amenities!!! This week we would like to take you on a tour of some of our newest villas!!

First up is 3326 Villamare, located in the oceanfront Villamare complex in Palmetto Dunes. This is a two bedroom, two bath villa on the third floor with sweeping views of the gardens and out to the ocean. Each bedroom has a private bathroom, and the guest bedroom even has its own private balcony. A larger balcony is located off the living area and Master bedroom. The open floor plan of this villa allows plenty of room for guests to spread out and relax!!

Our second stop is 428 Captain’s Walk, also located in Palmetto Dunes in the oceanfront Captain’s Walk complex. This two bedroom, two bath villa, located on the fifth floor, offers gorgeous direct oceanfront views!! Bright colors and an open floor plan make this villa very inviting. The Master bedroom and living area share a covered balcony, while the guest bedroom has it’s own private balcony. There is also a 40 inch flat panel television in the Living Room!!!

Our third stop on our tour of new villas in the Beach Properties inventory is at the oceanfront SeaCrest complex in Forest Beach area of Hilton Head Island. 2112 Sea Crest is a first floor, three bedroom and three bath villa that is beautifully decorated in a French Country theme. There are two Master bedrooms – each with bathrooms that include large Jacuzzi soaking tub, a separate shower and double sinks. The third bedroom also has a private bath and its own private balcony. The larger balcony is located off one Master bedroom and the Living area. And let’s not forget all the amenities the SeaCrest complex offers!!
We hope you have enjoyed our tour of three of our newest Hilton Head vacation villas & condos. We do have others that are currently under renovation and will introduce them to you at a later date. Please take a look at all our vacation villas online, and call us at 1-800-671-5155 to place your reservation. You can also book online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Next week will be touring our newest vacation homes…so stay tuned!!!

Perhaps one of the most common questions we get asked is

“What is there to do on Hilton Head – besides golf and tennis?”

and our answer is always the same—

Lots!!!

Hilton Head Island offers a variety of activities, festivals and events throughout the year and all of these are open to people visiting the Island. While it would be near impossible to list everything there is to do, we wanted to give you an overview of some of our favorites!!

Children activities are a plenty. Besides the natural draw of the beach and all that has to offer for children of all ages, there are a number of possibilities ranging from nature walks and talks, to a children’s museum, and a variety of water activities. In Sea Pines, you will find a petting zoo at the Lawton Stables, as well as pony rides and trail rides on horses. Sea Pines is also home to Gregg Russell, who performs under the Liberty Oak tree every evening in Harbour Town (in season). Another Hilton Head favorite is Shannon Tanner, who performs at Harbourfest every Tuesday during the summer months and also has a boat tour for children every day from June through August. In Palmetto Dunes there is a great summer camp program for kids where they can go for the day, or all week.

Perhaps one of my personal favorite places is the Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn. This is a great place for the whole family to learn about the history of Hilton Head as well as participate in nature and historical tours. There are wide open spaces for the kids to run, and Honey Horn is also the home for many of our special events such as the Art Market being held there April 24 – 25^th.

In Sea Pines, there is a 606-acre nature preserve where you can fish, visit historical sites or just enjoy the peace and solitude among the natural landscapes of Hilton Head. You can go on a hayride through the Preserve each Thursday, or one of the kayak, walking or biking tours. Kayaking is also a favorite activity in Palmetto Dunes which has an 11 mile lagoon system where you will be able to view golf courses, nature and beautiful homes from the water.

We can’t leave out the Forest Beach area—home to Coligny Plaza and a variety of entertainment and activities held there throughout the year. For adults, the Tiki Hut Bar has beachside bar service and a beach volleyball court!! Add these to the numerous restaurants and shopping establishments all within walking distance and Forest Beach is a happening place!!!

Rainy days are chock full of activities too. Kids can visit The Sandbox, an interactive children’s museum located on Pope Ave, or they can burn their energy at the Island Playground located just off the Island. Adults can visit the Tanger Outlet Mall, also located just off Island, or some of the shops and galleries at around the Island. Hilton Head has a two movie theaters showing current films and The Arts Center of Coastal Carolina often has plays, and shows for everyone to enjoy. And miniature golf is always played rain or shine!!!!

Where ever you decide to stay on Hilton Head Island, whether it is a home or villa, there is always something to do — including golf or tennis!!

Come to the South end of Hilton Head to enjoy the Island’s 27^th annual St. Patrick’s Day parade on Sunday, March 14^th  at 3 pm.  Locals and vacationers alike fill up Pope Avenue to watch the parade and participate in local events at different restaurants.  The parade will start at the public beach parking lot on Forest Beach and proceed up Pope Avenue and finish on Office Park Rd (Park Plaza).  Festivities start at noon with live music at Irish Fest in the Wild Wings parking lot (Circle Center-Pope Ave.).  This annual event will happen rain or shine, so put on your Green and come enjoy this Island tradition.

 Check out our Home and Villa Rentals…many of them being within walking distance to the festivities!! 

Flickr Photo by kaibara87

Each year Hilton Head Island hosts the Verizon Heritage Classic – South Carolina’s only stop on the PGA Golf Tour. This year will be no different with the Heritage being held April 12 – 18th. Professional golfers, golf spectators and Island locals all come together to support the Heritage Classic Foundation and the local community organizations it supports.

The history of the Heritage goes back to the beginnings of the Sea Pines Resort. It was November of 1969 when the first Heritage Classic was held on the brand new Harbour Town Golf Links. This event drew the talents of Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, among many others. Palmer was on a 14 month losing streak until he won the Heritage that year, bringing massive press coverage and introducing Hilton Head Island to many people throughout the world. Since that time, the Heritage Classic has grown and is an annual tradition on the Island for golf lovers everywhere and the best opportunity to “Get Your Plaid On!!!”

There are a variety of events that make up the Heritage – among them a ProAm Golf event, a putting contest and the Main PGA event. Local charity groups often work the events and have hospitality tents set up around the Harbour Town Course providing food and beverages to the spectators.

One of the best ways for you to enjoy the Verizon Heritage is to rent a home or villa in Sea Pines—where you can be front and center for all the action. The Harbour Town Golf Links is a short walk to many of the homes and villas Beach Properties of Hilton Head offers. We invite you to join us for Hilton Head’s most popular social event of the year!!!

For tickets to the 2010 Verizon Heritage, please contact the Heritage Classic Foundation.

Check out next week’s blog . . .

Riding a bike on Hilton Head Island can be an adventure for your whole family. The flat landscape, over 50 miles of winding bike paths, and the 19 miles of densely packed sandy beaches, provide plenty of places to ride. There are continuous bike paths leading you to beautiful landscapes, and hidden historical sights throughout the Island.

The Town of Hilton Head has gone to great lengths to provide safe and well maintained bike paths along all of the main roads. These paths also extend into the gated communities where many of the vacation homes and villas are located. Guests can enjoy the ease of riding their bikes to the grocery store, a variety of restaurants, the beach and many different entertainment areas –and all can be done with the warm sun on your face and the sea air blowing through your hair.

There are a number of bike rental companies located on Hilton Head Island. If you order your bikes ahead of time, most companies will have your bicycles waiting at your home or villa before your arrival. Check out our Island Services page for a list of our partners who can provide you with bikes and helmets. You can even try out a variety of different styles of bikes such as tandem, adult tricycles and recumbent bikes for the beach.

Make bike riding your next great family adventure on Hilton Head Island!!!

Stay tuned for next week’s blog…Get Your Plaid on for the Verizon Heritage!!!