Omni Hilton Head Resort
Summer just isn’t summer without multiple trips to the beach! This month, we headed out to Hilton Head, South Carolina for a 5-night stay at the Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort with a group of close friends and their kids, which between all of us ranged from ages 7-15. Everyone had a blast!
A view of the beach at the Omni
The Omni Hilton Head is a huge, family-friendly resort that is set away from the main road in an area called Palmetto Dunes. Once you pull into Palmetto Dunes, you’ll pass a few restaurants, condominium communities, bike rentals, and other vacation-friendly activities before you even see the Omni itself. Onsite, there’s several restaurants and pools for people of all ages (including a kiddie pool/splash pad for the littlest visitors). The Omni also boasted the Palmetto Market, a store that sold snacks, drinks, and other vacation necessities, so it wasn’t even necessary to leave the resort (although there was a nearby Krogers and Starbucks about a five-minute drive away, which we all went to frequently!). At night, the fire pits were lit up for s’mores, and there were lots of outdoor games to play all day, from giant chess set-ups to ping-pong. I loved that the resort really made you feel like you were at an all-inclusive on a tropical island, down to the open-air hotel setup!
A live sand dollar!
Of course, the highlight of the vacation was the beach, which was steps from the pool area. The sand was super soft, the water was Caribbean-like warm (in the 80s every day!), and the waves were strong enough for some good boogie boarding without being too rough for the little ones. The smooth, seaweed-free water and sand didn’t make for good shell collecting…but instead, we were able to experience different marine life, including elusive ghost crabs and ghost shrimp as well as a live sand dollar!
During our stay, we sampled some of the onsite restaurants and also ventured out for a few delicious dinners. Check out our recommendations for good eats in Hilton Head:
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Nighttime s’mores at the fire pit!
XO Sports and Spirits: Our first night’s dinner took place here, at the bar and grill onsite. Great for a nightcap as well. The Blackened Shrimp Cobb Salad was delicious!
- Old Oyster Factory: A group favorite! There were lots of oyster shells washed ashore (here’s where we got our shell collecting fix!) and outdoor seating that wasn’t super hot (it was in the 90s and humid throughout our entire trip). We took some great family photos here. The kids loved the hush puppies!
- Alexander’s Restaurant and Wine Bar: Italian food within the Palmetto Dunes community. There’s a dress code (no beach attire for sure), so just be aware before you head on over.
- Seaside Shack/Buoy Bar: Lunch by the pool was a daily occurrence! In addition to the beachy drinks and non-alcoholic smoothies (a favorite was the Strawberry Banana Smoothie!), there was a substantial menu at the Buoy Bar for lunch that pleased everyone, including the kids (not an easy feat). Highly recommend the Smoked Brisket Quesadilla for a filling and flavorful lunch.
- Gusto Ristorante: We ate some delicious Italian food not far from Palmetto Dunes. It had a great wine and cocktail menu (loved the Cosmopolitans!).
- Scott’s Fish Market and Restaurant: Located near the Disney Resort in Hilton Head, Scott’s has a fish-and-chips-style menu with lots of salads, sandwiches, and seafood platters.
If you’re looking for a family-friendly resort that feels luxurious and will make everyone in your group happy, Omni Hilton Head is the place to visit!
