Summer Vacation Rentals in Hilton Head - 30% OFF!

Book your summer vacation rental with ResortQuest Hilton Head and save as much as 30%* (restrictions apply)

Visit Hilton Head Vacation Specials for more details! or call 800-875-8726

Fourth of July Specials on Hilton Head Island

If you're still looking for a last minute vacation rental for the upcoming Fourth of July Holiday - look no further than ResortQuest Hilton Head! You can enjoy as much as 40% OFF select rentals!

Here are the details:

5 or more nights - 30% OFF*
4 or more nights - 25% OFF*
3 or more nights - 20% OFF*

Click here to view a selection of select private homes that are offering 40% OFF for Fourth of July!*

*Restrictions apply

RESORTQUEST HILTON HEAD ISLAND PROUD SPONSOR OF THE 2009 HILTON HEAD ISLAND WINE AND FOOD FESTIVAL

Each March, Hilton Head Island is home to one of the eastern seaboard’s foremost culinary events, the Hilton Head Food and Wine Festival. ResortQuest Hilton Head Island offers nearly 500 vacation rentals, condos and private beach homes in the premier resort destination, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina and just moments from the tasty treats of this gastronomic spectacle.

February 17, 2009 Hilton Head Island, SC – ResortQuest Hilton Head Island, in conjunction with the Hilton Head Island Hospitality Association, presents the 2009 Hilton Head Food and Wine Festival. The festival will be held March 11 – 15 at the Sea Pines Country Club and Coastal Discovery at Honey Horn. This signature event features the exquisite culinary delights from the island’s nationally recognized chefs paired with over 1,500 wines from across the globe.

The medal winning wines have already been announced for the 2009 event and include:
Best of Show Bubbly Champagne: Pascal Doquet NV Grand Cru Blanc de Blanc Best of Show Red: Alexander Valley Vineyards 2005 Cyrus Alexander Valley Estate and Best of Show White: Chasing Venus 2008 Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough
View a full listing of 2009 award winners at ResortQuestHiltonHeadIsland.com.

The Festival kicks-off on March 11 with the Pol Roger Champagne Tasting and Welcome Dinner, to be held at The Studio on Hilton Head Island and is presented by the Hilton Head Island Chapter of the American Institute of Food and Wine. Dinner events and wine tastings continue at venues around the island, including Wine Times 4, WiseGuys bar and restaurant, Aqua Grille & Lounge, the Old Fort Pub, Red Fish restaurant and the XO Lounge. The Grand Wine Tasting event takes place on Friday, March 13 at the Sea Pines Country Club from 5:30 – 7:30 pm. Cost for the Grand Tasting is $150 per person (plus $5 gate pass). Featured wines include La Crema Anderson Valley Pinot Noir 2005, Cliff Lede Poetry 2005, Miner Oracle 2005 and the Rombauer Diamond Select Cabernet Sauvignon 2003.

The most popular event at the Wine & Food Festival is the public tasting, held this year at the Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn, Saturday, March 14 from 12 noon – 4 pm. Cost is $40 per person, and includes entrance to all of the featured tasting events, such as the Tailgate Gourmet Challenge and the Grey Goose Best Bartender Challenge.

For more event details, tickets and a full schedule of events, visit the Hilton Head Area Hospitality Association website at hiltonheadhospitality.org.

ResortQuest Hilton Head is an official sponsor of the 2009 festival and is offering a full selection of discount Hilton Head Food & Wine Festival lodging packages including free tickets to the Public Tasting and vacation rental accommodations throughout Hilton Head during the event. Enjoy the comfort and privacy of resort accommodations, complete with kitchen, living and dining areas and scenic golf course and ocean settings.

Guests can experience 3 nights lodging in a 2 bedroom, 2 bath condominium or villa, plus four adult tickets to the March 14 Public Tasting event from as low as $180 a per person* (restrictions apply). All ResortQuest Hilton Head guests enjoy free tennis, discounted golf, free DVD rentals and the exclusive ResortQuest Recommends program offering deals and discounts on over 160 restaurants, shops and activities. All vacation rentals offer fully-equipped kitchens and immediate access to beaches, tennis, golf and water sports. To claim this offer, visit the ResortQuest Hilton Head Island lodging website or contact a reservations specialist at 800.653.9638 and mention promotion code REF WFF.

Throughout March, ResortQuest Hilton Head is offering 30% off lodging as part of the ResortQuest “More For Your Money” promotion. To claim this offer, visit the ResortQuest Hilton Head Island lodging website or contact a reservations specialist at 800.653.9638 and mention promotion code REF MYM.

Help for Hilton Head in a Tough Economy

With many people scaling back in the face of tough economic times, 2009 is a year when value is going to be the key to spending, particularly when it comes to vacations. Folks are still traveling but they're being really choosy about where they spend their hard-earned money. The Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce hopes a $200,000-plus ad campaign beginning next month will encourage those within an easy drive of the island to do just that.
Much of the ad campaign, with money from The Town’s crisis reserves, is focused on advertising on Internet sites used by people in key demographics in the two closest, affluent drive markets: Atlanta and Charlotte. Both cities also offer direct flights to Hilton Head Island Airport and Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport as an option.
The campaign will also include electronic billboards and radio spots during drive-time hours and a small number of print ads, and promotional banners and 3D models at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. Those will focus on branding the island as a place to relax, recharge and reconnect with loved ones.
This is a key booking time right now and most lodging properties are not at the same pace right now as last year. The Internet campaign should allow the chamber to expand its large database of people who have either visited the island or expressed interest in taking a vacation here in the recent past. The chamber sends everyone in the database a monthly newsletter in order to keep the island fresh in people's minds.

Hilton Head Wine & Food Festival

For more information on the Hilton Head Wine & Food Festival, visit ResortQuestHiltonHead.com.

Wakeboarding on Hilton Head

For those of you who like a little adventure Hilton Head is a great place to go wakeboarding. Wakeboarding is a water sport in which a person attached to a wakeboard is being pulled by a rope from behind a boat using techniques that are similar to water skiing, snowboarding, and surfing. Wakeboards are made of buoyant foam and coated in fiberglass and measure about 4 to 5 feet long on average. Boots are attached to the board that your feet slip into with your toes facing the side edge, like a snowboard.
Wakeboarding is a relatively new sport being that it was invented in the late 1980's after the advent of ski boarding. In 1990 the Hyperlite wakeboard was introduced at the World Ski Board Championships and was a phenomenal hit. Since then wakeboarding has been growing in popularity and been embraced by water sports enthusiasts and sports competitions nationwide, including the X Games.
Wakeboarding is an exhilarating and challenging sport because you are being pulled by a rope from behind a boat traveling at about 20-30 mph. You can also move left and right over the wake that is being displaced. Wakeboarding is fun for all ages because you can make it as simple or as difficult as you like. Simply riding behind the boat and moving left to right is always an option, but you care to up the ante you can also utilize the combination of speed and wake to attempt an array of tricks and jumps.
Hilton Head is a particularly good place to wakeboard for multiple reasons. It's a good excuse to get out on the boat and see the gorgeous low country scenery and wildlife from the water. Our area is particularly unique because there are tiny islands that surround and protect the coastline. Not only do they provide a pretty picture but they block movement from the tides providing a glassy calm ocean surface which is ideal for smooth riding.
While on your Hilton Head Island vacation you are interested in giving wakeboarding a try, I would head down to Palmetto Bay Marina. The marina hosts boats for rent and is also the headquarters of the Wakeboarding and Waterskiing School of Hilton Head.

Parasailing

Parasailing - Granted, I would not classify this particular activity as the most extreme of water sport options, but it is pretty darn cool.

Parasailing is a recreational activity in which a person is harnessed into a parachute that is flying behind a boat at anywhere from 500-800+ feet in the air. It might seem death-defying considering the height, but in actuality Parasailing tends to be a very relaxing and a beautiful experience.

Hilton Head is a particularly great location for parasailing as it is one of many barrier islands that protect the coastline of South Carolina and Georgia, and thus setting the scene for all so the unique and breathtaking sights the low country has to offer.

Do It Factor: Definitely DO IT! Perfect for people of all ages-Just ask the world record holder, a 92 year old grandmother who in July of 2008 parasailed with her 10 year old grandson for her 6th consecutive year. Added bonus, parasailing is in some instances handicapped accessible. Check out our ResortQuest Recommends Parasailing partner: Sky Pirate Parasailing

Charter Fishing on Hilton Head

Hilton Head Island is home to some of the best fishing on the southern shore board as, depending on season, you can fish for Cobia, Spanish and King Mackerel, Shark, Red Drum, Tarpon, Wahoo, Dolphin, Marlin, Amberjack, Barracuda and Trout. This is not recommended for penny pinchers as participating in these excursions is a pricey affair, but is truly worth every cent. Be sure to sign up for a charter with a USCG Licensed, if not master licensed, captain, and preferably one with years of experience at this destination such as the Catmandoo and Bayrunner Charters http://resortquesthiltonhead.travelscreamforum.com/www.hhifish.com 843 683-4768 out of Shelter Cove Marina.

Having an experienced captain at the helm ensures safe travels throughout the marsh/oyster beds during low tide, will provide all the equipment, bait, licensures and knowledge of the best fishing spots. The length of your trip can depend on how far out to sea you actually travel, but leaving the sight of land is not incumbent on your good time. Being that Hilton Head is home to some of the largest shark breeding grounds in the world and is well known for inshore fishing, it is not uncommon to catch 60-100 lb sharks, reel in over 70 red fish and see the Tarpon roll all within sight of shore.

Do It Factor: DO IT, it will become a tradition before you know it. It is one of the island's most underrated activities. Not only is it extremely fun and interactive it is perfect for families and provides feelings of accomplishment amongst the patrons. Adults and kids alike will enjoy reeling in the big catch of the day, learning how to cast the line or bait a hook and holding up a huge shark for the camera.

Biking on Hilton Head

Hopping on a cruiser and biking Hilton Head is a great way to spend and afternoon. Enjoy the many miles of bike paths and bike-friendly parks and roads that Hilton Head Island has to offer.

Day Trips Hilton Head Island

Palmetto Dunes Golfing

Palmetto Dunes Golf is not to be missed on Hilton Head. With 3 outstanding courses, air conditioned carts, segways and a golf school and clinics headed up by PGA Pro Doug Weaver; Palmetto Dunes offers some of the most memorable experiences on the Island. The Arthur Hills course is my personal favorite. Built through rolling dunes and palm trees, Hills will treat your eye and your game to an unforgettable round. Hills features a great practice facility, and the staff at Palmetto Dunes is always at your beck and call. Be sure to look for the historic lighthouse, tucked behind the 5th and 15th greens. Robert Trent Jones created a phenomenal layout in Palmetto Dunes and in 2002, the Resort renovated the course into one of the best courses in the southeast. The course is challenging yet playable and will leave you wanting more. Its signature hole, the par 5 10th, reaches the Atlantic Ocean. Don't miss the Robert Trent Jones Course. George Fazio is one of the most renowned golf architects and his efforts in Palmetto Dunes live up to his reputation. This course requires long precision and a short game to boot. And if you have it going left the day you play Fazio, forget it! Be sure to try out a segway on the Trent Jones course and take lots of pictures because your friends will not believe you! Riding a segway with your clubs attached is a lot of fun and is an experience you will not soon forget. Don't forget your RQ Recomends Card for preferred rates. Palmetto Dunes Golf is a proud member of the ResortQuest Recommends Program. FORE! Golf Hilton Head Palmetto Dunes Resort Hilton Head

Shipyard Golfing

Shipyard Golf Club is 27 holes of gorgeous terrain weaving through the 800-acre gated resort community that is proof that great things come in small packages. Shipyard Golf Club hails from the renowned Heritage Golf Group which is nationally accredited for creating unparalleled golf and legendary service and Shipyard is the ideal paradigm. The three 9-hole courses provide four tee positions to accommodate to any level of play. Do not let the breathtaking terrain force you to lose focus as the multiple lagoons, ponds and expertly placed bunkers keep the most avid golfers challenged. To add to the overall appeal of these striking courses, Shipyard Golf Club has undergone major renovations to provide golfers the most up-to-date golf Hilton Head Island has to offer. If you are a returning golfer to Shipyard you will notice the changes immediately as the bag-drop area and club house are completely refurbished and modernized to make for smooth transitions, and a relaxed, comfortable and organized greeting area. The practice courses have all been restored as well, including new surface putting greens, remodeled bunkers in the chipping area and a completely mended driving range. Shipyard Golf Club proudly offers PGA professional instruction including private lessons and clinics by Kyle Mobley. Renovations to the golf courses have made extreme improvements to the overall appeal of everything from the greens to the bunkers. The superintendent team expertly chose to remove 27 bunkers over 27 holes to improve the consistency of the course and mended the drainage and sprinkler systems throughout to ensure dependability. They are also in the process of completely changing all of the greens which are being replaced with Diamond Zoysia Grass. This particular stock is distinguished by its fine texture, genetic stability, uniform quality and superior salt tolerance which is primarily important in our island atmosphere. Although all three courses are open to the public, it will be in peak playing form around October First. Special thanks go to the Superintendent Greg Baxter and Assistant Superintendent Doug Burdick for putting in countless hours this summer to create such amazing improvements throughout. If it was not for their fervor and love for the course I cannot imagine that we would have the opportunity to play on such well manicured terrain. Please visit their website at http://www.shipyardgolf.com/ for more information or call 843-689-GOLF for reservations and rates. Discount Golf Hilton Head

If you need an excuse to eat and drink!

Renowned for its dining and drinking establishments, it is understandable that Hilton Head hosts a festival paying homage to that which brings friends and family together for regular gatherings and celebration. Join ResortQuest Hilton Head Island, the feature sponsor for the 24th annual Wine and Food Festival, and enjoy great eats, spectacular drinks and exclusive vacation rental options.
Hilton Head's crown jewel of consumption festivities, the annual Wine and Food Fest is the east coasts largest tented outdoor wine tasting. The festival is spread over three days and features well over 1,000 wines from across the globe. This one-of-a-kind event is kicked off with a showcase of the "Great Chef's of the South" dinner where patrons will sample menu items from four of Hilton Head's most prestigious restaurants.
For the wine enthusiasts, Friday is highlighted by a grand tasting, at $150 per person, showcasing the crème de la crème of the participating wineries and vineyards. Finally, a public tasting held and at $40 ticket prices, even the most novice of wine drinkers can partake in the festivities without a guilty conscience or empty pockets. The most indulgent of days, Saturday features food and wine tastings, local bartending and server challenges, a private auction, farmers market and live music. Ideal for vacationers of all walks of life, this springtime excursion is the perfect opportunity to get a taste of the upcoming summer weather, expand your palate and learn more about the drink that brings people together.
Dining Hilton Head
Hilton Head Events

Heritage...My Favorite Holiday

The Verizon Heritage
I am sure you are thinking: with a name like Heritage, it has to be tiresome. Let me assure you, this is no grandpa's golf game. The busiest of spring time festivities on Hilton Head Island, this professional golf tournament sets the stage for one of Hilton Head Island's biggest parties. Every tee box, fairway and putting green is surrounded by celebrating patrons and the golf course is sprinkled with tents boasting beer, champagne and golf themed gifts.
After the 18th green, travel down to the marina, where the party continues alongside the multi-million dollar boats of the Harbour Town Yacht Basin. Not to forget, nearly all of the bars and restaurants on Hilton Head partake in the festivities offering great specials, extravagant soirees and Heritage themed parties. If you are a true PGA lover or just someone who wants to sport your trendiest madras print gear, The Verizon Heritage is sure to please.
Do It Factor: DO IT, with a disclaimer. This is the perfect opportunity to get away with adult groups or golf lovers. However, very large crowds of people travel throughout Sea Pines and the south end of the island during this event making it extremely congested. P.S. intoxication does tend to happen amongst Heritage patrons...you have been warned.