My friend Gordon let me in on his favorite quick getaway place when he found out we were vacationing in Hilton Head for a week. South Beach Inn at Marina Village (click The Inn) in Sea Pines. While we were there, we checked it out -- they even gave us a keycard and let us scope out a room.
Brenda and I immediately knew we'd be back when we need personal time together (which is soon). The rooms are suites -- small living area, galley kitchen, separate bedroom, wood floors. Clean. The Salty Dog Cafe is next door, and so is a bike rental shop. You can rent bikes and ride the bike trails thru Sea Pines past beautiful old oak trees, golf courses and sometimes an alligator in the canals. Beach access within walking distance. Not crowded. The room (suite!) we saw was $98 this time of year -- incredible. Ask about the 2 nights for the price of 3 thing they have in October (when the average high temp is still 77).
From Charlotte, we made it to Hilton Head in just over 5 hours. And that included a 45-minute change diapers-feed-the-baby Wendy's-don't-forget-the-Frosty stop. Sea Pines is at the south end of the island. From the Inn you can bike (or drive) to Harbour Town, where lunch is reasonable at the Crazy Crab or Europa Cafe (at the base of Harbour Town lighthouse). You also might stop at the General Store near the playground in Harbour Town and tell John the owner about Jesus -- I didn't get that far with him, but wanted to.
