Courtesy Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort
Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Your Call
Here's what others have had to say about Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort and Hilton Head Marriott Beach & Golf Resort.
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""—T.L., Pro, November 2023
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"Visited Palmetto Dunes 2/26-3/3/2023. During that time I participated in two tennis clinics, took two private tennis lessons with Tennis Director Eric, took two private pickleball lessons (Nancy and Sarah) and participated in a pickleball round robin.
The pickleball courts were a beehive of activity with 3-4 round robins throughout the day and wait lists to get in most of them. Instruction was outstanding from both pros in private lessons taken by myself and one by my wife.
In contrast there was minimal use of the tennis courts during my stay. I thought the level of instruction and enthusiasm exhibited by Eric (clinics and private lessons) and Head Pro Patrick (clinic) was outstanding. Eric significantly improved my backhand return of service against pace and gave me a foundation to build on with the topspin lob. He used the ball machine in the first lesson but was perfectly willing to do live hitting in the second lesson when we worked on the above as well as my net game. I have taken lessons at several of the top 100 resorts and his instruction had the greatest impact on my game. Will see him for lessons any time I visit Hilton Head, even if not staying at Palmetto Dunes.
Lastly, the pro shop selection of clothes, tennis and pickleball equipment was outstanding."—L.G., Int., March 2023
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"This is a pickelball resort that has tennis courts. Do not go thinking there is a large tennis playing community here. It may have once been a great tennis resort but they have paved over tennis courts to put in pickelball and some of the tennis instructors have converted to teaching pickelball.
2 times per day 100 people show up for the pickelball round robins, which are excellent - tons of energy.
1 time per day up to 12 people show up for the tennis round robin.
Pickelball is thriving here. Tennis is dying here. The tennis clinics we did take were very good and the tennis instructors are good, but there just are so few people there playing tennis that it isn't a lively atmosphere.
One of the pickelball coaches told me that if my group wanted to play tennis on HH island, we should have gone to Vandermeer. So...that says it all !"—S.B., Adv., October 2022
Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort responds: We're happy you came to Palmetto Dunes Resort for your tennis! We're also sorry your perception is that tennis is dying here in lieu of pickleball because tennis is not only thriving at Palmetto Dunes, but also setting all-time records. Yes, the pickleball round robin has 90-100 people per session and the tennis round robin may have had 12, but the round robin is only a small segment of the tennis offerings here. Tennis instruction and play account for the major use of the courts, and while tennis is more seasonal in nature than pickleball, tennis still generates more business than pickleball for the year. In fact, 2021 tennis instruction set a record, eclipsing the old mark by nearly six figures! Pickleball is indeed a very important addition to our offerings here, but we still have 19 clay tennis courts, and this resort is still appropriately named Palmetto Dunes Tennis and Pickleball Center—deliberately in that order because we highly value our tennis and our repeat tennis customers. We hope you will return to visit!
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"Excellent pickle ball and tennis facilities offers g a variety of instructional programs and round robin playing opportunities 7 days a week. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable."—K.C., Int., July 2019
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"I was part of a group of 10. We booked two units (four double beds each, plus sofa beds) for a week in April. The units (two bedrooms, two baths, living room, dining area, full kitchen at roughly $1,500 US per unit) were a two-minute walk from the courts. We were given two hours daily of court time per unit at the same time (10 a.m.) and then paid court fees if we wanted more court time (and if courts were available). Clinics were available, but we didn't try them. For myself, I found the prices for the group clinics far too steep. The courts were in perfect condition to start each day. Later in the day, not so perfect, but playable. It would have been nice to have brooms and line sweepers available to use by ourselves.
Off the courts I booked a bicycle one afternoon from the resort's bicycle-kayak rental shop. That cost $30 US for a heavy, utilitarian, 18-speed (I think) bike. Captive market prices, I think. A few weeks later in England, I rented a very similar bicycle at a train station. Paid about $13 US to register (for a year) and about $5 US for the day. So . . . much, much less.
Palmetto Dunes is a great all-around resort with a very good tennis setup. We could walk to the beach in 10 minutes.
Note: Throughout the resort and much of Hilton Head there are signs warning you that automobiles and trucks have priority over pedestrians and cyclists. As a pedestrian or cyclist on the island, you learn that many motorists take this policy to heart."—J.F., Adv. Int., June 2019
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"The Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center is outstanding. I have been traveling to the resort at least twice a year for the last five years, and I look forward to returning each time. The tournaments are well run, the island is beautiful, the drill sessions offer a great workout, and the people are extremely nice. The deli across the street is always excellent too.
Their weakness is that they don't have one or two young pros right off the tour, or right out of a D1 program with a national ranking. They could use someone relatively young that hits a big heavy ball. I do hit with one pro who is a fellow 5.0 player so I don't mean to minimize him in any way."—P.B., Adv., May 2019
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"I went with 6 women for a custom tennis vacation and it was great. We stayed in a house close to the courts within a 5 minute bike ride. The beach was beautiful. The tennis instruction was excellent and lots of fun. Will definitely go back again."—D.V., Adv., May 2019
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"Lots of Pickle Ball courts now at Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort and they are full! It is great to see so many people out playing. I played tennis and, as usual, Tennis Pro Hank Iannuzzi was the best. His instruction is easy to remember after the lesson so I am able to utilize my skills in the game."—N.I., Int., May 2019
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"The facilities at Palmetto Dunes are excellent. They have 25 has-tru courts that are in great shape. Our rental allowed us two free hours of tennis each day however I was never able to play that much because the courts are always booked. For example, college tennis teams were playing there everyday and then they also ran a 128-draw tournament. So, on two days it was impossible to get ANY court time. One day the staff member was laughing because there was a waiting list of 30 people who wanted court time - this is two days in advance. The pros are mediocre at best. For every clinic they are married to the ball machine...for all levels. The clinics have 6 people per court and 4 people watch while 2 people use the ball machine. The rental unit we stayed in had a wonderful view of the ocean and the spectacular sun rise. But the furnishings were dated, we had virtually no light in the master bathroom for the first 3 days,every glass was dusty, and our dryer did not work for 4 days. In summary, the unit was terrible. There are many places to play tennis on Hilton Head......go elsewhere. This place is overrated, the tennis staff is mediocre, the rentals are old and dated."—R.H., Adv., March 2019
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"Palmetto Dunes offers a variety of programs for players at every level of experience. I arrived as an absolute beginner 3 years ago, and have taken clinics and private lessons with instructor Scott (Scotty) Clements every spring since. His approach is supportive, and doesn't depend on a lot of technical detail. My level of play has improved quickly, so I can get out and really enjoy the game! Everyone in the pro shop is friendly and helpful, so that even a beginner feels special! Honestly, I can't think of one negative! I have taken lessons and participated in clinics elsewhere in the last few years, and have not found the instruction nearly as helpful or positive as at Palmetto Dunes."—V.W., Int., October 2017
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"We've gone to Palmetto Dunes several times and have had an excellent time every time. The pro's are experienced, knowledgeable teachers who always improve my playing. The setting is wonderful. I found the clinics really helpful and hard work. Be prepared to be very active."—M.C., Adv. Int., August 2017
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""—R.J., Adv. Int., August 2017
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Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort
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Hilton Head Marriott Beach & Golf Resort
Ratings(232 Reviewers) |
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Palmetto Dunes Tennis & Pickleball CenterRatings( 234 Reviewers) |
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