Sunkissed at SeaCrest • Hilton Head Island

10/20/2021

10/20/2021

10/13/2021

I feel like every time we go to Hilton Head Island for a beach vacay, I either overpack or under pack.
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Last May, we arrived a bit early and so we hit the grocery store before our check-in time, assuming our condo would have nothing, and ended up taking home stuff that ended up being provided. So here ya go, a comprehensive list of what is and is not included in your stay.
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Much of what you CAN pack depends on whether you’re arriving by car or plane. We have a 5 hour drive, so we have a bit of extra room.
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Each bathroom has a toiletries kit with shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion, and two bar soaps. (We don’t use any of this but pack our own.) There were 2 rolls of toilet paper and tissue in each bathroom. Check the linen closet or cabinets. Some bathrooms had hair dryers too (I pack my own).
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Each bed has two towel sets with two bath towels, a hand towel and wash cloth. There were 10 beach towels in the laundry room.
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Coffee filters for the pot are provided, but I use the Keurig. You’ll get two garbage bags, 1 paper towel roll, 4 laundry detergent pods, 5 dishwasher pods, a sponge and dishwashing liquid (like Dawn).
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There are 2 extra blankets and a pillow in the primary bedroom and an extra sheet set in the double room.
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I typically pack an extra paper towel roll, extra garbage bags, bottled waters, k-cups with my favorite coffee, nice toilet paper (Charmin, cuz I’m bougey that way), paper plates, solo cups and a sharpie, salt & pepper, insulated tumbler cups, 4 foaming hand soaps (kitchen plus 3 bathrooms), a cooler, and all-purpose spray cleaner or wipes. I also pack a sound machine (so I don’t wake up my kids when I get up early, make coffee and head out to the beach for sunrise). I also pack my own wine opener, because I’m picky and don’t like most cheap ones.
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The legendary Piggly Wiggly is a short walk across the street if you need essentials or there is a Harris Teeter, Publix and Kroger if you need a wider selection. The Pig meets our needs just fine.
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Don’t pack gear!! With a rental with us, you get at least a $250 VaykGear credit (con’t in comments…)

10/06/2021

🌊🌥Beachy Skies🌥🌊
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Eeek!! We are literally a day away from THIS VIEW!!! It’ll be our first time staying in OUR beach condo.
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I’m sharing a favorite from 🙌🏼 If you ever need a Hilton Head Island fix, tap over! All the island beauty in one place…
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📷:

10/05/2021

Long drive or flight ahead? I gotcha covered 🎧
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I am always all caught up to Murdaugh Murders Podcast by Hilton Head’s own Mandy Matney 🎙
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This true crime mystery, unfolding in real time, has me riveted! (That and the manhunt for Brian Laundrie, but that’s another story!)
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The events take place about an hour and twenty minutes outside HHI and all the twists and turns will take your mind off your travels.
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A word of caution… Real 911 calls and interviews are played, so this is NOT appropriate to play when little ears are listening! Ear buds recommended 👍🏼

09/28/2021

We are SO excited to finally stay at our condo NEXT WEEK! 🌴
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But design decisions are already upon us! Our property manager alerted us to the fact that an accent chair in the front suite was looking pretty beat up… I didn’t love it so told her to toss it ASAP! (Swipe to image 3.) But that leaves a lot of random space in that room (that we will 🤞🏼hopefully🤞🏼fill with a daybed + trundle!)
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We’re also wanting to update the very “Rooms to Go” look of the matching living room accent chair/pillows. We’re looking for two coastal/beachy accent chairs to go in front of the bay window. I kinda like the two on Image 1, but hoping for a darker blue cushion (a white cushion in a rental?? 😳) We want to integrate more warmth into the space using woods and natural elements like the basket weave look of these rattan chairs. (The media console has got to go too!) (See Image 2.)
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The blue chair currently in the bay window can get moved temporarily to the front bedroom until we get the daybed. We’re looking at pillow covers from 💙 for the couch. (No more RTG style!)
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What do you think? Which is your fave? Form over function? (Style over comfort?) Hit me with your interior design tips!

09/23/2021

☀️Sunkissed at SeaCrest☀️
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Our condo is a large 3 bedroom / 3 bath vacation rental with a huge patio for dining, overlooking the landscaped grounds 🌴and beach 🏖
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I wanted to share some pictures of the living, dining and kitchen areas, as well as the oversized patio. Swipe to see all.
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We have availability the last week of October 🎃 as well as weeks in November & December.
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It’s often asked “when is the best time to visit Hilton Head Island?” Overwhelmingly, you’ll hear that October and November are the best times! It’s considered off-season so beaches are restaurants aren’t crowded but the weather is perfection and the ocean is still warm.
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We would love to host you for a Fall beach trip 🏝
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We’re so excited to have our first stay here soon. We have a long list of updates and improvements we’d like to make, but will get a chance to experience our condo as guests and know exactly what it needs.
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(Disregard much of the artwork in these pictures, as the previous owners took several pieces. I’ve already begun collecting beautiful things to adorn the walls!)

09/21/2021

Hilton Head Island is comprised of different “plantations” or communities, and each has a certain personality.
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Some are residential only- there are no hotels or vacation rentals, but only permanent residents.
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Some are known for their golf courses, some for their beaches. Some are sleepy and perfect for getting away from it all while others are at the heart of all the action: Restaurants, activities, shopping, etc.
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Most people who’ve never been to HHI can get confused by how it all works and where to stay. A family member of ours visited a quiet part of the island and came away never wanting to come back- she was so bored! Others stay in a bustling area and have the impression that HHI is too busy and crowded.
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So it’s key to do a little homework so that the location you select fits your vacay style.
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I’ve stayed and have visited many of the island’s plantations and my favorite area is Coligny Beach /North Forest Beach.
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Known as the “downtown” of HHI, everything you’d ever want is within a short walk. As in… Across the street! As an avid beach day-drinker🍹I appreciate not ever having to drive anywhere! (And I appreciate Pool Bar Jim, but that’s another post for another day!)
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For a family that wants plenty to do and options for meals, Coligny Plaza is perfect. For couples or a girls weekend away with something for everyone, this is your place.
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But remember, most plantations allow visitors by bike or car (some have a daily fee) so don’t feel confined! I like to plan out an activity plus a meal if we venture away from Coligny to make the most of it. For example, if headed to Harbor Town in Sea Pines Plantation, you must plan for dinner at The Crazy Crab and then catch a Gregg Russell concert with the kiddos! And of course, pictures at the iconic Lighthouse. Make a day of it and catch a boat cruise or a fishing charter. There are also shops and an awesome playground.
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I hope this helps to demystify the different areas. Have you stayed on HHI? What’s your favorite area?
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Graphic by hiltonhead.com.

09/17/2021

🌊S E A C R E S T 🌊
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The first time we stayed at The SeaCrest was in 2008 or 9 and it was immediately our favorite spot on Hilton Head Island.
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It has everything we could ever want in a beach vacation:
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🍹 Pool Bar Jim’s: A full-service bar & restaurant overlooking the beach and ocean and poolside. Known for ahhhhmazing cocktails (I can personally vouch for the rum runners and my kids love the virgin strawberry daiquiris 🍓topped with whipped cream). PBJ also is mentioned frequently when asked where to find the best grouper sandwich on HHI. Yup, it’s delish!
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💦 Two outdoor, oceanfront pools including 1 foot deep baby pools. Pools are heated in March & April.
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🌴Gorgeous lagoons and landscaped grounds (there are fish and turtles that inhabit the lagoons- the kids love it!)
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🚗 Ground-floor parking and two elevators.
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🌅 Private boardwalk to the beach.
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🌊 Located on North Forest Beach.
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🍽🛍 Across the street from Coligny Plaza, full of restaurants, shops, live entertainment, children’s programs, and more! Prime location! (Plus the historic Piggly Wiggly for groceries and known for the best fresh raw seafood on HHI (they’ll steam the shrimp for you!)
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🚲 Near all the island’s famous bike paths.
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🏖 A $300 beach gear rental credit. Don’t pack it, rent it! Beach chairs, bikes, kayaks, boogie boards, coolers, beach umbrellas, and even corn hole game sets.
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Other amenities that are currently closed due to covid ☹️ but we’re hopeful they’ll re-open for 2022: Large outdoor hot tub, fitness center, conference rooms, indoor heated resistance pool, indoor hot tub 🤞🏼🤞🏻