FAQs
Whether it's your first time visiting Hilton Head Island or your fifth, we're delighted to host you at a BESTNEST on Hilton Head. Here are a few quick facts about the island:
1. Hilton Head Island is 12 miles long and 5 miles wide. It's the second largest barrier island on the East Coast, Long Island being the largest.
2. The tennis shoe-shaped island is comprised of 28,000 acres of dry land, and 2,000 acres of wetlands.
3. Known as being a major outdoor recreational center, the island has 50+ miles of bike trails, 22 golf courses, and well over 200 tennis and pickleball courts.
4. Hilton Head is home to South Carolina's only PGA tour stop - the RBC Heritage Golf Tournament, which is played on the Harbour Town Golf Links in Sea Pines.
5. The Island offers an incredible amount of cultural opportunities, especially for a town of it's size. Locals and tourists alike enjoy the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, the Hilton Head Choral Society, the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra, Gullah history and programs, as well as a myriad of seasonal festivals. You can learn more about everything the island has to offer on our Things To Do page.
Yes, Sea Pines is a private, gated resort and residential community on Hilton Head Island. Passes are required 24/7 for all vehicles entering Sea Pines. As BESTNEST guests, your vehicle passes will be waiting for you at check in, and will remain valid for the duration of your stay. (More details below.)
Yes, while staying in Sea Pines with BESTNEST, you do have access to many of the resort's amenities, including the Sea Pines Fitness Center, tennis and pickleball courts, the Sea Pines Forever Preserve, Lawton Stables, and, of course, the beautiful beaches and bath paths. Many of our guests also take time to enjoy shopping and dining at Harbour Town South Beach Marina, either by foot, bike, or vehicle! Tee times at Harbour Town or the Heron Point and Atlantic Dunes courses can be booked directly through Sea Pines.
For the fitness center, you may check their hours, class schedule, and facility info online or call them directly at 843-842-1979.
Some tennis and pickleball courts, such as those at the South Beach Racquet Club, require paid reservations. You may book with them directly in person.
Yes, dogs are allowed on the beach at certain times of day, with some seasonal restrictions. Please adhere to the Town of Hilton Head's Guidelines for all beaches on the island:
- October - March: Dogs allowed on beach anytime while on leash or under voice control
- April - the Thursday prior to Memorial Day: Dog allowed on beach ONLY on leash from 10am - 5pm, and on leash OR under voice control from 5pm - 10am.
- Friday prior to Memorial Day - Labor Day: NO dogs allowed on beach between 10am - 5pm. Dogs allowed on leash or under voice control from 5pm - 10am.
- Tuesday after Labor Day - September: Dogs allowed on leash from 10am - 5pm, and on leash or under voice control from 5pm - 10am.
Please remember it is illegal to allow your pet to chase or harass wildlife, and all pet waste must be removed from the beach before departing. The Beaufort County Sheriff's Department patrols the beach daily to ensure safety and enforce all beach regulations.
BESTNEST guests are permitted to utilize the Sea Pines Beach Shuttle Services, as well as other weekly rental pass guests, property owners and their guests, as well as long term renters and their guests. During hours of operation, a lot supervisor will be present, and day guests will not be permitted.
The beach shuttle will operate from March 26 - September 6 (Labor Day) from 9am - 5pm, seven days a week, weather permitting. Beach shuttle parking is available from Lot 8, located off Greenwood Drive, between Fraser Circle and Willow Oak Road West, with drop off service to the Sea Pines Beach Club.
Items allowed on the shuttle include beach chairs, toys, tote bags, coolers, single pole umbrellas, foldable wagons and strollers, skim boards or boogie boards no longer than 4 ft, as well as service animals. Bikes, tents, surf boards, canoes, kayaks, and other bulky items are NOT permitted on the shuttle. If the beach shuttle is at capacity, those waiting in line will need to wait for the next shuttle.
Service ends at 5pm, so please plan your return accordingly.
Yes! In addition to the Beach Shuttle, BESTNEST guests may utilize the Sea Pines trolley service throughout their stay. The trolley service runs from May 16 - September 7, with routes to Harbour Town, Lawton Stables, The Shops at Sea Pines Center, South Beach Marina, and more. Please find more detailed information here, including route maps and real time trolley locations.
While you are always welcome to bring your personal bikes, renting is an easy option, and we are happy to assist. Our preferred bike rental vendor is Hilton Head Outfitters. Please mention you are one of our guests, and use code BSSP - the team will have your bikes delivered straight to your BESTNEST, and picked up after your departure.
Sea Pines boasts miles of bike paths, making it one of the best (and most fun) ways to explore the area with your entire family. Bike racks are available most anywhere you would want to go, including Harbour Town, the Beach Club, South Beach Marina, the Sea Pines Forest Preserve, Lawton Stables, and more.
Electric bikes of any kind, including scooters and mopeds, are not permitted in Sea Pines.
There are several rules that need to be followed at each of our BESTNESTs. Please take a moment to review the following:
1. No smoking on or inside the property.
2. No wet towels over balcony railings, or piled on the floor.
3. Leave sandy things, such as coolers, flip flops, beach chairs and toys, in the garage or outdoor storage closet.
4. Please make sure to lock bikes while leaving them in outdoor parking areas.
5. Do not turn the thermostat to below 70 degrees during the summer.
6. Shake sand (outside) prior to placing items in the washing machine.
7. Remember to log out of all personal apps and accounts on televisions prior to departure.
8. Please do not feed or harass alligators, or any other wildlife.
9. EAT, SLEEP, BIKE, PLAY, RELAX, and have a FABULOUS TIME!
Whether you have an issue for our maintenance team, or need assistance with anything from wifi to an appliance, we are here for you throughout your stay. Our staff can be reached 24/7 by phone at 843-341-3600, or in person at our office located at 7 New Orleans Road, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928. Please do not hesitate to reach out.
No you do not - that's the beauty of staying at a BESTNEST! We like to say you just need two things - your suitcase and yourself. Beach equipment, a very well stocked kitchen, all typical household items, and so much more is supplied within each of our fully equipped BESTNESTs. For an exact list of what you can expect to find, and so you can plan accordingly, visit our What's In a BESTNEST? page.
Sea Pines is a gated community, so you'll need a vehicle pass and check-in information prior to driving to the property. Please visit our office at 7 New Orleans Road, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 for check-in at 4pm to retrieve your welcome packet and vehicle pass. If you have more than one vehicle, multiple passes will be provided. Our office hours are Monday - Friday from 9am - 5pm. For after hours check-ins, or check-ins on weekends or holidays, your welcome packet will be available in our dropbox, located at the front door of our office. Please note that welcome packets will not be placed in the box until 4pm, so please plan accordingly.
We'll be sad to see you go, but while you're readying to leave, please abide by the following guidelines..
While we never expect our guests to clean the property prior to departing, we do ask that you leave things much as you found them, ready for housekeeping by check out time (10am, unless otherwise arranged during off-season only.)
1. No food on the floor, or in sinks, please. Crumbs are to be expected, but we ask that you please dispose of anything larger.
2. All trash should be in trash bins.
3. Dirty dishes should be placed in the dishwasher, and a cycle started prior to your departure. Please do not leave anything in the sink.
4. Please sign out of any personal accounts you may have signed into during your stay.
5. On the morning of your departure, please use code 123456 checkmark when leaving. This alerts housekeeping that you have departed, so they may arrive just behind you.
Lastly, we ask that you wash and dry as many beach towels and kitchen towels as possible prior to your departure. These items do not leave the property, and genuinely helps our team of housekeepers turn around properties, especially throughout the busy season.
