travel
Premier Pickleball Destinations
By Laura Gainor
Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort
What makes for a perfect pickleball weekend getaway ? Experiencing the luxury of a weekend with your family and friends relaxing at an oceanfront resort , just a shuttle ride away from watching some of the top pro players compete in one of the largest tournaments of the year — the Hilton Head Open , held at the Palmetto Dunes Tennis & Pickleball Center .
Located on Hilton Head Island along the ocean shore , the Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort includes more than 300 different room types that include a kitchenette and balcony , overlooking a beautifully landscaped courtyard with multiple fire pits , yard games to enjoy and three large pools . Sip cocktails poolside from the pool bar and enjoy an oceanfront lunch before you walk across the boardwalk to search for shark teeth and shells along the beach . Or rent beachfront lounge chairs and relax while you listen to the ocean waves .
Later in the evening , make reservations for a gourmet dinner at the on-site steakhouse or catch a game with your friends on the TVs at the sports bar .
This perfect getaway also includes an 11-mile lagoon that allows for a unique kayaking experience , bike trails , championship golf courses and , since the resort is a part of the prestigious Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort community , quick access to scheduling pickleball and tennis lessons with local pros at the Palmetto Dunes Tennis & Pickleball Center .
While you ’ re on Hilton Head Island , fully explore the Lowcountry region and its year-round sunshine by taking a guided tour through the streets by land , air or water ; shop at the many boutique shops for souvenirs ; and taste what the island has to offer at numerous toprated restaurants .
Your perfect “ destination pickleball ” getaway awaits , and we look forward to sharing more with you . For more pickleball getaway recommendations , visit @ PickleballintheSun on Facebook and Instagram . •
Laura Vossberg Gainor is the founder of Vossberg Gainor , a marketing consulting agency specifically dedicated to the sport of pickleball . While working with some of the top pickleball brands , USA Pickleball , Pickleball Magazine , and some of America ’ s pickleball entertainment complexes , she recently launched “ Pickleball in the Sun ,” your source for the best pickleball destinations and experiences , from coast to coast .