Posted by: sunsetrentals | May 29, 2012

Walk, Talk, Taste and Discover Hilton Head Island

Hilton Head vacation rentalsAlice and Bert Reid offer a unique way for Hilton Head visitors to experience Lowcountry history and cuisine at the same time. Their company, Savor the Lowcountry, offers walking tours that aim to provide guests with tastings from the best dining establishments in the Lowcountry combined with entertaining stories and fun historical facts about the area.

The Reids’ Savor Coligny walking tour departs every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon at 2 p.m. from Coligny Circle. Tours last about 2 ½ to 3 hours and cover about 1 ½ miles. The tour covers five different eateries at which you’ll receive a sampling of Hilton Head’s most flavorful cuisine. You’ll also learn about each restaurateur and chef.

The tour is limited to about 12 guests and is open to children, although Savor the Lowcountry’s website cautions that children can lose interest during the tour. Tickets are $45, plus a service fee, and must be purchased in advance. Your exact meeting spot for the tour will be provided with the purchase of your ticket. Private tours are available.

For more information about Savor the Lowcountry’s walking tours, please visit http://www.hiltonheadislandfoodtours.com/index.htm.

For more information about Sunset Rentals, please visit www.sunsetrentals.com.

 

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Posted by: sunsetrentals | May 24, 2012

Safe Travel Tips for Your Golf Clubs

Hilton Head vacation rentalsEvery year visitors plan golfing trips to Hilton Head Island, one of the country’s premier golf destinations. The courses are built by world-renowned architects and consistently on Golf Digest’s “Top 100 Courses” list, but traveling by airplane can make any challenges you face on the golf course look like a day at putt-putt.

A few simple steps can help assure your golf clubs arrive intact and ready to tackle all 18 holes!

  1. Before we even get to the tips on traveling with your golf clubs, keep in mind that renting is always an option. For details on rentals, contact any of the courses on Hilton Head or Golf Headquarters. Renting isn’t ideal for serious golfers, but still an option.
  2. When packing your golf clubs, there are two choices in travel bags: hard and soft. Hard bags offer the best protection, but can be cumbersome and expensive. A high-quality soft bag with wheels isn’t as sturdy, but it can get your clubs to your destination safely. Club Glove offers high quality equipment, including bags, at a variety of price points.
  3. Pack your golf shoes, rain gear and towels in your golf bag to reduce extra space. Limiting the amount of room in your bag reduces the chance for damage that can be caused by your clubs hitting each other. Also, use club covers.
  4. Tag it! Attach two identification tags with your name and cell phone number to the outside of your bag and include another on the inside. The items that end up lost by the airlines are countless. If your bag ends up on a plane headed for a different destination, these ID tags are the only chance you will be reunited.

Safe travels to you and your clubs and we look forward to seeing you on the course!

For more information on places you can stay during your golf vacation, please contact Sunset Rentals at 800-276-8991 or visit our website at www.sunsetrentals.com.

 

 

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Posted by: sunsetrentals | May 22, 2012

Don’t Miss the Hilton Head Island Art Festival at Shelter Cove Harbour

Hilton Head vacation rentalThis weekend is one of the most exciting weekends of the year for art enthusiasts. The fourth annual Hilton Head Island Art Festival at Shelter Cove Harbour is Saturday and Sunday, May 26 and 27 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

More than 150 artists will present their work during this free public event. The artists are chosen by a jury to participate to ensure a diverse and eclectic mix of styles and media that appeal to a broad variety of art enthusiasts and collectors. Examples of the type of art that will be available include paintings, sculptures, photographs, ceramics, glass art, wood workings, handmade jewelry and more!

One of the many great things about this festival is that it’s designed to appeal to a range of tastes and budgets. Whether you’re interested in a small trinket to take home or a large painting to adorn a wall in your vacation home, this festival offers patrons the opportunity to explore original handmade artwork including the newest creations by artists from across the country.

Another great thing about the festival is that you can really make a day of it, as the event location, Shelter Cove Harbour, offers fine dining, shopping and even live entertainment!

Whatever your Memorial Day weekend plans include, be sure to make time for this annual festival. For more information, visit http://www.artfestival.com.

For more information on Sunset Rentals, please visit www.sunsetrentals.com.

 

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Posted by: sunsetrentals | May 17, 2012

Lowcountry Boil – A Classic Southern Supper for a Hungry Crowd

Hilton Head vacation rentalsAs the sun goes down on another peaceful, slow-paced day on Hilton Head Island, try a Lowcountry Boil for dinner. It’s quick, delicious, feeds a crowd, and a perfect way to end a day on the beach. And it’s something you can whip up with ease in your Hilton Head vacation home or condo.

A Lowcountry Boil is made with fresh shrimp, small red potatoes, kielbasa sausage, corn on the cob and Old Bay seasoning. Just throw it all in a large pot and cook until done. Serving is even easier! Spill it out on newspaper and serve with cocktail sauce and lots of paper towels.

It is believed the recipe was created over 50 years ago by Richard Gay. Gay was a National Guardsman and owner of Gay Fish Co. on the island of St. Helena, once referred to as Frogmore, near Beaufort. While on duty, Gay cooked his original dish for the soldiers and they named it Frogmore Stew in honor of Gay’s hometown. Over time, the town dropped the name Frogmore and so did the stew. Now it’s called a Lowcountry Boil.

Hungry yet? Here’s a recipe that you can try:

Lowcountry Boil  –  recipe courtesy of Paula Deen

  • Old Bay seasonings, 2 teaspoons per quart of water
  • 12 red new potatoes
  • 6 (4-inch) smoked sausage link sausage
  • 6 ears corn
  • 3 pounds fresh shrimp, unpeeled

Fill a large pot with enough water to cover all of the ingredients. Add the crab boil and bring to a boil. When the water boils, add the potatoes and sausage. Cook on medium heat for 20 minutes. Add corn and cook for an additional 10 minutes. Add shrimp and cook for no more than 3 minutes. Drain and serve with warm bread.

For more recipes, visit Coastal Living – Lowcountry boil and Allrecipes.com – Lowcountry boil.

For more information on Sunset Rentals, please visit www.sunsetrentals.com.

 

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Posted by: sunsetrentals | May 15, 2012

Ribs, Barbecue and Beer … Summer’s Here!

Hilton Head vacation rentalsHilton Head Island is starting the summer off right with two exciting events featuring barbecue, ribs and beer!

 Residents and visitors are invited to the 16th Annual Rib Burnoff and Barbecue May 19-20 at the Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn from noon to 4 p.m. This competition, sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Hilton Head Island, spars local restaurants and amateur cooks against each other as they try to slow-cook their way to the coveted titles for best barbecue and best ribs.
In addition to dining on some of the South’s tastiest barbecue and ribs, enjoy live music while the kids play on inflatable castles and slides. It’s a fun family event that raises funds for local children’s charities. Advance tickets are $12. Children under 12 are free. Visit the website or call 843-686-6008 for more information.

What else is going on this weekend? The Hilton Head Island Taste of Summer Craft Beer Festival! Held May 19 from 2 – 6 p.m. at Shelter Cove Harbour and Marina, beer lovers are invited to sample more than 60 beers from 20 craft breweries. Island restaurants will be serving delicious local fare while The Blue Dots and Patwa perform live music.

Admission is free. To enjoy 15 beer samples, tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the gate. Additional sample tickets are $1. A limited quantity of Taste of Summer Beer Festival souvenir sampling glasses will be available with the purchase of a ticket. Visit the website or call 843-757-8520 for more information.

For more information about Sunset Rentals, please visit www.sunsetrentals.com.

 

 

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Posted by: sunsetrentals | May 10, 2012

Your Hilton Head Island Home Away from Home

Hilton Head vacation rentalsWhen you’re away on vacation, you’re looking for a great place to put down roots for a week or so. A “home away from home,” if you will. Sunset Rentals has an entire roster full of Hilton Head rental homes and condos in a range of sizes to offer as your temporary home base.

If you and your family require a good bit of space while you’re on your Hilton Head vacation, consider this two-story home at 6 Sutherland Court. This four-bedroom home sleeps 10. Located within Palmetto Dunes Resort, this home is within a short walk to the beach. The home was newly remodeled and professionally decorated and includes an open and spacious kitchen with custom cabinets and granite counter tops. All of the appliances are new and stainless steel.

The family room features a 50-inch flat panel television with plenty of area to sit down to relax or visit. Also on this level is a sitting room with a desk, just in case you brought a little work along on your vacation.

The master bedroom is on the first floor and features a king-size bed and a 50-inch flat panel TV. The master bath was recently remodeled. The second floor features a queen bedroom and a newly remodeled private bath. The third floor features two more bedrooms, one with a queen bed and another with two twins. Each room has its own newly remodeled private bathroom.

Another great option is this five-bedroom home at 5 Dogwood on Forest Beach. It sleeps 14 and is modeled after homes in Key West. Located just minutes from the beach, this home features two master suites and two screened porches, making it a great choice if two families are traveling together!

On the main level, there is a screened porch, an eat-in kitchen, a sitting room, living room, dining room, and two bedrooms. One of the master suites is located on this floor and has a queen bed and private bath.

On the pool level, there’s a screened dining area that will seat up to 14, a second living room, a 1/2 bath and an outdoor shower, and the remaining three bedrooms. The second master suite is located on this floor. It also features a private bath and queen size bed.

The pool area is complete with a poolside pavilion and is equipped with a full outdoor kitchen.

If you would like more information about our rental properties, or some help finding your home away from home, please visit www.sunsetrentals.com or call us at 800-276-8991.

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Posted by: sunsetrentals | May 8, 2012

Celebrate Mother’s Day in Hilton Head Island

Hilton Head vacation rentalsIf you’re in Hilton Head Island for Mother’s Day, you either planned that just right, or you’re very lucky with your timing! J Either way, a vacation to Hilton Head is a wonderful gift for any mom who’s looking for the perfect mix of spending quality time with family and a little “me” time.

Hilton Head offers top-notch shopping, beaches, recreational activities and restaurants, so you won’t be short of ways to celebrate Mom.

Speaking of restaurants, you’ll probably want to make reservations, whether you’re planning to treat mom to brunch or dinner – or both! The local Visitor and Convention Bureau offers a long list of restaurants on its website for you to peruse. You can sort the restaurants by the type of food they serve. If the weather is going to be beautiful, which it usually is in May, you may want to consider eating outside!

If you’re thinking about doing something a little different this Mother’s Day, why not try a wonderful family picnic? Hilton Head has a number of great parks that would be perfect for a fun family outing. And of course, there’s always the beach, where you can spread out a blanket and enjoy a picnic basket with all kinds of goodies from local delicatessens and bakeries. Be aware, however, that alcohol is not allowed on the beaches of Hilton Head, so leave the wine at your Hilton Head vacation rental.

Happy Mother’s Day from all of us at Sunset Rentals.

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Posted by: sunsetrentals | May 3, 2012

Enjoy Live Jazz Music in the Lowcountry

Hilton Head vacation rentalsAn enjoyable thing to do while on vacation is spend an evening listening to live music. And if you love jazz, you should head on over to The Jazz Corner, a jazz club and restaurant that since 1999 has combined elegant music with gourmet dining.

The Jazz Corner offers an intimate, relaxed environment and was recognized by Downbeat magazine as one of the 150 Great Jazz Rooms in the World (February 2011).

Perhaps one of the many reasons the club received this recognition is because it was designed by Charles Swift and Bob Masteller with a mission to have an acoustically perfect room with tuned house instruments in a rich, comfortable environment. Another reason may be the food and beverage “experience” that the venue offers, rather than just a “meal with music.”

Its dinner menu includes entrees such as grilled prosciutto wrapped in jumbo sea scallops and herb grilled certified Angus filet mignon. The drink menu features a Bebop Banana Split, in honor of bebop style jazz, and a Mojito Fuentes, in honor of the Tito Puente Sr.

The club offers live jazz music every night of the week and features regular artists, as well as regular “theme” nights, including Rhythm, Blues and Motown and Jazz, Broadway and Blues.

Check the calendar for information and be sure to make a reservation to ensure you have a dinner table the evening you’d like to go.

For more information about the Jazz Corner, visit www.thejazzcorner.com.

For more information about Sunset Rentals, please visit www.sunsetrentals.com.

 

 

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Posted by: sunsetrentals | May 1, 2012

Visit the Heyward House in Bluffton for a Bit of Lowcountry History

Hilton Head vacation rentalsHistoric homes in the South Carolina Lowcountry are places you not only visit to learn a little bit of history, they’re also places of imagination. The Heyward House in Bluffton is no exception.

This farmhouse style home was built around 1840 as a summer home for a local plantation owner, John J. Cole. It’s located within Bluffton’s National Register Historic District and is one of only eight antebellum homes remaining in Bluffton. The home’s location, next to the breezy bluffs overlooking the May River, made it a perfect retreat for the Cole family to escape the summer heat, insects and disease of the plantation, as well as visit with other families who flocked to this spot in the summer months.

While built for the Cole family, the home is named for the Heyward family who owned the home from the early 1880s until the late 1990s.

The home is very well preserved. In fact, not much has changed in the home over the past 120 years. The Heyward House is currently an Official Project of the Save America’s Treasures Program, a public-private partnership between the White House Millennium Council and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

You may tour the home – and imagine yourself living back in the 1800s — Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. The tours are guided by a docent and last about 30 minutes. Minimal fees apply. You may also tour the Heyward House Historic Center, which includes a public museum and welcome center. The Heyward House is located at 70 Boundary St. in Bluffton.

For more information, tour fees and directions, please visit www.heywardhouse.org.

For more information about Sunset Rentals, please visit www.sunsetrentals.com.

 

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Posted by: sunsetrentals | April 25, 2012

Be Smart on the Beach at Hilton Head

Hilton Head vacation rentalsWith the warmer weather here, it’s time to hit the beach, but before you start splashing in the waves, take a minute to learn about Hilton Head’s beach rules.

The beach ordinances, according to the Hilton Head Island Beach Patrol, include the following and cover all Hilton Head beaches:

  • No alcoholic liquor, beer or wine allowed on the beach. Save your cheers for your Hilton Head home or villa.
  • No glass on the beach.
  • Littering is prohibited.
  • Fires and fireworks are not allowed.
  • No shark fishing.
  • No parasailing.
  • Do not harm, harass or remove any live beach fauna, including sea turtles, sand dollars, conchs, starfish and more.
  • Do not remove, alter or damage the dunes, sea oats or other dune flora.
  • Leave the horses at home – no horse riding.
  • Kites must be under manual control.
  • Don’t consider the beach a place to crash; no sleeping on the beach between midnight and 6 a.m.

Additionally, now through Sept. 30, fishing, surfcasting, surfboards and boogie boards, Frisbees and other ball sports, and games with metal components such as horseshoes are not allowed from sunrise to sunset at designated swimming areas. These include: Alder Lane, Coligny, Driessen, Folly Field & Islander’s Beach Parks.

For a complete list of ordinances, please visit ShoreBeach.com/Ordinances.htm.

For more information about Sunset Rentals, visit www.SunsetRentals.com.

 

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