Prevue July/August 2014 - (Page 47)

Westin Hilton Head Refreshing 'can do' service in a stately meetings oasis [ON LOCATION] HAL HERMAN T here's an abundance of natural beauty surrounding Hilton Head, South Carolina-stately trees, lush vegetation, pristine creeks, bays and other waterways and, of course, the Atlantic Ocean. The Westin Resort Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa has capitalized on these features, offering meeting attendees an opportunity to experience the environment. There's over 9,500 sf of outdoor meeting space with an 8,000-sf ocean deck holding up to 400 people, an oceanfront pavilion on the beach for 200 and a 100-pax garden oasis. "We always have an indoor backup plan in case Mother Nature is not nice to us," smiles Gail Wargo, the resort's affable director of sales and marketing, when asked about inclement weather. The "backup" she refers to is the vast array of indoor meeting facilities-37,000 sf of event space in total-all contiguous on one ﬂoor. This includes an unobstructed 13,200-sf grand ballroom with a 22-foot ceiling, 19 meeting rooms plus the aforementioned 9,500-sf outdoor event space. Having completed a $30 million renovation last year, the resort features 460 redesigned guest rooms and suites, six restaurants and lounges, the Heavenly Spa and a ﬁtness studio. The resort also has top-level amenities such as valet and self-parking, 24-hour room service, a business center, three oceanfront pools, 54-holes of championship golf and 14 tennis courts on-site. Still, one of the prime attractions of the Westin property is its location. "We are very much a natural state oasis-when you come here for our meeting you get a sense of renewal and rejuvenation, asserts Wargo. "If you are a nature lover, you will see things here you do not see anywhere else." Bolstering its claim of being "a getaway from high-rise buildings, airports and neon lights," the Hilton Head area has 22 golf courses, miles and miles of white beaches and a host of nature-oriented activities such as kayaking, bird watching, horseback riding on the beach, ﬁshing, water sports, and eco and historical tours. Within 10 minutes of the resort are 110 non-chain restaurants and 150 shops/outlets. While the property welcomes a complete buyout of 400 rooms and meetings for up to 800, its meeting spaces are very ﬂexible and can also handle smaller groups. "I think March through May and September through November, when the weather is in the 70s and the island isn't jam packed, would be ideal for bookings," Wargo says. "It's also perfect for outdoor events, especially in the evening." There are greater values December through February, she adds, when daytime temperatures reach between 58 and 65 degrees. "While it might be a little cooler, we don't get any snow." Wargo mentions that there are 4,200 airline seats available every day at the Savannah-Hilton Head International Airport. For its part, the resort can arrange group or individual pickups with a selected transportation vendor. What was very evident in the two-day site inspection of the Westin Hilton Head was the "can do" attitude of the entire staff- whether food service, housekeeping, meeting personnel or front door valet service, they're committed. westinhiltonheadisland.com prevuemeetings.com | 47 46-47-DATE_Westin Hilton.indd 47 7/2/14 9:08 PM http://www.westinhiltonheadisland.com http://www.prevuemeetings.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Prevue July/August 2014

Planner’s Pick: The Franklin Institute
Fresh Meets: Marriott Hotels
Bureau Buzz: Bermuda Tourism Authority
Good Business: Anaheim/Orange County CVB
Sea Shores: Table for 2 (Hundred)
Table Talk Creativity and engagement add flavor to culinary events
SPECIAL SECTION: THE CARIBBEAN More than a vacation spot, paradise for meetings
IRF INVITATIONAL Secrets Puerto Los Cabos hosts the biggest incentive forum yet
On Location: Dominican Republic
On Location: Westin Hilton Head
On Location: Vancouver
LOUISIANA Culture, dramatic venues and immersive tours surround the Big Easy
ORLANDO AIBTM host city is a top draw for meetings
On Location: Auckland
SUSTAINABLE MEETINGS GMIC helps planners minimize their footprint
Checkout: Thompson Chicago

Prevue July/August 2014