Ocean Cove at Palmetto Dunes

The three-minute walk to a beach that wasn't crowded was a real plus, and the units were spacious, nice, and seemed recently updated. Still, calling Ocean Cove Club a resort feels like a stretch: it's two rows of condos with a mediocre pool, and you have to check in somewhere else entirely. Our unit greeted us with two live palmetto bugs and one dead one. Checking further, we found long black hairs on the sheets, dirt on another set, and broken glass under an armchair. The off-property front desk was dismissive when I called. I understand bugs are part of the south, but they didn't seem concerned about the dirty sheets or glass. They said cleaning staff had gone for the day, even though it was check-in day, and the maintenance manager couldn't spray until the next day. When I pushed back, the response was, “Well, you know things happen...” We drove back to check-in and spoke to the same representative who'd dismissed us on the phone. After several minutes of back and forth, with my husband and me basically making a scene while others checked in, she finally arranged for cleaning services. We drove back, and the cleaner did a great job fixing those issues. The maintenance manager never came to spray. The first two days were okay, then two more palmetto bugs showed up, including one my son woke up to on the armchair beside him. Guest services again said someone would spray. A few hours later, maintenance came, but only sprayed the outside door entrances. Two days after that, we found another bug. Finding six in less than a week seems like a lot, even allowing that palmetto bugs are found in the south. It points to possible issues with poorly sealed doors or windows and pest management. The desk agent's rude, dismissive attitude was frustrating and off-putting. People don't pay for a vacation expecting dirty sheets, broken glass, and live and dead bugs. My kids were scared they'd wake up with one in their beds or on them, and honestly, my husband and I felt the same. We made the best of the week and made lots of memories, but we would never stay here again because of the poor customer service.

The three-bedroom condo was recently painted and nicely furnished, with very comfortable beds. The walk to the ocean was a beautiful short path, just .2 miles, about a fifth of a mile. Palmetto Dunes is beautiful, with an excellent ocean tiki restaurant and a great general store. The golf courses also looked very well maintained. We enjoyed our week, but wouldn't book again because we like being able to use a porch or lanai. The porch furniture was so dirty we couldn't sit without ruining our clothes. The upstairs porches were cleaner, but only fit two people. There were also three ant hills by the front walk that needed treatment. The downstairs bathroom was nicely updated, but the upstairs master shower drained very slowly, so we didn't use it again after the first try. Neither upstairs shower had enough water pressure, and all four screen doors need replacing because they don't seal when closed.

A very nice, small community with residential homes and short-term rentals within Palmetto Dunes Resort on Hilton Head Island.

We had a great, quiet stay, and the location made it easy to get around the island.