Granite Countertops in Wild Dunes, SC

Nestled on the northern tip of Island of Palms, Wild Dunes Resort - a destination by Hyatt, has announced the hire of Damien Spizzo as its Director of Pickleball.

The ultimate tennis and pickleball vacation destination for those seeking to improve or learn new skills on the court, Wild Dunes Resort has been ranked 10 years in a row among the Top 10 Tennis Resorts in the U.S by Tennis Magazine, and currently holds the ranking of No. 2 best tennis resort in the world and the No. 4 best pickleball resort.

“Wild Dunes is thrilled to welcome Damien as our new Director of Pickleball,” said Wild Dunes Resort Director of Tennis, Clayton Langheim. “With Pickleball taking the world by storm, Damien will tremendously continue to enhance the Wild Dunes tennis and pickleball reputation.”

The sport has grown tremendously at Wild Dunes Resort over the last year, offering four newly added pickleball courts and various clinics for beginner and advanced levels, as well as private and group lessons and social and competitive open play for different levels along with an on-site pro shop.

“I couldn’t be more excited to join the Wild Dunes Team and a top 5 pickleball resort,” says Spizzo. “Our ever-present goal will be to continue to enhance our facilities and provide the best experience for our guests as we work toward becoming the No. 1 resort for both tennis and pickleball.”

As a tennis player, Spizzo was part of the NCAA 2002 Division 1 USC Trojans Championship tennis team at the Univ. of Southern California and later part of the 2004 ALL SEC 1st tennis team and 2004 All American at the University of Tennessee before switching gears to coaching. Having coached more than 100 Division 1 Athletes, his passion for tennis peaked his interest in pickleball. In 2021, Spizzo became a pickleball coach and in 2022 achieved a Top 25 Professional World Ranking as part of Professional Pickleball Association (PPA), while simultaneously coaching three of the top 10 Men’s Single Players in tennis. Spizzo is also a Tennis insider for ESPN Radio.

To learn more about Wild Dunes Resort, please visit www.wilddunesresort.com or follow along on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

About Wild Dunes Resort

Located 30 minutes from the charm and grace of historic downtown Charleston, Wild Dunes Resort occupies 1,600 acres of oceanfront paradise along the Atlantic shores offering various accommodations including the new, coastal-modern Sweetgrass Inn; the beloved AAA Four-Diamond-rated Boardwalk Inn; spacious Residences at Sweetgrass guestrooms, suites, and penthouses; and a collection of private condos and vacation home rentals. With 36 holes of Tom Fazio-designed championship golf year-round, internationally ranked tennis, bike rentals, a world-class spa, an on-site art gallery, resort pools and an array of restaurants and bars, Wild Dunes is an ideal retreat for families, couples, groups and more – offering a little something for everyone.

For more information, please visit www.wilddunes.com or visit Wild Dunes Resort online on Facebook, Twitter, Instagramand YouTube.

Everything you need for a relaxing beach vacation can be found at Wild Dunes Resort

Isle of Palms is 12 miles from Charleston, SC, but it feels like a different world. With a calm stretch of beach, a charming boardwalk, and winding bike trails, it gives off the feeling of relaxation and retreat. If you want to experience the tranquility of this island hamlet, the Wild Dunes Resort includes all the perks of island life plus the bonus of having everything you need right at your fingertips. With world-class dining, several lodging options, and plenty of activities to keep the kids busy, this sprawling resort is the perfect location for families looking for a low-key beach experience.

How to Plan Your Vacation at Wild Dunes Resort

The best part about Wild Dunes is that you can select lodging that’s perfect for your group. There are several options from which to choose. If you want an incredible concierge service, The Sweetgrass Inn, which opened in 2021, offers charming rooms, a spa, and several dining options. For larger groups and more space, check out the Residences at Sweetgrass. Located right above the Sweetgrass Plaza, you can choose from one-to three-room furnished rentals with all the hotel perks. For more privacy, Wild Dunes also offers private rental homes and condos.

Plan your itinerary

Whether you come to Wild Dunes during the off-season or the busy months, there’s plenty to keep you and your family entertained.

The PoolsKids will want to spend plenty of time in the pools. The Sweetgrass Inn Pools (they’re heated!) are the shining gem in the middle of the resort, with a zero-entry pool, a splash pad, and poolside Island Adventure programs. There is even live music by the firepit in the summer.

The Grand Pavilion offers two stunning beachside pools; it’s where you’ll find Beachside Burgers. If you want to swim laps or join in on the family friendly games and recreation happening in the warmer months, head for The Swim Center Pool.

The BeachOf course, the Isle of Palm beach is the main attraction for good reason. Wide, sandy beaches, mellow waves perfect for kids, and stunning beach homes to admire, it’ll be easy to spend all day enjoying the sun and surf. Wild Dunes has direct access to the beach, and they offer beach chair and umbrella rentals for guests.

The ActivitiesThere is so much going on at Wild Dunes! It’ll be tricky to find time to fit in all the fun like Sunday S’mores, Bingo Night, Minute to Win It Game Night, Dive-In Movie Night, Family Movie Night, a sunset sandcastle contest, guided beach walks, poolside crafts, and much more. Many of these events are complimentary, but some require reservations and a fee, so be sure to check. If you want to see the resort by bike, there are rentals available daily, including tandem bikes for parents with little kids.

If you feel like relaxing, there are many places to do just that! Enjoy the swinging hammock chairs at Sweetgrass Inn, the Adirondack chairs in Sweetgrass Plaza, and the beach and pool loungers just about anywhere.

Decide where you want to eat

Charleston is known for its world-class cuisine, and Isle of Palms lives up to the hype. Guests of Wild Dunes have access to all the restaurants on the property; the biggest challenge might be deciding where to go.

For breakfast, if you’re in the mood for something quick, head to Woody’s, where they serve all-day breakfast (this spot has many options for kids!). Wander into Hudson’s Market & Cafe and order a gourmet breakfast sandwich while stocking up on beach snacks and drinks. For something upscale, head for Coastal Provisions, where you’ll choose between fluffy pancakes, french toast, omelets, and plenty of sides like biscuits, bacon, mixed berries, and breakfast potatoes.

At lunchtime, the world is your culinary oyster! The Laughing Gull, located by the Sweetgrass Inn pools, has Caribbean-inspired fare like the must-try conch fritters, the Cuban sandwich, and chicken tenders for little ones. Beachside Burgers (open in the warm months) offers delicious burgers, fries, soft pretzels, popcorn shrimp, and more. If you’re looking for tacos, stop by the vintage airstream trailer in Sweetgrass Plaza. Choose from Carne Asada, Chicken Tinga, or even vegetarian options.

When it comes time for dinner, save one night for Coastal Crust. Offering Neopolitan-style pies made with locally-sourced ingredients, this will be a family favorite. If fine dining is what you want, Coastal Provisions is ideal. Chef Thalita Smith consistently presents a delectable seasonal-infused menu of seafood and chops. Her salads are a must-try, as are the beef and seafood dishes.

Things to Do Nearby

If you want to venture out of Wild Dunes resort, there are plenty of places to go and things to do.

Head to CharlestonThis cultural city is a mere 30-minute drive from the Isle of Palms. Spend some time admiring the historical homes, take a carriage ride, hit up the playground near Rainbow Row, take a wildlife cruise, or visit the Children's Museum of the Lowcountry!

Visit the South Carolina Aquarium or the Center for Birds of PreyWhether they love sea life or the Lowcountry habitat, there's a place for your little naturalists. The Sea Turtle Care Center at the aquarium is especially fun for budding conservationists.

Check out Shem Creek & BoardwalkThis waterfront area in Mount Pleasant is over two thousand feet long and offers panoramic views of Charleston Harbor, Fort Sumter, and Castle Pinckney.

“I’m usually the faculty member who has my students out in the community, doing projects that are meaningful to citizens in this area,” Interior Architecture (IARc) professor Travis Hicks admitted. “This group of students is taking me on a journey that I would not normally take.”

The journey was a 3-day trip to Charleston to meet with executives at Wild Dunes Resort. The class would present ideas for redesign of a sports pub at one of the resort’s golf courses; complete site visits for another Wild Dunes restaurant they would redesign this semester; and tour a construction site for a hotel in Charleston’s historic district.

The IARc students were preparing for a 5-hour drive to the beach, but this journey would have far greater impact than a typical getaway.

Business or Pleasure?

The class of 16 designers left winter in Greensboro and arrived in Isle of Palms to breezy, unseasonably warm, salt air. It felt like a vacation. A valet parked the students’ cars as each group walked through the lobby to check in.

Opposite of the check-in area was the Oystercatcher restaurant, which overlooked a massive pool surrounded by comfortable seating groups and anchored by a poolside bar. Palmetto trees were artfully planted along brick pathways.

How could any part of this resort need redesigning? It was upscale yet comfortable, just like members of the Wild Dunes management team had described the brand in virtual meetings the class attended since the semester began.

The students took in their surroundings and eyes began to twinkle as they considered their own designs in the spaces of this beautiful hotel. A realization settled among the group: this was a business trip. Expenses were being paid by the client, Wild Dunes Resort, in exchange for the class’ professional design services.

“When we learned that the project was at Wild Dunes, we went crazy. We were all excited to go to Charleston together and stay at a resort on the beach,” senior IARc major Madeline Gilliam explained. “And then learning more about the deliverables of the project, we got even more excited because we’re designers. When we hear about the opportunities we’re going to have, our brains start thinking and our creative juices get flowing.”

Assignment 1: Huey’s on the Links

The first event on the itinerary was a shuttle ride to one of the resort’s golf courses to see Huey’s, the sports pub and restaurant for which the class had been developing designs over the past month.

“They did a walk-thru video for us, but being here is different,” Gilliam stated. “Huey’s bank of windows has amazing views of the golf course outside, which I hadn’t pictured before. It felt more real, and I could visualize what I designed in the space.”

The students looked around the dated dining room and commented on the impact of seeing it in person. It was evident that each student was confident in the designs they would present the next day. UNC Greensboro’s (UNCG) IARc program had prepared them for this experience, and they were ready to test their skills!

After a stroll back to the hotel veranda where s’more kits were waiting for them around a firepit, the students disappeared for free time and agreed to meet back the next morning for the short drive into Charleston.

Under Construction

When Hicks contacted UNCG IARc alumna Anna Will Maginn, ‘11, ‘13 for guidance on hospitality design projects for this class, he wasn’t surprised that her position with Wild Dunes’ marketing department would yield some interesting interior design assignments. On day two of the trip, the class learned that Maginn’s connections in Charleston extended beyond the resort.

“UNCG’s interior architecture department does a great job of giving students the tools they need to figure out their own path,” Maginn explained as she reflected on her college experience. “IARc gave us exposure in a ton of areas, so we could walk away with the skills to do a lot of different things in the world of careers.”

Considering those students whose professional interests leaned more toward the architecture and commercial building side of the major, Anna reached out to Lowe, the real estate investment and development firm that built Wild Dunes Resort.

“Lowe is a perfect example of a development group that works on a host of different projects all over the country. If one of these students wanted to go that path, I was excited to give them that insight.”

At Lowe’s regional office in Charleston, the class learned how resorts like Wild Dunes are built, funded and managed. Dan Battista, Executive Vice President, and Sam Parris, Assistant Vice President, then shared plans for their current construction project, the Cooper Hotel.

The Cooper Hotel is a 200+ room, waterfront hotel under construction in Charleston’s historic district. Framing was complete, leaving the six-story building in the perfect state for a hard hat tour. The students spent the morning exploring the skeleton of the hotel and its guest suites, ballrooms, restaurant spaces, and pool deck. It was easy to imagine the fine finishes that would one day frame the Cooper Hotel’s sweeping views of the river and city.

Renee Nubel was inspired by the tour: “I’ve never been on an active construction site, especially for a big commercial project like that. It was really cool to see the process from the concept and design plans they showed us, to the actual building being built.”

Presenting to the Client

After the hard hat tour in Charleston, the group returned to Wild Dunes in time for their presentations of the Huey’s redesign assignment. Resort executives were gathered in the Indigo Room, a vast, top floor ballroom, to hear 16 student presentations.

“We walked into this big banquet room with the directors of all these different departments. Not what I was expecting!” Gilliam laughed. “But it was great to finally participate in an in-person presentation. Everything else has been virtual.”

The student designs and the young designers’ ability to sell their ideas impressed all in attendance.

“Our leadership was blown away!” Maginn exclaimed. “Some managers canceled meetings to stay for the entire presentation, because they were so compelling. We are really excited to take the next step and share the students’ designs with our ownership group.”

Hicks was also proud of his class’ work. “It is possible to take any one of the students’ designs and implement them with the right team of people at Wild Dunes.”

As the second day of the trip came to a close, the group basked in the glow of complimentary feedback on their designs. Their first “business trip” was already a great success. The presentations energized them for their next Wild Dunes assignment and the careers that awaited them after graduation.

ASSIGNMENT 2: OYSTERCATCHER RESTAURANT

Before departing the resort, the class met back in the lobby of the resort for a briefing on their final project, redesign of the Oystercatcher restaurant. Although the tapas restaurant was beautiful, its chef’s talents are in high demand, so the space must change to accommodate more customers and an expanded menu.

“We’re in a design evaluation mode,” Maginn explained. “The Oystercatcher project is a perfect example. We designed the concept years ago and today, it must change to suit what our audience is looking for.”

The class was learning that businesses didn’t request fresh designs simply because the current ones were old and outdated. Sales and customer demand would always influence their work.

They took notes and began to ponder how to reconfigure tables and rearrange the space without dismantling the current design elements that were effectively attracting customers. It was a challenge that would keep them busy for the next month as the class prepared to present their ideas via Zoom in April.

FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND

As the students prepared to return to UNCG, the impact of the trip and the career-building experience they acquired wasn’t lost on anyone.

“I have never stayed at a resort like this before. This was really cool,” Nubel said. “If I could do this for my entire career – just come to different upscale resorts and redesign their restaurants and hotel lobbies and rooms – I absolutely would, because this is amazing.”

This particular journey had come to a close for the 16 students in Travis Hicks’ studio class. Soon they would graduate and begin their own job searches. Maybe one of them will follow in Anna Maginn’s footsteps.

“I hope they won’t be off and running into the world and forget about us,” Maginn hopes. “If these designs take shape, I would definitely invite the students to be part of the process. If that had happened to me when I was in school, I would be honored beyond words to know that I had a real stamp in a commercial space of this magnitude.

Photography by Sean Norona, University Communications.Video by Grant Evan Gilliard, University Communications.

turn your passion for design into a career.

The City of Isle of Palms is holding the first of two public hearings to discuss limiting future development and protecting the golf courses in the Wild Dunes p

ISLE OF PALMS, S.C. (WCSC) - The City of Isle of Palms is holding the first of two public hearings to discuss limiting future development and protecting the golf courses in the Wild Dunes planned development district on Tuesday.

The discussion stemmed from a 1975 agreement that would make it possible for there to be over 300 more rooms built in the Wild Dunes between hotels and condos.

According to Mayor Phillip Pounds, it all started back in February when a group of residents asked the council to take a look at the decades-old agreement to see if they could make some changes. Anthony Santiago says he was one of those residents.

“We thought we were developed already after The Sweetgrass Inn,” Santiago said. “We don’t even have parking for that. And then through the due diligence we discovered the capacity to expand this more than double.”

Santiago and others who are against future development in Wild Dunes say that more development would overwhelm public safety and public works resources, cause more drainage and sewage issues, and make traffic and parking on the island more of a nightmare.

“Every city municipality has the right to rezone as you develop,” Santiago said. “This is almost fifty years ago when we did this. Nobody thought we’d be as big as we are.”

The Isle of Palms City Council now has five ordinances up for discussion that would preserve public and private facilities and put a cap on density in the planned development district.

Beverly Miller is the executive director of the Barrier Island Preservation Alliance, a nonprofit formed to address challenges unique to the barrier islands. She said she wanted to show support for the ordinances through a petition. It now has over 750 signatures.

“When that was written, this island was erratically different, and it’s so different now that we need to amend those zoning ordinances so that we are up to today and the demands that are on the island today that were not here in 1975,” Miller said.

Pounds said the Wild Dunes agreement was one of the first of its type in the country.

“Unusual maybe, but as areas get built out there’s certainly an opportunity for cities to revisit the zoning and the density and the future development,” Pounds said.

Pounds said the city has received many phone calls and emails from concerned residents worried how much the island could take. He says there’s confusion about the slow process, but he says with the public hearing, that will stop development even though they aren’t completely through the process.

“When you’re on an island where you have such little landmass to develop anything, the ability to put 300 plus units in Wild Dunes today, I don’t even know where they would put them because there’s not that kind of landmass,” Pounds said. “But some of the concern was, could they do something on the golf courses, could they do something on the tennis courts. That’s some of the ordinance that we’re looking at during this process is protecting those areas.”

Tuesday’s public hearing will take place at Isle of Palms city hall at 5 p.m. Another public hearing will take place Nov. 1 at 5 p.m. at the city’s recreation center. The city’s planning commission will take a look at the ordinances and give feedback to city council. Then, it will be up to city council to schedule a second reading which would solidify the ordinances.

Copyright 2022 WCSC. All rights reserved.

When it comes to resorts, South Carolina does it right. Whether you're looking to relax at a luxurious spa, stroll a sandy beachfront, or enjoy memorable meals, there's a resort in the Palmetto State with your name on it. Browse the amenities at these properties, and find what speaks to you. (There's plenty to choose from at each one.) The next step is booking a stay, packing your gear, and—finally—setting out on an adventure to a resort that feels like an oasis, whether a home away from home or just a break from the day-to-day. Rent bikes and pedal the sands. Order room service and enjoy the view from your windows. Find the poolside bar and relax. Memories, and a whole lot of fun, await. Want to continue traveling? Check out some of the best places to stay in every Southern state.

The Beach Club at Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina

This waterfront retreat is a consistently celebrated stay near Charleston. Palmetto trees welcome you to the property, where you'll find wraparound porches, the serenity-inducing Estuary Spa, and a water taxi for ferrying you to downtown adventures. The abundance of patios and porches means you'll get your fill of harbor breezes (and handcrafted cocktails to enjoy while relaxing outdoors).

20 Patriots Point Rd, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464, charlestonharborresort.com

02

The Inn & Club at Harbour Town

Book a stay at The Inn & Club at Harbour Town, part of The Sea Pines Resort in Hilton Head, for a warm welcome and rooms with a view. The boutique luxury hotel has 60 guest rooms and offers opportunities for rounds of golf, swings on the tennis courts, and relaxation at the pool. You can also book private fishing charters, cruises, and boat tours at the nearby full-service marina.

7 Lighthouse Ln., Hilton Head Island, SC 29928, seapines.com

03

Marriott Myrtle Beach Resort & Spa at Grande Dunes

Find pools galore at this Myrtle Beach resort. Sun, sand, and plenty of bright blue umbrellas and loungers await when you book a beachfront stay at this inviting spot. There are indoor and outdoor pools, beach access, and opportunities for pampering at Hibiscus Spa. Open your windows to the beach air, enjoy a meal at the resort's restaurants, or stroll outside to the pool deck—there is fun all around here.

8400 Costa Verde Dr., Myrtle Beach, SC 29572, marriott.com

04

Montage Palmetto Bluff

This Lowcountry property is situated along the May River in Bluffton, which means it has instant appeal—and a marina on the waterfront. Located between Hilton Head and the Georgia border, this resort is equal parts relaxation and adventure. It has fantastic restaurants, a nature preserve, and a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course.

477 Mt Pelia Rd., Bluffton, SC 29910, montagehotels.com

05

The Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort

Book a stay at The Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort, and enjoy the sea breezes. This resort has something for everyone, including dining, swimming, golfing, and lounging on the sands. In addition to the resort's amenities, you can book packages (like the Family Fun Package with bike and kite rentals) to complement your stay.

23 Ocean Ln., Hilton Head Island, SC 29928, omnihotels.com

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The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort

Find a barrier island getaway at Kiawah Island Golf Resort—an oasis of sandy beachfront and championship golf courses near Charleston. There's also decadent dining at the resort's many stellar restaurants, including Jasmine Porch and The Ocean Room. With so much to enjoy, you don't want to miss the opportunity to stay at this luxury property.

1 Sanctuary Beach Dr., Kiawah Island, SC 29455, kiawahresort.com

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Sweetgrass Inn at Wild Dunes Resort

Head to Isle of Palms for a stay at Sweetgrass Inn at Wild Dunes Resort, a 1,600-acre property near Charleston that's a destination for golfing (the Links Course has Atlantic views) and enjoying the coastline. With plenty of pools, bike rentals, and opportunities to relax (check out the Spa at Sweetgrass, where you can contact the spa concierge to customize your stay), you'll never want your vacation to end.

5757 Palm Blvd., Isle of Palms, SC 29451, destinationhotels.com

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The Willcox

While not necessarily classified as a resort, you can find the epitome of South Carolina hospitality at this historic hotel, nestled in the resort town of Aiken. In addition to gracious accommodations, it has fantastic dining offerings for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, a relaxing spa, and easy access to the town's shopping, antiquing, arts, equestrian, and cycling opportunities.

100 Colleton Ave. SW, Aiken, SC 29801, thewillcox.com