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We spent the past week at this oceanfront, 2BR condo on a beautiful and wide beach in Hilton Head. Located in the Palmetto Dunes Resort area, it is centrally located and convenient to many shopping centers, grocery store and restaurants. This year, we were in the mood to relax, rather than explore. Thus, we spent most of time at the condo. Here's what's right:

1. Oceanfront Location with a Pool. The view is truly a "straight-on ocean" view. At the 2nd-floor level, you are looking through some palm trees, but it is ambient and the landscaping doesn't block out the view. The complex pool is directly beside the building. (We do wish there were umbrellas for shade at the pool.)

2. Second Floor Unit. There were only short flights of steps to this level, so we walked up/down easily and avoided the hot, stuffy elevator entirely after moving in on the first evening.

3. Good 2-Bedroom Layout: King bed in the Master, 2 Doubles in the 2nd BR. Our two teen daughters appreciated having comfortable, separate beds.

4. Predominantly Tile Floors. There is carpet in the den and bedrooms; however, the high traffic areas are tile. We prefer as much tile as possible at the beach.

5. Updated Master Bathroom is a sizeable space where we could spread out. Shower/Toilet are in a smaller, darker adjoining space.

6. Sparse traditional and neutral decorating. This comment may sound unusual, but I loved that the aesthetic of this condo is visually "quiet" and not distracting. There are warm, neutral tones throughout. There is minimal wall décor (thank you!) and only a few accents - which means there wasn't a bunch of mess to clear off of the counters and tabletops in order to make room for our things. Less is more!

7. Things worked. The A/C worked. The plumbing worked. I didn't have to request a repair (as is often the case this late in the season).

8. Responsive Manager/Owner. We did text with one question upon arrival. They answered promptly and even shared our sense of humor.

If we could make one change, we would plead that the dishwasher be replaced. It is old, missing some roller feet, has gotten rusty/dirty inside and does not wash; at best, it's a hot water rinse. We cooked in for 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 5 dinners. That was a lot of hand-washing on vacation.

Overall, we were pleased and rated the unit 4 stars (and would give it 4-1/2 if that were an option). We would return to this unit if/when we return to HHI.