Can't decide between the golf course and the beach? This gorgeous townhouse nestled among the trees is just a short walk from the beach, yet has all the green shade and beauty of a beach retreat!

Hickory Cove 47 has been thoroughly renovated inside, but no changes were needed to the magnificent scenery and setting of this rustic two-story townhouse! The ground floor contains the living and dining area as well as one bedroom and one and a half baths; upstairs is the primary suite and a separate area with a daybed. Your party of up to seven will sleep in utter comfort in this stylish, spotless, window-filled home!

Walk into the great room and you feel as though you're in a treehouse: several pairs of sliding-glass doors reveal trees and woodlands just beyond the walls. Step onto the fenced patio and enjoy casual seating and dining in a cool, shaded glen. There's even a grill for your use! This is the place to hear the birds singing in the morning and enjoy balmy breezes in the evening. There's just a hint of salt in the air, reminding you that the beach is just a five-minute walk away!

Indoors, the great room greets you with a cool tiled floor, ultra-comfy sofa and armchairs, and an HDTV complete with cable package and DVD player. Your group will love the open space and blue-and-white ocean decor in here! And the common areas are open-plan, so you never leave the view from the front . . . although it has some healthy competition in the dining area!

The dining table seats six easily and is set beside another set of sliders. Floor-to-ceiling views of the greenery make mealtimes extra delicious . . . and this table is ideal for setting up laptops (you have free WiFi at Hickory Cove 47), working a jigsaw, or breaking out the Monopoly board. Family game night "in"!

And you will love the kitchen at Hickory Cove 47, even if you intend to mainly eat out during your Hilton Head stay. Completely renovated, it features stainless-steel appliances, granite countertops, recessed lighting, and an outside door. No matter where you are in this townhouse, you're just steps from the beautiful outdoors!

Should you choose to prepare a few home cooked meals (or at least appetizers and frosty drinks after a busy day at the beach!), you will find everything you need right in the kitchen. All you add is groceries; these cabinets and drawers are packed with cookware, dishes, utensils, and chef's gadgets. Pull out the coffeemaker, toaster, and blender for quick snacks and drinks, and reheat restaurant feasts in the microwave. If you get ambitious, you can cook and serve anything from a low country boil to Thanksgiving dinner using the equipment you'll find here!

Speaking of well appointed, you will also find a full-sized washer and dryer at Hickory Cove 47, along with a half-bath convenient to the great room and kitchen area. Your linens and towels are provided, so all you have to do is toss a few swimsuits in the travel bag and come on over!

The guest bedroom is also located on the first floor, making it ideal for grandparents or a group of kids (and giving Mom and Dad privacy upstairs!). This large, bright room has 2 double beds, easily sleeping 4. It also has sliding glass door access to its own little balcony, plus a flat-screen TV, plenty of storage space, and an en-suite bath with both a shower and tub option.

Upstairs is an open loft area with a daybed, just right for a toddler who likes to sleep near parents or a friend coming in for a night or two. The primary suite is separate and is a glorious place to begin and end each day. The queen-sized bed is ultra-comfortable, with reading lamps, cushioned chairs, a flat-screen TV, and an en-suite bath. Sliders lead out to yet another balcony, just right for that final glass of wine at midnight or that first cup of coffee in the morning!

The primary bath is beautifully tiled, with a walk-in shower and granite vanity top. Everything is new and utterly spotless!

At Hickory Cove 47, you are free to use the community pool, which includes a lovely sun shelf and areas of dappled shade as well. Paths lead through the wooded resort, and the beach is a quick 5-minute walk. As part of the Palmetto Dunes Plantation, it is served by a free shuttle to the beach, shopping, and marina between April and September. What a pleasure to think of parking the car and forgetting about traffic for your whole vacation!

The whole group will love staying at Hickory Cove 47. It is gorgeous in any season and offers a beautiful change of pace from the beach. Discover the glory of the South Carolina coastal woodlands -- come stay here very soon!

Palmetto Dunes Buggy is a FREE door-to-door shuttle to the beach, Shelter Cove Marina, Shops, and Restaurants. This shuttle runs from April through September.