For more information about how it might feel to visit our weight loss health spa, please visit the Experience: Tour of H3I section on this website.

• What is the recommended length of stay?
• Do I have to begin the program on a certain week or day?
• What do program fees include?
• Are there any specials or discounts available?
• When and how do I pay my fee?
• Will I need extra money?
• Do you offer personal and therapeutic spa services?
• Where will I be staying?
• How can family, friends or business associates contact me while I'm at the Institute?
• What is the island climate?
• What clothing should I bring?
• What else should I bring?
• How do I get to Hilton Head Island?
• Will I need a car while at the Institute?
• Is your program coeducational?
• What are the options for companions not enrolled in the program?
• What happens in a typical day?
• Will I have a complete medical exam?
• Can you help me stop smoking?
• Will I have one-on-one consultation with staff?
• What are my fitness options?
• Can I get continuing education units for participation in the program?
• I have high blood pressure and my husband has diabetes.  Is this program safe for us?
• I have food allergies.  May I still come?
• I am a vegetarian.  Is this program for me?
• Can I use my laptop at the Institute?
• What is the minimum age requirement?

We recommend 1 to six weeks in the H3I weight loss spas Healthy Lifestyle™ program and/or Specialty Weeks depending on your personal needs, current health status and goals.  Most of our Guests stay two weeks at our residential health and weight loss spa.  Please call our Program Consultants for help determining the program length that best suits your needs.

Do I have to begin the program on a certain week or day? top

You may start your weight loss retreat program any week, beginning on Sunday.  Check-in time is 4:00pm, with an orientation and tour at 5:00, followed by dinner at 6:00.  Check-out time is Sunday, 10am.

What do program fees include? top

Program fees include everything you need for a great weight loss spa experience. For the basic fee, you get a private bedroom and bath in a shared accommodation, like a townhouse.  Also included are all meals and snacks, health screening, a supervised exercise program, a nutritional/lifestyle seminar series, 10 minute individual lifestyle coach sessions, taxes and gratuities.  Not included, but available for an extra charge, are private accommodations, personal consultations with the Institute’s Registered Dietitian, Executive Chef or Behavioral Counselors, spa treatments and specialty programs such as Next Level Fitness.

Are there any specials or discounts available?  top

Yes, in addition to the seasonal weeks, discounts are available for multiple-week stays.  Preferred pricing is extended to returning guests. Please ask your Program Consultant for more information.

When and how do I pay my fee?  top

A deposit of $500 is required to guarantee a reservation, with the balance due upon arrival.  Change of dates or cancellations must be made at least 7 days prior to scheduled arrival date.  We accept major credit cards, personal checks and cash.

Will I need extra money?  top

Unlike most programs, our weight loss spas fees are all-inclusive.  However, Guests generally bring extra money and credit card for island recreation (golf, tennis, horseback riding, bike rental), spa services, consultations, shopping, cultural events, movies, etc.

Do you offer personal and therapeutic spa services?  top

We highly recommend that you nurture body, mind and spirit while at the Institute.  See the Spa Services page for more information.

Where will I be staying?  top

Guests stay in one, two, or three bedroom private or semi-private cottages which may be up to 2.5 miles (.5 to 2.5 miles) from the Institute main building.  Those in semi-private cottages have a private bedroom and bath, and share living and laundry areas.  All accommodations are located within the Shipyard Plantation.  Weekly housekeeping services are included.  All H3I weight loss spa buildings are smoke-free.  See the Accommodations and Privacy page in the Tour section of this website for more information.

How can family, friends or business associates contact me while I'm at the Institute?  top

Please use the following during your stay with us:

Your name
c/o Hilton Head Health Institute
14 Valencia Road
Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
843-785-7292
843-785-2340 (Fax)

This address is also appropriate for special mail services such as UPS and Federal Express. Personal and business calls should be placed from and received at your cottage.  Your cottage phone number will be available upon check-in.  In addition, phones are available at the Institute weight loss spa for personal calls.  All long-distance calls must be made by cellular phone, calling card, credit card or by placing a collect call.  We will be happy to take messages for you should callers not reach you in your cottage.  We will post your messages on the message board in the main building.  Of course, in an emergency, we will locate you as soon as possible.  A personal computer is located in our lobby for your limited use.

What is the island climate?  top

Hilton Head Island’s moderate temperatures allow for outdoor activity all year.  Temperatures fall in these general ranges:

	Highs	Lows
Winter	Mid 60’s	Mid 40’s
Spring	Mid 70’s	Mid 60’s
Summer	Mid 80’s	Low 70’s
Fall	Mid 70’s	Low 60’s

What clothing should I bring?  top

The atmosphere of Hilton Head Island, as well as that of the Institute, is very informal.  Therefore, we recommend very comfortable, casual clothing.  Shorts and t-shirts are fine for summer months; sweat suits for the cooler months.  Casual attire is also appropriate for our dining room.  Please bring a swimsuit or two for water fitness.  Towels are provided; however, if you have a favorite beach-size towel, feel free to bring it.  Please come prepared for a rainy day or a chilly morning or evening. Well-fitting and comfortable exercise shoes are essential.  Should you wish, we have a shoe-fitting expert available.  Exercise shoes are available for purchase.

What else should I bring?  top

Please bring whatever you think might make your stay with us more comfortable.  Although we have flashlights available for evening walks and umbrellas for rainy days, some guests prefer to bring their own. Items such as expensive jewelry are unnecessary in the casual resort setting of the Island and the Institute (yes, we are a weight loss resort, even though we have a serious program).  We recommend that you leave all such items at home.  However, safe deposit boxes are available at the front desk, free of charge. Many guests enjoy having a favorite book, a writing journal, and a favorite music CD or cassette tape, iPod or Walkman and headphones.  Please don’t forget medications and the refill number.  For your convenience, the Institute’s Cottage Shop carries a variety of sundries, clothing and gift items.

How do I get to Hilton Head Island?  top

By Air:  Hilton Head Island is served by two airports, Savannah International Airport and Hilton Head Island airport.  Any travel agent can assist you with flight reservations. Ground transportation from Savannah Airport: LowCountry Adventures 800-845-5582 or 843-681-8212 (24 hour advance reservations – ask for “the Institute’s reduced rate” the code is 0325). Taxi service and rental cars are available at both airports.

By Automobile:  From north or south, take I-95 to US 278 (South Carolina Exit 8).  Follow US 278 east for approximately 17 miles until you reach Hilton Head Island.  Continue on US 278  (William Hilton Parkway) for 10 miles.  Turn left at the traffic signal into the Shipyard Plantation gate.  Identify yourself as a guest and follow the signs to Hilton Head Health Institute. (Note: On Hilton Head Island, the Cross Island Parkway offers an alternative to US 278, but requires a toll.) See our separate travel information and map.

Will I need a car while at the Institute?  top

Although a car is not a necessity, it is a convenience.  Accommodations are up to 2.5 miles from the Institute.  Most shopping, movies, and various tourist attractions (including Beaufort, Savannah and Charleston) are only accessible by automobile.  Car rental is available locally at daily or weekly rates.  There is ample local taxi service, but no other form of public transportation.  A car pass for Shipyard Plantation is required.  Simply mention that you are a guest at the security gate to receive a temporary pass.  You will receive a pass for the duration of your stay upon check-in at the Institute. The Institute weight loss spa  provides transportation for sponsored group outings and to nearby movie theaters and shopping areas.

Is your program coeducational?  top

Yes.  Both men and women attend our program.  In fact, we encourage couples to come together.

What are the options for companions not enrolled in the program?  top

Housing is provided for in-house guests participating in the Healthy Lifestyle^TM program.  If a family member, or friend, who is not participating in the H³I program, wish to stay with you in your accomodations, you must stay in a Private accomodation.  Other options for your guest include staying in a nearby hotel or providing their own accomodations outside of H³I.  We welcome them for meals at the Institute, for an additional charge. 

What happens in a typical day?  top

Please see our page ‘A Typical Day’ in our section on a Tour of H3I for a more complete idea.  Each day provides many educational, fitness and recreational options. Health education sessions are conducted in both lecture format as well as small group discussion, enabling you to participate in an active and personal way. The schedule varies according to the length of the program in which you are enrolled.   A Sample Schedule is included on the site to give you an idea of how a week is set up.  In addition, Guests are encouraged to take advantage of the myriad options outside the Institute’s structured program with activities such as beachcombing, golf, tennis and horseback riding.

Will I have a complete medical exam?  top

No.  The Hilton Head Health Institute is not a medical facility.  However, baseline blood tests (including cholesterol and fractions, triglycerides, and fasting glucose) will be provided to all guests staying a minimum of one week.  A comparative test will be done for those staying a minimum of two weeks. 

Can you help me stop smoking?  top

Yes.  Many Guests have begun their nicotine-free lives at the Institute.  Ask your Program Consultant for more information about Smoking Cessation Assistance, or look at the Smoking Cessation page on this site.

Will I have one-on-one consultation with staff?  top

Yes. Each Guest is assigned his/her own Lifestyle Coach to guide him/her through the program and to address individual concerns and questions.  Staff members are easily accessible and we encourage questions during lectures and fitness sessions.

What are my fitness options?  top

Our goal is for you to establish a realistic fitness regimen that you will be able to continue at home.  We offer a wide variety of fitness classes for different ability levels. Those with physical limitations find that our individualized approach meets their needs. Take a look at the Sample Schedule to get see your fitness class options.

Can I get continuing education units for participation in the program?  top

The Hilton Head Health Institute is pleased to offer CEUs for many of our programs through the University of South Carolina.  The Hilton Head Health Institute offers 6.2 CEUs for its weekly program accomplished at the Institute for a fee of $50.  Please contact your Program Consultant at least two weeks prior to your stay to obtain course approval. 

I have high blood pressure and my husband has diabetes.  Is this program safe for us?  top

Yes.  In fact, it’s just what you need!  Our nutrition plan, a low fat, low sodium, high complex carbohydrate, high fiber diet is in keeping with the national medical recommendations for treatment of these conditions.  And the weight loss you will experience will help you keep your symptoms under control.

I have food allergies.  May I still come?  top

Yes.  If your allergies are not too extensive, we can accommodate you.  Please discuss your specific requirements with your Program Consultant prior to arrival (use our toll free number — 1-800-292-2440).

I am a vegetarian.  Is this program for me?  top

A vegetarian meal plan is an option.

Can I use my laptop at the Institute?  top

Yes, there is wireless access in the main lobby of the Institute.  There is also a computer available outside of the Strength Zone that Guests have access to 24 hours per day.  Accomodations are not guaranteed to have a wireless connection.  We do not have a computer consultant on staff to help Guests troubleshoot their computer settings or connections.

What is the minimum age requirement? top

You must be 18 years of age or older to participate in the Healthy Lifestyle^TM program.