They are in the middle of PD right along the main entrance road. They're a decent choice if you want to minimize costs as an additional goal. For a bit more, you could rent an Ocean Cove or Hickory Cove and be a 5 minute walk to the beach. Ocean Coves are just a couple of hundred yards from the tennis center and on the 11 mile lagoon. Many Hickory Coves are on the Robert Trent Jones golf course but a bit farther from the tennis center.

All of these villas are individually owned and their condition inside varies accordingly, so you'll want to see pictures and ask questions on condition.

A little bit of History here.

Palmetto Dunes was originally developed by the Greenwood Development Corporation. Over the years they sold off certain parts of the resorts business. Among these was the rental operation which became part of Resort Quest. It was a license that Greenwood revoked early this year.

They are now handling all rentals themselves.

Several years ago, the property owners association sued Greenwood for misappropriation of funds. This lawsuit was settled by Greenwood turning over all non commercial services to the property owners association. They maintained the commercial services such as the golf course and tennis center, but had to forgo all fees that were previously paid by property owners.

Since one of the services that was maintained was conferences, they took back the rental business. I would expect that since the rental business and operations are less than one year old, that it may not be the best available. I suggest you look elsewhere to rent.

Many of the commercial companies have tennis and golf programs available. Some of the properties available on Homeaway.com and VRBO.com may have tennis available, and you should probably pay less by using someone other than Palmetto Dunes (greenwood)

Stan (hhiguy)

Good point on Greenwood/Palmetto Dunes resort, at least in the short term.

As one example of commercial vacation rental companies, I am a villa owner who rents a villa out through ResortQuest. They pretty much require owners to buy a Palmetto Dunes Tennis Resort annual pass. This gets the renter 1 hour a day at the tennis resort (nationally ranked) for each bedroom in the villa. Not too sure what the rule is for houses.

So, my 3BR villa comes with 3 hours of tennis a day, included in the rate. I'm guessing other companies *may* have similar programs, but asking is the best way to find out.

I am renting my house in hickory cove this year through vrbo.com but have had to pay my money to Resortquest. If I have a problem when I am there do I go through the owner or Resortquest? Another question, when I paid my 50% deposit last year the owner had not fixed his rates for 2008 but said I could have the 2007 rates. When I looked on vrbo recently he has dropped the rates for 2008 by $100 a week. I have to pay a further 50% next week as it will be 30 days before we arrive. Am I obliged to pay the higher rate that was agreed or should I pay the lower rate and if that is the case do I take it up with Resortquest or the owner. I'm not fussed as it could have worked the other way round and 2008 rates could have been $100 a week more but just wanted to know what my position was. Lee

I have noticed lately that some of the island rental companies are now putting properties on VRBO and the Homeaway sites. I believe that they are doing this because of the competition they have received from private rentors, and others who are relying on sites like TripAdvisor.

It just may be that ResortQuest is now using VRBO.

Stan (hhiguy)