What is a Hilton Head wellness retreat really like?
Senior consumer travel reporter Eve Chen explores Hilton Head Health’s wellness retreat in South Carolina.
HILTON HEAD, S.C. – Dean Price doesn’t know if he’ll still be able to walk in 10 years.
He started losing muscle unexpectedly in the summer of 2018 and has undergone a series of tests to rule out diseases such as multiple sclerosis and ALS, but said, “Western medicine doesn’t give me an answer.”
But his neurologist told him something that would change his life. “‘It doesn’t really matter. You’re either going to be able to walk in 10 years, or you’re not. We don’t know. But what’s important is to figure out what you really, really want to do in life and do it. And do it now.'”
He’s spending his summer doing just that, focusing on his health. That led to her first wellness retreat in June at Hilton Head Health, an all-inclusive wellness resort in South Carolina that USA TODAY also visited.
Wellness tourism has grown explosively in recent years and is expected to become a $1.4 trillion industry by 2029, according to data from the nonprofit Global Wellness Institute and analysis from travel research experts Focuslight and its sister company Web in Travel.
This year alone, more than half of global respondents to Hilton’s 2026 Trends Report cited “rest and recharge” as their top reason for traveling. Additionally, Hilton noted that more than a third of respondents cited improved mental health as a primary motivation for leisure travel, and 20% were seeking dedicated “me time.” According to KAYAYK’s 2026 Trends Report, 66% of Gen Z and Millennial travelers surveyed cited relaxation and mental reset as a top priority.
Personal reasons for wellness travel vary widely, as do the travelers themselves. Hilton Head Health staff say some guests come to relieve stress and find balance. Some people are working on their physical health and longevity. Still others are processing life changes such as diagnosis, loss, or milestones including retirement.
time to reset
Lavina Jo Meyer, who was with Mr. Price during his visit, said, “It’s very satisfying to come here to reset yourself and renew your spirit.”
“I came here by chance on the recommendation of my girlfriend,” she said of her first stay in 2023. She has already visited seven times.
Room rates at Hilton Head Health start at just over $3,900 for a seven-night experience in a single-person Comfort King room at the resort’s Sweetgrass Inn. Prices vary depending on length of stay, time of year and accommodation selection. Meyer said she knows visiting isn’t for everyone, but that’s how she decides how to spend her travel budget. “The reason I keep coming back is that it’s a healthy place. It’s a great environment. It’s beautiful.”
She loves the resort’s location on Hilton Head Island, surrounded by moss-covered trees. She also enjoys the beach 2.4 miles away, where she takes morning walks during her stay. Research supports the mental and physical benefits of spending time in outdoor green spaces, but the biggest draw for Meyer is the experience at Hilton Head Health itself.
She praised the resort’s supportive instructors and staff, healthy gourmet cuisine, and variety of daily activities, from pickleball practices and yoga classes to workshops on mindful eating and how to sleep better.
“It helped me get into the mindset of healthy habits,” she said. “It’s not like I didn’t know what they were before, but it kind of fell into place.”
time to recommit
When Enzo Caiazzo first came to Hilton Head Health in 2015, he had specific goals. It’s weight loss that this resort has specialized in for almost 50 years.
He said learning about the importance of nutrition, practicing portion control and focusing on the quality of food at the resort paid off after a week.
It is important to note that not all wellness facilities offer the benefits that they advertise or that their guests expect. And travelers should do thorough research and read reviews about the destinations they plan to visit.
However, Caiazzo said: “I was very happy with the result and continued with the same approach (at home). The more I continued, the more I saw results.”
He said he lost nearly 40 more pounds and his doctor congratulated him by showing him the results of his blood tests before and after the transformation. “There’s day and night.”
Although Caiazzo continues to lose weight, she still returns to Hilton Head Health at least once a year to recommit. He met Mr. Price and Mr. Meyer on a recent visit. “If you know about this program, you’ll come back sooner or later,” he said. “I’ve been to other places, but I always come back here.”
Time to reconnect
Price has already returned for a second stay this summer.
“I really, really liked it. You get to eat healthy. That was a big part of what I was trying to figure out: How can I travel and eat healthy?” he said, praising both the food, the education, and the optional cooking demonstrations. He also enjoyed the countless exercise and meditation classes that built on what he was already doing on his own. “Every day there was something I could do to push myself.”
He said a big part of its greatness is the people, including Caiazzo and Meyer.
Meyer agreed, saying, “I feel like I’ve made some really close friends while I’ve been here.” She keeps in touch with some of the people she met over the years.
Caiazzo said that even though everyone has different reasons for attending a wellness retreat. “This is a community…you’re all on the same path and looking for something.”
Many of the guests who develop friendships at the resort return together year after year. Price thinks it’s a great idea.
USA TODAY reporter Eve Chen was provided access by Hilton Head Health. USA TODAY maintains editorial control of content.
