08/13/2026
Faces of Lowcountry Hospitality featuring...
Nolan Gregory
Marriott’s Grande Ocean, Director of Operations
How long have you lived here and what do you like most about it?
I’ve lived here my entire life, and my parents actually met on Hilton Head in the late 1980s while working for Marriott. It’s hard to pick just one thing, but I’d say the overall island lifestyle is what I love most. Knowing so many locals, having so many options for golf and tennis, being able to go to the pool or beach whenever, and having so many great local restaurants you can’t find anywhere else. Every time I go over the bridge, it’s a reminder of just how lucky I am to live here.
What’s one thing you miss about Hilton Head Island’s olden days?
I would say having more local islanders actually living on the island. With the rising cost of living, that’s become less common. A lot of people now live in Bluffton or Okatie, and I find myself going to Bluffton a lot to spend time with friends.
What’s one thing you love about recent changes to the island?
I really appreciate how much the variety of leisure activities and events has grown over the past 20 years. The town does a great job hosting festivals and keeping weekends full of things to do. There are also many more restaurant options now, with a much wider range of cuisines than there used to be, and that is not even counting everything Bluffton has added.
What question do you get asked most often by our visitors? And what is your answer?
The most common question is definitely “Where should I go to eat?” My answer is usually, “It depends on what you are looking for.” Whether someone wants something casual or something more upscale, you can find almost anything here. For casual spots, I like Fiesta Fresh, Amigos, Local Pie, and Smokehouse. For something more upscale, you cannot go wrong with Charlie’s, Ombra, or Michael Anthony’s.
Unofficial Poll: Where do most of our visitors hail from, in your experience?
Without a doubt, Ohio. You can tell just by how many restaurants and bars cater to Ohio sports fans. I would also say we see a lot of visitors from New Jersey as well.
Favorite annual event or festival?
I am a little biased, but I would say the Lantern Parade, since it starts right in front of our resort at Grande Ocean. It is a beautiful event that keeps getting bigger every year. My second favorite would have to be Wing Fest, because there are very few things I enjoy more than a good chicken wing.
If you had to recommend a visitor to Hilton Head Island do ONE thing before they leave town, what would it be?
That is a tough question because it really depends on the person, but I would say do something on the water or the beach. Ride a bike on the beach, ideally at sunrise or sunset, or my personal favorite is to get out on the water with a dolphin cruise or a casual boat cruise. It is the best way to experience what makes Hilton Head Island special.
