What to take to HHI?

[fabfive]

We are renting a condo in HHI. We will cook to save money. What should I take with us and not purchase at the grocery store in HHI. I understand it is very expensive.

 

[deezeealum]

we go to HHI every summer and have for the past 37 years. Grocery stores on the island are no more expensive then what we have here in NJ. You can check the websites for what's on sale. They have all the major grocery chains that you can find in the SouthEast: Harris Teeter, Publix, Kroger, Red Lion, etc. WHere are you staying? WE always stay in Sea Pines and hit the HT right outside the main gate. WE also always bring my coupon box (small think index card size) to maximize savings as well. Many people feel since it is an sialnd it is more expensive which is simply not the case. Have a fantastic time! Any questions, feel free to PM me

 

[fabfive]

Palmetto Dunes is where we are staying. What do you bring from home that you wouldn't care if you used it all or not?

 

[deezeealum]

we usually fly so we dont bring alot of things that I know we can buy there. But we have been known to bring shampoo, sunscreen, etc. We then decide if we have enough to justify bringing home. Are you flying or driving? There is also all the major drug stores on the island too: CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid. There is a PIggly Wiggly that is mid island not too far from Palmetto Dunes. I have never been but it looks small. Try the Food Lion on Palmetto Bay Rd. or there is a GREAT Publix on the right hand side as you come onto the island. It's right near the Walmart. The only Target is off the island. You could check the websites and see if you can sign up for a loyalty card online before you go, or spend the 4 mins when you go shopping and get one. We have a Publix and HT card that we use solely for our trips.

 

[fabfive]

We are driving. So far I have packed:
Salt & Pepper
Olive Oil
Kool Aid
Trash bags
Dish soap
Napkins
Coffee & Filters
Tea Bags (for iced tea)
salad dressing
Cereal
Microwave popcorn

 

[5forDiz]

we go to HHI every summer and have for the past 37 years. Grocery stores on the island are no more expensive then what we have here in NJ. You can check the websites for what's on sale. They have all the major grocery chains that you can find in the SouthEast: Harris Teeter, Publix, Kroger, Red Lion, etc. WHere are you staying? WE always stay in Sea Pines and hit the HT right outside the main gate. WE also always bring my coupon box (small think index card size) to maximize savings as well. Many people feel since it is an sialnd it is more expensive which is simply not the case. Have a fantastic time! Any questions, feel free to PM me

I totally agree; we've been to HHI many times since 2000 & find with some planning, coupons, etc. it is not necessary to bring groceries from home.

As to OP's question on what to "bring from home that you wouldn't care if you used it all or not ?" : honestly idk maybe ziplock bag up some spices that you'd use for meals you plan to make so you don't have to buy lots of bottles of spice there, coffee & cereal if you feel the price you can buy for at home is at such an exceptional savings that it would be hard to beat elsewhere....beyond maybe some dry items previously mentioned we wouldn't cart anything food related from home, but would shop once on island.

Have a great trip

 

[deezeealum]

Your list seems to cover your basics. Most villas/houses start you with several trash bags and small (slightly larger then travel size) dish soap, and soap for your hands and shower. You might want to think of anything that you will need in limited quantities IE landry soap (although my mom often brings her own non liquid) dryer sheets, WE have driven a few times and stocked up on smaller sizes when we found them on sale. Mayo, cereal, etc. HHI does some great early bird speical as well and has tons of fantastic restaurants that have great lunches to save some money too. Pick up the free restaurant guide and what to do guise when you hit the grocery store. They have coupons in the what to do guide and the restaurant guide tells you where the early bird specials are.

 

[fabfive]

Oh yes, we plan to go out but not every meal. We love going to the outside grill at the Salty Dog and listening to the music.

 

[5forDiz]

If you're not going to do alot of restaurant meals try to make/buy enough to carryover something over from a meal into a second meal, it shortens shopping list and saves some cooking & prep time and can be fun to get creative. Stuff like grilled chicken cutlets from one meal can be used in another meal over caesar salad or with tacos & fixings, grilled london broil or steak leftovers sliced & sauteed with peppers & onions on french bread, always can get alot of mileage out of a meat sauce for pasta or chili, sliced deli items like ham, pepperoni & cheese for lunch used in breakfast omelets, etc.

 

[azdizzymom]

There is a Walmart on HHI and there is an area with souvenirs where we bought lots of things for a lot cheaper when we were there!

 

[HeatherC]

There is also a great Super Walmart in Bluffton if you are driving. Seems to be much less crowded than the one on HHI.

We will be staying in Palmetto Dunes for the first two weeks in August and will stop here on our way in.

Cannot wait!!! Have an awesome time!!!!

 

[Candace]

There is a nice, small Piggly Wiggly in the shopping center near Shelter Cove. You can get their "discount card" there to help a little. I just keep mine in my wallet for my next trip. Like someone said, the grocery stores there are no more expensive than the ones at home (Arkansas, for me). Gosh I envy you for going! We won't be there again until after Christmas. Enjoy your trip!

 

[laura.anne]

We go every year... I just got back from HHI about a month and a half ago. The stores aren't much more expensive... the gas is less expensive in fact (50 cents cheaper per gallon than in n. central Georgia where I live!) so make sure to fill up while you're there. But back on topic: there's a Walmart, a Publix, Harris Teeter, Kroger, Piggly Wiggly... I believe Harris Teeter is the only place that doubles coupons on the island if you're a couponer. I would stick to Walmart. As a tip, check out the condo first to make sure you're not buying anything that's already there, and make sure all the stuff you need (like toilet paper!) is there before you head out shopping. Have a great time!

 

[fabfive]

Any rental experience with Palmetto Dunes or Marriott Harbour Point?

 

[Princess Nancy]

We are into our 2nd week here right now! It is wonderful!

I echo what everyone says. Grocery stores, Walmart etc are not any more expensive than at home. We also pick up all the coupon books available. You will be surprised what you find.

Atlanta Bread (like Panera) has a 20% off coupon if you go after 5. beware they close at 8.

Tons of early Bird specials if you can roll off the beach and get to the restaurants by 5:30 or 6. We ate at the Japanese place for $12.95 each and it was yummy.

The Tanger outlet book has 10% off at the Westin restaurant, Turtles. Today we are going to the beach and will pop in there for lunch then do sandwiches for dinner. We are in Port Royal, so it is perfect for us.

The Wendy's has all you can eat Chili and a small drink for $1.99 on Sunday and Monday after 4 or 5. We did a baked Potato bar and grabbed a couple of Chili's (you can get 2 small Chili's for $1.99 for this deal at the drive thru) for toppings.

Our fav Mexican place is Mi Tierra, it looks like a hole in the wall but is pretty good. (It is down near the crazy crab -- not the one in Harbour Town)

Street Meet near Sam's Club is yummy. The pretzel and Crab dip are Awesome as is the grouper sandwich. 2 could share this. The Crazy Crab is also great.

We come every year, so eating out is not a priority for us. We eat mostly in the condo and do not bring from home. I usually need to visit Walmart as we will run out of something...most likely sunscreen. I started with 18 bottles for 8 of us and am down to 4 after buying 2 at Walmart last night! LOL!! Although I think there are a few stray bottles in beach bags and bathrooms!

The best evenings (and they are free) is a night under the big tree in Harbour Town with Greg Russell nightly 8 pm. Get there by 7:30 for a bench seat. Shannon Tanner in Shelter Cove nightly at 6:30 and 8. Fireworks on Tuesday but it will be REALLY crowded.

OH...My ice cream tip. My DD wrote at school about her summer and how we had Ice Cream EVERY night on vaca!!! Well, that is because DH took them to McDonald's for $1 cones or $1.79 Snack size McFlurry's!!! My kids don't need those $8 cones to feel spoiled!!!

Finally for you Disney Fanatics. IF you go to the Disney Resort...a short walk from Shannon Tanner and Shelter Cove. You can enjoy a Mickey Bar or and Itsakadoozie. just pop in and it is above the pool. Ask, they will point you in the right direction. Or you can go to the Disney Beach (no different except they have a snack Bar with Disney Ice Cream (and Disney Prices!) Beware though, your Kid's will beg to stay at Disney because the Pool has a DJ and it is rockin and sounds like TONS of Fun While you sit outside eating your Mickey Bars!

Enjoy your trip!!!

 

[fabfive]

Has anyone ever got shrimp from one of those stands on the side of the road?

 

[fabfive]

Just entered a contest to with free bike rental for a week for a family of 4? Maybe a little pixey dust will help.

 

[Priorityonecb]

Agreeing with everyone else in that HHI isn't anymore expensive than anywhere else. We usually do a grocery run in Bluffton before heading over the bridge. We will be there next week!

 

[fabfive]

It is good to know that items are not more expensive. Last time at Publix or the Piggly Wiggly Coke Cola was over $5.00 for a 12 pack. Here in OH, you can get on sale for $2.50 a 12 pack. That is what I remembered.

We will be arriving on July 2nd. Are there any special celebrations for the 4th that might interest us?

 

[Karalea]

It is good to know that items are not more expensive. Last time at Publix or the Piggly Wiggly Coke Cola was over $5.00 for a 12 pack. Here in OH, you can get on sale for $2.50 a 12 pack. That is what I remembered.

We will be arriving on July 2nd. Are there any special celebrations for the 4th that might interest us?

Full time Bluffton resident here:

There will be fireworks at Shelter Cove. The Island Rec center will be hosting a family fun event with music, games, etc for the kids before the fireworks as Shelter Cove Park. Fireworks will also been done on Skull Creek down near Hudson's/Chart House and at Harbour town.

This year our family will also be participating in the Firecracker 5000 road race/walk July 4th morning. Praying that the heat breaks. It has been 100 with heat indexes around 110 all week.


We have a children's parade in Old Town Bluffton that is cute and fun for the kids. They decorate bikes, pets. etc. It is only 3 blocks. Very nice small town tradition.

We usually head down to River Street in Savannah for their 4th celebration.