HHI - Just Back - A Mini-Trip Report

[WolfpackFan]

Well we're back from a very short trip to HHI. Here are some highlights of our trip. Plus if you go to the link in my sig below, you can see some pictures I just uploaded (have you notice that the more often you go to a place, the less pictures you take each time you go).

Anyway, we drove to HHI on Monday and got there around noon. We drove on into Harbour Town and had lunch at the Crazy Crab. I had the oyster Po' Boy while DW had a seafood salad. My oysters were delicious but her salad was so-so. After walking around the fancy boats and all we headed to check into the Hampton Inn just as it was starting to rain. We spent Monday night at the Hampton Inn and Tuesday and Wednesday at the DVC resort. This is a very good way to extend your points by spending the night before at a cheap motel ($80 for the room). You can then checkin at the DVC resort early and have pretty much a whole extra day there. The Hampton Inn at Bluffton is actually nicer than the one on HHI but the HHI one is usually cheaper and really you're just looking for somewhere to spend the night.

After checking in, we drove over to Savannah and walked around the river front area some. I couldn't believe how deserted it seemed. For dinner we drove on out towards Tybee Island and ate at Uncle Bubba's Oyster House. I had some of the best shrimp and grits I've ever had. This was our second time at Uncle Bubba's and it is one of our favorite places to eat. For those that don't know Uncle Bubba is Paula Deen's brother.

Tuesday morning we got up and had the free breakfast at the Hampton Inn and then drove over to the DVC resort and checked in. Our studio wasn't available yet, but that was okay we didn't think it would be. After walking around the resort a little and seeing nothing had changed much since we were there last, we drove over to the Beach House and sat out on the beach for a while. Now for me the weather was perfect. I don't like hot sun and it was overcast and windy. But DW is the type that likes to lay out all day in 90 degree sun, so she was cool a lot. We got a call from the resort around noon that our unit was ready, so we packed up our beach stuff shortly after that and went to move into our studio.

I have to admit I was disappointed in the location. Instead of being in the lodge, we were in one of the outlying buildings and basically had a tree view. Now in defense of the room DW did point out to me that if I sat in the bathroom and looked out the window I had a great view of the marina . But who wants to do that all day long. After settling in, I drove down to the Piggly Wiggly and got me some beer. Plus I stopped at the little sub restaurant next to the PW and got DW and myself a hoagie to share for lunch. After eating we headed back to the beach for some more great beach time. I actually got into the water, which was warm and that was pretty fun.

Around 5:00 or so we then headed back to our room and changed clothes. Dinner that night was at the Old Oyster Factory and both DW and myself agree it was one of the best meals we've had recently. You have to understand, we're both from eastern North Carolina and we were both raised on fried seafood. Well I had the broiled Tilapia with a shrimp cream sauce and DW had the stuffed Flounder. Both were absolutely delicious.

Okay, now we're up to Wednesday. Wednesday morning we did the beach thing again, but it was even cooler and more cloudy than the day before. We left after a couple of hours and headed to lunch at the famous Dye's Gullah Fixin's. Folks this was another excellent meal. On weekdays they serve a buffet. Dye herself was our waitress and we had a great time talking to her. Basically her food is the same country food we were raised on. Just like my grandmother used to cook. On the buffet was fried pork chops, fried chicken and catfish stew. For veggies she had homemade mac and cheese, green beans, lima beans, fried okra, carrots, rice, mustard greens, potato salad, corn bread and some other stuff I can't remember. For dessert it was pecan/coconut cake. Everything was fantastic. This will definitely be on our list to return to each visit. It was funny after hearing how popular the place was we were surprised we were the only customers in there for a long time and Dye was great talking to while we were eating.

Okay, after stuffing ourselves we headed back to our room and did a long walk to walk off all that food. We didn't do much else in the afternoon as we felt it was to cold to go back to the beach. For dinner we went to Aunt Chiladas. This place was a disappointment and we will not return there.

Yesterday morning we had to sadly check out and we drove to Charleston. We walked around the historic area some, went through the marketplace area and had lunch a TBonz. We then drove to Myrtle Beach where we spent last night and had dinner at Broadway on the Beach. A final four hour drive this morning and we were back home.

A couple of DVC related things to point out -

1) Look for Mike at the pool, he is a wealth of information about HHI and was the one that told us about Dye's lunch buffet.

2) As I previously posted, I had a very hard time getting my iPhone to connect to the WiFi network that is supposedly available in the room. I don't know if it was my iPhone or the network and since I didn't have a regular computer with me, I never could get it figured out.

3) I don't think I will use online checkin anymore. The problem with it in this case is we didn't know what our room number was when we checked in as it wasn't ready. We didn't find out until they called us that the room was ready. Typically at checkin, I would have quizzed the CM and asked if any water view rooms were available. DW thinks I'm making too big a deal about not having a water view, but sitting out on our balcony and watching the water, birds, etc. is a big part of my enjoyment at HHI.

If you have any questions, please let me know.

[BWV Dreamin]

Thanks for the report. I was curious about the Hampton Inn. Do you think the boat ride from the marina to Savannah is worth the money? This is our first trip to HHI. Any must do's that the resort offers? We'll be there Nov 11,12,13.

[AnnaS]

Thank you for sharing. We recently got back from our 3 night stay here (on the way home from WDW). It rained the first and part of second day.

It was our first time, we could not believe the choices of places to eat.

We had dinner at San Miguel, Mezzaluna and the Boathouse. We had beautiful weather on the last day. I was also surprised at how warm the water/ocean was and actually went in.

We met Mike also - he was great as were a few other cast members. Will definitely be back. We wish it was a bit closer to us so we could drive and stay a few nights.

[WolfpackFan]

Originally Posted by BWV Dreamin

Thanks for the report. I was curious about the Hampton Inn. Do you think the boat ride from the marina to Savannah is worth the money? This is our first trip to HHI. Any must do's that the resort offers? We'll be there Nov 11,12,13.

Sorry, but I don't know anything about the boat ride to Savannah. I didn't even know there was one. It would seem to me that it would be a pretty long boat ride. We always just drive over. As far as resort activities, the only one we've ever done is the kayaking and that was great fun.

[Simba's Mom]

It sounds like you had the same studio we did once, in building 28. Much as I love HHI, that was our least favorite view also. Too bad they couldn't have turned it around-the view of the marina was pretty neat! We'll have to look into that Dye's Gullah Fixins next time we're at HHI. Is it far from the resort! I like the idea of a buffet lunch.

[5forDiz]

Wolfpack how did you travel up to Charleston and then from there on to Myrtle - via I95 or back roads ? DH & I would like to plan stop at either or both on upcoming homeward drive from HHI.

Thanks

[WolfpackFan]

Originally Posted by Simba's Mom

It sounds like you had the same studio we did once, in building 28. Much as I love HHI, that was our least favorite view also. Too bad they couldn't have turned it around-the view of the marina was pretty neat! We'll have to look into that Dye's Gullah Fixins next time we're at HHI. Is it far from the resort! I like the idea of a buffet lunch.

Yep, number 2812. I know that there are only so many water views but I was disappointed. But hey, there is always next trip. It would have been great if those units that are on the outside were turned around and the balconies faced the marina. Now that would be a great view.

As far as Dye's, as you leave the resort turn left onto 278. Drive past the mall as if you are leaving the island. Dye's is in the Pineland shopping center area that is on the left. It is across from the Hampton Inn. If you see the Barnes and Noble, you've gone too far. Dye's is in the back of the shopping center next to a pretty little courtyard area. We looked at the dinner menu and DW and myself have decided we like the variety on the buffet better. It was $12.99 but that included iced tea. Now when we go back next April, we might try to do the Friday night Low Country buffet. It is similar to the lunch buffet but with more specialty Low Country items. You have to have a reservation for that buffet and that is part of the problem. Nobody ever answers the phone at Dye's (it must have rang a dozen times while we were eating lunch) and Dye specifically says on her answering machine that she will not return phone calls out of the local calling area. The best thing to do for dinner reservations is to just drive over there at lunch and make the reservation in person IMO. I think that is what we will do next April.

[WolfpackFan]

Originally Posted by 5forDiz

Wolfpack how did you travel up to Charleston and then from there on to Myrtle - via I95 or back roads ? DH & I would like to plan stop at either or both on upcoming homeward drive from HHI.

To get to Charleston, we drove back out to I-95 and then took the Route 17 exit. But I have to say that might not be the best way. Route 17 to Charleston is having road construction done plus the speed limit is very low a lot of the way (like 45 and 50) AND they police that speed limit vigorously. It seemed like at times we were just crawling. I think I read at one point they have had a lot of accidents on that road and so they really enforce the speed limit strongly. It took over 2 hours to get to Charleston from HHI. I'm not so sure it wouldn't be better to just say on I-95 until you get to I-26 and take it into Charleston. When you get to Charleston, you can go to the Visitor Center and get a map. But if you are planning on doing a walking tour, do not leave your car at the Visitor Center. It is a long walk from there on down to the historic area much less the battery. I would drive on down and park in one of the parking decks around the old Market Place. Then just walk down Meeting St. to see the houses.

To go on to Myrtle Beach, make sure you are on Bay St. and head north taking the Route 17 Bridge across the Cooper River. Then just follow 17 to Myrtle Beach. It is a very easy drive. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express at Broadway at the Beach and it was very reasonable ($100). They also have a Hampton Inn next to Broadway as wall as a nice two tower Hampton Inn on the beach itself.

[5forDiz]

Thanks so much & also for the parking and hotel suggestions, will give them a try

[Conan the Librarian]

Mike is a great guy (another Savannahian also). We ran into him yesterday (the 7th) while on a little excursion to HHI.

I haven't heard how much that boat cruise from HHI to Savannah is, but, it would be a long trip. I have done the trip from Savannah to Daufuski Island (the one across from Sea Pines) and it took at least an hour. Now if it is a speed boat, it might be quicker.

I'll do some research and post if I can.

[Kdisney]

Hey fellow Wolfpack fan, how far is HHI from Cary? What route do you take? We are driving down to HHI from N. VA in March- my DH always wants to veer off and stay near his old school but I'm usually ready to get home. We have stayed the night in Fayetteville to break up our trip (it's tough, we have a toddler) but maybe this time we will make a little detour.

Loving all the restaurant recs! Great TR!

[WolfpackFan]

It takes about 5 1/2 hours to get to HHI from Cary. Basically it's I-40 to I-95 and then I-95 all the way to just this side of the Georgia border. I don't remember the exit number, but you take Route 278 to HHI from I-95.

[podsnel]

I really wish we would have gone to Dye's this last trip- people have such nice things to say about it! And I agree- Mike is such a friendly and helpful guy- and always so cheerful!

[Conan the Librarian]

My sister lives(lived) in Cary. I am not sure if they live in Raleigh proper or in Cary. It's somewhere on Tryon rd.

My Nephew is a big WPFan also.


BTW, it's Exit 8 on I-95. Take you straight to HHI.

Just watch your speed. The police in Bluffton are very strict.

[tallgalaz1]

thanks for sharing you time there.