Anybody NOT like Hilton Head?

[BWVDenise]

We are still considering an add-on there but we have never been there. I have read everything I can find about HH and have visited Tommy's website numerous times (thanks, Tommy). I have not read a single negative comment and was wondering if there is anyone out there who didn't like it. (I know, I know, bite my tongue). <IMG WIDTH="15" HEIGHT="15" SRC="/infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif" alt="razz">

Thanks,
Denise

....even now

 

[Patricia]

Well, I wasn't wild about it myself. It was very nice, but I thought the "camp" theme made it a bit dark and muddy. I also wasn't crazy about the trip to the beach, although it wasn't awful. We also don't have the easiest trip to get there. We are not drivers at all, so we flew into Charlote, NC from Newark, switched planes, flew to Savannah, and then got a car for the 45 min. drive to HH. Add the wait time for the switch and the car, and it was a 7 hour ordeal. For our family, it just wasn't a perfect fit, but it is very nice.Good Luck!!

 

[Dean]

I've stayed there once and visited the property one additional time. While it is nice, It just didn't grab me like OKW and VB did. Besides, it's really not in a great location. Don't get me wrong, it's a great resort and in a good location. There are however, better timeshares in better location on HH. It is a good way to have access to both HH and the other DVC resorts.

Dean

[This message was edited by Dean on 04-26-01 at 07:44 AM.]

 

[Renee']

Denise,

I've wondered the same thing. I had a trip scheduled then had to cancel it - so we've never seen it. After reading many posts and visiting Tommy's site I started to wonder if we'd be as thrilled as we are with VB. We love the small resort feel to VB. With no restaurants and the beach being a mile away we wondered if it were worth the long trip to visit HH.

<FONT COLOR=Green>Renee'</FONT>
<FONT COLOR=Blue>DVC at OKW '98</FONT>
<img height="165" src="http://www.jessicasweb.com/content/about/smooches.gif">
<FONT COLOR=Green>"Life's too short not to have fun!"</FONT>

<FONT COLOR=Blue> Vow Renewal October '01 at the Happiest Place on Earth

 

[Anita Williams]

I spent a week there last September. Now please
don't attack me - this is still America (lol).
I didn't like the resort at all. I hated that
there was no restaurant on site, and that I had
to drive to the beach. I love Vero, so I guess I
was comparing them and HH lost. I'm sure that
there are many people who love it, its just not
for me. I wouldn't go threre again. Anita.

 

[chris1gill]

Well, we have visited HH once... The resort is very small, and we did like the theming... BUT, I didn't like that congested resort feeling.... There's a couple of resorts right next to HH... From within the Courtyard, you aren't aware of them, but they are there... That was the first thing I didn't like, and then the beach :-( You have to drive there... We would go to the resort again, maybe/certainly not every year, but once in a while it would be nice.... They do have activities throughout the week that were nice...

 

[downontheBW]

Just back last night. We liked it but we weren't that impressed with Hilton Head Island at first glance - part of it was the long drive from Charleston (2.5 hours, we stayed a night at Charleston Place - more on that in a later post) - but once we got to the Disney property we felt at home. The CMs were great from the second we drove in through the gate. It is beautiful there but very different from WDW and the rest of HHI. I saw someone's post once that commented that the rooms are dark - they are but that is in keeping with the fishing lodge theme. It is campy, not beachy - not my best grammar but that describes it. The rooms have porches, not decks; it feels more like you're renting a cottage rather than staying in a hotel - a perfect family atmosphere. I love the colors: greens, tans, and orangey-red here and there. There is shade everywhere.

You should go to HHI DVC either if you have kids (especially 3-12 yrs old) that will be very-well entertained there and/or you want to relax. It is not on the beach and it is quite far to walk - we took the shuttle over and walked back once and drove the other time. Of course there's plenty of golf around if you're so inclined. Also plenty of spots to go biking.

I was concerned about there not being a restaurant there but the snack bar has breakfast sandwiches, french toast and muffins; hot dogs, hamburgers, pulled pork or PB&J, etc. and was quite good. I wish they were open past 4pm though. Right across the little bridge are shops and at least 3 good restaurants and entertainment in the evenings. Right down the road is a pizza spot (they were closed at 11pm when we went there) and a 24-hour diner plus many more restaurants on the island.

Make sure you visit DVC HHI before you buy; it's not WDW. We're thinking of giving a vacation to my brother-in-law and his wife and 3 kids - it would be perfect for them.

Good luck!

Dixie Landings '94, '96 / Wilderness Lodge, Yacht Club '98
Off site (never again) '99 / BWV '00 / HHI '01 / BWV '02

Heidi

 

[Jimbo]

on whether you're asking about HH the island or HH the resort. We think that HH the island is an absolutely fabulous place. We're "foodies," and the island is just packed with great restaurants of all kinds. The Palmetto Dunes beach is one of the finest in the country. It's very wide and clean. Palmetto Dunes is a gated community, and they don't allow public access to it. So even though the beach itself is public, the access to it is not. It wasn't at all crowded when we went in May (that's considered to be off season, tho). We don't golf or play tennis, but those that do have even more reason to love the place.

We were unable to get a room at the DVC resort when we wanted to go. So we instead rented a week in one of the condos in Palmetto Dunes. Ours was in the Barrington complex, but there's also Windsor, Hampton, Villamare and many others. Since it was just the two of us, we chose a 1BR. The place was immaculate, with full kitchen and 2 baths. Our unit wasn't oceanfront, but it was a very short walk to the beach. Barrington had a nice pool, but nothing fancy. We loved everything about the place.

While we were there we toured the DVC resort, and although we liked it, we weren't in love with it. It has a rustic theme that didn't appeal to us, but that wasn't such a big deal. What bothered us more is the location, being across the highway from what we had begun to think of as "our beach." We would have eaten out anyway, so it didn't bother us that there wasn't a restaurant on property. But on the whole we preferred the place we had rented.

We were traveling without kids, so we wouldn't have used the activities. And the themed pool wasn't that big of a deal for us. But to be honest, even if we went with the grandkids I still think we'd opt to book a condo privately. We'd be giving up the cool pool, but with PD's awesome beach right outside your door I don't think it would be missed. They'd probably enjoy the onsite activities, but a lot of these (like the dolphin cruise) leave from Sea Pines anyway, and you can book it yourself.

It really made clear why DVC has a tougher time selling their non-DVC resorts. The competition among beach resorts is very tough. And unlike WDW, their offsite resorts don't have the most desirable location.

Sorry to be so long, but we really love the island, and someday soon we hope to own a place there. It's sooo nice.

[This message was edited by Jimbo on 04-26-01 at 12:05 PM.]

 

[sueg]

We did an add-on, site unseen, at HH. It is a long drive from NJ, but we break it up and have used the drive as an opportunity to see DC, VA, NC & SC. We like HH much more than VB. We are not "heavy-duty" beach people, so HH was just fine for us. There is a drive to the beach, but we felt the HH beach was much more enjoyable than VB. It is a matter of personal preference.

 

[KarenC]

We're not DVC members, but spent Spring Break at the Hilton Head resort. I'm a sucker for the theming at Disney resorts and loved the place. Our 13 year old son, who golfs and makes friends easily, had a blast. When he wasn't golfing with Dad he was in the pool when new found friends.

Our 15 year old daughter, who's a little shy when she's out of her element and doesn't golf, was disappointed with the resort. She (and I) had hoped there would be teen activities that would give her a chance to meet and get to know other kids her age. That's one of the reasons we were drawn to the Disney resort. During the week we were there, there was only 1 teen activity and it was toward the end of our trip.

I think your decision depends upon your family vacation needs and expectations. If I were considering a DVC purchase, I'd strongly consider HH because soon DD will be off to college and the rest of us enjoyed what Hilton Head Island had to offer. But if you've got lots of years of vacationing with kids ahead of you, you might want to think about their temperment and interests and whether Hilton Head is a good fit for everybody.

 

[horn10]

Ok, so here's the question...

A couple of girlfriends (all us post 40!) are thinking of doing a "mom's getaway" weekend. I have done all the other DVC resorts but not HH. If you could take 2 of your best friends to get away from hubby's and kids would you go to HH?

 

[Jimbo]

What do three 40+ women do for fun? Be as precise as you can without incriminating yourself, please.

 

[TnRobin]

Oh yes Horn. I am trying to organize a girls get-a-way to HH this fall. My mom, sis, SIL and me going to HH for Christmas shopping and no hubbies to complain on how much we spend. The Outlet stores are fabulaous.

Then when we are shopped out, it will be time to relax on the beach. Then off to a nice dinner.

Disney Vacation Club Board Co-Moderator
DVC and Cruise Chat Hostess
Cruise Board List Mistress

<font size=4 color=blue font face="Comic Sans MS">Robin

 

[horn10]

What do 40 yr old plus women do for fun without hubby and kids, you ask?? Answer....anything we want! <g>

Thanks for the replies...HH it is!!

 

[RellingTwin]

We have been 3 times and loved it. If you were at DL and had to walk to the resturants, it is about the same distance to seveal rest. just "off property".The big plus for us is that from home in Charleston, we can be there in 2 hours!This translates to more time on check in and check out day to enjoy the resort.

RellingTwin (Mary)
Magic 4 day 1/99
BW 1/99
DL 1/00
HH 2/01
HH 3/01
Magic 7 day 9/22/01

 

[KyBill]

We like HH and did an add on there. Not to complain about the lack of restaurants. You don't need any at the DVC HH. About a 100 to 200 year walk across the little bridge at Shelter Cove Marina will bring you to 7 restaurants. If you have a car there are 100 more within a couple miles. The beach and the beach house are great. The beach beats VB hands down.
As said above it isn't DW and doesn't pretend to be. HH island is a great vacation area.

 

[Renee']

About a 100 to 200 year walk across the little bridge at Shelter Cove Marina will bring you to 7 restaurants.

Not much for convenience - I'll bet I'd have quite an appetite by then.

<FONT COLOR=Green>Renee'</FONT>
<FONT COLOR=Blue>DVC at OKW '98</FONT>
<img height="165" src="http://www.jessicasweb.com/content/about/smooches.gif">
<FONT COLOR=Green>"Life's too short not to have fun!"</FONT>

<FONT COLOR=Blue> Vow Renewal October '01 at the Happiest Place on Earth

 

[realpatt]

The restaurants at Shelter Cover are no further away than some of the rooms at Key West or even Wilderness Villas (we got the farthest room in the building there). There are great restaurants in Hiltons head. Wonderful outlet and specialty store shopping, activities at Disney and great playgrounds at Shelter Cove and Harbor Town. Hilton Head is a wonderful place to stay regardless of where you stay. We don't mind the drive, as when we rent a house at Sea Pines we end up driving to the beach anyway as we always have beach toys, chairs, cooler etc. and I like being near a pool and bathroom. A house right on the beach is outragious and I'd never pay the price. We have vacationed in Hilton Head for 15 years and just bought at Disney there and love it. We will still rent a house in Sea Pines at times but will be able to add on to the beginning or end of our week at Disney. Disney also offers us an opportunity to go for shorter trips throughout the year which you can't with traditional time share. It would also be a great place to stop for a few days of your on your way to WDW.

 

[Candace]

You really should try to make a visit there if you are considering an add-on because it is a totally different feel from the DVC resorts at WDW. The colors are different than what you might expect for a beach resort, but I love the low-country Carolina theming. I took my mother there last summer, it was the first trip for both of us. I had no idea what to expect since I had never been to HHI. The whole area is wonderful - the restrictions on commercial property have kept everything very upscale in appearance, and there are so many restaurants, and so much history there and in nearby cities. I own at OKW and BWV, and I love both (esp. OKW). My mother has never cared for WDW, so she doesn't go with me much there, but she fell in love with the resort at Hilton Head. She has already asked when we will go again. Being a teacher, and not having the 11 month window at HH, I really lucked out getting a villa last summer. Sooooooo.......I bought an add-on last week! My mom, to say the least, will be very pleased! But, to repeat what I said at first, you need to visit if possible because it is really different than DVC at WDW. Remember, also, you can use MB for 100% of the purchased points. Good luck with your decision.

 

[pentex]

It truly depends on what you like out of a vacation. We found HH to be way too laid back for us. There wasn't much to do and that drives us nuts on vacation. Also, there not being a restaurant on premises was a problem...I know people say that there are restaurants close by, but that is just not the same thing. Even the "fast food" place had very limited hours.

Another big problem was that the resort is not ON the beach, a huge plus on a beach vacation. What a pain it was driving down to the beach and back each time we wanted to go. One of the best things of a beach vacation is stepping out on a balcony overlooking the beach early in the morning....HH falls short because of the hike to get to the beach.

The pluses were nice pool, nice rooms, friendly staff, certain good children's activities, but all in all not for us. If it were situated directly on the beach, it would probably be a different story.