For those that have been VB and HH which do you prefer?

[edk35]

I would love to hear about your thoughts on these two destinations. We want to venture out of the world next summer and we are tossing around these two resorts. Thanks

 

[daisyduck123]

Hi everyone...we may be traveling WITH the OP next summer....so see any responses here

 

[scot@dvcstore]

edk35
Both VB & HHI are great resorts but as far a beach resorts, my family tends to enjoy VB more because the resort is right on the beach while DVC HHI is a short shuttle ride from the beach. The actual town of Vero and Hilton Head Island are both great towns but HHI is larger and has more activities to keep you busy. Last Summer in HHI, we had a fishing trip and even went sailing on the "Stars & Stripes" that Dennis Connor won the Americas Cup yacht race some years ago. Vero is a quieter town but your family will enjoy both. Great dining choices at both locations.

Scot

 

[RumpleMom]

We like both HHI and VB.

We first visited Vero Beach in 2000 and left DVC members, but owning at OKW. So you can see we liked it a lot to join the Club.

We have gone to HHI 5 times since joining 9 years ago. We love HHI- we love the main resort, we love the beach and the beach house, we love having a choice of two pools, we love the HHI restaurants.

Now that our kids are twentysomethings they prefer HHI because there is more to do on the island after dinner, although before 10:00 PM. At 10:00 PM almost everything closes.

So I would say, VB if you have little kids and HHI if your kids are older.

 

[edk35]

We like both HHI and VB.

We first visited Vero Beach in 2000 and left DVC members, but owning at OKW. So you can see we liked it a lot to join the Club.

We have gone to HHI 5 times since joining 9 years ago. We love HHI- we love the main resort, we love the beach and the beach house, we love having a choice of two pools, we love the HHI restaurants.

Now that our kids are twentysomethings they prefer HHI because there is more to do on the island after dinner, although before 10:00 PM. At 10:00 PM almost everything closes.

So I would say, VB if you have little kids and HHI if your kids are older.

What do you mean two pools??? Is there a pool at the beach house at HHI??

 

[VG9493]

Yes the beach house at HHI has a pool, so the resort has 2 pools. 1 at the main resort and 1 at the beach house.

 

[edk35]

Yes the beach house at HHI has a pool, so the resort has 2 pools. 1 at the main resort and 1 at the beach house.

Thanks SO how long is the shuttle bus ride to the beach??

 

[*pixie*dust*]

The bus ride is short (It's about a mile to a mile and a half). Even better is to rent bikes and bike over.

I have been to both and prefer HHI, without question. More activities and nicer area over all.

 

[Disney_Villain]

We prefer VBR for short stays (2-4 nights) and HHI for longer stays. (There's more to do at HHI.)

Things we love at HHI: The beach at HHI is nicer than VBR's. It has no rip currents and is much less "rocky" than VBR's. Having 2 pools at HHI was also so much better than the only the 1 at VBR.

Things we love at VBR: We love Sonya's and the Green Cabin Room lounge, as well as the Sunday brunch at Shutters. Also, you can't beat the ocean view from the higher floor inn rooms!

 

[RobDoc]

It's just over a mile to the beach. We ride bikes there daily, sometimes walk down and sometimes take the shuttle.

He have stayed at both resorts and each has it's nice features.

We really liked being on the beach at Vero and the villas and resort are great. The onsite dining was good. The beach was pretty narrow (espcially at high tide) with a steep drop off with a strong undertow. There is little in the immediate area outside of the resort, but Vero has a lot to do a short drive away.

The HH resort has great theming (designed as a 1940's fishing resort) and is located on it's own private island. There is a marina built around Shelter Cove harbor. The resort does have a nice Beach House, with it's own pool and snack bar, but no full service restaurant. The beach is a nice wide white sand beach - about 75 yards wide at low tide - with a very gentle slope with minimal undertow. We have seen dolphins each morning for the past 2 weeks. We can ride bikes to the Beach House in about 10 minutes.

While there is no full serve restaurant at the resort (there is a snack bar near the main pool), there are about 7 dining options within a 10 minute walk right on Shelter Cove Harbor. Kingfisher, Scott's Fishmarket, Bistro 17, Parrot Cove, Little Venice, San Miguel's and Ocean Grille all have a view of the Disney resort from the restaurant. There are also over 200 other dining options within a 20 minute drive.

IMO, the staff at the HH resort is a hidden gem - with a great list of activities hosted by energetic CMs. There are also lots of water-related options available from Shelter Cove in addition to those offered at the resort. There are fireworks thru the summer months every Tuesday and some of the restaurants offer free outside entertainment each evening in addition to the free Shannon Tanner concerts from the pavillion across from the resort every evening (Shannon performs a wonderful family concert and really includes children and adults alike).

Both locations are nice DVC options away from WDW. VB will have a longer "season" since HH can have some contrary weather in late December, January and early February.

Enjoy!

 

[AnnaS]

I had the same thoughts as you but for this summer/August. Hubby and I are going with my brother, my sil and two nieces. We are driving down (have not done that in years).

I could not decide if I wanted to drive to VB for three nights and then stay at WDW for 4 nights or go to WDW for 4 nights and then drive up to HH for 3 nights before our drive back home.

My brother (also a dvc member) has been to Vero. They loved it but warned me that there is not much to do (as compared to WDW, lol). Since I had not stayed at either resort, I just ended up choosing HH.

I love trying a new dvc resort. Next time it will VB. I can't wait to try them all.

 

[edk35]

I really want to try both Vero and HHI but I started thinking this might be a great way to do a ROAD TRIP to WDW. For some reason...our 15 and 10 year old want to drive down again. My hubby, daughter and I prefer to fly to WDW however this could be fun.

 

[Sammie]

We have enjoyed both but prefer HHI.

We just find there is more to do closer to the resort at HHI, such as golf, dining, movie theater, shopping, horseback riding, boating, etc. than at Vero Beach. We loved the Vero beach resort but we were not as fond of Vero Beach the community as we are of HHI.

The other reason we prefer HHI as we prefer the Inn rooms at Vero due to the views and you can't get a 2 bedroom with that view. Therefore I prefer HHI where I love the views of the marina and marsh.

As Doc said the trip over to the Beach House is about a mile, no more than some large beach front properties and is very easy to bike over or take the shuttle. Great beach house and beautiful pool there.

 

[northwenald]

Great question as I was just about to ask the same one. I am also torn over which one to try next May. We always go to WDW and was thinking of trying VB or HHI. From what I have read it seems that HHI has a better beach but it is a short ride. I love a nice beach. It will just be DH and myself (no kids). Which resort would be better for adults looking for nice restaurants, nice beach and some shoppinh? If we pick VB it will just be 3 nights followed by maybe 3 nights at the Portofino Hotel in Orlando (always wanted to stay there). If we go to HH, we would probably go for 6 nights. Thanks for all your help planning this.

 

[northwenald]

bump

 

[5forDiz]

Great question as I was just about to ask the same one. I am also torn over which one to try next May. We always go to WDW and was thinking of trying VB or HHI. From what I have read it seems that HHI has a better beach but it is a short ride. I love a nice beach. It will just be DH and myself (no kids). Which resort would be better for adults looking for nice restaurants, nice beach and some shoppinh? If we pick VB it will just be 3 nights followed by maybe 3 nights at the Portofino Hotel in Orlando (always wanted to stay there). If we go to HH, we would probably go for 6 nights. Thanks for all your help planning this.

We both VB and HHI, but HHI we'd give advantage to.

For us DVC-HHI is best of both world's - relaxing & laid back but also lots to do nearby and some even walking distance: beach house, some restaurants, entertainment ( this is not the case at VB). The resort itself is a beautiful oasis on the intercoastal and the beach house is great too - pool, etc. very nicely done. You can click this link for photos http://allears.net/acc/g_hh.htm

You can't go wrong with either resort. Best wishes on your planning

 

[SLM]

They are both great resorts, but we prefer HHI overall. The beach and beach house are beautiful and as another poster said your villa could have a view of the marsh while a ocean view only comes with an Inn room at VB. There are fabulous (and reasonable) restaurants in HH minutes from the resort. My husband and I spent six days there last September and could've easily stayed another six! I say try them both, but we will probably return to HH before going back to VB.

 

[edk35]

They are both great resorts, but we prefer HHI overall. The beach and beach house are beautiful and as another poster said your villa could have a view of the marsh while a ocean view only comes with an Inn room at VB. There are fabulous (and reasonable) restaurants in HH minutes from the resort. My husband and I spent six days there last September and could've easily stayed another six! I say try them both, but we will probably return to HH before going back to VB.

Thanks....I love hearing such great reviews about HHI. I booked 5 nights there in Dec.

 

[VLee]

What kind of driving time should you allow to drive from WDW to HH?

We visited VB for the first time last week and did enjoy it. Had the OVIR and participated in the kids activities, thought the resort food was good, did drive in to Lobster Shanty and realy enjoyed it.

However, the beach sounds better at HH...

 

[BraveMom3]

What kind of driving time should you allow to drive from WDW to HH?

I am also curious about the driving time. We may consider making a stop here after leaving WDW on our next trip.