Help on planning trip to Hilton Head in July!

[HeatherC]

Hi Everyone:

Hoping some of you dis'ers can help me plan a trip to Hilton Head Island for our two week summer vacation. We are coming from Massachusetts so this will be a major "road trip" for us.

I've contacted a couple condo/villa owners and the best rates I'm finding are at a place called Hilton Head Resort. But I can't find many reviews on it.

Another place I've found through an owner is Springwood Condos?

We usually vacation in a beach cottage (very basic) in Maine, but I've always wanted to see Hilton Head and Savannah and Charleston so we are thinking of doing that this year. Since it is a beach vacation I don't need luxury accomodations, but would obviously like the nicest I can find at the best price.

Any suggestions or ideas?

Thanks so much!

 

[4forMe]

I'm bumping this thread as I also would like recommendations for places to stay in Hilton Head (other than DVC).

 

[dis-happy]

We live in Hilton Head every summer. My dd had friends from college who rented a condo at the Hilton Head Resort two summers ago, and I had a chance to see it when we went to meet up with them. The set up wasn't bad, but realize that these are large buildings of apartment type condos. Theirs was in the last building (closest toward the ocean) with a view of the ocean, on the 4th floor. It was decorated "beach cute". I believe they rented from an individual owner, so decor is going to be different.

You could walk directly to the beach down a very long and picturesque boardwalk over the marsh. Seems like it would be pretty hot in the summer and you'd want to bring something to haul your stuff to the beach. The location is mid-island, and one good part is the complex is gated.

If you are used to a cottage you might consider renting a villa (ie. townhouse) in one of the gated communities such as Sea Pines or Palmetto Dunes. See what kind of deal you can snag for two weeks.

 

[HeatherC]

DisHappy - Thanks so much for your reply! I have gotten a bunch of responses from people who own at this resort. What I was leery of was the fact that it is much cheaper to rent here. The rates are running about $650-$850 a week at Hilton Head Resort vs SeaPines or Palmetto Dunes where they seem to start about $1200 for the week.

I'd obviously like to save as much as I can, but also know that most times you get what you pay for.

Would you suggest I look more seriously at SeaPines or Palmetto Dunes? Any specific locations there I should be looking at?

Is the beach crowded where the Hilton Head Resort is?

Any advice you have is really appreciated. Also if anyone else has any suggestions, I'd love to hear them.

Thanks again!

 

[minniebeth]

Sea Pines is really nice but will be much more expensive than anything in Palmetto Dunes. My husband's family has used Resortquest to rent homes through but they are quite expensive. You can try to use VRBO (Vacation Rentals By Owner) A lot of posters here have had good experiences with them.
As far as the beaches being crowded at the Hilton Head Resort, it is all relative to what you consider crowded. I'm from NJ where there are beaches that you need to stake your claim at 7am or no room, so compared to that, no they are not crowded! Weekends and holidays will have more beachgoers than weekdays, but no, generally not bad at all! The water is so beautiful!
I hope you find something wonderful and enjoy your trip to Hilton Head!

 

[Straitlover]

Do you have to stay oceanfront? If not, I stayed in Shipyard Plantation at Brigantine Quarters. It is a small resort (only 46 units, I think), and only a 5 minute or so walk to the private beach (Shipyard is a private plantation; only people staying there can get in). I rented on VRBO.com from these guys in Texas (Two Guys With a Condo or something close to that). I liked them becasue they didn't charge me a separate cleaning fee, and they had the best price I could find for September.

 

[HeatherC]

Lisa..thanks so much. I will look into that!