HH lovers, ever stayed at Marriott Grande Ocean?

[BWVDenise]

After going to Disney's HHI resort twice a year for the past 3 years, I realize that I am addicted to Hilton Head I was looking at other HH resorts and this one looks really nice from the internet pictures. Anyone have any experience at this resort?

 

[amandaC]

I have a friend who owns at both. She loves both but Grande Ocean is right on the ocean. I don't think you could go wrong with either. Marriott is also building a new resort at HH, I think it is called Surfwatch. Don't know too much about this one.

I think Dean owns at Grande Ocean- he's always a wealth of info and hopefully will see this thread.

Amanda

 

[Dean]

I have a friend who owns at both. She loves both but Grande Ocean is right on the ocean. I don't think you could go wrong with either. Marriott is also building a new resort at HH, I think it is called Surfwatch. Don't know too much about this one.

I think Dean owns at Grande Ocean- he's always a wealth of info and hopefully will see this thread.

Amanda

Thanks for the kind words Amanda. I do own actually at both GO and Surfwatch. I have stayed at DVC HH and have also visited Marriott's Barony several times including the units but have not actually stayed there. It's funny that of the some 20 or so timeshares I've owned over the years, including 4 DVC contracts, SW is the only one I bought retail. But there was a special reason that wouldn't apply to most people as I was able to convert ALL of my weeks to points weeks, even the ones I'd bought resale, as part of the deal for no extra charge. I do have the prices for SW as of last summer and for Ocean Watch (MB) for the summer before which is a some what similar property to SW.

BWVDenise, are you thinking about a trade, rental or purchase? I can offer suggestions for all but the info would be quite different for each choice. We love HH but feel staying on the Beach is the best option by far here.

 

[BWVDenise]

Hi, Dean. I guess I would be thinking of a rental initially, but I already have my ressie w/DVC for the coming summer. So I probably wouldn't be looking to stay at GO until '06. I would love to end our week with a Fri/Sat night stay at GO in '05, just to get the "flavor" of the place. However, since there is no availability on the days we are there (directly through Marriott), I will just finish the week at Disney's HH.
I was wondering if the beach at the GO location is comparable to the beach at Disney's location. I love the gentle slope of the beach where the kids can walk out pretty far and are still able to stand!
Thanks for the information!!

 

[Dean]

Hi, Dean. I guess I would be thinking of a rental initially, but I already have my ressie w/DVC for the coming summer. So I probably wouldn't be looking to stay at GO until '06. I would love to end our week with a Fri/Sat night stay at GO in '05, just to get the "flavor" of the place. However, since there is no availability on the days we are there (directly through Marriott), I will just finish the week at Disney's HH.
I was wondering if the beach at the GO location is comparable to the beach at Disney's location. I love the gentle slope of the beach where the kids can walk out pretty far and are still able to stand!
Thanks for the information!!

You might keep trying as you get closer. SW should be open by then and there's always Barony. I think the beach is as good or better at GO than it is down at the Beach House. You could also try for an exchange for this year that meets the times you have already at DVC.

You can always contact the sales staff for a tour at Surfwatch and I'd bet you could get a mini tour of GO from the on site resale office. If I were going to be there, I'd be happy to show you around but I'm renting all our weeks for this year in favor of a cruise and a week in Charleston.

I love GO and HH but Marriott is a much different ownership than DVC, especially with HH having only two BR non lockoff options though SW will have a few 3 BR units.

 

[amandaC]

Dean-

How does Surfwatch compare to GO? I have been toying with purchasing in HH and it would come down to the three we have been discussing. Which plantation is it on?

Thanks.
Amanda

 

[Dean]

Dean-

How does Surfwatch compare to GO? I have been toying with purchasing in HH and it would come down to the three we have been discussing. Which plantation is it on?

Thanks.
Amanda

Surfwatch Home page Surfwatch is not on a plantation. IF you go out of the DVC resort and go left, it's on the right just before you get to the Adventure Cove area. I think it's Burkes Beach Road, there is a public beach area on the same road. I guess it sits in between Port Royal and Palmetto Dunes.

Assuming this is a for purchase question, it depends on how you will use it, you're budget and needs. IMO, GO is still the premier property of the three with SW being close behind then Barony. Much like discussing which DVC resort is best, there is a lot of person impression that would go into this decision. Remember a couple of differences between GO and the rest. One is that GO only has ocean front and ocean side while the other two add garden view units. A better value for exchanging but maybe not for usage. Some want the points options which you don't get resale but since it's frequently flying miles and not actually points for units per se, like DVC, I don't think it's worth paying for in most cases. The other difference is that GO is Platinum for weeks 24-34 while the others are Platinum weeks 22-34. To me that's a plus for GO but if you might travel early June, it might go the other way for you.

You should be able to save about $10K on resale (non Marriott) over resale. IMO, the best mix of value and usage is GO ocean side, which you should be able to pick up for under $20K, ocean front will run you another 45-7K for Platinum. Of course you could buy another resort or season and try to trade in but this doesn't make sense if you want to use it at HH most years, the old "buy where you want to stay" idea.

Remember that Ocean Watch (MB) has carved out the 4th of July so if you need that week, you may want to consider that option as well. You can also email me directly if you like as this is the DVC board.

 

[walter]

My wife and I have never stayed at GO, but visited Baroney Beach in Oct. Took a tour of the Surf Watch model & purchased a gold week. We will visit DVC/HH next October, with the following year our first visit to Surf Watch. We are OKW/VB owners & are tking a couple of yrs off visiting WDW. We love OKW, but after being there many times since 1997, a change was needed. We stayed at DVC/HH last year and loved it. But the Surf Watch deal with lesser maintenance fees and no ending (plus the amenities) sold us on purchasing this instead of more DVC points.

 

[Dean]

My wife and I have never stayed at GO, but visited Baroney Beach in Oct. Took a tour of the Surf Watch model & purchased a gold week. We will visit DVC/HH next October, with the following year our first visit to Surf Watch. We are OKW/VB owners & are tking a couple of yrs off visiting WDW. We love OKW, but after being there many times since 1997, a change was needed. We stayed at DVC/HH last year and loved it. But the Surf Watch deal with lesser maintenance fees and no ending (plus the amenities) sold us on purchasing this instead of more DVC points.

How'd you like that 2 person, walk in, steam shower?

 

[walter]

I think it is better overall than the traditional whirlpool tub. This new type shower system is becoming popular in new homes in our area. Maybe DVC should look into this if they design a new resort. It seems larger than for two people! All they have to do is supply some "mud".