HH questions?

[TerriBelle]

We are going to HH for the first time in late July and we have a few questions:

1) Beach/pool towels - At DW we never bring towels for the pool, we always use the ones there. We were wondering if for the beach we should bring our own beach towels? Do they offer towels at the pools or do we need our own?

2) Distance to Beach - We are a little concerned about not being on the beach. How much of a pain is this? Should we drive over or take the shuttle? How much parking is there? How often do the shuttles run? I'm hoping this works out ok- When we go to the beach - we have always been on the beach or able to walk to the beach.

3) Hints - None of us have been to HH before so we would love any good hints.

4) Overnight Stop - We are driving from MD and are planning to stop somewhere overnight. This will allow us to check in early and use the pool. Anyone have any good places to stop.

5) Check-in - I know at the BW it is hard to check in early. We got lucky last year at BCV and were able to get in early. What has your experience been checking in at HH? We will be arriving on a Sunday.

Thanks for all the help!

 

[RobDoc]

There are towels at the resort pool and at the Beach House. They are not large beach towels- so if you wish to use them fo something besides drying yourself you may want to bring beach towels. (Please return them to the Beach House after using- most evenings there are many (20-30) towels left on the sand.)

It is just over a mile to the beach- we've walked it many times and it's an easy bike ride. If you will have a lot to carry, the shuttle runs from 10:00am until 4:00pm- there is a phone to call for the shuttle. Otherwise, you can drive and park at the beach house. At times the parking lot does get filled (it's also used as a public beach access lot.)

HH has a great activities program with energetic, enthusiastic staff. There is truly something for everyone. Plan to take advantage of the wide variety of offerings right at the resort. There are many nice restaurants within walking distance and over 300 on the island- a short drive away.

It's not unusual for rooms to be ready right at 4:00pm. If you arrive early and your room isn't yet ready, plan to enjoy the pool and/or beach. We've usually had to wait, but did get in early last summer.

Have a great stay- the resort is wonderful.

 

[TIdoublegaER]

We've always driven to the beach and have not ever had a problem with parking. The resort will leave a phone mail in every villa if the beach house parking is expected to be at capacity and they will run the shuttles more frequently. I would second taking your own towels for the beach. We found a double beach towel at Target that comes with tent stakes - very handy!

If your room isn't ready at checkin, they will give you a card with a phone number to call, just like WDW. We have yet to have our villa ready before 4pm at HH.

Have a wonderful time! We haven't even been home a month yet and I'm already ready to go back!

 

[KarenB]

Hi! We just got back from a wonderful trip. I posted a long thread if it hasn't gotten buried too deep.

1) We took beach towels for the beach, but used the resort towels for the pools. If you have something bigger thatn a studio, you will have a washer and dryer. We washed them the last night and took home nice, clean beach towels.

2) Our DSs and their friends rode bikes to the beach and we drove with the chairs, cooler, etc. we never had a parking problem. It took about 10 minutes at the most and the boys got their before us sometimes. My mom and the kids took the shuttle one day..not a problem either. It is has a nice A/C!!!!!

It never bothered us by not being on the beach. I thought it would, but with the marsh, Broad Creek, adn the marina, it is the best of both worlds.

3) try to find my thread...JUst back from a great stay at HH.

4) Both trips, we stayed at the Holiday Inn in Santee, SC. About $70 with tax, newly remodeled, pool, clean, right off I-95, kids eat the breakfast buffet for free. Only negative is that both times (Saturday) there were many male golfers there. They were having ALOT of fun. Not offensive, just a little loud.

Only about 2 hours away. You can drive through Charleston from there too...adds a little time though.

5)We checked in about 11am on a Sunday and our 2 bedroom was ready.


Have a wonderful time!
Karen

 

[KarenB]

OK.....let's see if I can give you the link to my thread. (I'm not too computer literate )


http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=390255

Karen

 

[Dean]

From our standpoint if we're not on the Beach were not at the Beach. We found it a real pain. We don't do drive or shuttle to the beach just like we don't Pool Hop. That's why we prefer other resorts to DVC-HH. To us it's even more important off season to be actually on the beach than it is prime summer time due to the fact that it's the view we enjoy and not the water itself. I know others feel differently.

 

[Disneyaholic]

TerriBelle

Hilton Head is our absolute favorite place to go!

Not being on the beach is an asset, as far as we're concerned -- it's like having two resorts in one! Plus, since there's a pool at the beach house AND the beach itself, the pools are never really too crowded.

We'll be there for a few nights in July as well, then back again for Labor Day and again for Thanksgiving!

Since you're coming in on Sunday, you have a better chance of an early check-in than on other days of the week. (Occupancy is lower on Saturday nights because of the high points.) But there is plenty to do -- either at the resort itself or at the beach house if you can't get into your villa.

Be sure to pick up as many of the island brochures as you can. There are golf, restaurant, shopping, and activity booklets. Some are available at the resort when you check in; others are in front of local grocery stores. They will tell you just about everything you need to know.

The CMs at the front desk and the recreation window are also wonderful in helping you decide where to go and what to do.

I'm sure you'll love it there!

 

[David in Manassas]

Hope you have a great trip - We are leaving from Virginia on the 5th of July and driving all the way down to just outside of Hilton HEad. We are staying at a Fairfield Inn by Marriott on Saturday night. Everything actually on the Island was either booked for 7th weekend or too expensive. On Sunday we plan to go to chuch, eat a big breakfast and finish the last few miles over the bridge to the resort!

 

[Tommy]

Lots of HHI info at my site.

 

[TerriBelle]

I knew I could get all my questions answered from all of you!

We were looking at stopping at Santee, SC so thanks Karen B for the info on the Holiday Inn.

We are looking forward to trying HH. We usually just go to Dewey Beach, Del. since my grandmother has a place there. (free and close) I am dreading the long drive with the kids (dd 10, ds 5, ds 5) but I am stocking up on car activities. The farthest the kids have traveled in the car is Connecticut (6 hours). We always fly to DW since SW has good fares out of BWI. I've been concerned about lugging all of our stuff and the kids to the beach, but we will give it a try!

Thanks again!

 

[TeensMom]

HHI is also our favorite spot. We love Broad Creek. Our kids love to fish and crab off the pier. We did the kayak trip and loved it. We usually drove over to the beach but if one was not ready when the others were we took the shuttle, walked or biked. Not a problem, really.

There are a couple of nights with cookout dinners for a fee. I'm basicaly a cheapskate and balked at first but hubby and kids were insistent. It was great! This will be the first thing we book next time. Good food, good time, good music, etc.