HHI--2BR+Studio or GV

[DisneyStarWisher]

For those of you who have stayed in a GV and who have also done a 2BR + a studio with family, which do you prefer? The 2BR + studio route saves quite a bit of points! The GVs look amazing though except that few of them have marsh views. I would love to hear from those with experience, but also if you don't have experience, which would you choose?

 

[lovin'fl]

We stayed in a GV at HHI over NYE one year. It was 2 families with 5 HS/college kids. It was really fun. We had a fabulous marsh view and loved the wood burning fireplace.

We have done other trips,at WDE, with family where we had several 1BR/2BR/studios booked. Was in-laws and each family had their own unit. That is nice because you can have some privacy and meet up whenever you are up for it. If you need a break from so-and-so you can just do your own thing and not be missed. Whereas if in one unit together, you can't really ghost anyone that easily...YKWIM? Lol!

But the GV at HH are lovely. The staff even wil bring you free wood for the fireplace. One thing is that all the GV are 2nd and 3rd floors of the building....they are 2 story units. So it is a lot of stairs to hike. BUT... the studios are in the main lodge while the 2BR are all in the other buildings. So your villas likely won't be in same building if you went with the 2BR and studio combo.

We did a GV one other time. Coincidently it was with same family we did the HHI one. Some friends of ours. Both stays were short. The 2nd time was at AKV Jambo and just 2 nights. So it isnt that bad to stay all in one unit for just 2-4 days. A week or more....I'd definitely want my own space. The Jambo GV was pretty awesome too. Has a pool table and is all 1 level.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

We stayed in a GV at HHI over NYE one year. It was 2 families with 5 HS/college kids. It was really fun. We had a fabulous marsh view and loved the wood burning fireplace.

We have done other trips,at WDE, with family where we had several 1BR/2BR/studios booked. Was in-laws and each family had their own unit. That is nice because you can have some privacy and meet up whenever you are up for it. If you need a break from so-and-so you can just do your own thing and not be missed. Whereas if in one unit together, you can't really ghost anyone that easily...YKWIM? Lol!

But the GV at HH are lovely. The staff even wil bring you free wood for the fireplace. One thing is that all the GV are 2nd and 3rd floors of the building....they are 2 story units. So it is a lot of stairs to hike. BUT... the studios are in the main lodge while the 2BR are all in the other buildings. So your villas likely won't be in same building if you went with the 2BR and studio combo.

We did a GV one other time. Coincidently it was with same family we did the HHI one. Some friends of ours. Both stays were short. The 2nd time was at AKV Jambo and just 2 nights. So it isnt that bad to stay all in one unit for just 2-4 days. A week or more....I'd definitely want my own space. The Jambo GV was pretty awesome too. Has a pool table and is all 1 level.

This would be a pro for a GV. Top floor is always my choice to avoid noise from above. Actually there are studios below the GVs too, but we would request the main lodge in order to try to get top floor. I've read there is lots of noise if you are below a GV. (Of course, if we did GV, that might make me paranoid about making too much noise.) If we got a studio in the main lodge, I would request Building 13 for the 2BR which is close beside it.

 

[RobDoc]

We have stayed in all HH villa types over the years and would opt for the GV vs a 2BR and Studio. There are a total of five GVs and 21 studios/1BRs. One lock-off 2BR is located beneath each of the GVs (those 1BR/Studios are on the first floor with the GV taking up the 2nd and 3rd floor of those buildings). The remaining 16 1BR/Studios are found in the main lodge (buildings 11/12) and the only elevators are found there with a parking garage. The other parking areas are surface lots towards the far end of the resort. The main lodge Studios/1BRs are all lock-off units and are also the only HCA villas available. If a guest needs a HCA 2BR, it will be in the Main Lodge and will reduce the availability of Studios and 1BRs. There are no HCA GVs.

The GVs are over 2300 sq. ft. and as noted above, have wood-burning fireplaces (with wood provided by staff). The Studios under the GVs can be a little noisy even if the GV occupants are being respectful as the hardwood floors seem to carry sound easily. (The 1BRs are not as noisy as they are located under the carpeted GV master BR and not under the hardwood living room/kitchen/dining area. GVs have marsh, and island views.

The 2BRs are very nice and have a good choice of views (marsh, island and pool). None of the GVs are pool view (and thus, none of the Studios or 1BRs). The Studios/1BRs
not under the GVs all have island/marsh views in the Main Lodge.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

We have stayed in all HH villa types over the years and would opt for the GV vs a 2BR and Studio. There are a total of five GVs and 21 studios/1BRs. One lock-off 2BR is located beneath each of the GVs (those 1BR/Studios are on the first floor with the GV taking up the 2nd and 3rd floor of those buildings). The remaining 16 1BR/Studios are found in the main lodge (buildings 11/12) and the only elevators are found there with a parking garage. The other parking areas are surface lots towards the far end of the resort. The main lodge Studios/1BRs are all lock-off units and are also the only HCA villas available. If a guest needs a HCA 2BR, it will be in the Main Lodge and will reduce the availability of Studios and 1BRs. There are no HCA GVs.

The GVs are over 2300 sq. ft. and as noted above, have wood-burning fireplaces (with wood provided by staff). The Studios under the GVs can be a little noisy even if the GV occupants are being respectful as the hardwood floors seem to carry sound easily. (The 1BRs are not as noisy as they are located under the carpeted GV master BR and not under the hardwood living room/kitchen/dining area. GVs have marsh, and island views.

The 2BRs are very nice and have a good choice of views (marsh, island and pool). None of the GVs are pool view (and thus, none of the Studios or 1BRs). The Studios/1BRs
not under the GVs all have island/marsh views in the Main Lodge.

Thanks! No offense but I actually already knew all of this. I learned it from you plus lots of trips to HHI. We have stayed in several studios (my favorite being in Building 12) and several 2 BRs (my favorite being in Building 31). I toured the GV in Building 30, and it is beautiful! Just not sure it’s worth the extra points though. I’m one who likes value for my points. If I went with the 2BR+studio, I would request Buildings 11 or 12 and Building 13. That would hopefully eliminate the chance of the studio being under a GV. I’m curious why would prefer the GV over the 2BR+studio.

 

[RobDoc]

When we have stayed in a GV, we had a party of 11 including our 5 grandkids and their parents. The GV provided a wonderful environment for real family interaction instead of having some not included. We did the same thing staying in GVs at OKW. As the grandchildren have grown we have modified the accommodations to using two 2BRs and a 1BR for the old folks. Having 5 teenagers in the group changed the dynamics where everyone wanted/needed their own space (including the old folks) and the GVs, as nice as they are, just didn't work for 6 adults and 5 teens at HH or OKW.

Two of the teens are now in college and that further changes the dynamics of these family events as they have other plans for their non-school time.

Admittedly point conservation concerns can (and should) play a role in the where-to-stay decision process.

 

[Judique]

When we have stayed in a GV, we had a party of 11 including our 5 grandkids and their parents. The GV provided a wonderful environment for real family interaction instead of having some not included. We did the same thing staying in GVs at OKW. As the grandchildren have grown we have modified the accommodations to using two 2BRs and a 1BR for the old folks. Having 5 teenagers in the group changed the dynamics where everyone wanted/needed their own space (including the old folks) and the GVs, as nice as they are, just didn't work for 6 adults and 5 teens at HH or OKW.

Two of the teens are now in college and that further changes the dynamics of these family events as they have other plans for their non-school time.

Admittedly point conservation concerns can (and should) play a role in the where-to-stay decision process.

This post about teenagers needs and adult needs with teens around reminded me of the Thanksgiving trip where I arrived to a studio at Hilton Head on Wednesday for a 4 night visit. Son was 17, daughter was 8 plus me. All son wanted to do was sleep. And I need a couch to be a couch.

Spent 2 nights in the studio and was rescued by the front desk staff when they were able to get me into a 2 bedroom on Friday and Saturday night. Otherwise, we were going to check out early. Now that sleepy teen is in his 30ties and is asking for honeymoon rooms next fall. Full circle.

 

[RobDoc]

This post about teenagers needs and adult needs with teens around reminded me of the Thanksgiving trip where I arrived to a studio at Hilton Head on Wednesday for a 4 night visit. Son was 17, daughter was 8 plus me. All son wanted to do was sleep. And I need a couch to be a couch.

Spent 2 nights in the studio and was rescued by the front desk staff when they were able to get me into a 2 bedroom on Friday and Saturday night. Otherwise, we were going to check out early. Now that sleepy teen is in his 30ties and is asking for honeymoon rooms next fall. Full circle.

Ahhh - those were the days, weren't they! ??

 

[Judique]

Sure were! I've made some wonderful friends over the last 23 years of visiting Hilton Head. Misplaced a few along the way but you never know when you'll find them again.