HHI and area info please

[sissy_ib]

With the 2013 points charts out we are thinking about next year like everyone else. We are most likely skipping WDW next year. If anyone can answer a few of my questions about HHI I would appreciate it!

Besides relax and the beach what do you love about HHI? Just two adults.
Is there a part of the resort that is better than others? I have no idea how it is laid out.
What is the best time of year? I'm thinking fall.
What airport do we fly in to? Charlotte?
What are some fun unique things to the area?
Is a week there too long? I was thinking 5-6 nights.

Any info on your favorite things in the area would be appreciated!

 

[iloveokw]

1. Oct very nice time to go!
2. Fly into Savannah or Charleston (SWA flies into here now)
3. EAT----wonderful restaurants galore.
4. History....take the island tour they offer.
5. Visit Charleston (history/air craft carrier), and other area towns.
6. RELAX.
7. Resort small....ask for marsh view. Not many one bedrooms or studios. If you want a one bedroom ask for one in main building. Many of the other one bedrooms are under Grand Villas and can be noisy.

 

[lovin'fl]

If you want a one bedroom ask for one in main building. Many of the other one bedrooms are under Grand Villas and can be noisy.

We had a 1BR there in 2009. It was in the main building and wasn't a bad location...could see the lake/lagoon...there's a hammock and horseshoes right there by the lake (we could see it from our balcony and our kids loved to hang there and play horseshoes and lay in the hammock...and we could sit and watch them). There was a BIG negative, though, and that was we were the very end unit on the corner of the building and off our balcony was a deck full of HVAC fan units. Our master bed was up against the wall that had all these fans on the other side of it. They hummed very loudly all night long. If you go in cooler weather when they won't run as much...this wouldn't be a problem. Just FYI.

One food place we recommend is Wild Wing Cafe...yummy wings...many flavors and very reasonably priced. Good beer too. Another place for drinks (and food...though we didn't get much food, just some munchies) is Frosty Frog in Coligny Plaza (which is a big shopping area...lots of souvineer shops...and ice cream shop and other food and bar places). They have a variety of adult frozen beverages in a variety of strengths at the FF.

I would say that September would be nice...still warm...less people. We went to another nearby beach, Tybee Island, in Sept and absolutely loved it at that time of year. I wouldn't mind going to HH for Thanksgiving, but DH says no way (he only wants to go if he can swim in the water). Someday I'll get there for the turkey holiday. We may end up there in August. We just added on points there (or we're about to...about to close soon).

And just to note...the beach is about 2 miles from the resort and they provide a shuttle to and from (or you can drive and park, though parking is very limited so go early). The beach house has food, a bar and a pool. You can rent beach chairs and umbrellas, though it costs a lot. You can buy them at most of the stores around there for cheaper than renting...and then just give them away or dump them after.

We were only there for 4 or 5 days and just did the beach and pool and went to movies one rainy day and went to coligny plaza one evening. So i don't know too much about other things to do.

 

[Simba's Mom]

With the 2013 points charts out we are thinking about next year like everyone else. We are most likely skipping WDW next year. If anyone can answer a few of my questions about HHI I would appreciate it!

Besides relax and the beach what do you love about HHI? Just two adults.
Is there a part of the resort that is better than others? I have no idea how it is laid out.
What is the best time of year? I'm thinking fall.
What airport do we fly in to? Charlotte?
What are some fun unique things to the area?
Is a week there too long? I was thinking 5-6 nights.

Any info on your favorite things in the area would be appreciated!

We're real nature lovers, so our favorite things are visiting Sea Pines Forest Preserve, going to the Port Royal Mud Flats (can't remember the park's name), and visiting Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn to walk out on their boardwalks.
A CM there told us that he thinks October is the best month there-beautiful weather, yet not too crowded.
We've flown in to Savannah and Charleston and also Jacksonville, depending on the price of flights. Savannah is our favorite (closest).
Whether a week is too long is probably subjective. As I said, we love nature and DH loves to golf, so we feel a week isn't long enough. If we didn't have the cats at home and had unlimited vacation, 2-3 weeks would be better. Do you want a 1 BR or studio? Like a PP, I'd recommend either the main lodge or the adjacent building 12 on the top floor. Building 18 had beautiful views, but being on the first floor, we could hear every footstep above us.

 

[Anal Annie]

We've only been there once - in mid-August. It was hot & the water temps were really warm - so there were a lot of jellyfish. I would guess that September would be perfect. Slightly cooler but still good beach weather and less crowds after school goes back.

WHATEVER you do request the top floor!! The building construction there is all wood framing & flooring & you WILL hear EVERY footstep the people above you make if you're not on the top floor. Sometimes they are LITTLE footsteps that RUN everywhere they go. The front desk will not do anything about it unless it is very, very early or very, very late (outside of quiet hours).

RE flying...you will definitely want a car on the island as everything is all spread out - so if at all possible I would just drive. I think the Savannah airport is closet but I've heard it's only for puddle jumpers.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

Definitely request top floor, marsh view. We enjoy just relaxing on the balcony and going out to dinner (lots of great restaurants). We have been during the summer and the fall. We found that we prefer the summer; we like hot weather when we are close to the beach. Of course, when we went the first week of October last year, there was a cold front that came through. They said it was unusual temps for that time of the year (high: lower 70s). It was too cool for me. We plan on going back toward the end of June or July next time.

 

[MagikMom]

We have been there 3 times. Love everything about it. It is a very laid back, relaxing vacation. I agree with getting a marsh view. It's so nice to sit on the deck having coffee in the morning watching all the fish jump out of the water. You may even see the occasional dolphin! I prefer the pool at the beach club to the one at the resort. I like the fact that you can go down to the beach for awhile and then come back up to the pool. I would also rent the little tiki huts to sit under on the beach. The restaurants are great. You can also go kayaking, boating and fishing. I also like to walk around the marina that is right next to the resort. They also have a fireworks display once a week too. If you have a marsh view you can watch it right from your balcony most of the time. We usually go in the summer. I don't mind the heat at all. I hope you enjoy your stay!

 

[sissy_ib]

Thanks for all the tips! I am convinced we will love it!
We would be a 20+ hour drive so we will fly in and rent a car. September or October sound like a good time for us. Now I just have to wait a year or so and then I can book it