*HHI Owners and Beach Lovers Group Thread*

[bobbiwoz]

https://share.icloud.com/photos/0d2DjcCCnY_32KJTJ4OCPRdrw#Hilton_Head_Island
Can I share the raccoon video? I think it will be there until sometime in March. We were so happy to see the pair!

 

[hhisc16]

https://share.icloud.com/photos/0d2DjcCCnY_32KJTJ4OCPRdrw#Hilton_Head_Island
Can I share the raccoon video? I think it will be there until sometime in March. We were so happy to see the pair!

Now that was cool! I never noticed that area next to the Lodge.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Because I need HA, we often have that view. Here’s another link from that stay.

https://share.icloud.com/photos/075QvXAHrITRh4RsgXW0TRSkQ#Hilton_Head_Island

 

[hhisc16]

Because I need HA, we often have that view. Here’s another link from that stay.

https://share.icloud.com/photos/075QvXAHrITRh4RsgXW0TRSkQ#Hilton_Head_Island

We enjoy staying in buildings 11 and 12 as well.
We normally stay in a studio/1 bedroom unless we have friends/family coming with us for a 2 bedroom.
(Our new goal is to stay in a grand villa!)

 

[Judique]

I do not own at Hilton Head, but I needed to use or lose points and could not get into our home location at Vero. This was our 2nd time at Hilton Head. I don't want to start a bad vibe, but honestly how do y'all sit on that awful sofa and chair in the living room? Oh gosh my backache!!! Obviously I'm talking the one and two bedroom villas. I had to sit on the kitchen chairs or, if warm enough, out on the patio. I heard they were refurbishing soon, but from what I saw, that should have been done 5 years ago. That being said, I do love the resort and we'll probably go back again and again (after the refurbishment!!). Despite the age, it was really clean, housekeeping was exceptional and the cast members wonderful. Beautiful view of the marsh. Good times there!

They are horrible sofas!!! I'm constantly adjusting them and I always bring a throw to cover them up. In our case, the kids play on the floor and coffee table with their dolls and toys and we mostly sit at the table. My older DD will curl up on the couch but I dislike it very much.

I do like the larger chair in the master and I will sit there to read if it's too cool or windy for outside on the deck.

There have been horrid sofas at HH since forever. I've been a member since 2000 and keep hoping they'll do better. There was one model commonly called the ejecto sofa, because it was some leatherette material (in green) that you just slid off when trying to sit. That was the trip where I went over to Belk and spent $25 for an on sale cheap comforter to cover it up and tuck in the cushions to be able to sit on it. I would bring that cover every trip, but now just bring a smaller throw.

 

[Judique]

See my answer above.

Currently, there are no decaf pods for the coffee bar--there is creamer and sugar, though. Nothing prevents you from bringing your own decaf Keurig-style pods, either.

Good news! I'll pack a few pods of my favored kind for my March visit.

One question - are the test rooms being used for guests?

 

[sleepydog25]

Good news! I'll pack a few pods of my favored kind for my March visit.

One question - are the test rooms being used for guests?

They've updated the pods a little in that now there are at least three different kinds of caffeinated coffees--still no decaf as of three days ago. I'm sure the coffee availability will change as supplies come and go.

Nope.

 

[Judique]

They've updated the pods a little in that now there are at least three different kinds of caffeinated coffees--still no decaf as of three days ago. I'm sure the coffee availability will change as supplies come and go.

Nope.

I didn't think so. I'll be in a studio in March so I may actually ask for a location this time, depending on which vehicle I drive. Larger vehicle, I want to/would have to stay out of the garage. Hybrid - garage and usually get 11 or 12. Never have to worry when it's a two bedroom - I've never gotten 13. I like all locations pretty much. Not that fussy as there is something to love everywhere.

 

[LadybugsMum]

When is the best time to call and make a room request? I've got a 1 bed booked the week of Labor Day and I'd prefer to be closer to the pool rather than at the main lodge.

 

[sleepydog25]

When is the best time to call and make a room request? I've got a 1 bed booked the week of Labor Day and I'd prefer to be closer to the pool rather than at the main lodge.

Generally speaking, calling the front desk at the resort a week or so ahead of time will suffice. Labor Day is, of course, an extremely busy time for the resort as well as all of HHI. Further, the majority of the 1BRs are located in the main lodge building (11) or its conjoined building (12). The entire resort houses only 21 1BRs and, of those, only 5 exist outside of Bldgs 11 and 12. Those five 1BRs are in 16, 18, 19, 28, and 30. Currently, the Bldg 30 1BR is out of rotation as it has been refurbished as a test room. All that to say, the odds of getting one of the few 1BRs outside of the 11/12 area aren't working in your favor. Truly, it's a small resort, so the walking difference between, say, Bldg 12 and Bldg 16 or 19, is only a minute or two at worst. Have a great trip!

 

[Simba's Mom]

And remember that those 5 1 BRs not in the main lodge are all on the first floor of their buildings, and can get pretty loud from footsteps above. However, I know that building 18 has a gorgeous marsh view.

 

[SamR]

Generally speaking, calling the front desk at the resort a week or so ahead of time will suffice.

Do you recommend calling the front desk at the resort as opposed to putting in the request with DVC Member Services? I normally make a request through DVC MS, but if calling the front desk is more likely to get good results, I can certainly do that.

 

[sleepydog25]

Do you recommend calling the front desk at the resort as opposed to putting in the request with DVC Member Services? I normally make a request through DVC MS, but if calling the front desk is more likely to get good results, I can certainly do that.

I recommend doing both to cover your bases. The room assignor at the resort can see what DVC MS has recorded; however, guests come and go constantly, so giving the front desk a buzz (the term "front desk" encompasses the room assignors who actually sit in the back of the main office area) is also suggested, say, 4-6 days out.

 

[Judique]

This morning while cleaning out the vehicle I used for my January trip, I found the little resort map that they give you at checkin.

It had my room number and location with the typical Mickey Ears drawn around the pool area. This made me doodle and put ears on each building I've stayed in since 1997.

Most of my trips have been studios or one bedrooms, with the occasional two bedroom and then my lone stay in the marvelous grand villa!

So, I have stayed in Buildings 11 - live oak lodge, building 12 attached, building 15, building 17, building 18, building 19, building 23 pool, building 26 pool, and building 30, for a grand total of 9 out of 21 buildings.

Next stay is in a couple of weeks and the last few posts sort of made me want to put in a request for a location I've never stayed in. I usually do no requests. I'm only unhappy when my room is late being ready and haven't had that happen at HH. I'll be checking in on Sunday which may increase my chance of success or lower it, hard to tell. Could be weekenders checking out. Could be everybody staying a week arrived Saturday. Only the room assigners will really know. Or Sleepydog.

One thing is for almost sure - I think I've stayed in every room in buildings 11 and 12, even the HC rooms which I hopefully will never have to request. I do like or used to like staying in building 11 because if I didn't have an optimum view, I could go sit on the back landing and take my coffee mug out there. Some trees tend to get in the way of the water. Early morning no traffic as it's mostly foot traffic by the elevator. I did notice the benches were missing last trip at least on the floor I was on, so if they are not there I have my folding beach chair. I like to watch for dolphin and now I'll be looking for the raccoons as well thanks to @bobbiwoz . I spent some time living in the Low country and love the live oaks and marshes.

 

[Judique]

And remember that those 5 1 BRs not in the main lodge are all on the first floor of their buildings, and can get pretty loud from footsteps above. However, I know that building 18 has a gorgeous marsh view.

The trees were starting to be the view when I stayed in 18. They may be taller now.
I never hear much from upstairs. We were in 19 recently in a one bedroom and it was quiet. I was also in the grand villa and tried to be quiet because of this always being stated.

I think it's less of an issue than people make it out to be, who haven't actually stayed in the room but may be repeating what they read. However, everybody has their own experience and if a room has 10 elephants running around, I'm sure it's possible to hear footsteps. In the past it was hardwood floors up there and now it's vinyl planking - that may be a whole lot quieter also.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We were in 1113 early this month, and definitely could hear people above us. Not elephant sounds, but we knew there were folks above us.

 

[SamR]

Does anyone know what the current days/times are when food is served at the Beach House? When I was there last March, Signals was still closed, but food was served from 11:00 - 3:00 Friday through Monday only at Surfmen's Sandbar. We will be at DHHIR for a few days in early March, and I'm wondering what days food will be available at the beach house vs. when I will need to bring it with me.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Does anyone know what the current days/times are when food is served at the Beach House? When I was there last March, Signals was still closed, but food was served from 11:00 - 3:00 Friday through Monday only at Surfmen's Sandbar. We will be at DHHIR for a few days in early March, and I'm wondering what days food will be available at the beach house vs. when I will need to bring it with me.

Early this month the hours were the same as you mentioned.

 

[LadybugsMum]

Ok, I've got a WWYD question for y'all:

Currently, we have a 1 bed booked for Sep 3-9. That Sat/Sun and Mon morning will be very busy as it's Labor Day weekend. There is availability for me to switch to Sep 5-10 for a 2 bedroom and I'd only have to buy 9 OTU points. This way we would be arriving as people are leaving and miss most of the LD crowds. It would be one day less of vacation, but we'd be able to spread out a bit more and no one would have to sleep in the living room. Would you want more days or more room?

 

[SamR]

Early this month the hours were the same as you mentioned.

And still limited to Friday through Monday? (That is, no food served at the Beach House Tuesday through Thursday?)