*HHI Owners and Beach Lovers Group Thread*

[sleepydog25]

We definitely enjoyed the fireplace. I don't have one in my home and neither do my kids, so it was a treat for us.

I want to 'up' this size number a little based on the DVC resource center resorts information above in 'Purchasing DVC'. The info they provide states that the villas are sized as follows:

Hilton Head Island Villa Sizes
-Studio: 455 sq.ft.
-1BR: 856 sq.ft.
-2BR: 1311 sq.ft.
-GV: 2362 sq.ft.

The open air cathedral height of the living/dining area does make it feel grand, complete with a balcony landing that runs across between both upstairs bedrooms, with the staircase doing a turn as it comes down in the middle towards the living area.

You are correct!

 

[RapunzelRN]

We checked into a studio this week and our room was ready by 11am. I recommended calling a few days before if you have any room requests as our seems to always be accommodated. Lucky perhaps. My fav resort!

 

[rcs]

You are correct!

That’s bigger than our first house was! Really looking forward to being there.

Thank you all for the detailed replies and great information / suggestions.

 

[Corinne]

Headed to HHIR tomorrow! I posted this on the restaurant thread but for visibility thought I would post here as well - I have noticed most of the restaurants state they have a “casual resort” dress code. It seems jeans and flip flops are not allowed in many restaurants, is this true? I assume nice shorts, polo/golf shirts are acceptable for men?

 

[sleepydog25]

Headed to HHIR tomorrow! I posted this on the restaurant thread but for visibility thought I would post here as well - I have noticed most of the restaurants state they have a “casual resort” dress code. It seems jeans and flip flops are not allowed in many restaurants, is this true? I assume nice shorts, polo/golf shirts are acceptable for men?

Ha! I'm following you around on the boards! I posted a longer answer on the "HHI Dinner" thread, but in brief, jeans, shorts, polo/golf shirts, and open-toed shoes are standard attire for most guests in pretty much any restaurant. For example, at Hudson's people literally come boating in from the sound on runabouts, jet skis, and fishing craft; they secure their boat/craft at the dock; then they walk up to the hostess to be seated. Outdoor seating venues--which are most restaurants here on the island--commonly have people in shorts and t-shirts. You should be good.

 

[hhisc16]

Headed to HHIR tomorrow! I posted this on the restaurant thread but for visibility thought I would post here as well - I have noticed most of the restaurants state they have a “casual resort” dress code. It seems jeans and flip flops are not allowed in many restaurants, is this true? I assume nice shorts, polo/golf shirts are acceptable for men?

Enjoy your trip!
(I commented on your thread on the HHI Restaurant page.)

 

[Corinne]

Thanks again Sleepy and hhisc!

 

[SwanVT2]

Considering going to this resort next February instead of SSR to save some money, are there walking trails on property? Is there a pool bar? Will dining options on property be open in February? Thank you

 

[hhisc16]

Considering going to this resort next February instead of SSR to save some money, are there walking trails on property? Is there a pool bar? Will dining options on property be open in February? Thank you

HHI is cheaper than WDW since no tickets/parking/etc.
1.Trails on the property are paved, but there are many many miles of paved bike trails throughout the island.
2. pool bar in Feb will be at Tide me Over normally 8-4ish, while pool bar at beach house is depending on weather in Feb and very limited normally 11-2ish
3. Tide me Over will will be open in Feb normally 8-4ish. But there are SO many restaurants on the island that you can get to quickly (I would recommend a car/driving service to get to many)

Hope you try out DHHIR! We went Presidents Day this year and loved it!

 

[sleepydog25]

Considering going to this resort next February instead of SSR to save some money, are there walking trails on property? Is there a pool bar? Will dining options on property be open in February? Thank you

To further elaborate on hhisc16's excellent comments, Tide Me Over isn't exactly a pool bar but the QS for the resort, though it is located mere steps (literally two flights of stairs up) from the pool. You can get adult beverage there, as well. Surfman's Sand Bar is the QS over at the Beach House which also acts as a pool bar and is, indeed, right next to the pool. As hhisc16 mentions, during February, the hours are weather and crowd dependent. The posted hours are 11-3; however, if it's a 45F day with blustery winds, for example, chances are the hours will be shortened. Here's a little-known fact, though: DoorDash, UberEats, and others WILL deliver to the Beach House.

As for walking trails, yes. The entire main resort is walkable with paved pathways winding around all the guest buildings on property. From the main Lodge (Building 11 where the checkin desk is located) to the farthest guest building (31) is roughly 1/3 of a mile in a straight line...there are no straight lines at the resort, so you can walk around the various pathways and get a solid walk or run in. However, if you wish for a longer distance, there are over 100 miles of paved bike trails on HHI. Besides driving, biking is the primary way visitors and residents get around, in fact. Obviously, those trails double as walking/running trails and mostly run parallel to all the major roads and streets on the island. Disney's Beach House is located approx. 1.5 miles from the main resort, and if you wanted to walk or bike there, it's simple to do as the trail goes under the main thoroughfare so you don't have to fight traffic. (You can also drive to the Beach House or take the free resort shuttle).

Finally, there are a half a dozen restaurants within a 5 to 10-minute walk of the resort, right across the entrance bridge in the Shelter Cove Marina. In February, their hours may be restricted a little, but they'll be open. Within a 15-minute walk, there are at least a dozen or more restaurants in the Shelter Cover Shopping Centre, as well as a huge Kroger, a Whole Foods, and other shops. If you're a Starbucks fan, there is a standalone store on the walk to the shopping center and there is one in Kroger, too.

February is generally one of the cooler months in HHI; however, there are many very nice days and the crowds of people who descend upon the island during the hotter months are absent, so you don't have to fight to get into restaurants or shops, and the traffic is way easier to navigate. While the resort itself is usually at or near capacity, it's usually from couples and small groups of people instead of lots of families, so it seems quieter, as well. If you come, I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

 

[Corinne]

Good Morning

We are here at this lovely resort, and I am drinking my coffee on the lovely, (and large!) deck! I love the wooden rocking chairs!

We arrived around noon yesterday. We we’re greeted by two lovely CM’s. One walked us upstairs to check in. Ken at the front desk was so friendly, presented me with a birthday card and pin, and when he learned it was our first time here, handed us 4 First Visit pins, haha.

We walked around a bit as our room was not ready, and headed to Scott’s. The food was not great, I only ordered a Caesar salad, which I feel is hard to mess up, but the dressing was mostly Mayo, no flavor, and the greens has the plastic bag salad taste. In hindsight we should have walked a little more over to the village where there are many other choices. We ended up going there after lunch anyway, it’s all good!

As we were walking back, I said, I bet I will receive the room ready text as we are walking through the gate, and honest to goodness, I received the text as we started on the bridge!

We have a lovely 2nd floor marsh view room which I requested. It is so peaceful here, I LOVE IT!

I love the spaciousness of the rooms. Now, granted, we have not stayed in a 2 br for a few years, but the layout is great. The room is well kept and very clean. Love the little accents, like this:


We walked over to Poseidon for dinner, and even though there was a 1.5 hour wait, (there was a function upstairs), we walked around the shops, and had cocktails and apps at the bar. Enjoying time with my family and a gorgeous sunset. So lovely!

As promised, I am attaching the April Experience Guide. I will post more later!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Lovely! Enjoy your stay!

 

[hhisc16]

Good Morning

We are here at this lovely resort, and I am drinking my coffee on the lovely, (and large!) deck! I love the wooden rocking chairs!

We arrived around noon yesterday. We we’re greeted by two lovely CM’s. One walked us upstairs to check in. Ken at the front desk was so friendly, presented me with a birthday card and pin, and when he learned it was our first time here, handed us 4 First Visit pins, haha.

We walked around a bit as our room was not ready, and headed to Scott’s. The food was not great, I only ordered a Caesar salad, which I feel is hard to mess up, but the dressing was mostly Mayo, no flavor, and the greens has the plastic bag salad taste. In hindsight we should have walked a little more over to the village where there are many other choices. We ended up going there after lunch anyway, it’s all good!

As we were walking back, I said, I bet I will receive the room ready text as we are walking through the gate, and honest to goodness, I received the text as we started on the bridge!

We have a lovely 2nd floor marsh view room which I requested. It is so peaceful here, I LOVE IT!

I love the spaciousness of the rooms. Now, granted, we have not stayed in a 2 br for a few years, but the layout is great. The room is well kept and very clean. Love the little accents, like this:
View attachment 659433

We walked over to Poseidon for dinner, and even though there was a 1.5 hour wait, (there was a function upstairs), we walked around the shops, and had cocktails and apps at the bar. Enjoying time with my family and a gorgeous sunset. So lovely!

As promised, I am attaching the April Experience Guide. I will post more later!

Thank you for the april guide! I will repost on page 1.

Enjoy your first stay at dhhir!

 

[Corinne]

Another great day here! I made coffee in the room and hubby and I walked over to lobby…Sleepy you didn’t mention the kcups have this fab logo!

 

[sleepydog25]

Another great day here! I made coffee in the room and hubby and I walked over to lobby…Sleepy you didn’t mention the kcups have this fab logo!

Those are relatively new, and I had failed to mention that. lol It's the same coffee as in the rooms, just k-cup style. Well, some of the coffee around the resort has that logo as supplies have been limited. Perhaps I'll see you around!

 

[Corinne]

Those are relatively new, and I had failed to mention that. lol It's the same coffee as in the rooms, just k-cup style. Well, some of the coffee around the resort has that logo as supplies have been limited. Perhaps I'll see you around!

I sure hope so! We are going to the Beach House today, yesterday we were there for a short period of time after a nice beach walk. Hoping to spend some time at the beach and pool.

I was thinking about switching my actual birthday trip in June (this is an early celebration since son & dil are expecting) from WDW to here, but as of now there is no availability.

 

[Corinne]

Those are relatively new, and I had failed to mention that. lol It's the same coffee as in the rooms, just k-cup style. Well, some of the coffee around the resort has that logo as supplies have been limited. Perhaps I'll see you around!

The k cups are a reminder that it’s the little things in life!

 

[sleepydog25]

I sure hope so! We are going to the Beach House today, yesterday we were there for a short period of time after a nice beach walk. Hoping to spend some time at the beach and pool.

I was thinking about switching my actual birthday trip in June (this is an early celebration since son & dil are expecting) from WDW to here, but as of now there is no availability.

Best laid plans! lol Oh, well, perhaps I'll see you over at the main resort.

 

[bobbiwoz]

It is difficult to get into HHI in late spring, summer if you don’t plan way ahead. I have been stalking and waitlisting for a single day in July for months now.

 

[kristenrice]

We had a great day yesterday on the ocean! The fishing trip was awesome! We did not catch as many "keepers" as we had hoped, but we understand that it is a little early in the season yet. That's quite alright...we had a blast and we each managed to catch at least one, legal sea bass for dinner.

My 16yo DD was "fishing in the nursery", according to DD18, because she kept hauling in the SMALLEST fish! Even the captain said that she must have a "special touch" to be able to find those babies. After everyone had landed something "unique" (as in, NOT a black stripe sea bass)...DD16 caught a bank bass(?), DD18 caught a pinfish(?) DH caught a bluefish(?) *not 100% sure on all those names*...well then they started telling me that it was time for mom to "catch something unique... I felt a tug on my rod and I knew I had something, so I started reeling...and up came the UGLIEST, NASTIEST looking fish I have ever seen! DD18 says, "Well, that's UNIQUE!" It was a toadfish! (Google it, they're gross!) Even the loons that were following us and eating DD16's throwbacks said "no thanks, that's gross". The day went on and apparently, I started a trend because then we all started catching those ugly things...and then DD16 caught a BABY one!! That about did me in, I was laughing so hard. She had been catching fish that were too small to even keep as bait...and then she caught a baby toadfish! Even the captain was laughing at that one.

Besides the loons, we saw a lot of really cool wildlife on our trip. We saw a bald eagle flying over the ocean on our way out to sea. While we were out fishing, we saw a school of about 20 rays swim almost under our boat and then a little later, a loggerhead turtle came over and surfaced to say "hello" as well. On the way back to shore (which takes over an hour!), I took a nap, but DH said that he got to see a few dolphins surface too.

The weather was phenomenal, but I believe that is going to be the end of the sunshine for the rest of our trip. We will make the best of it. The captain said that they currently do not have anyone scheduled for Wednesday (our last day here) so we might try to sneak in another trip. My arm and my wrist are sore, but it was SO worth it! And if we could get out again, even if it is in the rain, I would love to do it again, pain or no pain!