*HHI Owners and Beach Lovers Group Thread*

[sleepydog25]

I think the same person?

If so, she's been around for many years. Never the GM or actual true asst GM (no one held that title), but was the unofficial asst GM for quite some time. Jerome was the GM when I first started there before leaving to head the ill-fated Starcruiser hotel. Joe had been the head of food services/mercantile and housekeeping before moving him to the GM. I hadn't heard he'd left, though I haven't stayed in much contact with anyone there except for a couple of people.

 

[hhisc16]

If so, she's been around for many years. Never the GM or actual true asst GM (no one held that title), but was the unofficial asst GM for quite some time. Jerome was the GM when I first started there before leaving to head the ill-fated Starcruiser hotel. Joe had been the head of food services/mercantile and housekeeping before moving him to the GM. I hadn't heard he'd left, though I haven't stayed in much contact with anyone there except for a couple of people.

The only reason i know who the current GM ever is at DHHIR is the automated email on arrival day. Haha

Their name and title is listed at the end of the email.

 

[hhisc16]

https://dvcnews.com/other-resorts/h...2025-pool-maintenance-planned-for-hilton-head

 

[takemetomickey]

Trying to decide betweeen a studio (conserve my points) or a 1 bedroom (looks gorgeous and spacious)! We have 3 kids and 1 is a baby so this is the last year we could really get away with a studio since she’s still in a crib.

Have the studios all been refurbished yet with the Murphy beds or do they all still have pull out couches?

Do the 1 bedrooms have high up locks on the living room doors?

Are all of the 1 bedrooms refurbished with the Murphy beds or do you need to get lucky?

How annoying is it to use the communal laundry? Or is it fine? I anticipate laundry with 3 little ones.

Was considering going in oct to conserve points (& because Hilton head is so perfect in the fall!) but it looks like big renovations are planned and I don’t want to go during construction. Anyone know what theyre working on then?

Thanks in advance!!

 

[LadybugsMum]

All room renovations are done and there are now murphy beds instead of pull out couches. I have only ever stayed in a 2 bed there, but I would really recommend doing at least a 1 bed for the in room w/d. You'll also have a full kitchen and just more space overall to spread out. You can have the pack in play in the master bedroom so the baby can take a nap with the door closed.

 

[Wayland10]

I would absolutely do a one bedroom. You’ll be spending time in the room with naps, bath, breakfasts, laundry… all of which will be 1000x easier in a one bedroom with a full kitchen, dining table and in room laundry.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

Trying to decide betweeen a studio (conserve my points) or a 1 bedroom (looks gorgeous and spacious)! We have 3 kids and 1 is a baby so this is the last year we could really get away with a studio since she’s still in a crib.

Have the studios all been refurbished yet with the Murphy beds or do they all still have pull out couches?

Do the 1 bedrooms have high up locks on the living room doors?

Are all of the 1 bedrooms refurbished with the Murphy beds or do you need to get lucky?

How annoying is it to use the communal laundry? Or is it fine? I anticipate laundry with 3 little ones.

Was considering going in oct to conserve points (& because Hilton head is so perfect in the fall!) but it looks like big renovations are planned and I don’t want to go during construction. Anyone know what theyre working on then?

Thanks in advance!!

If you have the points, I would highly suggest the 1-BR. My DH and I almost always get a 1-BR even though it's just the two of us. With a family, I would want at least a 1-BR. We hang out in the room more at HHI than at WDW, so the extra space is great. October is a great time to go; just be aware it is one of the peak months for hurricanes. We have been evacuated once, but it doesn't stop us from booking then. It's more comfortable weather than summer which is extremely hot and humid.

 

[sleepydog25]

Trying to decide betweeen a studio (conserve my points) or a 1 bedroom (looks gorgeous and spacious)! We have 3 kids and 1 is a baby so this is the last year we could really get away with a studio since she’s still in a crib.

Have the studios all been refurbished yet with the Murphy beds or do they all still have pull out couches?

Do the 1 bedrooms have high up locks on the living room doors?

Are all of the 1 bedrooms refurbished with the Murphy beds or do you need to get lucky?

How annoying is it to use the communal laundry? Or is it fine? I anticipate laundry with 3 little ones.

Was considering going in oct to conserve points (& because Hilton head is so perfect in the fall!) but it looks like big renovations are planned and I don’t want to go during construction. Anyone know what theyre working on then?

Thanks in advance!!

Agree with the others that a 1BR is worth the extra points. Keep in mind that most of the 1BRs are in the main lobby building (11) and its connected building (12). Only five 1BRs exist outside of those two buildings, and given they sit underneath a sprawling GV, they can be noisy with families above you. The 1BRs have Murphy beds and full kitchens AND a washer/dryer combo which just about worth the extra point costs alone, much less the extra space you'll have. The locks on the doors are typical of most Disney rooms. As for the communal laundry, there are only 2 washers and 2 dryers for the entirety of buildings 11 & 12 together. However, having worked there from '20-'22, I can say the laundry area is typically not in high demand. I rarely came across any laundry in there or anyone in there doing laundry. The ice machine for both buildings is also in the same location.

In sum, if you can afford the points, do a 1BR--so much more room and the convenience of a kitchen and laundry area.

 

[Travel60]

I cannot even imagine doing a studio with 3 kids.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

I cannot even imagine doing a studio with 3 kids.

Even though they are some of the largest DVC studios, I agree. I can't remember if our first trip there with our two DSs was in a studio or a 1-BR, but if it was a 1-BR, even that was a one-and-done for us. Every family trip after that has been a 2-BR except one year after they became adult age we did two separate studios.

 

[takemetomickey]

Ok 1 bedroom it is. It’s a really good point that you spend a lot more time in the room in HHI than in Disney World, and the dining area is so much better with all the kids. I also didn’t know most of the 1 bedrooms are so centrally located too which is great- I will hope to not be under a grand villa! Thanks so much for all the insight! If I had booked a studio I probably would have regretted it!!

Does anyone know what the refurbishment is that they are doing starting in September?

 

[eticketplease]

Looks like you have already made a decision on a 1 bedroom so this doesn’t really matter to you but I just wanted to chime in. The washer directly next to the ice machine would just stop working. Joe said they have had the maintenance company in several times but it keeps going out and was told to simply unplug it for a minute and plug it back in.

After two times with my clothes full of suds I just used the one by the table and dryers.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

Ok 1 bedroom it is. It’s a really good point that you spend a lot more time in the room in HHI than in Disney World, and the dining area is so much better with all the kids. I also didn’t know most of the 1 bedrooms are so centrally located too which is great- I will hope to not be under a grand villa! Thanks so much for all the insight! If I had booked a studio I probably would have regretted it!!

Does anyone know what the refurbishment is that they are doing starting in September?

Just an FYI--If you book a studio, you would have a chance of getting one of those under a GV too. It's basically a lock-off 2-BR. Just make sure to put in a request with MS for Buildings 11 or 12. We have stayed multiple times in a studios and 1-BRs and have always been in Buildings 11 or 12, but it is true a request is not guaranteed.

When I was there in October, I asked about the refurb. They told me they are painting the exterior of the buildings. They assured me there would be no disruption to my trip. I would have probably booked our usual first week of October, but we decided instead of go over Labor Day weekend so our family can come too. It appears we will miss it altogether.

 

[Judique]

It's very convenient to stay in Live Oak Lodge. You have access to covered parking if you are lucky enough to get it when you come and go. There is the elevator if stairs are a problem and the laundry is pretty close to use. We used it on our last trip, TG 2024, because DD was loving going home with everything clean and I was continuing on to WDW, so it worked better for me also.

I have also stayed in both studios and 1 bedrooms in almost all the buildings with grand villas. Been going to this resort since 1997.

I would say there are minor tradeoffs for every location but nothing that would make me refuse almost any room. Except, maybe pool view in summer - that can be a bit boisterous!

Otherwise I didn't mind any noise I might have heard. I'm probably not as sensitive to it as some guests. Actually can't remember any noise that ever bothered me enough to want to move.

Also enjoyed the views from all areas.

 

[Judique]

For anyone on HHI today:

Actually, stay off the roads according to the weather service starting later on this afternoon.

 

[Judique]

Even though they are some of the largest DVC studios, I agree. I can't remember if our first trip there with our two DSs was in a studio or a 1-BR, but if it was a 1-BR, even that was a one-and-done for us. Every family trip after that has been a 2-BR except one year after they became adult age we did two separate studios.

Although I agree with this, I think it comes also from an 'age' perspective. First of all, I'm older and a studio with 2 adults and 2 kids for more than a day or two will contribute to driving me bonkers, and it's my tolerance level, not that the kids are acting out.

When I was much younger I stayed in studios with 3 kids on occasion. We had a great time although it was crowded, stuff was everywhere and only 1 bath.

Also, to that same situation, we stayed at the Polynesian many times in regular rooms with 5 people which the rooms slept. We definitely weren't the exception there.

DVC has helped to change the situation as I've gotten older (first adult visit 1988) as it allowed us to book larger villas for smaller prices. Even though I would stay CL in a regular room at Poly, I could only dream of getting two rooms or a suite.

Young families with smaller budgets may actually enjoy a room that sleeps their family of five, while some of us are beyond that point.

 

[hhisc16]

Palmetto dunes camera from hhi!
Dhhir got some snow!

 

[julesthecircusfreak]

Best building for top floor 2 bedroom villa for views? Going first week of April and want to get requests in. We've only stayed in a studio before!

 

[sleepydog25]

Best building for top floor 2 bedroom villa for views? Going first week of April and want to get requests in. We've only stayed in a studio before!

By best, vis-a-vis views, most people associate that with water. You can refer to the map on Page 1 for reference, but here are the buildings with the best views and a note or two about them.
13: hidden gem, quiet, sits right next to main Lodge, longest walk to the pool area (maybe 5-6 minutes)
14 and 15: partial water views, especially high tide, larger balconies, sit on the boardwalk, and close to main Lodge
18: a GV building and is roughly equidistant to Lodge and pool area (which includes Tide Me Over, Mercantile, activities)
22 and 24: the latter has slightly better views than the former--both sit close to the pool area
27 and 29: close to the pool on the far side, so a bit longer walk to main Lodge (again, maybe 5-6 minute walk)
31: farthest building (7 minutes to Lodge) but has, arguably, the best views of any building as it sits near the mouth to the marina

All other buildings with 2BRs will have interior views (though there are a couple of rooms in 17 where you can glimpse the water), but those are still quite lovely--you can sit on your balcony and feel serene. Folks have their favorites, but the hardest to book is 31 given its expansive water views. My next favorite (I worked there for 2 years) would be a tie between 29 and 13--the former has good views and close to the pool, while 13 is really close to the Lodge and is generally very quiet. Most couples with small kids don't request that building due to the relatively long-ish walk to the pool. All the other 2BRs with water views would come in 3rd. Hope this helps! Enjoy!

 

[LadybugsMum]

We like building 24. I like it because it's very close to the pool, but doesn't overlook the pool. It's got great views and it's close to the QS and shop.