*HHI Owners and Beach Lovers Group Thread*

[eticketplease]

Where is best place to get groceries near resort these days? I see there is a Krogers nearby... that seems most convenient. But is selection better elsewhere? We definitely plan on doing some cookin' in the villa a few nights. I see a Publix down by Sea Pines... might be worth it if good, but if it gets really crowded and picked over quickly there... no thanks!

We usually to a pickup order from Kroger for a time that we know we will have our room. That Kroger gets a little crazy so we only go in if there is something we have run out of.

 

[sleepydog25]

Yep... I called them... was wondering if I still needed to reserve in advance... but while the 3rd parties they allow onsite do that, Disney doesn't. You arrive... you rent. I kinda prefer the concept that when I arrive, bikes are paid and ready to go... but she assured me it wouldn't be an issue this time of year. Heck for all I know it may turn bitter cold or rainy and I'll hang out at the lodge or some cozy coffee joint most of my days... perhaps it's better this way. We shall soon see!

Yes, as you found out, bikes are rented on a first-come, first-served basis. While the CM is correct in that there will likely be bikes for you to rent from them, it's not necessarily because the resort or HHI is terribly less busy this time of year (they aren't), but more likely due to the expectation that, as you say, the temps may be too chilly or wet, thus it becomes a wait and see aspect for many guests. Fear not, even if the resort doesn't have any, the local bike companies can usually get them delivered to you within a few hours.

To address your Jane's Bistro question, no, I've not been but have heard largely good things about their food and service. There are numerous restaurants who do take reservations, but you do have to check to be sure. For seafood, Fishcamp on Broad Creek is very good and, much like Skullcreek Boathouse, it sits right on a working marina with lovely views and ambiance. . .only quieter and smaller. Nunzio's is an exceptional experience and quite near the resort--they take reservations. Ela's on the Water is right across the bridge (and then a 7-8 minute walk down Shelter Cove Marina) and is a good place to see the boats come and go as you dine, and they have an excellent menu. They, too, allow reservations. There are too many others to list, but you can make plenty of reservations if you so desire.

Kroger is fine for groceries, though usually quite busy. Publix has a slightly better selection, but getting to it is going to require a bit of effort given its proximity to the Sea Pines roundabout. However, they do have an excellent liquor/wine store in the same shopping center as Publix called Rollers. . .if that matters.

As for the general hubbub this time of year, though it doesn't have the madness of, say, mid-summer at HHI, the area is far from sleepy. The second busiest time of year outside of the warmer beach months of late spring through the summer is between Thanksgiving and Christmas. The resort itself is always booked solid, and many people have discovered that HHI is a fun place to visit to escape colder climes, so the whole area is usually bustling. After NYE, things will quieten a bit, though few places actually shut down for any extended length of time anymore. HHI has become a year-round destination. Enjoy!

 

[Steelers0854]

Hello HHI owners. DW and I are looking to go for a long weekend in August as our very first trip to the resort. Just us, no kids. I have the points and am open to a 1BR but we generally lean towards studios. Any recommendations or tips for our first visit? Thanks in advance!

 

[sleepydog25]

Hello HHI owners. DW and I are looking to go for a long weekend in August as our very first trip to the resort. Just us, no kids. I have the points and am open to a 1BR but we generally lean towards studios. Any recommendations or tips for our first visit? Thanks in advance!

HHI is a great place to vacation, either with kids or alone. You'll love it! That being said, be prepared to waitlist in August as it is toward the end of the busy season on the island and at the resort. That busy season starts around spring break and goes through Labor Day weekend.

There are an equal number of 1BRs and studios at the resort, and all are located in the same buildings. 16 of the 21 are in the main building 11 (Live Oak Lodge where the checkin desk is located) and 12--they are co-located and share an elevator. The other 5 of each type of room are located in the Grand Villa buildings: 16, 18, 19, 28, and 30. Personally, I like the advantages of a 1BR as I enjoy having a full kitchen and a washer/dryer in the room itself. But, the studios are nice. The ones located in 11 and 12 have easy access to a washroom with two washers and two dryers--rarely are those in high demand. If you're in one of the other buildings, then you'll have to walk to wash anything, though the resort is small.

Since the resort is small, you'll have no issues getting around. The main pool, Mercantile, and Tide Me Over quick service are located toward the back third of the resort. . .all of a 6-7 minute walk from the front of the resort. As for things to do, there are some right there on site:
- lots of yard games from horseshoes, to corn hole, to giant checkers, to bocce ball, to shuffleboard, and others
- rent bikes from the resort (can only reserve them after you arrive) and pretty much bike anywhere on the island as there is a huge collection of interconnecting, paved biking/walking paths. You can start from the resort!
- there are activities at the resort; some are free (campfire a couple of times a week with s'mores) and others have a nominal cost (tie dye t-shirts, for example)
- pool games at the main pool
- sitting on the balcony and just watching people, nature, and/or the water (if you get a water view)

Off the resort, there are hiking/walking nature trails nearby, as well as kayak/paddleboard/fishing/dolphin-watching-cruises that you can rent/reserve at Shelter Cover Marina. The resort itself has a standalone Beach House with a second pool, a QS, and access to the beach. The beach is gorgeous and can be accessed without getting into the Beach House. The resort has a shuttle that runs daily, roughly every 20 minutes or so from mid-morning to late afternoon. Or you can bike there or walk there or drive there.

Restaurants are too many to list and most are better than any Disney restaurants outside a handful of top tier ones at the World. Seafood? So many great ones to choose from. Italian? There are three excellent ones within a five-minute drive. Typical American fare? Everywhere.

Lots to do and see at HHI, both the resort and the island itself. Enjoy!

P.S. This is a laid back, low country vibe place to vacation. No rush to get tickets, no angst about not getting an ADR, few (if any) lines to stress about. This is the place to go simply to relax.

 

[Steelers0854]

HHI is a great place to vacation, either with kids or alone. You'll love it! That being said, be prepared to waitlist in August as it is toward the end of the busy season on the island and at the resort. That busy season starts around spring break and goes through Labor Day weekend.

There are an equal number of 1BRs and studios at the resort, and all are located in the same buildings. 16 of the 21 are in the main building 11 (Live Oak Lodge where the checkin desk is located) and 12--they are co-located and share an elevator. The other 5 of each type of room are located in the Grand Villa buildings: 16, 18, 19, 28, and 30. Personally, I like the advantages of a 1BR as I enjoy having a full kitchen and a washer/dryer in the room itself. But, the studios are nice. The ones located in 11 and 12 have easy access to a washroom with two washers and two dryers--rarely are those in high demand. If you're in one of the other buildings, then you'll have to walk to wash anything, though the resort is small.

Since the resort is small, you'll have no issues getting around. The main pool, Mercantile, and Tide Me Over quick service are located toward the back third of the resort. . .all of a 6-7 minute walk from the front of the resort. As for things to do, there are some right there on site:
- lots of yard games from horseshoes, to corn hole, to giant checkers, to bocce ball, to shuffleboard, and others
- rent bikes from the resort (can only reserve them after you arrive) and pretty much bike anywhere on the island as there is a huge collection of interconnecting, paved biking/walking paths. You can start from the resort!
- there are activities at the resort; some are free (campfire a couple of times a week with s'mores) and others have a nominal cost (tie dye t-shirts, for example)
- pool games at the main pool
- sitting on the balcony and just watching people, nature, and/or the water (if you get a water view)

Off the resort, there are hiking/walking nature trails nearby, as well as kayak/paddleboard/fishing/dolphin-watching-cruises that you can rent/reserve at Shelter Cover Marina. The resort itself has a standalone Beach House with a second pool, a QS, and access to the beach. The beach is gorgeous and can be accessed without getting into the Beach House. The resort has a shuttle that runs daily, roughly every 20 minutes or so from mid-morning to late afternoon. Or you can bike there or walk there or drive there.

Restaurants are too many to list and most are better than any Disney restaurants outside a handful of top tier ones at the World. Seafood? So many great ones to choose from. Italian? There are three excellent ones within a five-minute drive. Typical American fare? Everywhere.

Lots to do and see at HHI, both the resort and the island itself. Enjoy!

P.S. This is a laid back, low country vibe place to vacation. No rush to get tickets, no angst about not getting an ADR, few (if any) lines to stress about. This is the place to go simply to relax.

Amazing. Thanks so much! Was hoping that going for a 1BR would give us better odds but we will see next month when the window opens. Thanks again!