sleepydog25
Been here awhile
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- Aug 27, 2004
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My DW and I headed to HHI for a short three-night stay this past 4th of July weekend. Not surprisingly, we were unable to book a DVC villa at the 7-month period, nor did one come through via waitlisting. As a backup plan, we reserved a room at the nearby Marriott resort (you pass right by it on the way to the beach from Disney's HHI resort). Though we missed being able to stay in Disney accommodations, we were pleasantly surprised at how much we enjoyed our stay at the Marriott. We also hit several restaurants and shops in addition to spending time by the pool or on the beach. What follows are just some quick observations for those still planning a trip to HHI.
Restaurants
Honestly, we didn't have a bad meal our entire stay, though that's not to say each restaurant below can't have its off night. However, none did while we were there.
- Black Marlin: Nice location, great outdoor seating, and their seafood offerings were plentiful. Their main focus appeared to be more of an island/tropical/Asian flair with pineapple, mango, sauces, and salsas that evoked a taste of the tropics, such as their delicious seared ahi tuna "tacos" which are served on a crispy wonton with a wasabi sauce. We were willing to sit outside for our dinner, and we were seated immediately under a big fan. The only issue is that eating outside means your drinks get warmed quickly. Still, we definitely recommend the Black Marlin.
- Anglers: A small place near the beach, its menu isn't extensive, and we read some less than favorable reviews. I'd say it worked for us. While my wife's shrimp and crab salad was more like a typical mayo-heavy seafood salad, my fried oysters were the best I had the entire trip. Service was fine, though not terribly memorable. We went for lunch and the place wasn't crowded. It was our least favorite restaurant but still wasn't bad.
- Hudson's: The perfect waterfront joint. From the low-profile building on the pier to the uneven floor inside (there are signs everywhere warning you to be careful of them), this feels like a prototypical locals hangout. I don't know that it is, but the food was delicious and service during our lunch there was exceptional. We arrived around 11 and were there with only two other couples. By 11:30, the place was 3/4 full. Of particular note, the she-crab bisque was divine, and the steamer plate extravaganza was fresh, including the corn on the cob which amazingly wasn't overcooked! They have outdoor seating, but such seating under an umbrella or canopy is limited (we sat indoors). They boast that their specials change twice a day depending on what comes in from the boat; unfortunately, that meant I wound up with steamed crab legs vice the promised mussels in that steamer plate. No big deal. Highly recommended.
- Skull Creek Boathouse: What we thought of this place can be summed up with the following notation--we ate there twice. Our first experience was the evening of the 4th of July, and though we were expecting a substantial wait for a table (despite having arrived before 6), we didn't think the wait would be in the 2 to 2.5 hour range which it was. Luckily, we quickly found two seats at the very full bar and opted to drink and eat there as the seats were quite comfy. Service was exemplary to the point we tipped our server extra. They have an extensive menu, and we found ourselves drawn to the ceviche and tartar renditions of seafood, although my DW couldn't resist the seafood pasta dish. The combo ceviche was a pungent, tangy irresistible mixture of conch, octopus, and tuna, all served in a sauce comprised of lime juice, cilantro, red onion, jalapeno, and avocado. Absolutely delicious, and it was served with tortilla chips. The tuna tartar was also good, though not quite as flavorful as the ceviche, and the seafood pasta was done well, too, with the pasta having a bite and the seafood not cooked to death. They also offered one of our favorite go-to wines, the Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc, so we got a bottle for our meal. The vibe to SCB was excellent, and though it seemed most of the crowd was from out of town, that doesn't mean it wasn't good for it was. I suspect many locals avoid the place during this holiday. We enjoyed it so much that we hit it for Sunday brunch, and they allowed me to compose my own eggs benedict dish: in place of the ham, I substituted fried oysters. The perfectly poached eggs on top combined with the Hollandaise, fresh lemon, and cocktail sauce was divine.
- Ombra Cucina Rustica: We just couldn't get away from doing something Italian while there (my wife has a love affair with pasta), and this seemed right up our alley. It was. Service was superb and the food exceptional. My appetizer of fresh, thinly-sliced SC peaches with Gorgonzola, honeyed pine nuts, and arugula was not only mouth-watering but a piece of food art, as well. My lobster ravioli was very good, but the DW's tagliatelle Bolognese was the real star--the depth of flavor was the most remarkable of anything we ate all weekend. And the tiramisu? Light, airy, and scrumptious.
As a side note, we figured eating early (before 6 p.m. for dinners and before noon for lunches) would be the best bet, and we were correct. I'm sure that being there on the 4th weekend didn't help, but I'm sure these places get packed at other times, too.
Shopping
We didn't do a ton of shopping, but those Tanger outlet malls (1 & 2) were more than enough for us. I did wind up buying two golf clubs at the Golf Discount store which is a misleading title since they're fairly full service, including being able to change the angle of an iron or other such facets. Lots of clubs from which to choose, or you can go with a club face and they can fit the shaft to you. Prices were good, too. DW and I hit several stores, and this is a good way to fill an entire afternoon if not day if you're so inclined. We also took a look at the Disney shop when we visited (more on that in a moment), and the selection appears sadly inadequate. I mean, they have a captured audience (no other Disney shops around) and the offerings were mostly generic and uninspired. Still, we did manage to buy a couple of small things.
DVC
I had stayed at Disney's HHI resort years ago, but DW had not, so we went over for a quick perusal our first day. Though no models were available (we figured as much), we walked around awhile not only to check out the resort (DW loved it) but to see if we could stumble across a room being cleaned and peak inside. We did more than that--we found a 2BR unit where the doors were wide open and the a/c running full bore, but no one was around. So, we stepped inside and walked around for a minute or two. As you know, HHI had a recent refurb and the room was gorgeous. The color palette is beachy as you would expect, and the linens/sheets/fittings matched. Light, airy, and open is how I would describe the redo. It was immaculate though smelled of electrical smoke. As we left, we saw a nearby CM who told us that the previous occupants had left the oven on self-clean before departing, and the unit was being aired out, thus the smell. If you haven't been back since the refurb, I believe you'll love it.
Miscellaneous
The weather was typical for summer, and we were lucky that Hurricane Arthur just missed HHI. The beach was lovely, and our experience at the Marriott was, too. We had an oceanfront room that was actually oceanfront! We were on the 7th floor looking right at the ocean--couldn't ask for a better locale. The service at the hotel was exceptional; from the initial check-in to the poolside servers, nary an impatient word or bad attitude crossed our path. We were upgraded to a $200 spa package which allowed us to do a couples massage for essentially just the gratuity. The room was clean, and did I mention the view was stunning? The furnishings could use a makeover as the couch had some noticeable rub marks, as did the wall. The water pressure was mostly fine, but there were times that it would go out for a few seconds before coming back full force. However, these are minor complaints.
Traffic, on the other hand, was at times nearly unbearable which made our early eating times even more important. Thankfully, most of what we needed was right at the resort. Oh, and for those who love Starbucks, there is one in the new Kroger which is a mere 1/3 of a mile or so down the main drag (as you head toward the interstate). If you're at Disney's HHI resort, turn left out of the main complex onto Wm Hilton Rd. At your second turn in, hang a left (the first takes you to the Kroger gas station which had the cheapest gas around, btw); you're protected by a light for that turn. The Kroger is straight ahead and slightly to your left, and the full-service Starbucks is on the left hand side of the store as you face it. Oh, and it opens at 5:30 a.m. every morning!
That's about it. Hope these tips helps those heading out later this summer.
Restaurants
Honestly, we didn't have a bad meal our entire stay, though that's not to say each restaurant below can't have its off night. However, none did while we were there.
- Black Marlin: Nice location, great outdoor seating, and their seafood offerings were plentiful. Their main focus appeared to be more of an island/tropical/Asian flair with pineapple, mango, sauces, and salsas that evoked a taste of the tropics, such as their delicious seared ahi tuna "tacos" which are served on a crispy wonton with a wasabi sauce. We were willing to sit outside for our dinner, and we were seated immediately under a big fan. The only issue is that eating outside means your drinks get warmed quickly. Still, we definitely recommend the Black Marlin.
- Anglers: A small place near the beach, its menu isn't extensive, and we read some less than favorable reviews. I'd say it worked for us. While my wife's shrimp and crab salad was more like a typical mayo-heavy seafood salad, my fried oysters were the best I had the entire trip. Service was fine, though not terribly memorable. We went for lunch and the place wasn't crowded. It was our least favorite restaurant but still wasn't bad.
- Hudson's: The perfect waterfront joint. From the low-profile building on the pier to the uneven floor inside (there are signs everywhere warning you to be careful of them), this feels like a prototypical locals hangout. I don't know that it is, but the food was delicious and service during our lunch there was exceptional. We arrived around 11 and were there with only two other couples. By 11:30, the place was 3/4 full. Of particular note, the she-crab bisque was divine, and the steamer plate extravaganza was fresh, including the corn on the cob which amazingly wasn't overcooked! They have outdoor seating, but such seating under an umbrella or canopy is limited (we sat indoors). They boast that their specials change twice a day depending on what comes in from the boat; unfortunately, that meant I wound up with steamed crab legs vice the promised mussels in that steamer plate. No big deal. Highly recommended.
- Skull Creek Boathouse: What we thought of this place can be summed up with the following notation--we ate there twice. Our first experience was the evening of the 4th of July, and though we were expecting a substantial wait for a table (despite having arrived before 6), we didn't think the wait would be in the 2 to 2.5 hour range which it was. Luckily, we quickly found two seats at the very full bar and opted to drink and eat there as the seats were quite comfy. Service was exemplary to the point we tipped our server extra. They have an extensive menu, and we found ourselves drawn to the ceviche and tartar renditions of seafood, although my DW couldn't resist the seafood pasta dish. The combo ceviche was a pungent, tangy irresistible mixture of conch, octopus, and tuna, all served in a sauce comprised of lime juice, cilantro, red onion, jalapeno, and avocado. Absolutely delicious, and it was served with tortilla chips. The tuna tartar was also good, though not quite as flavorful as the ceviche, and the seafood pasta was done well, too, with the pasta having a bite and the seafood not cooked to death. They also offered one of our favorite go-to wines, the Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc, so we got a bottle for our meal. The vibe to SCB was excellent, and though it seemed most of the crowd was from out of town, that doesn't mean it wasn't good for it was. I suspect many locals avoid the place during this holiday. We enjoyed it so much that we hit it for Sunday brunch, and they allowed me to compose my own eggs benedict dish: in place of the ham, I substituted fried oysters. The perfectly poached eggs on top combined with the Hollandaise, fresh lemon, and cocktail sauce was divine.
- Ombra Cucina Rustica: We just couldn't get away from doing something Italian while there (my wife has a love affair with pasta), and this seemed right up our alley. It was. Service was superb and the food exceptional. My appetizer of fresh, thinly-sliced SC peaches with Gorgonzola, honeyed pine nuts, and arugula was not only mouth-watering but a piece of food art, as well. My lobster ravioli was very good, but the DW's tagliatelle Bolognese was the real star--the depth of flavor was the most remarkable of anything we ate all weekend. And the tiramisu? Light, airy, and scrumptious.
As a side note, we figured eating early (before 6 p.m. for dinners and before noon for lunches) would be the best bet, and we were correct. I'm sure that being there on the 4th weekend didn't help, but I'm sure these places get packed at other times, too.
Shopping
We didn't do a ton of shopping, but those Tanger outlet malls (1 & 2) were more than enough for us. I did wind up buying two golf clubs at the Golf Discount store which is a misleading title since they're fairly full service, including being able to change the angle of an iron or other such facets. Lots of clubs from which to choose, or you can go with a club face and they can fit the shaft to you. Prices were good, too. DW and I hit several stores, and this is a good way to fill an entire afternoon if not day if you're so inclined. We also took a look at the Disney shop when we visited (more on that in a moment), and the selection appears sadly inadequate. I mean, they have a captured audience (no other Disney shops around) and the offerings were mostly generic and uninspired. Still, we did manage to buy a couple of small things.
DVC
I had stayed at Disney's HHI resort years ago, but DW had not, so we went over for a quick perusal our first day. Though no models were available (we figured as much), we walked around awhile not only to check out the resort (DW loved it) but to see if we could stumble across a room being cleaned and peak inside. We did more than that--we found a 2BR unit where the doors were wide open and the a/c running full bore, but no one was around. So, we stepped inside and walked around for a minute or two. As you know, HHI had a recent refurb and the room was gorgeous. The color palette is beachy as you would expect, and the linens/sheets/fittings matched. Light, airy, and open is how I would describe the redo. It was immaculate though smelled of electrical smoke. As we left, we saw a nearby CM who told us that the previous occupants had left the oven on self-clean before departing, and the unit was being aired out, thus the smell. If you haven't been back since the refurb, I believe you'll love it.
Miscellaneous
The weather was typical for summer, and we were lucky that Hurricane Arthur just missed HHI. The beach was lovely, and our experience at the Marriott was, too. We had an oceanfront room that was actually oceanfront! We were on the 7th floor looking right at the ocean--couldn't ask for a better locale. The service at the hotel was exceptional; from the initial check-in to the poolside servers, nary an impatient word or bad attitude crossed our path. We were upgraded to a $200 spa package which allowed us to do a couples massage for essentially just the gratuity. The room was clean, and did I mention the view was stunning? The furnishings could use a makeover as the couch had some noticeable rub marks, as did the wall. The water pressure was mostly fine, but there were times that it would go out for a few seconds before coming back full force. However, these are minor complaints.
Traffic, on the other hand, was at times nearly unbearable which made our early eating times even more important. Thankfully, most of what we needed was right at the resort. Oh, and for those who love Starbucks, there is one in the new Kroger which is a mere 1/3 of a mile or so down the main drag (as you head toward the interstate). If you're at Disney's HHI resort, turn left out of the main complex onto Wm Hilton Rd. At your second turn in, hang a left (the first takes you to the Kroger gas station which had the cheapest gas around, btw); you're protected by a light for that turn. The Kroger is straight ahead and slightly to your left, and the full-service Starbucks is on the left hand side of the store as you face it. Oh, and it opens at 5:30 a.m. every morning!
That's about it. Hope these tips helps those heading out later this summer.
