Hilton Head Beach Situation...

[Mary Anne Williams]

We are thinking of going to the HHI resort. I can't decide if it would irritate my family to not be "on the beach". Is the resort worth the trade off? Thanks in advance!

We have teenagers who aren't really old enough to go to the beach alone no matter what... and my husband is about 2 hrs on the beach and he is done... If that helps!

Also - Tell me about the beach club. What is there, how big/nice is it?

Thanks in advance

 

[bbn1122]

We are going for the first time in August. I am not worried about not being on the beach. My DHubby too will enjoy the beach for about 1 hour or 2, but he would have no problem shuttling back to the resort by himself. As, I understand it about a 1.5 mile bike ride on a path. They also have the shuttle or you can drive. On trip advisor there are over 150 photos of the resort and many of the Beach House. I know from my research there is an arcade, clubhouse, food and bar, it looks like a great reprise from the beach. I figured my boys and hubby will go back and forth from beach to pool area.

Also, the resort looks so restful and shady which will be a great place in August when it hot! And from what I have read there is a lot to do there.

Hopefully, you will hear from a few people who have been there.

 

[Anal Annie]

We went there in August of 2010 as our AP's had expired in the spring and it had been awhile since we'd had just a week long beach vacation - thought it was a good time to take a WDW break and to save some money. Not being ON the beach was definitely one of my bigger concerns as well. It was OK. It was not what we were used to for sure (previous beach vacations we'd had either a house in Bethany Beach, DE or a condo in Ocean City, MD). Plus the beach is totally different. Very flat & wide...hard packed sand...no waves to speak of so the boogie boards were kind of a waste. We ended up spending a good bit of time at the beach house / pool because we'd schlep down to the beach but would find that there were often a lot of jellyfish. So we'd end up just moving to the beach house to stay cool. It was VERY hot that August...95ish almost every day. The beach house is nice...there is a CS place (closes for the evening though) with a refillable mug station and the pool is designed in an 'H' shape with a volley ball net in the middle so there were almost always people playing. I did use the shuttle a couple of times so I wouldn't lose my parking space (there are definitely more guests than parking spaces at the beach house). OH, and if you're in the main building ask to be on the top floor...it's a wood construction building and you can hear everybody walking above you if you're in the middle somewhere.

We'll probably return there one day...but it will be awhile. There was more going on in HHI than at Vero Beach but I think a place like Myrtle Beach would suit us better as there's even more going on there and more waves. Perhaps we'll try to trade out one day for someplace in Myrtle.

 

[disneyfool_1202]

HHI Beach Resort is not directly ON the beach - the hotel accomodatons themselves are set in buildings that surround a heated pool with a whirlpool tub. The beach itself is located across the street - there's a "beach house' that has yet another pool, and then there's the beach behind it.
We went when my son was 8 months old and my best friend (who's family traveled with us) was 6 months pregnant. We spent most of our days by the pool at the resort itself and ventured to the actual beach only once.
It's a wonderful vacation that has the look / feel of the vacation villa's Disney is known for, while being far away from the hustle and bustle of the parks.
I highly recommend it.

 

[nursegirl]

My DH is a "2-hr on the beach" person as well and our home resort is HHI! We really enjoy the beach house because we can get our beach time in, take a break at the beach house - kids swim, do crafts, play games - then maybe a little more beach for those who want to and then back to the villa to rest or go play/lounge around main pool at villas.

In the evening, we like exploring HHI or are equally as happy to just walk around Shelter Cove after dinner. It is a really laid back and relaxed holiday for us, but there is plenty to do if your teens need to be active.

We wondered if not being on the beach might be annoying, but it suits us - you might want to rent points or do a discounted cash reservation for your first go in case its not your thing, then you haven't wasted points.

 

[WolfpackFan]

OP - We have been to HH many times and not being directly on the beach has never bothered us. The Shelter Cove location is very nice and I love walking around the resort and the marina area every morning. Plus it is nice having the restaurants within easy walking distance. As far as the beach, the Beach House is fantastic. I am like your DH, about 2-3 hours out on the beach is enough for me, but DW could sit out there all day. Typically we drive over and when I've had enough I leave her there and go exploring the island. If you want to see some pictures of the beach and Beach House check out my link below. I have several photo journals containing HH pictures.

 

[CruznLexi]

We live in Panama City and go to the beach once a week for 2 hour or less and also own at HH. We have a great time do go to the beach some do the pool some just want to sit in the villa. I am a pool
Person I prefer the pool.

 

[seelyt2]

We went last August and fell in love with the resort. We requested a marsh view and we were constantly mesmerized by all the wildlife there and watched the tides go in and out. Just absolutely beautiful. Kids 14 and 10 had a great time and there's lot to do at the resort itself, even without being "on the beach". We did go to the beach 6 our of 7 of the days since we live so far inland and that is part of the reason we went....to go to the beach. It was the best of both worlds. DD10 preferred swimming in the pool at the beach house vs. the ocean so we headed up there quite a bit, but pretty much be-bopped between the two. Kids also liked the slide at the resort. Had a great time. I highly recommend it. Do know the resort books up quite quickly.

Enjoy!

 

[seelyt2]

Oh I forgot...the beach house has a "H" shaped pool with a volleyball net, counter service, bar, foosball table, ping pong table, and showers and restrooms, etc. There was a place to sit and eat if you wanted to bring your own lunch. It was really nice! If you decide to drive yourself there is parking underneath the beach house so your car can stay shaded. We did this since we preferred to get to the beach early. You can rent boogie boards and beach gear, including chairs, umbrellas, etc., from people directly on the beach.

 

[marynvince]

We discovered HH for the first time several years ago by staying at the DVC resort and fell in love. Since then we've gone nearly twice per year. Second time we rented a condo, not on beach and obviously not DVC. It was OK. Fourth time we rented condo across from the beach, better than mid-island, but not Disney. After those extra experiences, we simply bought at HHI.

The CMs are the absolute best. The resort it self has a very relaxing presence, but has lots of kids activities too. We rented bikes and had the best time this past Thanksgiving. Riding to beach house was fun and the beach beach house area is great.