Hilton Head: Best Kept Secret

[Sammie]

For those that have frequented these boards for years, you will remember that for many years no one talked much about Hilton Head DVC. In fact it was often mentioned like the red head step child. "Things like gee is it really Disney," were said. "Do they have a park nearby, is there anything to do?" Do you own there just to trade into DisneyWorld? I am sure Doc remembers those days.

For those that have owned at HH for years, you know things there have not changed. They have always been great.

So when did the best kept secret get out?

 

[JimC]

Have not been to HH yet, but want to after trying VB and finding how well DVC runs an off property resort.

 

[Disneyaholic]

Originally posted by Sammie
So when did the best kept secret get out?

I've kinda been wondering the same thing...We fell in love with HH the first time we went there, during its opening season and have done our best to go there as often as we can!

I wonder how many people who bought HH points (because of the lower dues) to use at WDW are thinking that maybe they found a gold mine??? LOL!!

 

[JimC]

Can't imagine why anyone would buy HH for reduced dues. OKW has always been the value DVC resort -- largest rooms, lowest dues.

Were HH dues subsidized like VB for some period?

 

[TNMomof3]

I found the secret on these and other boards. We just joined DVC in July, and I'd never really heard much about HHI, but after signing on everyday, and reading how much people truly loved the place... I figured it had to be really good, because it seemed to be talked about with such fondness.

I wasn't proven wrong when we visited.

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.....

 

[jeanniec]

We did a HH add-on the year the resort opened (1996, I think). When we first stayed there, using OKW points, we weren't that impressed. It was so different from OKW or VB (our other add-on), and we didn't think we liked it. But the more we thought about it, the more we liked it and shortly after we got home, we called and did our add-on by phone and mail. I'm glad that we have the 11 month reservation advantage there because as you said, the secret is getting out and it is becoming more popular. We're actually thinking about adding on more points.

 

[vanstoj]

Hilton head is great! I swore I would never buy points at HH since we live in SC. However, we visited, loved it and now own 80 add on points at HH and if we get the opportunity (if I hit the lottery) would love to add on more. We love the location, B'Lou Crabbe, the staff, the activities, the pool. Just everything. We don't even mind that its not on the beach since the location is so peaceful and beautiful.

 

[ZerasPride]

We'll be arriving in just over a week and I can't wait!!!! I think I posted in a thread about HH yesterday some of the things I am looking forward to experiencing again. As a previous poster mentioned, the resort is so peaceful and relaxing. DH and I have had a stressful last few months and I was really upset that we had to cancel our cruise but I am so looking forward to the laid back atmosphere I know we'll experience at HH.

I couldn't convince my husband to buy DVC until we stayed at Hilton Head on cash. I am so happy we have the 11 month window because we like to travel around the November and December holiday season and I wouldn't want to have to be worried about going on the waitlist and wondering if we'd get our reservation or not. We'll do an occasional stay in an OKW studio on-site but I want my Hilton Head trip every year and I'm so thankful that's where we own our points!

 

[Fenceman]

HH was the resort that sold us on DVC. It is truly a treasure in the DVC family.

JimC, I believe all the resorts were subsidized until they sold-out. If not you would have the first buyer of a resort paying for all of the expenses.

 

[sgtpet]

I don't own there but I certainly enjoyed my first stay there in 2002. I am looking forward to visiting again next fall.

 

[DVCPAT]

HH is definitely the best kept secret of all DVC resorts. The literature does not do it justice. I’m afraid the secrets out and reservations will be very hard to get in the future.

 

[JimC]

Fenceman,

Typically in such arrangements the developer pays the dues on the units not yet purchased and owners pay on what they have purchased. First in owners are at no disadvantage.

I understand that VB was heavily subsidized because sales were so slow and the resort was not being developed beyond phase one. The subsidy ended in 2002.

I don't believe they did this with any of the other resorts.

 

[cgcw]

We bought BWV in 9/00. We had points to use and didn't want to return back to WDW the next year. Looking at the guide book, we decided to give HH a try.

We added on our initial 100 HH points the second day we were there. Thinking that would give us enough for a trip every other year. Borrowing our BWV points, we were able to return the next summer. That trip we added on 82 more points during our week (enough for a 1 bedroom in July). Our third trip convinced us we needed a 2 bedroom unit. This time we waited until we were home to add another 50 points on.

Our 4th trip to HH is booked for next July. DH has always said he'd love to spend 2 weeks at HH in the summer. Being we just added on at SSR, I'm not sure we can really afford to add on again. But we'll have to see what happens.

 

[RobDoc]

Originally posted by JimC
Can't imagine why anyone would buy HH for reduced dues. OKW has always been the value DVC resort -- largest rooms, lowest dues.

Were HH dues subsidized like VB for some period?

HH was never subsidized and dues there have always been next lowest to OKW (except when the VB subsidy was in effect).

Many bought at HH once OKW sold out specifically to use at WDW- thus the availability in the off season at 7 months most anytime but the summer months. There are many CM's who have purchased at HH and VB primarily to use at WDW- mostly because of the dues situation.

Keep in mind, that any sold out resort, in theory, should be filled with members year round. The fact that HH has a lot of availability is testament to the flexibility of DVC and the fact that our points may be used easily at 7 months- much of the time- as long as we're flexible with room type, resort and dates.

I agree that HH is a well kept secret!

 

[colleen costello]

Hilton Head is also a wonderful alternative for spouses who are saying "too much Florida!" I will NEVER utter such a statement, bu DH is growing weary of the trip South. We are committed to numerous Orlando trips this year, so already I am talking HH for June 2005. It is a way to get the "Disney fix" without even going to Orlando. Coastal South Carolina is gorgeous, and the whole resort is lovely. I can't wait to return.

 

[BeckyV]

Thank you about the complement about Coastal South Carolina including HH. Even though we live only one hour and a half from HH, we love to go there four or five times a year for visits. DVC at HH is so natural, and we love the pools. We don't mind not being on the oceanfront. My mom was at Marriott's Grande Ocean last week, and although she was in an oceanfront building, all she could see were trees. It is also beautiful, but I prefer the marshview at DVC if I cannot see the ocean from the unit. I reminded her that if we want real ocean views, we go to her house at Edisto Beach near Charleston where the water is so close that you can almost fish off the decks. To me that is oceanfront units, not the ones at HH so DVC has a big advantage over the others to us.