Hilton Head Island??

[Cheryl N. WI]

We might have an opportunity to go to Hilton Head Island June 12-19. Unfortunately we wouldn't be staying at the Disney property . We would be staying at the Hilton Head Island Beach and Tennis resort. Does anyone know anything about this property? We're wondering if it is nice or not.

My other question is will there be enough to keep us busy in the area for a week? My DH is not a relax on vacation kind of guy. To him a vacation is going somewhere and seeing the sites not sitting on the beach or at the pool as DD would sometimes (OK maybe more than sometimes LOL) like to. DD will be 10 at the time are there things on HH that she would enjoy?

Any info would be appreciated!

Cheryl

 

[ArthurAmish]

I'm sorry, but I would be a little leary about Hilton Head Beach and Tennis resort, if it is where I think it is. I think it is on the north end of the Island, which is before you get to the more commercial part. That's OK, because the Westin, probably the nicest hotel, is also on the north end of the beach. If I remember this property, it is rather old, and although on the beach, there is a very long (maybe 1/4 mile) boardwalk over the marsh until you are actually on the beach. Perhaps I'm thinking of the wrong property, but I would get some pictures of the exterior and the exact location, just to be sure.

As for Hilton Head, obviously if you husband golfs, he was be plenty happy. Other than that, there really aren't too many sightseeing things at HHI. Lots to do, but not really sightseeing. If he is into history, take a day trip to Savannah, Beaufort, or my favorite, Charleston. (I think your daughter will have a perfect time at Hilton Head!)

Please ask if you need anything more specific.

 

[kweaver]

Here are some reviews for the resort (YMMV, of course):

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re...Resort-Hilton_Head_Island_South_Carolina.html

http://www.travelhero.com/prophome.cfm/id/19726/parkname/HILTON_HEAD/typeid/9/

 

[Cheryl N. WI]

kweaver, thanks for the links with the reviews! The reviews for the most part are good for this property.

Arthur, I think you are thinking of the right property. From the pictures I have seen of it it does look older and that is what has concerned me a little but I keep telling myself we usually don't spend much time in our room on vacation and the main thing to us is that it is clean so hopefully it would be OK.
DH does not golf so we would be mainly looking to do other activities on the island and I would love to go to Savannah and Charleston are these doable day trips? I have not heard anything about Beaufort, what is there to see there? My sister thought it might be too hot to visit these cities in mid June, have you ever been at that time of year? (I would much rather be hot than freezing like we have been these past few days, I say bring on the hot humid weather! LOL) I had seen in a brochure about HH that my sister had given me that they have dolphin watching cruises, this is something we would all like to do, are these done at just certain times of year, would we be able to see dolphins in mid June?
I noticed you are from IL, have you ever driven to HH? We are from southern WI and are thinking of driving down.
Those are the questions I have for now if you don't mind answering whatever you can I'd really appreciate it!!

Cheryl

 

[Cheryl N. WI]

Sorry but I thought of a few more questions. We had been to Sanibel Island, FL years ago and really enjoyed it. Some of the things DH enjoyed there was walking the beach looking for shells and going to a "nature preserve" there. Are the beaches at HH good for shelling? Are there any nature type preserves on the island or in the area worth seeing. DH likes birds alot and he enjoyed observing the alligators in the wild on Sanibel (I know alligators would probably freak DD out though LOL). Sorry for all the questions but this has become a very hard decision for me

Cheryl

 

[vanstoj]

Sanibel is known for its shelling and I don't think HH is quite as good. There is a wonderful nature preserve, Pickney Island, the disney resort has a tour of it on a regular basis, but it is open to the public. Having lived in HH (me) you will find that there is a lot of shopping right off the island in Bluffton which is growing fast so expect traffic. Beaufort is a quaint southern town but there is not much to do there. HH has a number of minature golf courses which are fun and they also have the Self arts center which might be having something interesting. I would definitely reccomend a day trip to Savannah maybe with a ghost tour or a midnight in the garden of good and evil tour if they still have them. Make sure you go the Pirates House (I think that is what it is called). Savannah can definitely be done in a day trip. Charleston is about 1 hr. 45 minutes from HH, however, it is wonderful. Very historic. You can take a horse drawn carriage ride around the city and go out to ft. sumter. CHarleston also has an acquarium which is a little overpriced but is nice. They focus on SOuth Carolina habitats. HH does have dolphin cruises and horseback riding. Having lived in HH I have never taken advantage of these things (working and all) but I have heard good things about them. make sure you eat out a lot. Last I remember HH had more restaurants per square mile than NYC and a lot of them are good. Most of all try and relax. HH is a beautiful place and should enjoy it, although next time I would say go Disney as you can not beat the beauty and the activities of the Disney resort even if it isn't on the beach.

 

[ArthurAmish]

I would agree that the beaches are not known for great shelling. I would also agree with the day trip "rating"-Charleston would be my first choice, Savannah second, and Beaufort third. But, a trip to Charleston will definitely consume an entire day, while the other two may not. The dolphin tours occur year around, I think, and are a lot of fun. If DH likes birds, there are numerous birds, and maybe some bird watching excursions, through the museum. I love to watch the pelicans coming in a line in over the surf in the late afternoon-really interesting to watch. I forgot to mention walking and bike riding the beach at low tide are really great (and free) activities. DH should check with the museum, which is near the bridge, for "nature" type activities which they arrange.

We have driven numerous times from our home in Central Illinois. We are about 30 miles south of Champaign. It is almost exactly 900 miles from Arthur - about of 15-16 hour drive. I have never flown down. Usually flights to Hilton Head are fairly expensive - I think sometimes you might be able to fly to Savannah for a decent rate and then rent a car. I would recommend that you need a car at HHI.

The weather will most likely be hot in June, but probably not as hot as July and August. It is known for heat and humidity in the summer. However, I've been there in April when it is cold and rainy, and it is much more fun when it is hot!

We have friends who have gone with us to HHI and also have been to Sanibel at their in-laws' timeshare. They seem to prefer HHI more, as they have been back several times.

I would agree with the restaurant comment. There are many, many wonderful restaurants at all price ranges. Don't plan on eating too many dinners in - the restaurants are too good to miss!

Have fun and feel free to ask any more questions!

 

[Cheryl N. WI]

I just booked it! We are going to HHI this June!!! Thank you everyone for all of the info!!!! I think we will all have a great time. I wanted to make sure this was a place DH would enjoy, seeing how he has always given in to my wishes to go to WDW and on the Disney cruises (we just got back a few weeks ago frow WDW and he says we need to take a break from WDW and start seeing other things).

We are staying at the Island Beach and Tennis Resort and we decided to book the 2 bedroom unit. I talked to our vacation club about my concerns if whether or not the units were kept up because it is an older property and she said the club actually owns the units and they keep them well maintained and they have received good responses from the members that have stayed there. So we'll just have to keep our fingers crossed that our room will be clean!!! We'll be fine with the location on the north end of the island because that will make it more convenient to and a little closer to drive to Savannah and Charleston LOL.

I may have more questions as June gets closer if all of you HH veterans don't mind and I'm going to check out the websites I've been finding for these areas more thoroughly they than quick scanning of them I've been doing today.

Thanks again everyone!

Cheryl