Hilton Head or Vero Beach?

[MrsG]

DH and I are looking for a quick romantic getaway in Feb without the kids. We're debating between Vero and Hilton Head. We don't golf and are looking for a relaxing vacation. Is one resort better for couples and is one more family oriented. We'd be going during the Feb break, and not that I don't love children (I'm a teacher), I would like the less family-type resort of the two.

Thanks friends

 

[PamOKW]

I think I'd go with Vero in February. While at that time of the year there are no weather guarantees, at least Vero has a good chance of warmer weather.

While the Disney resort, of course, has many families visiting, the entire Vero area is much more of an upscale adult area. In fact, most people come for the entire winter and stay in condos rather than a lot of hotels. I think Vero would be an excellent winter escape for two.

 

[kweaver]

I definitely say Vero in Feb, if you are looking for any chance of warm, dry weather. I can almost guarantee that HH will be cold and rainy in Feb!

 

[canda]

I am a HHI owner. I love that resort. I use my points for HHI and VB stays for the most part. I only visit WDW every 3 years. Anyway for Feb. At VB you will have much better chance at warm weather. HHI can be cool all the way through May. This is if you are looking for a beach vacation. As far as somthing romantic, I think HHI might offer more nice diner options than VB. You can have a great time in HHI even if you do not golf, shop, or beach in the winter.

 

[mbhoxsie]

The Weather Channel predicts colder weather for HHI that time of year..

Month Avg. High Avg. Low Mean Avg. Precip. Record High Record Low
Jan 58°F 37°F 48°F 4.37 in. 85°F (1975) 4°F (1985)
Feb 61°F 39°F 50°F 3.30 in. 84°F (1986) 15°F (1958)
Mar 67°F 46°F 56°F 3.78 in. 90°F (1963) 21°F (1980)

Vero tends to be a little about 10-15 degrees warmer and more stable...
Month Avg. High Avg. Low Mean Avg. Precip. Record High Record Low
Jan 73°F 53°F 63°F 2.89 in. 88°F (1991) 21°F (1985)
Feb 74°F 54°F 64°F 2.45 in. 89°F (1997) 28°F (1989)
Mar 78°F 58°F 68°F 4.20 in. 92°F (1962) 32°F (1986)

Vero is also a little more self contained than HHI, in that it has Shutter's, Sonya's, and the Green Cabin Room onsite for places to eat.

 

[Par8hed]

Vero undoubtedly will have better weather. But if you're looking to avoid the kids I would head to HHI which I think would be fairly desolate in February. If it's cold at HHI- so what - whats more romantic than leisurely days in your room, jacuzzi baths, etc. and going out for nice dinners

 

[MrsG]

I didn't realize that HH would be so cool. Us northerners think anything south of Wash DC is balmy all the time. DH is looking forward to being warm and reading a book on the beach. After last winter where we were "white" here for months, we're looking forward to color in the dead of winter.

 

[spiceycat]

what do you want the most - better weather or less kids - if less kids go to HH.

of course I would go to OKW especially the first part of Feb - the weather in Orlando is about the same as VB (they are 2 hours apart and most of that is the drive east - I think further south they are only about 45 to 30 minutes). So the weather is not a lot different. There are a bunch of things to do at OKW without going to the theme parks.

If you want a romantic getaway - I might pick VWL over OKW - but that is just a matter of personal taste.

to get better weather you need to go alot further south - Key West is in their on season during that time - but trying to get something now for then is probably going to be alot harder.....

Also remember Florida is know for their spring breakers along the beach front properties - I don't think VB has that problem - but Dayton does and it is close enough to Dayton to have spring breakers....Of course Key West is on a spring breakers hit list - so that probably wasn't a good suggestion on my part.....

spring break starts the middle of Feb and generally ends the middle of April.

I would think that HH has spring breakers too but I haven't heard of any causing the problems that they cause in Florida.

 

[BobH]

http://www.blackpearlvero.com

For about $100 you can have a great dining experience on the river about 4 miles south of the Vero DVC. My wife and I have tried it twice and it has been excellent.

 

[MrsG]

How do we get to Vero from the airport (Orlando Int , I'm assuming). Does Disney provide a shuttle or do we cab it? About how far from the airport is it?

 

[spiceycat]

you can get a shuttle to where ever you want - WDW does not provide the one to WDW - Mears does.

when you walk out the doors go to the shuttles not the taxis - shuttles are generally cheaper.

 

[BobH]

You'll need a car at Vero Beach and the rental cost for a week will be less than paying for a shuttle. From Airport take Rt 528E to Rt 95S To Rt 512E,
Trip takes about 1 hr 20 min to 1hr 30 miutes - easy drive. Your reservation will have directions on it.

 

[BillPA]

I don't think you can get a shuttle from MCO to Vero. It's about 100 miles. Your best bet is a rental or fly into I think it's Melbourne just north of Vero. When the search engine comes back up look for a thread about this maybe 2 months ago.

Search is up, here is a link:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=582609&highlight=+melbourne

 

[scootert]

Count another vote for Vero... DH and I just love this place. We've been to both HH and Vero and prefer Vero. Vero is warmer (us south Texans get chilled real easy!!) and we love that you have direct access to the beach and ocean. Shutters and Sonya's are excellent restaurants on site. All in all, it's the perfect place to just relax...

Flying into Melbourne is very easy and convenient, provided the flight schedules work from your area. We did this last May and would definitely do it again if we were doing a "Vero only" trip. If schedules don't work out for you, you might also consider flying into West Palm Beach. I think it's about 70 miles south of Vero.

Hope you have a great trip, wherever you go...

 

[PamOKW]

Orlando and West Palm Beach airports are roughly the same distance (WPB is a little closer). Melbourne is the closest if you can get good flights.

You'd have to arrange a car service if you don't want to drive. Renting a car, if you don't have a problem with driving, is the best choice and will let you have freedom to explore the Vero area as well. A car service/limo from MCO or WPB will run over $150 each way. It's roughly a 1 1/2-2 hour trip each way.

The Gulf Stream runs off of Vero and Vero marks the beginning of the tropical area of Florida. It should be warmer than Orlando (although not dramatically).

Vero is a very upscale, almost residential, resort. There are no spring break parties in this town. There can be long lines for the "Early Bird" specials.

 

[mbhoxsie]

I agree with PamOKW... The city of Vero Beach is not a known touristy area.... The town itself (as well as the neighboring towns) are all pretty laid back. There can be things to do at VB, if you so desire, but on the whole I thing your own pace drives the type of vacation you'll get there....

I have never been to HHI... (We are planning on going this summer..) But I would tend to think that HHI is known as more of a tourist destination than VB...

As far as getting to VB goes, I'd recommend renting a car... My DW and I research shuttle services a few years ago, and the prices pretty much matched the rental car agencies.. Plus with a rental car, you are free to leave the resort as you please.....

We always fly into MCO, and get the rental car from there.. It is about a 90 min drive.. Melbourne is the closest airport, but it can be difficult and expensive sometimes to fly in there... (At least it is from some of the northern states..)