Hilton Head tips/thoughts

[rriley25]

We're planning a long weekend trip to HH in the fall (probably 4 nights). Do you think it's too late to get a room on points? It looks beautiful and we've never been but I have a few questions. What about restaurants, both onsite and off. How about the pools at the resort and the beach-house. What's the trip to the beach-house like? Can it be walked or biked? Finally, with no theme park to visit do you think we would be bored?

 

[tinkgrl]

Hi,

Mom & I love HH! We stayed there for 4 days in October! It was great!!! Very relaxing! There''s lots to do. Will you have a car?

Allison an associate

 

[rriley25]

Yes, we will have a car. We'll be driving down from Maryland. I95 all the way. We've gotten used to that.

 

[Halle]

We're heading to HH for the first time in August. We've never been and can't wait to go....we don't even care if it rains!!

 

[Judique]

Originally posted by rriley25
We're planning a long weekend trip to HH in the fall (probably 4 nights). Do you think it's too late to get a room on points? It looks beautiful and we've never been but I have a few questions. What about restaurants, both onsite and off. How about the pools at the resort and the beach-house. What's the trip to the beach-house like? Can it be walked or biked? Finally, with no theme park to visit do you think we would be bored?

No, I don't think it's too late. Call MS and check, and if they don't have a room, put yourself on the waitlist. It's worked for me many times.

The resort is beautiful. It's different from the other resorts in a campy sort of way. It's comfortable and just a nice place to be. The studios are large, something like 450 square feet. The castmembers are friendly and they love to help you out. We go several times a year, and have probably gone at least 15 to 20 times.

Onsite food options are limited. The name 'Tide Me Over' explains it all....more for lunch or a quick bite of breakfast. Served from the window of Community Hall with picnic table seating. Signals at the Beach House is similar, with indoor and outdoor tables. Both have decent food. There is a private dining experience also called a Private Affair....nice for a special meal or occasion. Offsite there are tons of choices, some close enough to walk to. In July we will try 'Redfish' which we checked out on our last visit. (Not a walking option.)

Pools are great. Beach is really nice....I like it much better then going to OC. You can walk to the BH but it is a mile and 1/2 or more. Biking is also an option. I'm old and out of shape so I drive. I save myself for walking on the beach <g>.

Bored? I don't think so. You'll love it.

 

[Dean]

There is no on sight restaurant, just a sandwich stop. There are several good restaraunts a few hundred yards away and HH can't be beat for the overall meal choices. You should have no problem other than for the holidays. Unfortunately, the points structure makes just a weekend very expensive. You may at least want to consider a couple of options. You could look for a trade to one of the oceanfront Marriott's and get either a Friday or Sunday start and just use part of the time. Or you could pay cash and rent out your points, you'd likely come out far ahead. If you know someone who is an II member, you might be able to get a DVC unit for a week and just use the parts you need, also much cheaper than the other options.

 

[rriley25]

Originally posted by Judique
We go several times a year, and have probably gone at least 15 to 20 times.

Wow. That's great! Do you normally stay in a 1br, studio, or what? My wife loves seafood, but I'm a landlubber. Any problems finding restaurants that we would both enjoy? Do you prefer any particular time of year. Anyway, thanks a lot.

 

[babylisa4]

We just returned from Hilton Head. We loved sitiing on the porch and the dolphin cruise that picks you up at the resort. We saw dolphins but also really cool $$$million dollar homes and oyster shells. The boat drivers always know a lot of info. We also walked over to Shelter Cove at night and listened to the live bands. There's also golf, beach, bikeriding, and outlet malls. Savannah is fun (just about 45 minutes away.)

 

[rriley25]

Originally posted by Dean
Unfortunately, the points structure makes just a weekend very expensive. You may at least want to consider a couple of options.

Thanks Dean. Yes, we noticed the very large point discrepancy between weeknights versus weekends, therefore, we're planning a Sunday through Wednesday or maybe Thursday type of stay. As you know, all DVC resorts share similar point pricing patterns, but HHI seems even more severe. Any idea why HHI would structure their point schedule so unevenly. Look at SSR. They have gone the other way by reducing the premium on weekend point pricing. Any chance other DVC resorts will follow SSR's lead?

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by rriley25
Thanks Dean. Yes, we noticed the very large point discrepancy between weeknights versus weekends, therefore, we're planning a Sunday through Wednesday or maybe Thursday type of stay. As you know, all DVC resorts share similar point pricing patterns, but HHI seems even more severe. Any idea why HHI would structure their point schedule so unevenly. Look at SSR. They have gone the other way by reducing the premium on weekend point pricing. Any chance other DVC resorts will follow SSR's lead?

I'm sure it's the demographics of the people that stay there and their travel habits. It's also the only resort that has Fri and Sat night different.

 

[deerh]

By Dean:I'm sure it's the demographics of the people that stay there and their travel habits. It's also the only resort that has Fri and Sat night different.

BOY, is there ever right on! Talk about a point overload! There has been talk on this board about changing the pts on the weekend slightly for 1 or more years. Is that ever true of HHI!
Why on earth is the pts SO DIFFERENT from Fri/Sat Nite?
I would like to see what % of DVC'ers stay Fri/Sat nite there. I would bet is is LOW!

I hope DVC reads this board as has been brought up in the past.
On NO OTHER resort is the points so disproportional!!

I would bet Marriott is not even that skewed on the points for Fri/Sat!
DeerH

 

[Disneyaholic]

Originally posted by rriley25
Any idea why HHI would structure their point schedule so unevenly.

Yep -- the weekends would all be snatched up by people who only want a weekend getaway. We live in Atlanta -- about a 5-hour drive from HH. If weekend points were less, we'd be there a couple times a month, year 'round! That would make it very difficult for people who WANT to stay the whole week on points to get their rooms.

I have always felt that Disney truly intended people to stay at DVC for a week at a time (particularly at HH), but offered the nightly point structure as a convenience. I wish there was some way that they could change the way points are, to somehow "reward" members who stay for 7 consecutive nights. I think that would at least partially eliminate the weekend vacancies.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by deerh
I would bet Marriott is not even that skewed on the points for Fri/Sat!
DeerH

Marriott's works on a full week system. They do not have a direct points structure. The only points Marriott has is the equivilent of FF miles.

 

[Judique]

Originally posted by rriley25
Wow. That's great! Do you normally stay in a 1br, studio, or what? My wife loves seafood, but I'm a landlubber. Any problems finding restaurants that we would both enjoy? Do you prefer any particular time of year. Anyway, thanks a lot.

We've stayed in all three types of units, depending on our party size. I prefer the dedicated two bedrooms that are closer to the pool. I have a favorite studio that has a wonderful marsh view.

I think you'll be able to find restaurants to suit both of you. There are several hundred choices, and the island isn't that large.

Time of year....I've been there all seasons. I really enjoyed our time there last July. We had perfect mid eighty degree weather with little humidity. I hope we are that lucky this July. Last Thanksgiving we had great weather early in the week, but it got cool and wet toward weeks end. In April it was quite warm most of our days, but the evenings were breezy, although still enjoyable. I think the summer weather was the most dependable, over all, but even a rainy day is fun. I've spent Xmas there a couple of years....one was nice and mild, another we froze...but we still had a great visit!

 

[rriley25]

Thanks to everyone that replied. We ended up paying cash through MS for a 2br unit for 4 nights in late September. We're checking in on Thursday 9/23 and checking out early 9/27. We will be leaving very early that morning so I can make it FedEx field and watch the Redskins trounce the Cowpokes on Monday Night Football.

I was very pleasantly suprised at the cash cost of this reservation. It makes using points for weekend stays at HHI an unnecessary extravagance.

 

[lsutigger2]

This is so timely! DH and I were trying to plan our 05-06 use year points the other night. I mentioned we could go to HH, DH said, "Now you're talking!" He is a golf lover! So I think that is what we'll do in the fall of '05, so keep the tips on stuff to do, places to eat, etc. coming.

I started a new "cut and paste of HH ideas" file on my computer!!

 

[WolfpackFan]

I've booked a 2BR at HHI for three nights starting on Dec. 26th. We're really looking forward to doing something "different" right after Christmas this year. I also plan to book a fourth night in Charleston somewhere. My only concern is will the restaurants on HHI be open the days right after Christmas. Even though we will have a 2BR with a full kitchen, I don't see us doing alot of cooking while there (except for eating breakfast). I figure one of the 2 full days we'll drive into Savannah. I thought the points for the 2BR right after Christmas was very reasonable.

 

[Disneyaholic]

We've been down for New Year's Eve for the past couple of years and most of the restaurants have still been open. Several of them close starting January 1 or January 15, however.

You should be fine. There are so many restaurants there -- even if some are closed, you'll have plenty of options!

 

[Laurabearz]

We are at HHI as I type, DH has the girls at the pool and I am in our villa (building 21, close to the pool) with our sleeping baby.

The main pool is lovely. Fast dark slide. The kiddie pool used to have squirting things, but they are gone, but the kids dont seem to mind.

Too much to do around here for us.... hard to pick an choose. This morning while the girls were at the kids club, I went on the Kyack (sp) adventure. It was lovely. Not too strennous, and lots to see.... low tide.

Cant help with off site places to eat, Tide Me over is Okay.... not a place to eat more than a snack.

The beach is great. Much nicer and larger than Vero. Water is already warm!!!!

If ya have any questions I will do my best to find the answer.....

 

[Melynny]

Hey Wolfpack, Dh and I are checking in on the 26th too! We'll be in a studio and we are leaving on Sat the 1st. Anyone have any idea about the weather? Or will any shops be open between Xmas and New Years?