Hilton Head vs Vero Beach

[SameBirthdayAsWalt]

Looking for a different experience. Which resort do you prefer and why? Also, I will be traveling with my 17 year old, 5 year old and 3 year old. Which resort would be better for me? Is there enough to do at both resorts/resort area for a whole week? Any insight is greatly appreciated!

 

[missycj96]

We stayed at hilton head for a week 2 summers ago with DD then 6 and 1 and there was definately enough to do for a week. I felt that because the beach was not right at the resort, when we went to the beach, we felt like we were going somewhere. And then later, we would go to the pool at the hotel. Also, we went to some of the movies at night. Hilton Head also has lots in the area - restaurants and shops so it is easy to stay there for a week. There are loads of activities and other kids around for the little ones. I was glad I had the one bedroom as we used the kitchen, the large terrace and rented movies. I loved it. This year we are trying out Vero.

 

[Dean]

Looking for a different experience. Which resort do you prefer and why? Also, I will be traveling with my 17 year old, 5 year old and 3 year old. Which resort would be better for me? Is there enough to do at both resorts/resort area for a whole week? Any insight is greatly appreciated!

The kids will like HH better though VB is on the beach. IMO there isn't enough to do on resort for either location but HH has a lot more going on than does VB once you get past the beach location.

 

[SC Minnie]

We've been to both. Spent at week at each of them this year. We like both of them but probably prefer HHI. There isn't much around the resort at VB. If you want to go to a restaurant not on property you have to drive pretty far. The drawback to HHI is they don't have a restaurant on property, just counter service but there are several restaurants less than a 5 min walk.

 

[Anal Annie]

We are a family of 3 with 1 teen DS. We have been to both resorts. The time we did Vero was for just 3 nights after a full week at WDW. We thought 3 nights was enough. It's a beautiful resort with a beautiful pool and the OVIR was wonderful but there really isn't a whole lot going on in the area. The beach was pretty steep when we were there and the waves were pretty rough (I kept getting knocked down - not sure if that is normal for the area or not). If I were to guess, I would say the Vero Beach community has a mainly older, retirement aged population. Everything was closed up tight by 9:00. It is a nice relaxing add-on after a hectic week at WDW but we would never spend more than 3 MAYBE 4 nights there. A week would be too long for us.

While HHI isn't as hopping as say Myrtle Beach there is definitely more to do there than at VB. We found lots more restaurants and water skiing / tubing on the inlet side. We spent an entire week there and will probably go back again at some point when we're trying to "do something different" and want to drive rather than fly. The disappointing thing there is that while it's a nice WIDE, FLAT beach there are NO waves. You can float but you can't boogie board or anything. We wished it was ON the beach but we got used to the "commute" to the beach. We went in August (to both resorts) so it was extremely hot. At VB they were dumping ice into the pool to cool it off because it was like bath water. At HHI the warm water brought out the jelly fish so we spent more time in the pool than in the ocean because you literally couldn't go into the ocean without getting stung on a couple of our days. We enjoyed the pool at the Beach House more than the pool at the resort since it was right next to the ocean. We are studio users and found the studios there to be a nice size and of a slightly different layout -really nice kitchenette size - although a word of advice - WHATEVER SIZE UNIT YOU GET ask for the TOP floor. The resort is built of wood construction so you can hear EVERY single footstep and floorboard creak above you. I swear we had a small herd of wild boar staying in the unit above us for most of the week. Fun Fact - wild boar apparently get up around 7:00 AM and don't go to bed until nearly 11:00 PM.

 

[Miz Diz]

We love both, but like HHI a little better. The grounds are really pretty. Lots of trees and shade. It is sunny at the pool. There is a pier. Really pretty view of the water. Downside is having to travel to the beach club for beach access, but it is not that far. If you rent bikes, you can ride there. There are several restaurants right across the water - maybe a 5 minute walk.

 

[sleepydog25]

Another vote for HHI. There are plenty of things to do at HHI from shopping, to kayaking, to live theater (five minutes from Disney's resort), the beach, the pools, golfing, miniature golf, day-tripping to Savannah, and exploring excellent restaurants. I have a slight disagreement with Anal Annie regarding the waves. There are waves at HHI. . .they're just not very big. They're large enough to do some minor boogie-boarding, but they won't wow you. As for HHI not "hopping" like Myrtle Beach, to me the difference is Myrtle Beach seems like more of a tourist trap while HHI is a bit more relaxed, laid back, and spread out. I prefer the latter. However, each to her/his own.

 

[SameBirthdayAsWalt]

Thank you for all of the input! Much appreciated

 

[MinnieGi]

Another vote for HHI!! Love that island and Disney's resort there!! My kids have been going since ages 2 & 5 and are now 13 & 9 and they enjoy all there is to do on the island! We enjoy HHI's warm, flat beach and Disney's beach house. I love riding my bike on the beach, so fun! In the springtime we ride all over the island, they have great bike paths.

Some activities we have done on island: Zip Line Hilton Head, Aerial Adventures (rope courses of varying levels), trail riding at Lawton Stables, riding lessons at Moss Creek Equestrian Center, dolphin tour, beach combing tour, nature tours at Disney like the Marsh Walk, crabbing, movies, bowling, mini-golfing, golfing, tennis, shopping. There is so much to do on the island. The resort is fun too with many activities.

 

[RevRuss]

Not even close. HH has everything. Great food, great atmosphere, excellent beach facilities (a little travel, but Disney van), good for younger and older children/teens. A little pricey (OK a lot pricey). And for my family great outlet/thrift stores and an excellent church (Central about a mile from resort).

VB didn't feel like Disney - better beach access than HH.

 

[Dean]

...A little pricey (OK a lot pricey). ...

I don't see HH at all pricey for a tourist area for food which I assumed was your reference. We live in an area where prices tend to be low, likely similar to where you are. HH prices as a rule are a little more than locally and no more than Orlando non Disney for a similar location from what I've seen. It's certainly cheaper than LV & HI and in line with Gatlinburg. Plus HH has a ton of discounts and usable early bird specials. Don't go to Aruba if HH prices are at the top of your comfort level.

 

[kgeary]

Looking for a different experience. Which resort do you prefer and why? Also, I will be traveling with my 17 year old, 5 year old and 3 year old. Which resort would be better for me? Is there enough to do at both resorts/resort area for a whole week? Any insight is greatly appreciated!

In the past 5 months we have done both HHI and VB. 3 boys ages 6-4-2. Loved both but I would vote for HHI.

More to do. Rooms were just refurbished. We liked the beach better. Every one talks of how VB shuts down at night but something to consider VB still has 3 restaurants open on site at night HHI only has a small quick service that closes a runs 4pm.

Summer fire works, bike riding, dolphin tours and the whole island make HHI our choice.

That being said we loved our time at VB

 

[jerseygal]

We loved VB as well!

We were there in August for 4 nights after 3 in WDW!

Had a blast as our niece, her husband, young son and FIL joined us! A memorable vaca! I am a "stickler" for swimming by a life guard, so when we used the ocean we walked down a bit by a guarded beach!

Downside imo was the lack of great restaurants within "close proximity"..Felt like we had to drive a lot. Other than that negative, would definitely return!

HHI sounds fun too! Love the fact that there has been a renovation!
Hoping to get a reservation at 7 months for next spring!

 

[MrsM]

Another vote for HHI! We've done both several times and although I love that the beach is just steps away at VB, my DH and kids would pick HHI over VB in a heartbeat. A big difference for my kids is the CMs at HHI - they really got to know all of the kids during the week we were there, after the first day they knew them all by name and although everyone at VB was nice it was nowhere near the interaction they had at HHI.

 

[jas2n0]

Another vote for HHI here, however I have never been to VB to provide a comparison. We try to spend a week at HHI every year, usually in the off season which is easier to get if you are not a owner. We have a 9 and 2 yo and there is plenty for both to do on and off the resort. On our last trip my DD and I decided to try the kayak trip offered thru the resort and had a great time. We always bring our own bikes and enjoy riding all over the island. My DS had a great time riding his tricycle all over the paths throughout the resort. In addition, I agree that the CMs at HHI are great and the resort offers many activities for the children throughout the day (some for a small fee). Some of my DD favorites are tie dye, messy science, pin boards and of course Goofy Bingo.

In addition, many people enjoy taking a day trip to Savannah which is about an hour drive from the resort. If you are unfamiliar with Savannah you can park at the visitor center and catch a trolley tour which will provide the history of Savannah and makes multiple stops throughout the city where you may get on and off to explore on your own. Another nice day trip is to Beaufort, SC, and the Hunting Island Lighthouse.

No matter what you decide I am sure you will have a great time.