Hilton Head

[mom in 2005]

Thinking about going to Hilton Head between Xmas and NYs, anyone been during this time? Is the resort really crowded, is HH overall crowded? I'm sure it's not swimming weather so what do people do? Thanks.

 

[UConnJack]

We've gone to HH the last 4 years over that time. Up until NYE, the resort is usually fairly full, but it never looks or feels crowded since you don't have 90% of the people at the pool(s). The entire island itself is wonderfully uncrowded. After NYE the resort and the island is a ghost town.

We.ve had good luck weather wise, usually fair and in the 60's and 70's. I don't swim much unless we get the odd mid-80's day, but the pool is heated so the kids still swim a bit. Usually, I sit in the HUGE hot tub they have for a couple hours a day.

I golf, so that keeps me busy. The resort still runs a bunch of activities for the kids. My wife just relaxes and scrapbooks. Its a pretty laid back place whatever time of year.

A bit of advice, before you use points for the reservation, ask what the cash discount price is, if available, since it often as low as $89 for a studio to $140 for a 2-br that time of year. At that rate, its makes much more sense to save the points and pay cash, if only for part of the stay, since the points are way more valuable at WDW.

 

[Lisa P.]

HHI is our family's favorite DVC resort! We've been there in spring, summer and fall. On one early March trip, there was a cold snap for most of the week. We still had lots of fun.

The resort pool and hot tub are very warm. The resort offers naturalist-led walks through a nearby preserve to see birds and alligators. Our kids loved the campfire songs & s'mores, playing bingo, painting t-shirts, playing pool in the den, watching a magician, riding bikes in the area.

We fished off the pier, learned to cast a shrimping net, attended a gourmet cooking class and rented sea kayaks. That was a big hit as we explored the broad river inlets w/dolphins alongside, part of the time.

If you are into variety and willing to try different things, you'll find plenty to do on HHI in the offseason. Obviously, there's golf and tennis galore! The island has horse stables, themed mini-golf, the lighthouse and shops in Sea Pines Plantation. There's also mall and outlet shopping in the region, not to mention going off island to visit historic low-country museums and sights, and of course, Savannah or Charleston on a day trip.

If you want a lovely warm beach vacation, you won't find on HHI in December. But it's a beautiful, lushly landscaped place year-round. The very thing that makes some unhappy about this DVC resort (it's not beachfront) is what makes it charming, pleasant and more comfortable in the offseason, when the cool ocean breezes are not as welcome. Try it out!