Is it possible to book Hilton Head in summer if I am a SSR owner?

[rutgers1]

I am figuring that the HH owners are the ones who snap up all the summer time, but I thought that perhaps it was big enough for the rest of us to find some summer time. I tried to no avail already for this year, but I got a late start due to the fact that I just signed up

At this point, I am trying to figure out whether I am going to roll the dice on HH for next summer (2009) or try to snag something through Interval International.

 

[CKDKMK]

I am a SSR owner too. I called at the end of Feb or first of Mar and got 3 nights in June at HHI. There was a about 6 or 7 nights to choice from at that time in June and lots in middle August. There was Nothing in July. I say if you are flexible thru the summer like I was you may have a chance.

 

[Connears]

It is very difficult to get June July and early August (sun-thurs) at 7 months for HHI. That is why we added on there in 2002. Twice before that, we were lucky enough to get 3 nights in 2 bedroom in late June and once 2nd week in July. Last year we did not plan to go to HHI until January and we were able to get 3 nights 2nd week in August because a great CM looked at every week from beginning of june, checking for 3 nights(any sun-thurs) and finally found the 3 nights in August..we lucked out and it was right after 100+ degree week-it was great weather all 3 days. We now know to plan at 11 months for any June or July plans. Xmas is really no problem at 7 or less months. We love the resort!

Connears

 

[Laxmom]

We are still in process on purchasing our HHI points but we do own a Marriott week on HHI also. Here is what we were told. It is difficult even thru II to get HHI in the summer...difficult but not impossible. A ridiculously high number of owners of TS's on HHI use their weeks; they don't deposit them. (These are non DVC owners - I don't have any statistics for DVC HHIR owners. ) I know we have only deposited our week one time; last year - it was what we traded into OKW with for this summer. With a lot of the resorts on HHI, II gives you a bonus week if you deposit. (that is a certificate that you can get a cheap extra week with -$99 for a studio, $199 for a 1 bedroom and $299 for a 2or3 bedroom unit) That indicates high demand; they have more requests than units deposited. We used ours to go back to HHI off season and stayed ocean front in a 3 bedroom. We love it there too!

I'm not saying don't try; but have a back up plan just in case.

 

[Tabetha]

I was able to get two nights at the end of June after a couple of weeks on the waiting list - so there's always hope!

 

[rutgers1]

Thanks for the replies...I am quite a distance away, so I was hoping for a week, not just a few days. Perhaps I should consider buying some points there in the future.

Anyone have a "grizzled veteran's" plan for finding a beach front resort for a week in the summer? Without giving it too much thought, here is my idea:
1) Find some nice places with II and put in the request as early as possible.
2) If I haven't heard back from II by the 7 month mark, see if I can get anything at HH.

I have to admit that I am giddy over my 210 points, lol. My wife thinks that I am nuts. I have been plotting and planning all week - and we haven't even let Disney yet! From the minute we bought into DVC on Sunday, I have been thinking about future trips. My next task is to figure out a way to find SUPER cheap airfare so that my wife and I can fly down (leaving the kids with grandparents) for a weekend sometime over the next year. I have no clue if I could find the airfare or be able to book at such a late time with DVC, but it sounds like a fun idea!

 

[Harley-Mouse]

I booked day by day at the 7 mounth window. A 2bedroom is your best chance ther are the most of the room at the resort.

You also can look at renting point from a DVC member and then rent out your point to pay for it. Just look at all the options first. HHI is great you have to try it. We mad 3 trip there so far 2 at the Disney DVC and one time we rented a House in Sea Pines that to was great. we had our own pool and 5 bedroom I a huge house for the week in July it coast me $3,100 for 7 nights house had 3 master bed room and 2 more bedroom with twin beds and all rooms had there one bath. this was a grat family trip with just a 2 min walk to the beach.

 

[rutgers1]

I read that the HH resort isn't on the beach. Is that a deal breaker for anyone? How far is it? Considering I like pools more than the beach, I don't care all that much as long as it is "nearby."

 

[Laxmom]

It is on Broad Creek which is actually a pretty big body of water. Not like what we call creeks here. The beach house is not that far away. It might be too far for a walk with beach gear but it would be a great bike ride and they do have a shuttle. It doesn't bother me at all. I like to walk the beach, even sit on the beach but I am a pool girl. If I can't see the color of my toe polish when my feet are in the water.....not for me. No deal breaker here.

 

[buzz5985]

I read that the HH resort isn't on the beach. Is that a deal breaker for anyone? How far is it? Considering I like pools more than the beach, I don't care all that much as long as it is "nearby."

I love the marsh view - I'm surprised by how much. I love sitting out and watching the birds, etc. It is so peaceful. The only thing we worry about while at HH - should we go to the pool, the pool at the beach, or the beach?? We cross over that bridge to DVC and I can feel all the worries just dropping from my shoulders.

The pools tend to win in our family. Poor DS was stung by Fire Coral while at Castaway Cay, and stung by a jelly fish at HHI. Unless his ankles freeze, like up in NH and ME - he stays away from warm ocean water. LOL

 

[Laxmom]

Both DS's were stung by Jelly Fish several years ago but it doesn't keep them out of the water. We just learned to add vinegar to our shopping list! We find them worse at high tide.

Firecoral at CC? I never even thought about it being there! I was a wreck while we were in Hawaii. Where in CC? We cruise with a double dip in Sept.

 

[Starr W.]

From the info I have read here over the past year, your best bet is

1 Plan on early June, say 1-15
2 2br's are more plentiful
3 Call day by day at 7 months.

If you think weekend points are high at WDW, take a look at HHI's point chart!

I'm one who has never really "gotten" HHI and I've been there 3x. I can't imagine the summer traffic, it was a zoo when I was there the week before Easter on the one trip.

 

[Laxmom]

I've never found the traffic in summer to be a big deal. We have only been there 1 time off season and 3x during July. There is a rush hour to avoid but compared to here; no big deal. Maybe we have just been lucky. I think Orlando has worse traffic in comparison.

I don't think we will be staying on points on the weekends. I thought they were high too. There may be years when we "splurge" but it won't be often.

 

[DVCLiz]

I've never found the traffic in summer to be a big deal. We have only been there 1 time off season and 3x during July. There is a rush hour to avoid but compared to here; no big deal. Maybe we have just been lucky. I think Orlando has worse traffic in comparison.

I don't think we will be staying on points on the weekends. I thought they were high too. There may be years when we "splurge" but it won't be often.

I love HH - we are going for a full week this year for the first time, over the
4th of July week. I wouldn't have been able to book that if I hadn't been an owner at the 11 month mark. I use the DVC member discount for the weekends, and pay cash. I can stay 5 nights in a 2BR for 165 pooints, or use the same 165 points and stay a Friday and a Saturday. That's what I am doing this summer!! I think my room rate for those nights is $333.75 per night.

What I'd really like to do is get another 165 points at HH, and then I could stay for 2 weeks, if I continued to pay cash for the weekend. That would be a heavenly vacation!

 

[Laxmom]

HHI is the only place, other than WDW, that I am very sad to leave at the end of the week. We drive on island and just feel the muscles relax. It is like coming home. It is the measuring stick for all our other trips. We went to Aruba last spring and DS, 16, was asked how that trip compared. He said that it wasn't HH but it was close.

 

[Dean]

While there are success stories, I think the best plan going forward is to assume you can't reserve a week in summer at least mid June to mid August. One can try for an exchange to another resort esp Marriott's beach front though a private exchange is a much better option if you can work it out. You can always rent out your points and pay cash for a rental in HH if you like. If you look at II, start the process NOW. In your shoes I'd ask for 3 Marriott's (Grande Ocean, Barony and Surfwatch). Then at 7 months out, start the reservation process directly day by day when they open. If the exchange comes through, you can decide which one is best for you. Having a points reservation is safer as you have cancellation options but it is more expensive in this case 330 compared to 270 points+$95 for a full week. IMO, the 3 Marriott's are at least the equal in resort and are all in a better location on the beach. Some don't care and prefer the Marina area and that's fine for them. One thing to note on exchanges is that for Barony and SW, you'd likely get a garden-view unit where GO only has ocean side and ocean front. None of the 3 Marriott's have units smaller than a 2 BR so if you want a smaller unit, that is a consideration but also decreases your chances since DVC HH has mostly 2 BR units. Only SW has 3 BR units.

 

[Laxmom]

Great advice, as always, Dean.

You could also look for a week to rent on Redweek if all else fails and after the options Dean mentioned don't pan out. Marriott owners can start making their reservations 1 year (unless they own more than 1 week) out so even if you start the process, don't be discouraged if you dont' hear anything for a while if you are looking for summer. Just get your request in early, as Dean says. Just because they can't deposit their weeks doesn't mean you can't request now.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

From the info I have read here over the past year, your best bet is

1 Plan on early June, say 1-15
2 2br's are more plentiful
3 Call day by day at 7 months.

If you think weekend points are high at WDW, take a look at HHI's point chart!

I'm one who has never really "gotten" HHI and I've been there 3x. I can't imagine the summer traffic, it was a zoo when I was there the week before Easter on the one trip.

Yep, this has been my big concern, the traffice. I would like to try HHI once, but I'm leaning towards end of March, low points. I don't care about the beach, I have another resort to go to for that!

 

[Laxmom]

I wouldn't compare it to Virginia Beach or International Dr. The only heavy traffic we found was on check in days at the TS's - Fri was probably the worst because the check in time - after 4- coinsides with their "rush hour" Saturday and Sunday weren't that bad but then we have just learned to avoid the 4-6 traffic if at all possible.

 

[Dean]

I wouldn't compare it to Virginia Beach or International Dr. The only heavy traffic we found was on check in days at the TS's - Fri was probably the worst because the check in time - after 4- coinsides with their "rush hour" Saturday and Sunday weren't that bad but then we have just learned to avoid the 4-6 traffic if at all possible.

I concur, the only times you should likely have much traffic are coming on in the morning or getting off in the evening with work flow, other than that it's getting off the island around 10-1 or getting on the island 2-5 Fri to Sun with Sat being the worse. Those who try to avoid the toll road when it would otherwise be the best option are the ones at most risk. For DVC, I wouldn't use the toll road but for Sea Pines and areas close by, I would.