We just got back last night from once again (third year in a row) a wonderful stay at HH. We were there from 3/14 to 3/19. We checked in early Sunday morning (before 9am) and they offered us a villa that was ready, but was not marsh view, which we requested. They said if we waited we had a better chance (no guarantee) of a marsh view. We decided to wait and we were glad we did! We had villa 3121 -- the end building that faces the marsh. What a view! We have been lucky, our requests all three years has been non-smoking, marsh view, top floor. We have gotten all our requests all the years.
First, the weather. We were concerned that since we were going in March this year rather than April our previous two trips we would not have the great weather that we enjoyed the previous trips. Were we wrong! The HH gods continue to smile down on us, in 3 trips we have never had a day of rain. This year we were supposed to have some rain on Monday, and what sounded like a total washout on Tuesday. There was some rain overnight Monday, and that was it. It was cloudy all day Tuesday, we spent the day in Savannah, but we had no rain there. The temperatures while we were there were in the 70's, and I believe on Monday and Friday they may have even been in the low 80s.
We rented bikes right away. They got new bikes about 2 months ago. The price is the same for DVC members, $25 for each of the firsts two bikes, $10 for each additional. The new bikes are nice, similar to the old ones. We rode over to the beach house for lunch. Surfman's station is not open yet, nor was there anyone yet renting the chairs or banana peel bikes on the beach.
We did some of the activities, and as usual they are all well done. Some of the things we did was the Pinckney Island Walk (the new naturalist Chris is very good), campfires, shadow's doghouse, Gyotaku, rainbow scavenger hunt, Shadow's tales, DD did kids night out to the movies, creative beginnings with Chef Gordon. We also spent a lot of time at the pool, beach house, biking, and twice played tennis at Palmetto Dunes.
Even though they said the resort was at capacity and would be for the next six weeks, it never seems crowded. In fact the week we normally go is the MCI golf week at Harbor Town, and this week the island overall seemed like a lot less people.
We did as I mentioned spend one day at Savannah. We always plan on it, but never have seemed to make it, but this year we did. It was the day before St. Patrick's day, and the town was very geared up for the holiday. We did our own walking tour, we got a guide book at the visitor's center. Very nice city with beautiful squares and buildings. I had ahead of time made reservations at Lady and Son's for lunch. We had the buffet lunch, it was so good. We were stuffed after that. One of the "Sons" was there, coming around to check that everything was OK. Right after that Lady (Paula Deen -- she has here own cooking show on the Food Network) was there. That was an extra treat for me -- I got her cookbook that I bought there autographed and had my picture taken with her. She was very friendly to talk to.
Other places we ate were the Hilton Head Brewing Co.(food, especially the wings were very good, the place itself is basically a bar), Just Pasta (went there last year too, excellent fresh pasta and sauces -- followed by dessert at Rita's Ices), San Miguel (DS really likes it there, we had just done Chef Gordon's appetizer class and were not too hungry, so we let him pick), and as our final meal on our way out Captain's Seafood for lunch on Friday. Captains is very, very casual, but they have great seafood, we eat there every trip.
A Private Affair -- Our favorite part of the trip! This is the third time we have done it, and it is fabulous. It was DH's birthday on Monday, so we did it on that night. It just gets better and better! The food is unbelievably good, and Chef Gordon is so personable, it just makes for a great evening. Our appetizer was carrots that were grated into almost like a fettucini shape, and they were cooked in a cream ginger sauce, topped with shrimp. I do not know how he comes up with these combinations, but boy do they work. For the main course we had filet mingnon, and a crabcake. We had the crabcakes the first time, and they are so delicious we decided to have them again this time. Also there were string beans (one of my favorites) and rice pilaf. Lot's of food. My husband requested for his birthday desert "something with caramel", and what a treat we had with that! He made us a caramel fondue that was out of this world. Lots of fruit and cake to dip in. We asked our three kids what their favorite food was the whole trip and they all responded the caramel fondue. We loved the entire meal. Can't wait for next year!
We also did on Thursday night one of his cooking events, which we never had an opportunity to do in the past. Again, what a treat. Gordon serves wine, and then gives a presentation preparing an appetizer. He made a mashed sweet potato topped with a cream sauce with andouille sausage, topped with cajun shrimp. Where does he get his ideas? Again, wonderful food. As you can tell, we are Chef Gordon fans.
On a final note, as usual the CMs at HH are the best! They work so hard and are so friendly and enthusiastic. I do not want to mention any names for fear that I leave someone out, but they are the nicest group of people. They really add to the whole vacation experience.
I'd be happy to answer any questions!
First, the weather. We were concerned that since we were going in March this year rather than April our previous two trips we would not have the great weather that we enjoyed the previous trips. Were we wrong! The HH gods continue to smile down on us, in 3 trips we have never had a day of rain. This year we were supposed to have some rain on Monday, and what sounded like a total washout on Tuesday. There was some rain overnight Monday, and that was it. It was cloudy all day Tuesday, we spent the day in Savannah, but we had no rain there. The temperatures while we were there were in the 70's, and I believe on Monday and Friday they may have even been in the low 80s.
We rented bikes right away. They got new bikes about 2 months ago. The price is the same for DVC members, $25 for each of the firsts two bikes, $10 for each additional. The new bikes are nice, similar to the old ones. We rode over to the beach house for lunch. Surfman's station is not open yet, nor was there anyone yet renting the chairs or banana peel bikes on the beach.
We did some of the activities, and as usual they are all well done. Some of the things we did was the Pinckney Island Walk (the new naturalist Chris is very good), campfires, shadow's doghouse, Gyotaku, rainbow scavenger hunt, Shadow's tales, DD did kids night out to the movies, creative beginnings with Chef Gordon. We also spent a lot of time at the pool, beach house, biking, and twice played tennis at Palmetto Dunes.
Even though they said the resort was at capacity and would be for the next six weeks, it never seems crowded. In fact the week we normally go is the MCI golf week at Harbor Town, and this week the island overall seemed like a lot less people.
We did as I mentioned spend one day at Savannah. We always plan on it, but never have seemed to make it, but this year we did. It was the day before St. Patrick's day, and the town was very geared up for the holiday. We did our own walking tour, we got a guide book at the visitor's center. Very nice city with beautiful squares and buildings. I had ahead of time made reservations at Lady and Son's for lunch. We had the buffet lunch, it was so good. We were stuffed after that. One of the "Sons" was there, coming around to check that everything was OK. Right after that Lady (Paula Deen -- she has here own cooking show on the Food Network) was there. That was an extra treat for me -- I got her cookbook that I bought there autographed and had my picture taken with her. She was very friendly to talk to.
Other places we ate were the Hilton Head Brewing Co.(food, especially the wings were very good, the place itself is basically a bar), Just Pasta (went there last year too, excellent fresh pasta and sauces -- followed by dessert at Rita's Ices), San Miguel (DS really likes it there, we had just done Chef Gordon's appetizer class and were not too hungry, so we let him pick), and as our final meal on our way out Captain's Seafood for lunch on Friday. Captains is very, very casual, but they have great seafood, we eat there every trip.
A Private Affair -- Our favorite part of the trip! This is the third time we have done it, and it is fabulous. It was DH's birthday on Monday, so we did it on that night. It just gets better and better! The food is unbelievably good, and Chef Gordon is so personable, it just makes for a great evening. Our appetizer was carrots that were grated into almost like a fettucini shape, and they were cooked in a cream ginger sauce, topped with shrimp. I do not know how he comes up with these combinations, but boy do they work. For the main course we had filet mingnon, and a crabcake. We had the crabcakes the first time, and they are so delicious we decided to have them again this time. Also there were string beans (one of my favorites) and rice pilaf. Lot's of food. My husband requested for his birthday desert "something with caramel", and what a treat we had with that! He made us a caramel fondue that was out of this world. Lots of fruit and cake to dip in. We asked our three kids what their favorite food was the whole trip and they all responded the caramel fondue. We loved the entire meal. Can't wait for next year!
We also did on Thursday night one of his cooking events, which we never had an opportunity to do in the past. Again, what a treat. Gordon serves wine, and then gives a presentation preparing an appetizer. He made a mashed sweet potato topped with a cream sauce with andouille sausage, topped with cajun shrimp. Where does he get his ideas? Again, wonderful food. As you can tell, we are Chef Gordon fans.
On a final note, as usual the CMs at HH are the best! They work so hard and are so friendly and enthusiastic. I do not want to mention any names for fear that I leave someone out, but they are the nicest group of people. They really add to the whole vacation experience.
I'd be happy to answer any questions!
