Just back from HH

[Jenn]

I should preface this by telling you we have been to Vero 4X, in the past 4 years and we love it. Every year we look at HH and we decide to pass and go back to Vero. Something just wasn't exciting us about the idea of HH. This year we decided, don't knock it till you try it and we booked 8/22-8/29 in a 2 BR.
..................................................................................................................................................................................................................We LOVED it!!!!

We had the best time! The resort and the island itself are beautiful. It was me (33), DH (35), our girls (turned 7 while there, and 3), MIL (64), and her sister (55).

We spent most days at the beach/beach house for a few hours, and the resort pool for a bit. Tuesday 8/24 was my daughter's 7th birthday and she had to have the most unbelievable birthday ever. We made a big breakfast in the room, swam till lunch time, went on the dolphin cruise with Captain Scott at 1pm, where we saw (according to Scott) 50-60 dolphins and a bald eagle! Katie got to drive the boat on the way back. We cleaned up and went to the BBQ by the pool, then craft time in Community Hall, then the dance party by the pool, where a CM announced Katie's b-day and the whole party sang to her, then she led the party in the conga line around the pool. Then, fireworks over the marsh!! I don't think we can top that!!


We ate at Kingfisher's (not so great and expensive), Guiseppe's (very good and cheap $40 for all 6 of us), and a restaurant in Harbourtown under the lighthouse that I can't remember the name of right now (very good, and great service). We went to Harbourtown 2 nights and watched the sunset, walked around, ate ice cream. We did a day in Savannah, which was okay. We saw a few beautiful areas, and some not so beautiful. We ate at Lady & Sons, which was very good. We did 2 dinners in the room, and the BBQ.

Any questions, I'm happy to answer...

 

[canda]

I am glad you had a great time. I was really spoiled by owning at HHI in the early years before everyone else found out about it. it was hardly ever crowded and I could book in the summer at only 5-3 months out sometimes. I have to try some of those activities sometime. I have been going since 1997 and I have never been on a dolphin cruise or even rented a bike. But we did not have any kids either until last year.

I have one question, would you take a 1.3 year old on a dolphin cruise? I would not want to go if the ocean waves throw the boat around. He would have on a lifevest and I would hold on to him. But I am very scared at the thought of him falling in the water.

 

[ripleysmom]

HHI is such a beautiful place to vacation. We were there a little over a week ago and thought the whole area was great!!

DH and I were talking about trying to find a timeshare in the area since our DVC home is BWV.

 

[Galahad]

I agree! HH is great! The dolphin cruise is the best! Glad you had a great time!

 

[TW1]

We're just back as well. We were there singing Happy Birthday to your daughter, hope she had a good time. (No I was not doing the YMCA dance, though my kids begged me to join in.)

This was our fifth visit and HHI is our home resort. It keeps getting better and we are happier every trip. The CMs at HHI are truly special, very caring, patient, and lots of fun.

We too did a dolphin cruise. While we did not see as many as you did, nor an eagle, our 10 yr old did reach out and pet a dolphin who kept his head next to the boat for about a half-minute.

I would recommend Capt. Scott's Low Country Adventures to anyone. Years ago he had this contract with Disney, broke off for a few years and is now back with four boats and excellent captains. With a 1 yr old, I'd simply hold on and not let them walk about the boat.

We tend to do HHI on the cheap, eating in and doing take out. We've learned to do a week for about $250 which includes all of our food, dolphin trip, night at the movies for the kids, etc. I agree Kingfishers isn't worth it but Guiseppis sure is.

We did two events wth the Naturalist - Christopher, the early morning beach walk and the evening star gazing. Chris earned his MS in astronomy from Ohio State and has worked at HHI for a few years now. We enjoy spending time with him every summer.

Of course campfires are a hit - can't miss doing the Cheeky Cheeky every summer The Wednesday campfire was our 14th wedding anniv and all the more special.

Other than that our trip sounds like yours, lots of time in the Big Dipper and at the beach house.

My only complaint, and it is not an HHI complaint, is the lack of attention some parents pay their tweens and teens. There always seems to be a group of them making an extraordinary amount of noise, running about, horseplay in the pools, etc. This year's group (about 6 girls 10-14 yrs old) was particularly obnoxious, even venturing into the men's rooms screaming and gigling on several occasions. (Oh well, the curmudgeon in me is seeping out again.)

It's tough to come back, but just in time to miss TS Gaston.

Glad you enjoyed your trip to HHI. Now its our turn to revisit VB.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Wow, your HH vacation sounds wonderful. We hope to get there someday!

Bobbi

 

[MomsGoneGoofy]

Glad you enjoyed your trip.
We loved our two trips to HHI resort. Totally agree that the campfire fun is not to be missed. We did the dolphin tour on our first visit and enjoyed it, but don't think we would do it again. My 10 yo DS loved the marsh tour and crabbing off the dock.