Just back from HHI

[Slakk]

Bad news...I am sory to say that another dirtbag SSRer has stolen accomodations at another resort We just got back from a great weekend at HHI.

The resort was empty - we were told less than 20% full - we were in Building 16 and loved it! I love the studio layout and the room was wonderful. I would say I would not want that building when the resort is full because there is a basketball court right below which I can believe would get annoying.

Tide Me Over was not open until 11 and it was freezing (had to pick the coldest weekend!) so we we did not use the spa or eat on property. The theming really threw me at first since we are in the low country and the theme seemed more woodsy but then I figured out it was a fishing lodge and then I got it...

I can see where folks who are die-hard WDW hotel-ies may not prefer it. There is no room service, no corridors and Mickey is not everywhere but for us it worked. We really liked relaxing and enjoying the island.

We went to the Beach House and literally were the only people there - it is really nice although I wish the arcade had more choices - Ms Pac Man and Galaga were broken so there were not many choices to play but then again most of the year who would care?

Nothing was open to eat there either so no food reports.

We did eat at San Miguel which was GREAT, Sticky Fingers which was okay - we love the SF in Charleston and the service at this one was not as good. We also ate at Stacks and the food was very very good.

All in all we would DEFINITELY come back - hopefully on a weekend that is not so cold!!!!

 

[Starr W.]

Well as another dirtbag SSrer, who wants to try HHI and VB thanks for your report. HHI has never been one of my favorite spots, DH wants to go. I am looking forward to VB, the DSs love the beach.


Other than summer, what is a good time to go to HH? I have been there during Easter when it fell in late March, like 07. Nicer than OH, but not get in the pool weather.

 

[Slakk]

Well as another dirtbag SSrer, who wants to try HHI and VB thanks for your report. HHI has never been one of my favorite spots, DH wants to go. I am looking forward to VB, the DSs love the beach.


Other than summer, what is a good time to go to HH? I have been there during Easter when it fell in late March, like 07. Nicer than OH, but not get in the pool weather.

It is supposed to be 70 this week there DOH!

We live in Charlotte NC so we are thinking next October may be nice to go again since fall is usually mild. Usually we are in shorts for Halloween and I think watching the seasons change would be fabulous.

We are trying VB in June - and then BCV but the BCV trip will be with our BCV points so we will lose our platinum Dirtbag status for that trip

 

[Simba's Mom]

Tide Me Over was not open until 11 and it was freezing (had to pick the coldest weekend!) so we we did not use the spa or eat on property. The theming really threw me at first since we are in the low country and the theme seemed more woodsy but then I figured out it was a fishing lodge and then I got it...

I can see where folks who are die-hard WDW hotel-ies may not prefer it. There is no room service, no corridors and Mickey is not everywhere but for us it worked. We really liked relaxing and enjoying the island.

We went to the Beach House and literally were the only people there - it is really nice although I wish the arcade had more choices - Ms Pac Man and Galaga were broken so there were not many choices to play but then again most of the year who would care?


All in all we would DEFINITELY come back - hopefully on a weekend that is not so cold!!!!

No, it wasn't the coldest time-that was Thanksgiving week, when we were there, I think.
Yes, isn't HHI wonderful-I think it's DH's favorite resort, but he wouldn't dare admit it to this WDW lover. Next time you go, if you like Bakeries and sweets, be sure to eat at Signe's. Yum!
It's hard to tell when the best time for HHI is. We went one year in late February, cold and rainy, but we were told that the weather the week BEFORE had been warm, sunny, in the 80's, lots of people swimming. We've gone twice in mid-March. Once the weather was perfect, mid-70s. Not crowded and we could do lots of biking, miniature golfing, etc. So we went back the next year in mid-March. Cold and Rainy! Just go lots of times-sooner or later, you'll hit nice weather.

 

[Starr W.]

Two HH trips, March and October, I got the "weather was perfect last week".

 

[lsutigger2]

We were there in September and it was great. Warm enough to swim. didn't go to the beach. We like the pool. It did get a bit rainy or overcast one day. But it is my favorite "get away from it all" resort.

You might want to try a one bedroom. Really nice.

Another suggestion for a place to eat is "Redfish Restaurant" (?). I think it is close to Sticky Fingers (I have on my Sticky Fingers t-shirt as I write this ). They had a yummmy shrimp and grits dish.

 

[DVCconvert]

What a "dirtbag" !!!

 

[Ksp]

Can't wait -- we'll be there for a short get away in January. I have no idea what the weather will be, but I will simply enjoy some time away from winter in NJ.
I did get a letter from HH, saying that the pool will be closed for refurbishment during part of our stay. (See -- that's how much I am looking forward to this -- I don't even really care that it will be closed!)

 

[dumbo71]

Well as another dirtbag SSrer, who wants to try HHI and VB thanks for your report. HHI has never been one of my favorite spots, DH wants to go. I am looking forward to VB, the DSs love the beach.


Other than summer, what is a good time to go to HH? I have been there during Easter when it fell in late March, like 07. Nicer than OH, but not get in the pool weather.

HH is a Memorial Day through Labor Day Resort. If you wanted to chance it you could extend that a few weeks and call it mid May to mid September. The water isn't warm enough to swim for most the other times of the year.

We travel A LOT all over and my rule of thumb is that when I want to have beach weather it is May through September or October/Nov. if you go to Miami or Ft. Lauderdale.

December through March you must go south of Haiti to be gauranteed warm weather. That means no Bahamas, no Turks and Caicos, no Puerto Rico and especially no Bermuda. Bermuda is June through Septmebr for us.

Good luck but traveling to a beach destination any other time is a crap shoot.

The OP about HH being freezing cracks me up. That is why the resort was at 20% occupancy. Who wants to go to HH in December??????

This is why HH was a poor choice for a DVC IMO. Timeshares are designed to be near full occupancy at all times. HH DVC simply cannot do this. At the very least they should have an indoor pool there.

 

[Caitsmama]

The OP about HH being freezing cracks me up. That is why the resort was at 20% occupancy. Who wants to go to HH in December??????

Uh, then we must be really crazy - cuz we are going mid Feb!! LOL But you know what--- It can't be worse than New England in Feb! I would love to be somewhere where i can not have to shovel 20" of sn** from my car before i want to go out! I just want to go and relax, We know we *probably* won't be swimming.. but that is OK. It is family time together, in a beautiful setting. To me, That's what it's about.
However, i do agree on one thing-- an indoor pool would ROCK.

 

[osprey84]

I'm going down with a few friends for a couple days in January to do some golfing. I hope the weather is suitable for a couple rounds of golf.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I'm going down with a few friends for a couple days in January to do some golfing. I hope the weather is suitable for a couple rounds of golf.

Umm, according to DH, the weather's always suitable for golf (although there's no snow where we live). Where are you golfing at HHI? DH especially loved the Robert Trent Jones course and the Country Club at the Hilton Head plantation. The Sea Grass Course (is that the name?) is closed for a major renovation.

 

[jonestavern]

Another dirtbag checking in here
We went to HHI this past March, the week after St Patrick's Day--loved it!

Uh, then we must be really crazy - cuz we are going mid Feb!! LOL But you know what--- It can't be worse than New England in Feb! I would love to be somewhere where i can not have to shovel 20" of sn** from my car before i want to go out! ...
However, i do agree on one thing-- an indoor pool would ROCK.

Yep, up here in New Hampshire, we hadn't seen a flower garden since September/ early October & we'd been chopping ice, so the Carolinas looked like Heaven to these dirtbags!
The week we were there, the DVCers from the area thought it was lousy weather, but we went swimming, kayaking, nature walking & spent every early morning & evening on the balcony as well as several evenings grilling.
We also enjoyed the tours of historic Savannah.
For restaurants, we got take out from Bryan's Pink Pig, & had fresh seafood from Barnacle Bill's (grilled out at HHI). Here is just one of the many restaurant review sites to look over:
http://www.hiltonheadislander.com/Hilton-Head-Island-Restaurants-Reviews.htm

Jean & Chris

 

[Slakk]

HH is a Memorial Day through Labor Day Resort. If you wanted to chance it you could extend that a few weeks and call it mid May to mid September. The water isn't warm enough to swim for most the other times of the year.

We travel A LOT all over and my rule of thumb is that when I want to have beach weather it is May through September or October/Nov. if you go to Miami or Ft. Lauderdale.

December through March you must go south of Haiti to be gauranteed warm weather. That means no Bahamas, no Turks and Caicos, no Puerto Rico and especially no Bermuda. Bermuda is June through Septmebr for us.

Good luck but traveling to a beach destination any other time is a crap shoot.

The OP about HH being freezing cracks me up. That is why the resort was at 20% occupancy. Who wants to go to HH in December??????

This is why HH was a poor choice for a DVC IMO. Timeshares are designed to be near full occupancy at all times. HH DVC simply cannot do this. At the very least they should have an indoor pool there.

Well this week it is in the 70s so we were a week off - and yes we knew it could possible be cold - we live only 250 miles from HHI so it is a crap shoot but unfortunately the trip was for my birthday and my birthday is not in October so December just has to do

 

[lovinthemouse]

I am a SSRer and we are leaving the day after Christmas to spend New Year's week there with DH's sister and her family. We are not really looking for great weather, but anything has to be better than Indy in Winter. I am glad to hear a good report from HHI though.

 

[dumbo71]

Uh, then we must be really crazy - cuz we are going mid Feb!! LOL But you know what--- It can't be worse than New England in Feb! I would love to be somewhere where i can not have to shovel 20" of sn** from my car before i want to go out! I just want to go and relax, We know we *probably* won't be swimming.. but that is OK. It is family time together, in a beautiful setting. To me, That's what it's about.
However, i do agree on one thing-- an indoor pool would ROCK.

Well, you have the right attitude so I'm sure you'll have a great trip.

I also agree any vacation is better than no vacation.

The indoor pool, well Marriott seemed smart enough to realize HH is NOT a year round destination. They have the indoor pool. Why doesn't DVC????

To all those defending going to HH in the winter, no need. Go when it is convenient for you.

Dumbo71 just likes to travel when he can enjoy a destination to it's fullest. That means when the weather is consistently warm and all services and activities are running. I am after all spending money to be there.

 

[Starr W.]

Well, you have the right attitude so I'm sure you'll have a great trip.

I also agree any vacation is better than no vacation.

The indoor pool, well Marriott seemed smart enough to realize HH is NOT a year round destination. They have the indoor pool. Why doesn't DVC????

To all those defending going to HH in the winter, no need. Go when it is convenient for you.

Dumbo71 just likes to travel when he can enjoy a destination to it's fullest. That means when the weather is consistently warm and all services and activities are running. I am after all spending money to be there.

Thanks for your advice Dumbo71! We are thinking about early June as soon as the DS's bust out of school for the year. As I am taking the boys I would prefer the resort to be running activities at 100%.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Ah, yes-anyone know where I can buy a bumper sticker that says "A bad day at Hilton Head is better than a good day at work"? I'd buy it in a heartbeat.