Just booked Hilton Head Island Resort - Need advice

[ellenbenny]

I am excited to say that I just booked a 2 Bdrm villa at HHI for March 6 - 13 (Cash reservation, 40% disney visa discount). We have not stayed there before, and I looked up the weather and see that it typically only goes up into the 60s during this time of year.

Anyway, it will be me, DH, and 21 and 24 year old sons. DS24 is a big bicycler, can you bicycle the whole island?

What restaurants would you recommend? We love seafood! And almost everything else.

Is there kayaking at this time of year?

Any other activities you would recommend for young adult sons? One extremely active and athletic, the other not as much.

Any room requests you would recommend? I would love to see wildlife...what can I expect to see/find there?

DH and I went and looked aroung there once but we have never stayed. We do own DVC but have only used at WDW so far. Got a great deal though on this and can't believe I booked it only about 2 weeks out. Although I assume because it's still fairly cold there. But hopefully it will be warmer than Rochester, NY!!

Thanks for any advice anyone wants to give!

 

[disneystick]

My family will be there at HHI for the first time starting March 13 for 6 nights. Would love the same type of info.

 

[gracelrm]

We have visited HH several times and really enjoy the place. Our kids are much younger than yours, but I would think your sons would enjoy the area. My older kids (16,13) did the kayak trip at the resort, along with my DH. I think they enjoyed it. There are bike trails all over the island. Bike rental is available at the resort, but if you DS is a cyclist he'd probably prefer his own bike. There are many wonderful places to eat on the island. We almost always eat at the Old Oyster Factory. You can actually see it across Broad Creek from the resort - but it's about a 10 min. drive from the resort. We also like a place called Marley's Island Grille. For breakfast or lunch - you'll want to try Signe's - so yummy! We like Thai food and there is a good Thai place very close to the resort. When you check in, you will be given a restaurant guide. It lists every restaurant on the island and across the bridge, shows their menus and lots of valuable information.

 

[chalee94]

here is a link to some good restaurants in the area.

the sea shack has been recommended to me by multiple people as a great seafood/hole-in-the-wall environment option.

i've heard that renting bikes is very popular. certain areas of the island naturally (like sea pines?) may be off limits if you are not staying in a resort there.

golf is also very popular in that area.

 

[ellenbenny]

Thanks for all the great info so far. I am getting more and more excited!!

Also, does anyone know if there is internet access there, and if we are not staying on points, do DVC members still get free internet access?

Thanks!

 

[LJC1861]

Here is one of my favorite restaurants.....

www.dyesgullahfixins.com

She cooks everything from scratch and the food is just wonderful!! It is probably the best fried chicken I have ever had. We had a sweet potato pound cake for dessert that was served warm from the oven. She cooks with love, and lots of flavor. I don't like collard greens, but ate 3 helpings at the buffet during one of our meals there. The layers of flavor were amazing as were all the seasonings she used.

Dye requires reservations as she cooks just enough for the day. I would recommend going on a day when she is using the menu, as you can order several different things. Her buffets are wonderful, but there is no choice involved.

She is basically a one woman operation....cooks, serves the food and will tell you all sorts of stories about the Gullah culture and food, something she is passionate about.

Try it, you WILL like it!!!

Linda

P.S. I also LOVE the Sea Shack!

 

[kristie03]

Try Fancy Q's for sushi.....the location is not "fancy", but the food and conversation with the owner are fantastic!

 

[ellenbenny]

Awesome, it looks like I have a great restaurant plan started! I'm getting hungry thinking about it. Thanks everyone!

I was able to make a kennel reservation, and hotel resn's for the trip down and back (we don't like driving that far in one day), so everything is coming together nicely. Nothing like planning a last minute trip to perk things up a little!

 

[Simba's Mom]

I'm with you on loving seafood-especially at HHI. Something about the nearness of the ocean makes me want seafood daily. I had the best, freshest shrimp at Kenny G's (or Kenny B's, I'm not sure of that letter). It's supposedly New Orleans, but they have great fish. We also loved Captain's Seafood, recommended by the front desk.
You mentioned seeing wildlife. We saw an Armadillo in Pinckney and lots of these, most larger than these, at Sea Pines Forest Preserve-

 

[LindaBabe]

You can go to sea pines, it just costs you a fee.

Dolphin watching

Drive over to Beaufort - it's pretty fun and interesting.

Lots of people also tour Savannah, which is quite close.

 

[quentina]

I am excited to say that I just booked a 2 Bdrm villa at HHI for March 6 - 13 (Cash reservation, 40% disney visa discount). We have not stayed there before, and I looked up the weather and see that it typically only goes up into the 60s during this time of year.

Anyway, it will be me, DH, and 21 and 24 year old sons. DS24 is a big bicycler, can you bicycle the whole island?

What restaurants would you recommend? We love seafood! And almost everything else.

Is there kayaking at this time of year?

Any other activities you would recommend for young adult sons? One extremely active and athletic, the other not as much.

Any room requests you would recommend? I would love to see wildlife...what can I expect to see/find there?

DH and I went and looked aroung there once but we have never stayed. We do own DVC but have only used at WDW so far. Got a great deal though on this and can't believe I booked it only about 2 weeks out. Although I assume because it's still fairly cold there. But hopefully it will be warmer than Rochester, NY!!

Thanks for any advice anyone wants to give!

FYI...Allegiant air out of Allentown (not sure what side of NY Rochester is on) has $39.00 fares to SC.

 

[dis-happy]

You can go to sea pines, it just costs you a fee.

You can pay to drive in, but you can't bike in (although you can put your bike on the car and bike around once you're in). Crazy, but true.

 

[ellenbenny]

FYI...Allegiant air out of Allentown (not sure what side of NY Rochester is on) has $39.00 fares to SC.

Thanks, but Allentown (PA?) is about 300 miles from here. Wish I could conveniently take advantage of that fare!