just booked my first VB stay - Please tell me about it.

[northwenald]

I just booked 3 nights for May 1st. I booked it as a cash reservation hoping that at my 7 month window I can call and use my points. I booked a OVIR. It will just be DH and myself. I have been torn between VB and HH (never been to either one). The reason I picked VB was because it was on the beach, has some good restaurants on site and thought that we could go to WDW for 4 nights after. Please tell me that I made the right choice? How is the beach at VB? My DH and I love good restaurants and some shopping. I have read mixed reviews on the beach - is it really small? As much as I really want to try HH the pictures on the rooms looked very outdated and I like being on a beach. Also, I can't believe there are no restaurants or bars at the resort. I still want to try HH but for those reasons I went with VB. I would love to hear any tips on VB. Thanks everyone !!!!!!

 

[CMOORE185]

VB beach is very narrow and if it is very windy look out for man-o-war there can be hundreds of them on the beach and in the water. The resort is awesome and alot of the rooms are refurbished. HH is actually a newer resort than VB and although I haven't been their in a few years I do not believe it is outdated at all. I like the beach at HH much better than VB, And there are so many resturants within a 5 minute walk that I think that is why they didn't put one at the resort. Although the HH resort is not on the beach Disneys beach house is a short distance away and is beautiful. They have a pool at the beach house also.

 

[ssawka]

VB beach is very narrow and if it is very windy look out for man-o-war there can be hundreds of them on the beach and in the water. The resort is awesome and alot of the rooms are refurbished. HH is actually a newer resort than VB and although I haven't been their in a few years I do not believe it is outdated at all. I like the beach at HH much better than VB, And there are so many resturants within a 5 minute walk that I think that is why they didn't put one at the resort. Although the HH resort is not on the beach Disneys beach house is a short distance away and is beautiful. They have a pool at the beach house also.

What month did you go to HHI? I would like to plan a trip there for the end of next August, but I've heard that it is next to impossible to get a room in the summer at 7 months.

 

[CMOORE185]

What month did you go to HHI? I would like to plan a trip there for the end of next August, but I've heard that it is next to impossible to get a room in the summer at 7 months.

We usually go in July or August, in fact we will be there starting Aug 9th this summer. It is hard to get a room in Aug. at the 7 month window but it is always worth a try. I own some points at HH so I can book at the 11 month window. We like HHI so much, it is one of our favorite destinations, and I don't even golf!

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I thought VB and HH were very close in opening??..

Anyway, for the OP-
It's a quiet getaway. If you're looking for a bar with a wet tee shirt contest, VB is not the answer. They roll in the sidewalks at 5:00, as it is truly a quiet town.
That said, the bar at the resort is simply awesome. It's called the Green Cabin Room, and is beautiful and relaxing. It also features some artifacts from old ship wrecks.
Somebody here once called the resort "a great primer & unwinder" when visited along with a WDW trip.

There are some good restaurants in town.. the Ocean Grill comes to mind. That would be perfect for a couple. The food is great, and the atmosphere is awesome. Not cheap, but well worth it.

Have fun!

MG

 

[CMOORE185]

I thought VB and HH were very close in opening??..

Anyway, for the OP-
It's a quiet getaway. If you're looking for a bar with a wet tee shirt contest, VB is not the answer. They roll in the sidewalks at 5:00, as it is truly a quiet town.
That said, the bar at the resort is simply awesome. It's called the Green Cabin Room, and is beautiful and relaxing. It also features some artifacts from old ship wrecks.
Somebody here once called the resort "a great primer & unwinder" when visited along with a WDW trip.

There are some good restaurants in town.. the Ocean Grill comes to mind. That would be perfect for a couple. The food is great, and the atmosphere is awesome. Not cheap, but well worth it.

Have fun!

MG

VB was built in 1995 and HH was built in 1996. My point was that it is not anymore outdated than VB.

 

[ssawka]

We usually go in July or August, in fact we will be there starting Aug 9th this summer. It is hard to get a room in Aug. at the 7 month window but it is always worth a try. I own some points at HH so I can book at the 11 month window. We like HHI so much, it is one of our favorite destinations, and I don't even golf!

Yah, I just submitted my contracts for BLT today. I think if I am ever going to add on, I will look for a HHI resale. We've never been there, but it will be a compromise with DW. I talk her into joining DVC for DD and Me. She would prefer to take beach vacations, and HHI is driveable for us (9 hrs.) So we will probably look to add on there, but first we need to pay off BLT which will probably take 3-4 years.

 

[northwenald]

What are my chances of getting a studio at HH at 7 months? Also, how is the weather the beginning of May. One more question - If there are no restaurants on property where does everyone eat breakfast? Do you have to walk to find a breakfast place? Thanks everyone !!!!

 

[Maistre Gracey]

What are my chances of getting a studio at HH at 7 months? Also, how is the weather the beginning of May. One more question - If there are no restaurants on property where does everyone eat breakfast? Do you have to walk to find a breakfast place? Thanks everyone !!!!

LOL! Hope we didn't scare you off!,,
Vero Beach is actually one of our favorite places on Earth. We visit twice a year, and love the relaxation time..

MG

 

[CMOORE185]

What are my chances of getting a studio at HH at 7 months? Also, how is the weather the beginning of May. One more question - If there are no restaurants on property where does everyone eat breakfast? Do you have to walk to find a breakfast place? Thanks everyone !!!!

We usually get a 2BR so we eat breakfast in. I think you can get breakfast at there counter service area though. I am not sure on the studio.

 

[podsnel]

I thought VB and HH were very close in opening??..

Anyway, for the OP-
It's a quiet getaway. If you're looking for a bar with a wet tee shirt contest, VB is not the answer. They roll in the sidewalks at 5:00, as it is truly a quiet town.
That said, the bar at the resort is simply awesome. It's called the Green Cabin Room, and is beautiful and relaxing. It also features some artifacts from old ship wrecks.
Somebody here once called the resort "a great primer & unwinder" when visited along with a WDW trip.

There are some good restaurants in town.. the Ocean Grill comes to mind. That would be perfect for a couple. The food is great, and the atmosphere is awesome. Not cheap, but well worth it. Have fun!

MG

Can I ask you how long of a drive time is it to the Ocean Grill? Thanks! I'm looking for a restaurant for our Sept trip that is not too far away.

And OP- I am looking forward to our first VB visit this fall- and a repeat visit to HHI this August. Don't let the fact that HHI doesn't have a full service restaurant on premises put you off- there are MANY a stone's throw away within walking distance and lots of shopping, too, not to mention 200+ other restaurants if you get in your car. Remember it for your next trip- it is a fantastic place!

 

[OKWJan]

It is about a 20 minute drive south on A1A to the Ocean Grill. My husband and I think the Ocean Grill is OK, but pricy, and many tables don't have a view of the ocean.

But that said, we tend to like more casual places right on the water. We love Squid Lips (right over the river on pilings), Captain Hirams, a little place called Riverside Grill, all on the river. Across from Ocean Grill there is place called Mulligans that has oceanside dining and good food with a more relaxed atmosphere.

Jan

 

[maureenann]

We just got here yesterday for our 1st trip to VB. LOVE IT! Quiet and not so crowded, went to Squid Lips while waiting for our room..came back, went to the beach, played ping pong. Going to work out now so that I can continue to eat!

 

[missy2217]

We booked a HH 2 bedroom at the 7 month window for August, maybe we lucked out

 

[northwenald]

We just got here yesterday for our 1st trip to VB. LOVE IT! Quiet and not so crowded, went to Squid Lips while waiting for our room..came back, went to the beach, played ping pong. Going to work out now so that I can continue to eat!

So glad to hear that you love it !!! How long are you there? How is the beach? Could you please let me know what you think of it after your visit?
Thanks again everyone for your input. I just bought my plane tickets today because they were a great price - so no turning back now !!!!! HH will be my next trip. I just love everyone on these boards, you are all sooooo helpful !!!!
Thanks

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I think the drive to the Ocean Grill is closer to 10-15 minutes rather than 20.
It is truly an awesome restaurant IMO, and is directly on the ocean... Part of it is actually on stilts.
Squid Lips, Capt Hyrams, Lobster Shanty... All much more casual, mediocre type restaurants. If you want a nice place to dine as a couple, the Ocean Grill is one of the few places I strongly recommend in the area... We have been to the OG approx 20 times.
You can ask, and wait for a window seat if you choose. That said, if it's dark out it's tough to see the ocean anyway.

Recommendations: Shrimp Cocktail. The best I've ever had, but ASK FOR A SIDE OF HORSE RADISH. The cocktail sauce is almost straight ketchup.
Also the capachino is fantastic.. It's a great closer and desert. It has a bit of cocoa mixed in. Again, the best I've ever had.

Beware... On weekends there may be a wait for table. That said, the bar is awesome and actually hangs over the beach.

http://ocean-grill.com/~og/intro.html

Have fun...

MG