RCI exchange for HHI?

[Dean]

Many of the older Marriott's also trade through RCI but get almost no inventory. The Spinnaker resorts are some of the nicer ones, the one next door to Grande Ocean isn't that nice but is in a great location (I forget the name at present). None are up to par to DVC HH from a resort standpoint. So those discussions we had about the 3 top Marriott's being better overall are moot at this point for trade purposes. I'd rent, look at a private trade or stay at DVC in this situation. Trades for a 2 BR will be 270 points and 160 for a 1 BR. DVC is worth the difference compared to those other resorts IMO, same is not true if comparing to the top 3 Marriott's. Monarch is an in between, OK resort, great location.

 

[littlestar]

Are these available to public to rent or just members? We are looking to rent something for a week in the summer at HHI..

Take a look at Redweek.com, too, and compare.

Hey, Dean, what about the Coral resorts? What do you know about those on Hilton Head?

 

[Dean]

Take a look at Redweek.com, too, and compare.

Hey, Dean, what about the Coral resorts? What do you know about those on Hilton Head?

The one I've seen (if I'm recalling the right ones) are the condo/townhouse type units across from the Westin. They are actually Fractional and fairly decent. The Westin runs a shuttle but they are not actually formally associated with the Westin timeshares. I wouldn't put them at DVC's level and their location is not much better if any compared to DVC and some would say worse. From a resort standpoint you've got DVC and the 3 top Marriott's. Add a couple to that for location like Monarch noted above. Without the Marriott option I simply can't get excited for DVC members looking to go to HH. Time for some to consider buying a Marriott week.

 

[littlestar]

The one I've seen (if I'm recalling the right ones) are the condo/townhouse type units across from the Westin. They are actually Fractional and fairly decent. The Westin runs a shuttle but they are not actually formally associated with the Westin timeshares. I wouldn't put them at DVC's level and their location is not much better if any compared to DVC and some would say worse. From a resort standpoint you've got DVC and the 3 top Marriott's. Add a couple to that for location like Monarch noted above. Without the Marriott option I simply can't get excited for DVC members looking to go to HH. Time for some to consider buying a Marriott week.

Thank for the info on Coral. I can see some of those in RCI, too. Maybe summer availability will be better for DVC members trying to trade through RCI than it was in II. Should be interesting to see what the membership thinks after they come back from RCI stays.

Yeah. No kidding. I'm really glad I own my Marriott. My Marriott is coming up this year, too, for deposit again - I want to try Marriott's Barony the next time I go back to Hilton Head. We were in Hilton Head in November and had a Grand Villa at Disney (loved the fireplace) and a unit at Marriott's Grande Ocean. I enjoyed both, but the location of Grande Ocean right on the water was fantastic. And Marriott gave us an ocean view top floor unit in an ocean front building. I couldn't believe they gave us that view since we didn't own at Grande Ocean. They told me it was because we owned another Marriott and that's how the pecking order worked out for us at check-in -

 

[Dean]

Thank for the info on Coral. I can see some of those in RCI, too. Maybe summer availability will be better for DVC members trying to trade through RCI than it was in II. Should be interesting to see what the membership thinks after they come back from RCI stays.

Yeah. No kidding. I'm really glad I own my Marriott. My Marriott is coming up this year, too, for deposit again - I want to try Marriott's Barony the next time I go back to Hilton Head. We were in Hilton Head in November and had a Grand Villa at Disney (loved the fireplace) and a unit at Marriott's Grande Ocean. I enjoyed both, but the location of Grande Ocean right on the water was fantastic. And Marriott gave us an ocean view top floor unit in an ocean front building. I couldn't believe they gave us that view since we didn't own at Grande Ocean. They told me it was because we owned another Marriott and that's how the pecking order worked out for us at check-in -

I've seen a fair amount of Spinnaker come up for June. Most Marriott's give preference to owners, then Marriott exchangers with non Marriott guests getting last pick. They also adjust that for multiple week/multiple unit stays. I got my sister OV at Surfwatch 1.5 years ago on an exchange for June. I warned her she'd likely get GV but she didn't. Barony is nice but the one concern I'd have is they have so many GV units and they are far inferior in my book. Likely you'll get one exchanging in. I'd consider Surfwatch over Barony for an exchange or better yet, go back to GO if possible.

 

[MAGICX2]

Many of the older Marriott's also trade through RCI but get almost no inventory. The Spinnaker resorts are some of the nicer ones, the one next door to Grande Ocean isn't that nice but is in a great location (I forget the name at present). None are up to par to DVC HH from a resort standpoint. So those discussions we had about the 3 top Marriott's being better overall are moot at this point for trade purposes. I'd rent, look at a private trade or stay at DVC in this situation. Trades for a 2 BR will be 270 points and 160 for a 1 BR. DVC is worth the difference compared to those other resorts IMO, same is not true if comparing to the top 3 Marriott's. Monarch is an in between, OK resort, great location.

I didn't realize that the 160 point exchange level was for a 1 bedroom. What are the sleeping arrangements like at the resorts that do have a 1 bedroom? From the DVC website link, the only resorts that even have a 1 bedroom are Harbourside III, Port O'Call, and Waterside by Spinnaker. I am not using 270 points to stay at HHI for a week....so it's either choose one of these or go to DVC.

The one I've seen (if I'm recalling the right ones) are the condo/townhouse type units across from the Westin. They are actually Fractional and fairly decent. The Westin runs a shuttle but they are not actually formally associated with the Westin timeshares. I wouldn't put them at DVC's level and their location is not much better if any compared to DVC and some would say worse. From a resort standpoint you've got DVC and the 3 top Marriott's. Add a couple to that for location like Monarch noted above. Without the Marriott option I simply can't get excited for DVC members looking to go to HH. Time for some to consider buying a Marriott week.

Somebody sell me on staying at the DVC HHI Villas. ​

I always thought that the point of going to the beach for a vacation was to stay at the beach. What fun is it to have to take a shuttle to your beach? We will have our own car, but I like the idea of being able to just go out your door and walk down to the beach. I imagine that we will head to the beach around 9 or 10 am and then stay there until about 4 or 5pm. But, there is a lot of other things we would like to see/do. Like I said, we have never been to HHI before and we have no idea what there is to do there.


Also, my husband has tons of points thru the Holiday Inn Express Priority Club. We could easily book 7 nights at either the Holiday Inn Express or the Crowne Plaza. Would anyone recommend doing this instead? I can't imagine staying in a regular hotel room at the beach for a whole week. Although we would have a clean room everyday! Just the thought of 2 adults and 2 kids and all the baggage that goes along with that in a room with two queen beds and not much else makes me squeamish.

 

[Dean]

I didn't realize that the 160 point exchange level was for a 1 bedroom. What are the sleeping arrangements like at the resorts that do have a 1 bedroom? From the DVC website link, the only resorts that even have a 1 bedroom are Harbourside III, Port O'Call, and Waterside by Spinnaker. I am not using 270 points to stay at HHI for a week....so it's either choose one of these or go to DVC.

You must pay the higher points if you request a 2 BR even if you only need a 1 BR. However it's possible they'll offer you a 2 BR, even at a different resort, if you have a pending request to a 1 BR. All of those resort should be fine but not are DVC quality. Of those I'd likely take Waterside, I have a patient who's family owns there and we've gone the same week a couple of times..

Somebody sell me on staying at the DVC HHI Villas. ​

I always thought that the point of going to the beach for a vacation was to stay at the beach. What fun is it to have to take a shuttle to your beach? We will have our own car, but I like the idea of being able to just go out your door and walk down to the beach. I imagine that we will head to the beach around 9 or 10 am and then stay there until about 4 or 5pm. But, there is a lot of other things we would like to see/do. Like I said, we have never been to HHI before and we have no idea what there is to do there.


Also, my husband has tons of points thru the Holiday Inn Express Priority Club. We could easily book 7 nights at either the Holiday Inn Express or the Crowne Plaza. Would anyone recommend doing this instead? I can't imagine staying in a regular hotel room at the beach for a whole week. Although we would have a clean room everyday! Just the thought of 2 adults and 2 kids and all the baggage that goes along with that in a room with two queen beds and not much else makes me squeamish.

I'd do the Crown Plaza if you can do that. I do agree with you about the beach and it's got me in trouble more than once on this BBS. That's the reason that I feel some of the Marriotts are better than DVC on HH. However, I'm also a resort type of person so I'm only willing to compromise so much for location. You should likely rent a condo, hotel, house or timeshare if you can't get the crown plaza and it's unlikely you can for summer.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Question for Dean.....are those condo type fractionals you mentioned near the Westin ones that are 3 bedrooms? I'm trying to remember the name 'Royal Palms" or something like that? If those are the ones, they recently went thru a rehab, so I've read on TUG. It has great reviews.

 

[Dean]

Question for Dean.....are those condo type fractionals you mentioned near the Westin ones that are 3 bedrooms? I'm trying to remember the name 'Royal Palms" or something like that? If those are the ones, they recently went thru a rehab, so I've read on TUG. It has great reviews.

I think there are two different names but some are 3 BR if I recall. There were very nice but not top notch like Marriott, DVC, Hilton, Westin or Hyatt. Certainly closer to the beach. I couldn't remember the name for sure, that's what vacation does to me sometimes, work to for that matter.

 

[MAGICX2]

You must pay the higher points if you request a 2 BR even if you only need a 1 BR. However it's possible they'll offer you a 2 BR, even at a different resort, if you have a pending request to a 1 BR. All of those resort should be fine but not are DVC quality. Of those I'd likely take Waterside, I have a patient who's family owns there and we've gone the same week a couple of times...

So if I request a 1 bedroom and it is not available, they might offer me a 2 bedroom at a different resort at the 160 point level? I would only request a 1 bedroom because I refuse to use 270 points on one stay.
How does the 1 bedrooms sleep 4? I realize it has a king or queen in the master, but where do the other 2 people sleep?

I'd do the Crown Plaza if you can do that. I do agree with you about the beach and it's got me in trouble more than once on this BBS. That's the reason that I feel some of the Marriotts are better than DVC on HH. However, I'm also a resort type of person so I'm only willing to compromise so much for location. You should likely rent a condo, hotel, house or timeshare if you can't get the crown plaza and it's unlikely you can for summer.

We had already made a ressie for June 14 thru June 19 at the Holiday Inn Oceanfront using points just in case. It is an oceanfront room with a king bed and a murphy bed. I can still get a room at the Crowne Plaza.
Does anyone have any opinions about these hotels? If I can stay without using DVC points or $ I would rather, but I don't want to stay at a not so nice place either.

 

[Dean]

So if I request a 1 bedroom and it is not available, they might offer me a 2 bedroom at a different resort at the 160 point level? I would only request a 1 bedroom because I refuse to use 270 points on one stay.
How does the 1 bedrooms sleep 4? I realize it has a king or queen in the master, but where do the other 2 people sleep?


We had already made a ressie for June 14 thru June 19 at the Holiday Inn Oceanfront using points just in case. It is an oceanfront room with a king bed and a murphy bed. I can still get a room at the Crowne Plaza.
Does anyone have any opinions about these hotels? If I can stay without using DVC points or $ I would rather, but I don't want to stay at a not so nice place either.

They may indeed offer you a 2 BR units at one of the resorts you request or another one but the odds are not good for summer. I would assume they all have a pull out couch but don't know for certain. A quick internet search should give you the info you need. If not, post on TUG and you should get the answers. I don't know the hotels well enough to give you the info you need. tripadvisors may help some with that.

 

[littlestar]

I think that Harborside III resort (condos) is right across the water (boat harbor area) to Disney's Hilton Head resort if I'm remembering correctly. I think you can walk over to Disney pretty easily from Harborside. If you have the addresses, I would plug them into Google maps and do a satellite view:

http://maps.google.com/maps?tab=wl

For some reason I "think" I also remember seeing a Holiday Inn oceanfront pretty close to Marriott's Grande Ocean resort.

I would probably take a 1 bedroom at Waterside at Spinnaker if it came down to staying in a hotel room at Hilton Head. We stayed in a studio at Disney's Hilton Head resort one year and I just couldn't relax that week. When it's a beach vacation I want more of a condo feel I guess. Four people in one room for a week was just too hard.

 

[Dean]

I think that Harborside III resort (condos) is right across the water (boat harbor area) to Disney's Hilton Head resort if I'm remembering correctly. I think you can walk over to Disney pretty easily from Harborside. If you have the addresses, I would plug them into Google maps and do a satellite view:

http://maps.google.com/maps?tab=wl

For some reason I also remember seeing a Holiday Inn oceanfront pretty close to Marriott's Grande Ocean resort.

I would probably take a 1 bedroom at Waterside at Spinnaker if it came down to staying in a hotel room at Hilton Head. We stayed in a studio at Disney's Hilton Head resort and I just couldn't relax that week. When it's a beach vacation I want more of a condo feel I guess. Four people in one room for a week was just too hard.

Harbourside III is upstairs over the shops at the Marina across from DVC (Shelter Cove). I think most of them are actually fractionals.

 

[littlestar]

Harbourside III is upstairs over the shops at the Marina across from DVC (Shelter Cove). I think most of them are actually fractionals.

Thanks. I did remember it correctly then. I saw some of those Harbourside III weeks in RCI Getaways for next November. I clicked on the description and it took me to a website for Harbourside - it did look like the units varied on furnishings, etc.