VB or HHI?

[westjones]

We will have four 19 year olds vacationing with us next year. Which beach resort would be more fun for their age group?

 

[backyardponder]

A lot of my answer depends on what they like to do. Neither resort has much more to do than enjoy the pool and walk on the beach. At HH you can rent bikes and bike on the beach...a very popular activity on the island. To do anything much more than that requires a car.

If they golf, then HH would be ideal although getting to a course and fees might be an issue. VB has golf in the area, but nothing like HH.

So, depending on what they like, perhaps my answer is neither or just a couple days at either of them.

 

[westjones]

I would love for us all to go to WDW instead, but my girls want to take friends next year and they don't think they will be able to afford tickets to Disney (and I don't want to pay for their park tickets). So I suggested Hilton Head (but then wondered about Vero).

We would basically get there late on Monday and spend Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday there and leave on Friday. So only 3 days of activities.

I was sort of thinking of it as a fancy camping trip I guess. LOL!

 

[El&Asmom]

I've never been to VB, but would guess HH would be better based on what I've read about Vero on the boards. At HH, you can bike, hang out at the beach, shop, have lots of great restaurants very close, and do lots of water sports.

We love it there. I have read that at Vero, many of the restaurants are a bit of a drive away, and there is not much in the surrounding area, so it's mostly a beach vacation. Hopefully others will chime in though.

 

[westjones]

I did think the dolphin excursion at HHI sounded interesting. It also seemed like maybe Savannah might be a nice day trip if we got bored.

Thanks for the input.

For me, I would be happy to just sit and relax and read for the whole time.

But I am hoping the teens can enjoy themselves without having to spend much money. I told them that we will pay to get there and back, and for the room (on points) and for food. But any entertainment they do is on them. So they will be looking for free/cheap stuff. I was going to rent them bikes, but that is it.

 

[Anal Annie]

We've been to both and while there's more going on in HHI than at Vero I still wouldn't call it exciting. It's just a beach. There's no boardwalk or anything. No funnel cakes. No carnival rides at the pier like at some of the NE beaches... I think there is 1 movie theater. If I were to pick one beach though I would say there's more to HHI though because VB rolls up the carpet & shuts down at 9:00 PM.

 

[AnnaS]

I think I would vote for HH too. They can hang out by the pool or take the shuttle/ride bikes to the pool and the area in general. There are restaurants and some shopping within walking distance. A day trip to Savannah to break it up sounds nice too.
Do you own at either resort? It might be tough getting in. Good luck and don't forget the waitlist (it worked for us for end of August for VB and HH).

 

[mtdewhead]

I would say HH. We've been to both with teenagers. HH has the pool at the resort, a pool at the beach and the beach is much nicer at HH. My kids loved renting the bikes and riding on the beach. They like going over to Coligny Plaza and going through the shops, Harbor Town shops, horseback riding, the dolphin cruise and Shelter Cove Marina is fun to walk over to at night as many of the restaurants have live music and on certain nights in the summer they have fireworks. We also sometimes take a short 45 minute ride to Savanna for the day.

We enjoyed Vero but my kids started to get antsy about day 3.

 

[bobbiwoz]

There are turtles nesting on the Treasure Coast, and there are opportunities for a night walk to see turtles laying eggs around VB. This was a highlight for my group in June, 2008.

 

[RumpleMom]

HHI for the evening activities that are available on the island.

 

[westjones]

Thanks everyone! Sounds like Hilton Head would be the best pick. I was leaning that way already.

We don't own there (we own at BCV) and we are hoping to get the second week of May next year and I plan to book the day the 7 month window opens up! So fingers crossed!

 

[Conan the Librarian]

Yes, come to Savannah. Spend Money!

Our child loves HHI, and, was rather disappointed when we told her we were going to WDW instead of HHI for fall break. Mostly because she fishes alot, but, the CMs there are very friendly.

 

[D Morggggg]

I'd say Vero 100%. Great environment for that age and it's the beach.

 

[twebber55]

the first question you should answer is.... do they want to be right on the beach or are they ok with driving to beach or taking the shuttle? my wife is a big fan of vero because the beach is "right there"

 

[westjones]

the first question you should answer is.... do they want to be right on the beach or are they ok with driving to beach or taking the shuttle? my wife is a big fan of vero because the beach is "right there"

I don't think they will mind riding bikes to the beach or taking the shuttle. My girls don't really go in the ocean. They don't want to encounter the wildlife in there. when we go on the Disney cruise and we go to Castaway Cay they only do stuff on the the island, they never go in the water.

And they may like the idea of two pool options like they have at Hilton Head. It would give them some variety I would think.

But I bet it would be pretty to be able to just look out at the ocean. DH and I would probably like that part.

 

[twebber55]

you cant go wrong with either...they re both great...i know my wife liked vero better because we could look out the window and see the ocean... i did love the fact that you can use two pools at HH... the ocean pool was nice and was pretty much empty all of the time when i went there last.... better food choices in HH also....tough choice for me

 

[westjones]

I think one thing that also makes me lean towards HHI is being able to go on a day trip to Savannah. The other plus is it is closer to where we live so a few less hours in the car.

But maybe we can give VB a try another year. I would love to be right on the ocean, just for the view. I also do not like to encounter wildlife.