Visit HHI when not a guest?

[micheleq]

We are headed to HHI for Easter this year, but were not able to get a villa at the DVC resort. The condo we are staying at (Villamare) is literally right next door to the Beach House.

Can we walk over and check it out? I am guessing since we are not staying we cannot use the pool, I know if I were a guest I would not be happy about that. I just want to see the facility so we have a reference for future trips. I believe non-guests can walk about the main resort as it is connected to a shopping center (from what I have read?).

Any advice?

 

[chalee94]

there is a gate if you have a car, so you can ask if they will let you in.

you definitely cannot use the pool or beach house.

if you walk onto the resort grounds without asking, you might find yourself shadowed by plainclothes security.

 

[micheleq]

Thanks for the response Charles!

 

[SC Minnie]

You have to have a key card to get into the pool house at the beach. You can order from the snack bar- there is window on the outside up the stairs- to get your Dole whip fix.

I've never seen plain clothes security at HHI and we've been a member there for 15 years. We walk over to Shelter Cove in the mornings for a walk and in the evenings for dinner and have never had anyone stop or follow us when walking back.

 

[micheleq]

You have to have a key card to get into the pool house at the beach. You can order from the snack bar- there is window on the outside up the stairs- to get your Dole whip fix. I've never seen plain clothes security at HHI and we've been a member there for 15 years. We walk over to Shelter Cove in the mornings for a walk and in the evenings for dinner and have never had anyone stop or follow us when walking back.

You had me at Dole Whip!

 

[Judique]

You have to have a key card to get into the pool house at the beach. You can order from the snack bar- there is window on the outside up the stairs- to get your Dole whip fix.

I've never seen plain clothes security at HHI and we've been a member there for 15 years. We walk over to Shelter Cove in the mornings for a walk and in the evenings for dinner and have never had anyone stop or follow us when walking back.

I have seen 2 couples who were just walking around the pool and rec area stopped and questioned and asked to leave. They were intercepted as they walked towards the fishing pier.

I've also been at the check in area when people have come in and asked about staying there, buying the timeshare, asking to see rooms, etc. I know that the answer received usually depended on staffing.

 

[RobDoc]

...

Can we walk over and check it out? I am guessing since we are not staying we cannot use the pool, I know if I were a guest I would not be happy about that. I just want to see the facility so we have a reference for future trips. I believe non-guests can walk about the main resort as it is connected to a shopping center (from what I have read?).

The resort is not connected to a shopping center as it is on its own island, but you can easily walk there from Shelter Cove which is a harbour/marina with a few shops and restaurants.

From Villamare you can walk to the resort (it is about a mile) or you can drive to Shelter Cove and park there and just walk across the bridge to the DVC resort (about 100 yards from the parking areas at Shelter Cove). If there are any vacant/cleaned villas, they will usually be happy to show you around - otherwise you can easily navigate yourself through the resort and see the pool, Community Hall and Mercantile. I would certainly ask at the front desk for permission to walk around the resort.

As noted, the Beach House is not accessible without a resort room key (no Magic Bands at HH), but there is a public window to order items from the snack bar, public restrooms and a public shower (outside) to wash off sand from the beach. HH serves as a public access point for the beach, so there is public parking there along with resort guest parking. The beach is a public beach and is certainly right next door to Villamare.


If you will be that close you should definitely visit the resort.

Enjoy!

 

[Dean]

We are headed to HHI for Easter this year, but were not able to get a villa at the DVC resort. The condo we are staying at (Villamare) is literally right next door to the Beach House.

Can we walk over and check it out? I am guessing since we are not staying we cannot use the pool, I know if I were a guest I would not be happy about that. I just want to see the facility so we have a reference for future trips. I believe non-guests can walk about the main resort as it is connected to a shopping center (from what I have read?).

Any advice?

We own a condo in Villamare, I think you'll enjoy it there.

 

[micheleq]

Thanks everyone! We will be stopping by the snack window for several Dole Whips that week! And we will certainly be respectful of any HHI guests. As I said, I am curious to see what the resort has to offer and if CMs are available, it would be nice to see a villa. We are new members so it will be helpful as we look to plan future trips, especially since traveling during school breaks requires a premium of points.

Dean--Villamare looks beautiful. My grandparents lived in Murrells Inlet for over 20 years and my parents are considering retiring in the next year or two to SC as well, but we have never been to HHI. Looks like a great vacation for our active family (golfers & tennis players).

The idea of a beach keeps me going on days like today where the temp is 5 degrees (before the wind chill)!

Thanks again everyone and stay warm!

Michele

 

[CMOORE185]

Definitely take time to look at the resort, you will be impressed.

 

[Dean]

Dean--Villamare looks beautiful. My grandparents lived in Murrells Inlet for over 20 years and my parents are considering retiring in the next year or two to SC as well, but we have never been to HHI. Looks like a great vacation for our active family (golfers & tennis players).

We like it there, beachfront is important to us for vacationing. Do you know the unit you'll be in?

 

[micheleq]

We like it there, beachfront is important to us for vacationing. Do you know the unit you'll be in?

We are in 1108. Looks like it is toward the back of the complex but that doesn't bother me. Just happy to have a reservation for a holiday week!

 

[Dean]

We are in 1108. Looks like it is toward the back of the complex but that doesn't bother me. Just happy to have a reservation for a holiday week!

I think you'll enjoy it there.

 

[ontheuptick]

I know I'm pulling up an old thread, but it's relevant.

I just wanted to verify: so NON-Disney guests can go to the beach house, park in the parking lot, and walk up to an outside counter (on the parking lot side I assume, not on the beach side) and order dole whip or other food items?

This will be a gamechanger for my wife on our upcoming June HHI trip.

 

[SC Minnie]

I know I'm pulling up an old thread, but it's relevant.

I just wanted to verify: so NON-Disney guests can go to the beach house, park in the parking lot, and walk up to an outside counter (on the parking lot side I assume, not on the beach side) and order dole whip or other food items?

This will be a gamechanger for my wife on our upcoming June HHI trip.

As long as you are staying in Palmetto Dunes. You go through a security check to get to that area of Palmetto Dunes so will need a pass for your car.

 

[apulk]

Repeating a lot of prior comments but wanted to share...we've owned at DVC HHI since 1997 and have gone just about every year since (sometimes more than once). AND we've stayed at Villamare another 4-5 times when we made last minute plans or used our points elsewhere (like this year when we are heading to Disneyland). Staying at the Villamare puts you a 2 minute walk from your pool to the snack window that is open to the public. Dole Whip!!!! Bike riding is huge on HHI so if you rent bikes -- it's a very nice ride over to Shelter Cove -- and easy to ride into the Disney resort to look around. The only time they keep you out is during the summer on Tuesday evenings where there are fireworks going on for Harborfest. Definitely worth checking out for future reference. Just watched an old home movie this past week from July 1997 and in the middle of the video was our first trip to HHI -- we bought at DVC on the spot and haven't regretted it at all. Enjoy.

 

[Conan the Librarian]

We live about 45 minutes from HHI and occasionally go over to just wonder around. If we haven't eaten somewhere else, we'll grab a bite at the grill, then, go in the shop to get a Mickey Premium.

Make sure you talk to Mike the Pool guy.