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Which Hilton Head South Carolina Resort?

W

welshhope

TUG Member
Joined
Jan 9, 2008
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Location
Wales UK
Planning to trade into Hilton Head SC area - Sept 2010.
I understand you will all have your favourites so to help you give us the benefit of your collective wisdom here's what we like to do on holiday - sorry vacation::cheer:
Beach Walks, family meals, BBQ, relax - quiet pool.

Than you


Planned trips

August 2009 - South France
May 2010 - California
July 2010 - Spain
Sept 2010 - South Carolina???????
 
If you want to be right on the ocean, I'd pick Grande Ocean first then Barony, then Surfwatch, then Monarch. I really like the ones in Harbortown also, but they aren't on the ocean. I'd take the ones on Shelter Cove last.

You won't have a lot of trouble getting this trade either. You should absolutely take the trip insurance from either Marriott or II since September is hurricane season.
 
Depends if you like quieter beach or more action

The beach at Barony and Surfwatch is less crowded and there are fewer restaurants nearby (though they are all an easy drive), whereas Grande Ocean and Monarch are more crowded and closer to all the "action" of restaurants and other activities. With older children and teens the more action may suit you better- if you want to relax and read then Barony and Surfwatch may suit you better. Also if you like to ride bikes then Monarch is in Sea Pines which has many nice bike trails, though you can ride bikes anywhere on the island. Regardless though, they are all lovely resorts and you can't really go wrong.

tlwmkw
 
Any Marriott's t/s on Island I think you will enjoy.
 
The island is only 12 miles by 5 miles so everything is close by to something else.

Do you trade through II or RCI? You should enjoy the island based on what you like to do. Beachwalks are key with most of us so one of the four beachfront Marriotts should do. If staying in SHelter Cove you are right near the marina,shops and places to eat and those walks are nice too but not beachfront.
 
Some are easy trades. The ones on Shelter Cove are available all the time. THey are small, share a pool, and are not on a beach. They have a very nice marina (with some really big boats). The ones in Harbor Town are small and also not on a beach. The rest are on the beach. If you get a "non-beach" resort, they all have deals where you can use a Marriott beach someplace. Some use a hotel beach, I think.
As for exactly what you mentioned you like my recommendation is Barony Beach. Beach is more quiet, less crowded, pools are the same, etc.. Down at Grande Ocean is more of the hub of Hilton Head, if you could call it that. It's bigger and more crowded, but really nice. Monarch is the "original" Marriott (not built by them) and is a different look but with character and LOCATION! It is accross the street (don't take your car) from 2 of the 3 Sea Pines golf courses, and is the only Marriott beach resort actually IN Sea Pines.
I looked at buying Barony, by the way. Wife will not allow me to buy another TS. I'm going to HHI again this fall. I love it there. So does my brother (we golf there--fabulous).
I have lived in Florida and travelled all over that state. I don't recall any beach in Florida as nice (including CLEAN WATER) as the beaches in Hilton Head. Now Hawaii is another story;)
 
I'm not sure what some of you mean by crowded, but I've been at GO on the 4th of July and would not call it crowded. It's wonderful in September. Now, I am biased because that's the only Marriott at which I've stayed.
 
If you want to be on the beach then Grande Ocean, Barony, Surf Watch or Monarch are the ones for you. Surf Watch is the newest but I think the beaches at Grande OCean, Barony and Monarch are the best. Grande Ocean puts you just outside Sea Pines Plantation which is great for biking and walking.
Monarch is one of the older resorts although it was renovated a few years ago. Lots of people like it because it is small and less crowded and quieter then Grande Ocean. My personal favorite is Grande OCean
 
I've been going to HHI for 20 years. We've never stayed anywhere but SeaPines (in a villa owned by my husband's uncle) and can't rave enough about it. SeaPines is awesome. It is like a little oasis -- somnulent, beautifully landscaped, and maintained. The flat, canopied, lighted bike trails are the best I've found anywhere in the world and we make daily use of them. Even in the heat of July, they are shaded enough to enjoy. We now use a KiddieCart to haul our beach stuff instead of the kids, and use the bike as our primary means of transportation. Biking to me is synonymous with HHI and it's one thing we can do as a family that we ALL enjoy, and have enjoyed from the time the kids were riding around in the KiddieCart til now.

Now that they've added the Trolley, it's even better. My teenagers can walk to the SeaPines Center and take the trolley to HarbourTown or SouthBeach anytime they want, even at night. When we were there in July, my husband and I got dressed up and took the trolley to HarbourTown for dinner. Another night we took the trolley to the Ocean Club (next to the Monarch) and ate dinner at the grill/bar and listened to a really talented singer.

I've vacationed many, many places (Maui, Oahu, St. John, San Diego, Grayton Beach, Ft. Lauderdale) and found gorgeous beaches. But SeaPines is special.

Just a few weeks ago we visited friends at their condo at the Island Club off Folly Field. It was very nice. You can walk to Barony from their condo and I'll admit that Barony looks very, very nice. It's on a gorgeous, not so crowded stretch of beach. And I'm very jeaous of the the oceanfront location. (We are about 10 minutes by bike from the closest beach at our uncle's villa.) It's within walking distance to the Westin and its restaurants. The only downside to Barony, IMO, is that it's not in SeaPines!

I've never seen SurfWatch, but I would undoubtedly have the same comments.

So that leaves Monarch and GO.

Before I was even a TS owner, I loved Monarch. It has the two main things I'd want if I owned in HHI: Oceanfront and SeaPines. So I wouldn't hesitate to own there. The downsides to me are: It's older, most of the views are not OV, it trades in RCI, and a lot of weeks are fixed.

Because it's older, the decorating isn't nearly as swanky as the sister properties. And only a few buildings have awesome views of the Atlantic. Why, oh why, didn't they hire an architect who would have angled the buildings, and lanais, differently, to maximize that million dollar view? It boggles the mind. If I bought here, I'd look exclusively at the Azalea building or the top floors of the next closest building because I want to see the ocean from my villa. Personally, I'd rather own a float week, but it would concern me that I couldn't get the week I wanted with all the fixed week owners having priority. And one of the nicest things about owning a Marriott is the Marriott owner priority in II, which opens up the huge Marriott portfolio for trading. If Monarch still trades in RCI, that would be a huge downside IMO.

That brings me to MGO. It's not in SeaPines, but I just found out that MGO owners get free access to SeaPines. So you get easy access to the bike trails, etc. Sweet! It's beach front. It's very close to tons of restaurants, etc. both in SeaPines and out. There's plenty of action nearby for the older kids to enjoy. It's newer, it offers float memberships (which I prefer) and it trades in II. Those are all pluses, and would edge MGO to the top spot.

My only suggestion would be to lobby the HOA to request a SeaPines trolley stop at MGO. Marriott owners already get complimentary access to SeaPines for the week. Why not make it even more convenient for owners to access SeaPines' restaurants, beaches, and shopping. They could offer up additional dollars (say $25 instead of $18 per member) to SeaPines as an incentive, plus it would mean fewer cars headed into SeaPines. Win-win.
 
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LisaRex said:
The downsides to me [of Monarch] are: It's older, most of the views are not OV, it trades in RCI, and a lot of weeks are fixed.
Click to expand...
I'm not sure that trading in RCI is a downside, because Monarch also trades in II. As detailed in the FAQs for this forum, it's one of nine Marriott timeshare resorts that trade in both II and RCI.
 
Dave M said:
I'm not sure that trading in RCI is a downside, because Monarch also trades in II. As detailed in the FAQs for this forum, it's one of nine Marriott timeshare resorts that trade in both II and RCI.
Click to expand...

Ah, I see. Thanks.
 
welshhope said:
Planning to trade into Hilton Head SC area - Sept 2010.
I understand you will all have your favourites so to help you give us the benefit of your collective wisdom here's what we like to do on holiday - sorry vacation::cheer:
Beach Walks, family meals, BBQ, relax - quiet pool.

Than you

That is exactly what our family likes. Then, here is your order for HHI,

Barony
Barony
Barony


Surfwatch= long walk to beach over boardwalk(tidal pool), lots of steps for little feet.
Grande Ocean---big place, lots of people
Barony---that is where we stayed. We walked on the beach everyday, we had our family meals outside in the courtyard area, family meals that we bbq'd on their wonderful grills, sat in the shade of all the trees, relaxed and sipped alcoholic, and nonalcoholic drinks by the pool while the little ones played in the pool, it was wonderful. Not too crowded, very enjoyable.


that's my two cents.
Click to expand...
 
welshhope said:
Planning to trade into Hilton Head SC area - Sept 2010.
I understand you will all have your favourites so to help you give us the benefit of your collective wisdom here's what we like to do on holiday - sorry vacation::cheer:
Beach Walks, family meals, BBQ, relax - quiet pool.

Than you


Planned trips

August 2009 - South France
May 2010 - California
July 2010 - Spain
Sept 2010 - South Carolina???????
Click to expand...

In order as you come onto the island and head towards Sea Pines, Barony, SurfWatch, Grand Ocean and the Monarch are all beachfront resorts that will offer every one of the things you've mentioned. I think you could be happy at any one of them on an exchange; if it was me, I'd open up the request to any one to give myself a better chance at getting the exchange.

But "beachfront" is a relative term, I think, because it's more possible than not to be placed in a unit at any one of them that does not offer any view of the beach. Those four do, though, offer the opportunity to meander from the back of the resort through and onto the beach.

Good luck with your exchange, welshhope - Hilton Head is just beautiful in September.
 
I agree with Susan's post. I've stayed at Barony and Grande Ocean and toured Surfwatch.

Barony is a pain in the rear if you are in the garden villas and take a lot of stuff to the beach. It is a significant walk, especially when you forget something. I remember sitting in the shade near the ocean side units and thinking how different it must be to stay there versus Garden.
 
I'd list BB, GO and SW and not Monarch. Do realize that you're most likely to get a BB or SW gardenview unit. Depending on when in Sept, you may want to chance just GO to start with and see what happens.
 
Big Matt said:
I agree with Susan's post. I've stayed at Barony and Grande Ocean and toured Surfwatch.

Barony is a pain in the rear if you are in the garden villas and take a lot of stuff to the beach. It is a significant walk, especially when you forget something. I remember sitting in the shade near the ocean side units and thinking how different it must be to stay there versus Garden.
Click to expand...

I am sorry but what is the problem walking 5 minutes from the Garden units. We own at the Barony OS unit. However, we have stayed in the Garden units and liked them. The walk was no problem. We have stayed at several HH Marriotts and like the Barony the best. We have a Gold week love it. We live on the coast and have the beach every day if we want. Gold works for us. We never trade this week. We use it. Everybody is different.
 
bobcat said:
I am sorry but what is the problem walking 5 minutes from the Garden units. We own at the Barony OS unit. However, we have stayed in the Garden units and liked them. The walk was no problem. We have stayed at several HH Marriotts and like the Barony the best. We have a Gold week love it. We live on the coast and have the beach every day if we want. Gold works for us. We never trade this week. We use it. Everybody is different.
Click to expand...

I think sometimes the perception is that the walk from the gardenview section to the beach is longer at Barony because of the Westin Resort being right there. But I've walked those routes through Barony, SurfWatch and Grande Ocean and truthfully, I didn't notice that any one of them would be more of a hassle, or take a substantial amount of time longer, to walk than another. My preference for the walk would be SurfWatch (because it's so beautifully landscaped plus it has the birdwatching options,) then Barony (because you have to navigate through that oceanfront pool area,) and finally Grande Ocean (because it felt so concrete-ish too me, just too much grey.)

But it's true, everybody is different, and none of us can be told that our own perception or likes are correct or wrong. We can just be thankful that MVCI offers enough options on Hilton Head to indulge every one of us. :)
 
bobcat said:
I am sorry but what is the problem walking 5 minutes from the Garden units. We own at the Barony OS unit. However, we have stayed in the Garden units and liked them. The walk was no problem. We have stayed at several HH Marriotts and like the Barony the best. We have a Gold week love it. We live on the coast and have the beach every day if we want. Gold works for us. We never trade this week. We use it. Everybody is different.
Click to expand...
I think the problem (or lack of) depends on personal preferences and expectations. If you're expecting an ocean front resort and get the garden view units at BB, I could see being disappointed, esp if I traded a better view at a good location. That's why I always try to be in controlled situation where I know what I'm getting and what I'm not AND that every trade I do is a trade up as much as possible. I think every trade I've done has been a trade up, usually in at least two areas of size, demand and resort. The only exception I can think of was GO ocean side to Surfwatch OS before GV units opened to match up with the unit I owned. Still, I put BB at the bottom of the 3 in the exchange ladder simply due to the GV units and their inferior location.
 
These are great replies and links thank you - as I will be trading my phuket beach side i would dearly like to have an ocean view (don't we all), so just one more question please - which venue will give me the highest % chance of getting "ocean" or waterfront view? - I do understand all the caveats re allocation but just wondered if there are stats on ocean views?
Thank you all again - Welshhope.
 
welshhope said:
These are great replies and links thank you - as I will be trading my phuket beach side i would dearly like to have an ocean view (don't we all), so just one more question please - which venue will give me the highest % chance of getting "ocean" or waterfront view? - I do understand all the caveats re allocation but just wondered if there are stats on ocean views?
Thank you all again - Welshhope.
Click to expand...
The top 3 choices for HH are clearly GO, Surfwatch and BB. Of those, GO ONLY has OF & OS. BB has OF, OS & GV. SW has OV (Ocean Vista similar to OF), OS & GV. IMO, the chances of getting GV for summer for the latter 2 is VERY high. Also, IMO, the GV units at SW are much better in location than BB though the GV units themselves at BB are likely better due to the 2 master configuration. So from an exchange standpoint I'd put GO first and BB last. From an ownership standpoint I'd list them this way ignoring price the the 3 BR units.

  1. GO OF
  2. BB OF
  3. SW OV (O Vista)
  4. GO OS
  5. BB OS
  6. SW OS
  7. SW GV
  8. BB GV
 
I'm at Barony now and just love it here. We are in an OS room and can see the ocean. Last year we could only see the pool from our OS villa. Yesterday we walked over to the GV villas which only took a few minutes. It is nice and quiet over there with very few people in the pool.

I also like Surfwatch, Monarch, and Grande Ocean but Barony is my favorite.

Joyce
 
List Marriott trades into RCI vs. II

Dave M said:
I'm not sure that trading in RCI is a downside, because Monarch also trades in II. As detailed in the FAQs for this forum, it's one of nine Marriott timeshare resorts that trade in both II and RCI.
Click to expand...

Hi!
Sorry for bothering. I could not find that list.. Can anyone direct me? I would also love to find one where I can see which Marriott has the lock off ability. Thanks a lot for your help!
 
picasso said:
Hi!
Sorry for bothering. I could not find that list.. Can anyone direct me? I would also love to find one where I can see which Marriott has the lock off ability. Thanks a lot for your help!
Click to expand...

This is the list that is posted in the FAQ for this forum. If you are having trouble locating the FAQ, here is the link: http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=391

Most Marriotts exchange only through II. These Marriotts exchange through both II and RCI:
•StreamSide: Birch, Douglas (not Evergreen) [Aspen & Cedar are no longer managed by Marriott.]
•Cypress Harbour
•Desert Springs Villas I (not Desert Springs Villas II)
•Harbour Club
•Heritage Club
•Monarch
•Royal Palms
•Sabal Palms
•Sunset Pointe

To answer your second question, none of the Marriott properties in Hilton Head have lockoffs. All are dedicated 2 bedrooms. Surfwatch has some 3 bedrooms, but they do not lockoff. If you are looking for list of lockoffs at all Marriott properties, not just Hilton Head, that is also mentioned in the FAQs with a link to a thread: http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=412
 
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Surfwatch

I have been going to HH since the only place to stay on the island was the Hilton Head Inn--now the site of GO.
I owned at Harbour Pointe in Shelter Cove and although it is not on the Ocean it is great being in Shelter Cove for all of the activities. The HP units are larger than Sunset Pointe units and there are different sized units.
We also used to own at GO. It is on the beach and I loved it. We were always there July 4th and it is never overly crowded. We sold it about 7 years ago because I became an assistant principal and I could only get off 1 week in the summer. We kept our Barony Beach unit because it was newer. I hate to say it but I never liked BB--the buildings in the front--OV--seemed too crowded for me. So when Surfwatch was built, Marriott took back my BB unit at the current price and we bought a 3 bedroom platinum unit at Surfwatch. We love it there.
Whichever Marriott property you go to on HH will be nice. Just relax and have a great time.:cheer:
 
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