HHI timeshares with beach access or within an easy walk or bikeride?

[deh333]

We will be visiting HHI for the first time this summer. While there, we will be looking around for a family friendly purchase on or close to a beach. From reading tug postings, it is very obvious to me that so many of you are HHI visitors. Pleas share what you know. I appreciate your wisdom.

[Dave M]

Hilton Head is reasonably small - long, but not wide. Thus, most timeshares are within a five minute bike ride of a beach. There a number of timeshare resorts that are on the beach, including four Marriotts (Grande Ocean, Barony Beach, SurfWatch and Monarch).

Take your time and look around. Make sure you go into Sea Pines Plantation (nominal fee for a one-day pass) and include a visit to Harbour Town while you're there.

[elaine]

well, of course, some of the marriotts are one the beach--but if you are looking for summer and want to spend under $10K, then you won't get one of those. So, for one under $10K, we like waterside because:

free hourly shuttle to the beach or,
walk down shaded back road to the beach--15 minutes walking, or less than 5 on bikes, and go in residential section of beach--less crowded in summer.

newer construction--large units, beautiful decor.

2 pools--1 really big great pool, 1 medium heated pool, also a kids gated "waterpark" as well. Also BIG shaded umbrella area over zero entry part of big pool that makes a great toddler play area.

you can walk over to grocery/ coffee/ little shopping center, great restaurant and putt-putt.

not is a plantation, but we much prefer amenities and location here(so much so, that after 4 years of trading, we bought one last year). Also, it is my understanding that if you are the 1st resale purchaser, that the "golf package" transfers to you for free (cost if not original or 1st resale buyer). You get 1 hr of tennis, and 1 round of golf (x4 people) per day for cart fee-$30 only. If you are a golfer--this saves a lot of $. You may play at shipyard or port royal.

you can easily buy a 2 BR summer week for $10K or under. This resort is esp. good for kids (and mom, who has to watch them) b/c of the pool layout.

[Dave M]

As a Waterside owner and a Grande Ocean owner, I'll take on-the-beach Grande Ocean first. But I agree with all of your Waterside comments!

[pedro47]

The best direct beach t/s access on the Island are Grand Ocean, Baroney and the Monarch all are Marriott's.

[Avery]

Originally Posted by pedro47

The best direct beach t/s access on the Island are Grand Ocean, Baroney and the Monarch all are Marriott's.

And all are pricey... another Marriott option is Harbour Club at Harbourtown; it's 1.5 miles from the beach in Sea Pines Plantation; a gorgeous ride. Should cost quite a bit less than the on-the-beach Marriotts. Units are large and were just redone. Port O'Call in Shipyard is not as upscale, but is a reasonably short walk to the beach and has good TUG ratings.

[pedro47]

Another not pricey and a short walk to the beach are Royal Dunes on Port Royal Plantation and Spinnaker's on Shipyard Plantation.

Here are a list of nice t/s on the island with short walks to the beach. A short walk is less than a mile and half (1 1/2). Here are my list of t/s Spicebush at Sea Pines, Swallowtail at Sea Pines, the Island Links Resort on Port Royal Plantation, Waterside by Spinnaker, and Ocean Palms Resort at Port Royal.

[KenK]

I think you ought to first find a place to get exchanged into (or rent). Then see what you think about the area....most here are super positive on HHI...it is great....but thats to us. The kids may feel its no as much fun as a place more like Myrtle Beach...or so might you (except it is easier to relax. it seems on HHI)...


The plantations are diferent...and not all units are on Plantations...but Sea Pines seems a favorite...it is set up in a way where the bike trails and stables present a serene experience while you pedal through the tunnels of pin and live oak dripping with the moss....miles and miles...more that 20 bike trails from a sales pitch I once heard. Bring insect repellant, a hat, and sunscreen.

Sea Pines has another feature in season that some of the other plantations do not have...that is a free trolly that will pick you up from the units and deposit you somewhere else. They stop at the Monarch, and next to it is a public guarded beach with a small restaurant and a few stores, a rest room and showers....it is Monarchs' neighbor.

Unless you are a guest in a Sea Pines unit (reports say this may have changed)...you will have to pay to access the plantation. (Sea Pines guests may be (or were once) free to enter).

Marrriots Grand Ocean is considerd in Sea Pines....but it is really just outside the back gate.

Next to the Marriott Grand Ocean was a restaurant called Fitzgeralds...(closed this past fall) which was in a T/S called Adventure Inn T/S (rentals).

It is on the beach, but if you've seen the Marriotts, I guess its just OK...has pool, and adjacent to Marriotts beach area. It is not considered on Sea Pines. (Its rating isn't too high....but we saw summer pricing, and it was affordable...if it stays a T/S)...ok ok after a Marriott, it is a bit of a let down....but not really bad...(remember, I see the 1940s & 1950s units in Hollywood, Fl...these are even newer).

BTW....you might have a good chance of getting something in Sea Pines off the ocean...but it may still be tough....for almost anyplace for 2006 summer.

If you get a place, try to get there before dark. HHI has poor signage and its hard to find a place at night. After the first visit, this USUALLY isn't to much of a problem.

[Radman]

Well, if you don't want to splurge for the Marriotts, I'd go see Port O Call. It is in the Shipyard Plantation and has dedicated gate and path to the beach. Walk is 5 minutes most. Good ressale buys in Port O Call.

[deh333]

Many thanks. I knew I could get valuable information from TUG members!

We are going to be staying in GO for 3 nights and will attend a Marriott's sales spiel. Our first. I've been reading TUG for 6 months or so and I feel fine about how I will handle the sales staff. While there, we are going to be looking around to see what really appeals to my family. Might be Marriott (resale), but, a smaller TS, a bit further from the beach may be a better choice. Options, options. You have given me some great advice. Thanks

[jillk]

I know this is a less glitzy HHI Marriott, but we had a blast staying at Harbour Point/Shelter Cove. It's about a ten minute bike ride to the beach and conveniently located in general. Might see cheaper resales of this one, and it is being renovated this fall I hear (was the special assessment paid already?).

[wrkirt]

All comments thus far are on target. My advice would be to spend your week and enjoy the island and get familiar with some of the places mentioned in these posts. We own at Harbour Point and Waterside and our favorite is Grand Ocean. You need to get familiar with the island to see what is available before you start looking to purchase. We definetely like being in the Coligny area and we love Shipyard. There are lots of possibilities and you will get a better feel after you investigate the various locations and see for yourself. There are positives and negatives for most places and you really need to see what areas you really like, decide on your priorities and then figure out how much you are willing to pay. We use our Harbour Point to trade to other Marriotts and we use our Waterside when we we want to play golf for the week. You will have lots of choices and you will hopefully be able to narrow your choices after you spend you week on the island.
PS- We don't particularily like summers at HHI, too hot and humid, but spring and fall are wonderful; our favorite times.

[jme]

Altho Hilton Head is a relatively small island, there are an abundance of timeshare properties, perhaps more than any other destination excepting Orlando. AND, it's for a reason.....HHI is truly a wonderful place to be, and a very family-friendly laid-back island. Therefore, in order to make the very best decision for you, learn about the various brands there, and visit as many as you can. Don't take everybody's word for everything, as the "feel" of the property is just as valuable over the years as other things. Remember, tho, as time progresses, if you love to walk on the beach, it's best to be ON the beachfront. Only 5 percent ( my guess) are beachfront, and maybe 20 % are within REALISTIC walking distance, given age and/or carrying tons of beach stuff as "difficulty factors". Obviously, price is important, and (you guessed it) most of the best Marriotts are oceanfront.I also agree with Dave M's assessment that Waterside is doable , as well as being new and nice. Most of the t/s's inside the "popular" Sea Pines area require a drive, albeit a short one. Once you're in the car, you're in the car, so therefore, EVERY non-walkable t/s would be OK, as there's never more than a 5 minute drive from even the farthest property to the beach. So, if you chose a non-beachfront one, might as well get the one with your favorite units and pools, as the drive won't matter. Take your time, tho, and talk to owners while visiting. Good luck, jme