Which Marriott in Hilton Head?

Would like to go to Hilton Head and wondering which resort would be better..Grand Ocean,Surfwatch or Barony? We are family of 5 with the kids being 4,8 and 10. Are they all on the beach?

Thank you.

Don't forget the sleeper; Monarch. It is located on the beach in Sea Pines.

Surfwatch has a long hike to the beach, however the Villas are quite nice and the newest of all of them.

Barony and Grande Ocean are nicely located.

Monarch is the oldest of all of them.

We actually stayed at Monarch when my first child was 9 months old. I forgot about that one.

Our favorites in order are SurfWatch, Barony and GO (haven't seen Monarch up close) but I think you really can't go wrong with any of the three. SurfWatch's pool at the center of the resort might appeal to your youngsters more because it has one of those fountain play areas alongside. Some folks say that GO's beach area gets more crowded than the others because it is in a more congested island area, but that also means that GO's location is more convenient to island activities.

If you use the Search function there have been a ton of threads comparing the Hilton Head properties. Here's one to get you started.

For location and beach access - Monarch
For amenities - Surf Club
For best mix of both - Grande Ocean
For getting away from the crowds - Barony Beach

The Grande Ocean beach area always seems more crowded due to it's proximity to public parking.

Monarch for being right on the beach and inside Sea Pines for bike riding and easy access to Harbour Town and South Beach. Older resort though.

ecwinch said:

Monarch for being right on the beach and inside Sea Pines for bike riding and easy access to Harbour Town and South Beach. Older resort though.

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And I'll add that I did not like the fact that it had no snack bar, nothing open to get a drink or some food by the pool, and the MarketPlace in the lobby was closet-sized.

Location was good, as mentioned, since it's in Sea Pines. But nothing really within walking distance -- except BeachClub next door.

FlyerBobcat said:

And I'll add that I did not like the fact that it had no snack bar, nothing open to get a drink or some food by the pool, and the MarketPlace in the lobby was closet-sized.

Location was good, as mentioned, since it's in Sea Pines. But nothing really within walking distance -- except BeachClub next door.

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I am too economical to use any of those overpriced services, so that is actually a plus in my book.

No drink service = no problem bringing your own drinks and save big $$$$
No snack bar = no chance the wife & kids will run up a $40 lunch tab
No marketplace = no chance to buy small staples with a 200% markup

And I would rather drive to things I only occasionally need, then have to drive to the things I need daily. For me the Monarch is the optimal choice.

One man's candy is anothers poison.

Agree as to Monarch for reasons already detailed. Also you are about equidistant via bike between South Beach and Harbour Town.

George

ecwinch said:

One man's candy is anothers poison.

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I tend to be very economical most of the time -- but loosen up a bit on vacation.

I guess my point was more related to the fact that Monarch felt more like an apartment/condo complex than a resort. Of course, that's what some people are looking for....... but not me.

(Another thought..... maybe my expectations of Monarch were just too high.)

Thanks for all the opinions so far!

Here are a few photo threads:

Pictures / info from Grande Ocean

Pictures / info from SurfWatch

Link to Dougp26364's photos from Barony Beach

FlyerBobcat said:

I tend to be very economical most of the time -- but loosen up a bit on vacation.

I guess my point was more related to the fact that Monarch felt more like an apartment/condo complex than a resort. Of course, that's what some people are looking for....... but not me.

(Another thought..... maybe my expectations of Monarch were just too high.)

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We're economical at home all the time, probably go out to a restaurant only three or four times a year. We cook supper every day but very rarely do all four of us sit down together for the meal - there's always at least one plate being re-heated in the microwave. Sunday dinner is the only consistent meal we all eat together, but we all love our Sundays in the kitchen.

While on vacation we budget for the extra things like sitting at the pool bar at Barony and grabbing a burger/beer for lunch or renting one of the cabanas with stocked fridges at SurfWatch for one or two days. But even there, we make good use of the grills/kitchens and "eat in" four or five nights of seven. Vacation is the only time we get to sit around the table for as much time as we like. It's like a whole week of Sunday dinners.

We also love chatting with strangers and sharing ideas about things to do locally, which is very easy to do at the resorts with grill areas and pool bars, etc. The "apartment complex style" does not sound appealing at all.

FlyerBobcat said:

I guess my point was more related to the fact that Monarch felt more like an apartment/condo complex than a resort. Of course, that's what some people are looking for....... but not me.

(Another thought..... maybe my expectations of Monarch were just too high.)

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See what you have done. Now Sue thinks the Monarch is some Section 8 Apartment complex.

I think that comparison is a little harsh. By that standard there are only 3 MVCI timeshares on HHI. So stay elsewhere if...
you do not like walking out your door and being 100' from the beach
you do not want to keep your kids safe by riding on separate bike paths
you want to pay $5 to visit the nicer parts of Hilton Head

In my mind Sea Pines is Hilton Head. The other areas are just the suburbs. JMO

Are the cabanas at the pool or the beach? How much does that cost and what comes in the fridge?

SueDonJ said:

We're economical at home all the time, probably go out to a restaurant only three or four times a year. We cook supper every day but very rarely do all four of us sit down together for the meal - there's always at least one plate being re-heated in the microwave. Sunday dinner is the only consistent meal we all eat together, but we all love our Sundays in the kitchen.

While on vacation we budget for the extra things like sitting at the pool bar at Barony and grabbing a burger/beer for lunch or renting one of the cabanas with stocked fridges at SurfWatch for one or two days. But even there, we make good use of the grills/kitchens and "eat in" four or five nights of seven. Vacation is the only time we get to sit around the table for as much time as we like. It's like a whole week of Sunday dinners.

We also love chatting with strangers and sharing ideas about things to do locally, which is very easy to do at the resorts with grill areas and pool bars, etc. The "apartment complex style" does not sound appealing at all.

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ecwinch,

There are dedicated bike paths all over HHI- not just in Sea Pines- you can ride from one end of the island to other if you want to. I guess the advantage of Sea Pines is that they are very picturesque and the traffic is (supposed) to be slower there. We stayed at Monarch too and liked it very much- we were lucky and traded into a unit that had views of the beach. If we had been in the back of the resort I don't think we would have liked it so much- the hike from the back units to the beach seemed just as far as at Surfwatch which everyone complains about. IMHO

tlwmkw

ecwinch said:

See what you have done. Now Sue thinks the Monarch is some Section 8 Apartment complex.

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BWAHahahahahahahahaaa!! Not quite that extreme, but I do think that Monarch sounds too quiet for what we like out of our beach vacations. I would be more than willing to give it a try, though, if my other choices weren't available. How's that?

ecwinch said:

I think that comparison is a little harsh. By that standard there are only 3 MVCI timeshares on HHI. So stay elsewhere if...
you do not like walking out your door and being 100' from the beach
you do not want to keep your kids safe by riding on separate bike paths
you want to pay $5 to visit the nicer parts of Hilton Head

In my mind Sea Pines is Hilton Head. The other areas are just the suburbs. JMO

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In my mind SurfWatch is the best place to stay on Hilton Head, Sea Pines is a nice place to visit.

disneydor said:

Are the cabanas at the pool or the beach? How much does that cost and what comes in the fridge?

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I'm terrible at describing things. These pics aren't the best but they're all I have.

This is the view from the SW Oceanvista building closest to the ocean:


Out there at the oceanside pool area is the pool (duh), the cabanas, the pool bar with several nice seating areas, restrooms, and another short boardwalk to the beach. The cabanas are to the left as soon as you enter the pool deck area. They're 12x12, I think? In front of them there is another good 12' of open decking with steps down to the actual pool. The pool bar is the closest area to the beach.

This is a view of the cabanas from the boardwalk:


Rentals are pricey. Back in 2007, which was the last time we were there, prices ranged from $49/day (attendant assistance for refreshments upon request, two chaise lounges, a chair and small table, in either of the two cabanas set apart from the pool) to $59 (same attendant assistance, a few more lounge chairs, fridge stocked with your choice of cold non-alcoholic drinks, electrical access, wireless internet and privacy shades, in one of the poolside cabanas) to $79 (same, with two take-home "SurfWatch" beach towels.) Our experience is that the attendants earn their salary and their tips - they were VERY attentive. I'd guess that prices have gone up since 2007.

ecwinch said:

By that standard there are only 3 MVCI timeshares on HHI. So stay elsewhere if...
you do not like walking out your door and being 100' from the beach
you do not want to keep your kids safe by riding on separate bike paths
you want to pay $5 to visit the nicer parts of Hilton Head

In my mind Sea Pines is Hilton Head. The other areas are just the suburbs. JMO

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And for those that do not know, staying at Grande Ocean allows access to Sea Pines (without $5 charge) -- even though is located outside the gate....

Our resorts of choice are Grande Ocean, Barony Beach Club, The Harbour Club at Harbour Town, Heritage Club at Harbour Town and the Monarch at Sea Pines. We will probably book SurfWatch for either April or October for 2010. All the Marriott's on the Island are very nice even the old Swallowtail and Spicebush resort.

When we are playing golf the Harbour Town resorts would be high on our list of resorts to vacation.

I'm at Surfwatch right now and we have visited Grand Ocean, Baroney, Monarch, and the two Harbour Town villas. I'm extremely happy at Surfwatch because its much more spread out than the others we visited. It's not pushed up against another property and there is plently of green space between the buildings. This means less concrete and more nature. We love the building we are in because it is surrounded by trees, wetlands, and gardens. To us, Hilton Head is more about the natural "old south" habitat than the mud beach. We have seen a few hawks and many small colorful birds, turtles, lizards, and crabs. Yes there is a very short walk from the main campus to the beach pool and shore. However, the walk can be very interesting and entertaining as it is a boardwalk above/across a natural tidal marsh and tidal creek. For those opposed to the walk, the property provides a shuttle.

The property seems to be set-up very well for kids with programs offered every weekday. There is an indoor heated pool as well as an outdoor pool with water fountains for the smaller kids.

In my mind, Hilton Head is Port Royal. The old south. Old money. Old live oaks and tall pines. No tourists. No traffic jams.

tlwmkw said:

ecwinch,

There are dedicated bike paths all over HHI- not just in Sea Pines- you can ride from one end of the island to other if you want to. I guess the advantage of Sea Pines is that they are very picturesque and the traffic is (supposed) to be slower there. We stayed at Monarch too and liked it very much- we were lucky and traded into a unit that had views of the beach. If we had been in the back of the resort I don't think we would have liked it so much- the hike from the back units to the beach seemed just as far as at Surfwatch which everyone complains about. IMHO

tlwmkw

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My experience has been that the bike paths in the other areas of HHI are more a mix of shared roadways and separate bike paths. Plus the traffic factor you mention is critical when riding with small children. My then eight-year old daughter was almost hit on one. Since then we only ride on Sea Pines.

FlyerBobcat said:

And for those that do not know, staying at Grande Ocean allows access to Sea Pines (without $5 charge) -- even though is located outside the gate....

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I always wonder why Grande Ocean has that access and if it will go away in the future....

And I thought I read from another post that you had to rent bikes from the GO bike shop to get the gate code to go into Sea Pines.

ecwinch said:

I always wonder why Grande Ocean has that access and if it will go away in the future....

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Eric, I've wondered that also....

And I thought I read from another post that you had to rent bikes from the GO bike shop to get the gate code to go into Sea Pines.

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It might have been from this thread. Some good information there....

I have stayed at all of them except Surfwatch. I recently stayed at Monarch and are headed back to my favorite Barony in a week!

Grande Ocean and Barony would be choice #1 and #2. GO for being next to Sea Pines Bike paths and Coligny Circle. Both of these have multiple pools, activites and tot splash fountains. Barony I love as there are less building and it has a large gym and spa and larger lobby/concierge area/Marketplace.

Monarch-great beach location. Interiors were redone but the rooms are a little smaller than the Go/Barony. I enjoyed my stay. It is in Sea Pines and it is on the beach which is a big plus. The market place is teeny but that does not matter to me anyway. Really friendly staff and you can ride bikes in Sea Pines. In Sea Pines there is aslo Lawton Stables with pony rides and Harbortown with the nice playground and in the summer entertainment for the kids.

I do not like the SW location or the distance to the beach from the main buildings but others do. Some units have 3 bedrooms and it is the newest Marriott on the island so the interiors would be nice.

In any case these would be the resorts on my list. Hilton Head is so beautiful and relaxing you can't go wrong. Be aware you will become addicted to going there.

ecwinch said:

And I thought I read from another post that you had to rent bikes from the GO bike shop to get the gate code to go into Sea Pines.

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I was at GO last Dec during Christmas and received my Sea Pines pass for an entire week during my stay at check in. I planned to rent bikes on Christmas day (big mistake), they were closed.