We just got back from our trip to Hilton Head Island and I wanted to share my thoughts.
Although I had read all about the maturity of the trees at locations like Monarch and Grande Ocean, I must admit it was a little different to see it in person. It took only about 1 minute to get passed it, however. I love trees, but just wasn't used to seeing so many at a beachfront resort.
The Resort:
We stayed at Marriott's Monarch in unit 3616. As requested, we had a walkout first floor unit, and we loved everything about it. Yes, we were in the back of the resort, but since Monarch is so small, no one ever complained about the walk. We could even look through (beneath) the tress and see the ocean. The well maintained grounds and walkways were great.
The rooms at the resort must have recently gone through a major upgrade, because the units were like new on the inside. Very nicely appointed. I did not like the room layout at all. The 2 twin bed arrangement in the 2nd bedroom was not ideal. We had 6 people and 2 of them had to sleep in the living area. The typical Marriott floor plan works much better for us with it’s 3-part, bedroom, living, bedroom layout. Those typically have sleeper sofas in both the 2nd bedroom and the living room.
The lack of a bar and grill was not an issue once we discovered the Beach Club next door. The resort did cook hamburgers and hot dogs for lunch one day and I think fish another day.
All in all, Monarch owners should be proud to have such a nice, well maintained resort. This resort is 30 years old and you couldn't tell it.
The Beach:
Upon arrival and after walking out to the beach for the first time ever in South Carolina, I must admit that I was disappointed with the beach and the water. The water was exactly like that in Galveston, where we own a beach house. There was little to no clarity beyond about 12-16”. The water on HHI was not even close to being comparable to the waters of the Florida Panhandle, South Florida Atlantic coast, or Hawaii. In Panama City Beach you can see your toes. Because of the flat beach and big tides, most of the sand was wet and flattened.
The Location:
I was apprehensive about the fact that Monarch was is Sea Pines, a very large mostly residential neighborhood. I can’t tell you how pleasantly surprised we were in a good way. Those people flock to the beach in droves. Because of the neighborhood’s Beach Club being next door the beaches were absolutely packed everyday. My DD’s like “packed”.
Being in a guarded neighborhood, the quality of people on the beach was second to none we had ever seen. Although I didn't, I would have felt comfortable leaving my wallet and cell phone lying on a towel as I swam in the ocean. Lot’s of great families.
We drove down to Barony one day and visited the beach there. We didn’t ask permission or have any wristbands, we just went. My DD’s were so happy we were at Monarch, as the beach at Barony with the large Westin next door, was sparsely populated compared to where we were staying.
I knew that bike riding was a big deal on HHI, but from what we saw, it pretty much was the mode of transportation in the 5200 acres of Sea Pines. We joined the crowd and started biking and riding the trolley. Lot’s of fun.
Without getting into all the activities that we experienced and didn’t experience, all in all we thought HHI was a fantastic place for a family vacation and would love to go back with more family members and inlaws. What a sight it was to see so many 3 generation families together. I hope to do the same one day.
Although I had read all about the maturity of the trees at locations like Monarch and Grande Ocean, I must admit it was a little different to see it in person. It took only about 1 minute to get passed it, however. I love trees, but just wasn't used to seeing so many at a beachfront resort.
The Resort:
We stayed at Marriott's Monarch in unit 3616. As requested, we had a walkout first floor unit, and we loved everything about it. Yes, we were in the back of the resort, but since Monarch is so small, no one ever complained about the walk. We could even look through (beneath) the tress and see the ocean. The well maintained grounds and walkways were great.
The rooms at the resort must have recently gone through a major upgrade, because the units were like new on the inside. Very nicely appointed. I did not like the room layout at all. The 2 twin bed arrangement in the 2nd bedroom was not ideal. We had 6 people and 2 of them had to sleep in the living area. The typical Marriott floor plan works much better for us with it’s 3-part, bedroom, living, bedroom layout. Those typically have sleeper sofas in both the 2nd bedroom and the living room.
The lack of a bar and grill was not an issue once we discovered the Beach Club next door. The resort did cook hamburgers and hot dogs for lunch one day and I think fish another day.
All in all, Monarch owners should be proud to have such a nice, well maintained resort. This resort is 30 years old and you couldn't tell it.
The Beach:
Upon arrival and after walking out to the beach for the first time ever in South Carolina, I must admit that I was disappointed with the beach and the water. The water was exactly like that in Galveston, where we own a beach house. There was little to no clarity beyond about 12-16”. The water on HHI was not even close to being comparable to the waters of the Florida Panhandle, South Florida Atlantic coast, or Hawaii. In Panama City Beach you can see your toes. Because of the flat beach and big tides, most of the sand was wet and flattened.
The Location:
I was apprehensive about the fact that Monarch was is Sea Pines, a very large mostly residential neighborhood. I can’t tell you how pleasantly surprised we were in a good way. Those people flock to the beach in droves. Because of the neighborhood’s Beach Club being next door the beaches were absolutely packed everyday. My DD’s like “packed”.
Being in a guarded neighborhood, the quality of people on the beach was second to none we had ever seen. Although I didn't, I would have felt comfortable leaving my wallet and cell phone lying on a towel as I swam in the ocean. Lot’s of great families.
We drove down to Barony one day and visited the beach there. We didn’t ask permission or have any wristbands, we just went. My DD’s were so happy we were at Monarch, as the beach at Barony with the large Westin next door, was sparsely populated compared to where we were staying.
I knew that bike riding was a big deal on HHI, but from what we saw, it pretty much was the mode of transportation in the 5200 acres of Sea Pines. We joined the crowd and started biking and riding the trolley. Lot’s of fun.
Without getting into all the activities that we experienced and didn’t experience, all in all we thought HHI was a fantastic place for a family vacation and would love to go back with more family members and inlaws. What a sight it was to see so many 3 generation families together. I hope to do the same one day.
. 
Over the last two years we have stayed at Harbour Point, Harbour Club, and Barony. Next March we head to Monarch and your post was appreciated.