Floating Weeks at Surf Watch

[dayooper]

Hello fellow Tuggers. I've been a member here since 2018 but usually stick to the HGVC forums as that's what I own. My family and I really love Hilton Head and it's been getting harder and harder to book Ocean Oak so I'm exploring other ways to own there. I'm noticing there are floating weeks at Surf Watch and wonder how those work for us. If you all would be so kind and answer a few questions for me?

1. How do those weeks work? Are there any fixed weeks? I don't see any fixed weeks on Redweek but that doesn't mean there aren't any. Would it be difficult to book in the last couple weeks of June (weeks 25 or 26)?
2. For those rare occasions when we aren't going to HHI, would those weeks give us good trades in Interval International?
3. What should a floating 2 bedroom "high season" week at Surf Watch cost on the resale market? I'm noticing quite a few in the $6000 - $7000 range for a 2 bedroom in the "High" Season. Is that a decent price?
4. How does Surf Watch rank in popularity among the Marriott HHI resorts? I'm assuming that Grand Ocean is the most popular but I'm unfamiliar with Marriott as a whole.
5. I also saw some floating weeks at Sea Pines but they all list the second bedroom as having 2 twins. Do any of the 2 bedroom units at Sea Pines have 2 queens?

Thanks for your help.

 

[dioxide45]

There were no fixed weeks or even event weeks at Surfwatch. You can find the resort calendar here. Since Marriott was stil sane when they created the seasons at the Hilton Head Island Resorts, the normal platinum season makes getting reservations much easier than other resorts like Newport Coast Villas where the Platinum season goes way into non peak time fall weeks.

You should be able to get relativly good trade value in II, but being a non lockoff resort using II probably isn't best. You are better to reserve a good week and rent it out for cash.

Surfwatch is probably second or third on the popularity list. It either goes Grande Ocean, Barony Beach Club and Surfwatch or Grande Ocean, Surfwatch and Barony Beach Club. Some people prefer Surfwatch to both. Always personal preference.

Monarch does only have twin beds in the guest bedroom. There are no exceptions but they do have one lone 3BR unit. I think the 3BR at Monarch was sold as fixed weeks.

 

[Dean]

Hello fellow Tuggers. I've been a member here since 2018 but usually stick to the HGVC forums as that's what I own. My family and I really love Hilton Head and it's been getting harder and harder to book Ocean Oak so I'm exploring other ways to own there. I'm noticing there are floating weeks at Surf Watch and wonder how those work for us. If you all would be so kind and answer a few questions for me?

1. How do those weeks work? Are there any fixed weeks? I don't see any fixed weeks on Redweek but that doesn't mean there aren't any. Would it be difficult to book in the last couple weeks of June (weeks 25 or 26)?
2. For those rare occasions when we aren't going to HHI, would those weeks give us good trades in Interval International?
3. What should a floating 2 bedroom "high season" week at Surf Watch cost on the resale market? I'm noticing quite a few in the $6000 - $7000 range for a 2 bedroom in the "High" Season. Is that a decent price?
4. How does Surf Watch rank in popularity among the Marriott HHI resorts? I'm assuming that Grand Ocean is the most popular but I'm unfamiliar with Marriott as a whole.
5. I also saw some floating weeks at Sea Pines but they all list the second bedroom as having 2 twins. Do any of the 2 bedroom units at Sea Pines have 2 queens?

Thanks for your help.

To add. The Platinum season at Surfwatch (and Barony) are weeks 22-34 while Grande Ocean is 24-34. That makes GO more valuable for Platinum and for Gold IMO. SW & Barony also have Garden View units. Here is a link to a recent post I did about my personal feelings on the resorts on the island https://tugbbs.com/forums/threads/h...-at-harbour-town-or-wait.381069/#post-3257399. You can probably get a Garden View Platinum week for $7-8K where Oceanside will be more in the $15K range and OF maybe $20K or more. Harbor Club and Heritage have 2 queens and huge units but are not on or at the beach. SW is the only MVC resort with 3BR save the lone unit at Monarch.

I think the 3BR at Monarch was sold as fixed weeks

It was, I almost bought Christmas week there many years ago. It was originally the developers personal unit as I understand it. One thing to keep in mind about all Sea Pines units is they do not follow the standard timeshare calendar, they are a week off from it.

 

[dougp26364]

When looking for a March week (not a high season), I noticed that Grand Ocean booked up first followed by SurfWatch and then Barony. Looking at April’s availability that order seems consistent with which resort has the least to most availability. Over the years it seems to me that’s been the pattern, but I don’t look at HHI all that often.

If I was thinking about buying a resale week based on exchange value or rental value, I’d probably put Grand Ocean first and SurfWatch next followed distantly by Barony.

 

[dioxide45]

Grande Ocean is right beside Ocean Oak. So if you like the location of Ocean Oak you may prefer Grande Ocean over Surfwatch. Grande Ocean stays also currently come with a day pass to Sea Pines. So no extra fees to enter Sea Pines when staying at Grande Ocean.

 

[dayooper]

If I were to buy a floating week at Surfwatch, what would be the reservation window? Assuming I can book as early as I could, how much time would I have before the points owners can book? Or are the points and weeks a different inventory?

 

[dioxide45]

If I were to buy a floating week at Surfwatch, what would be the reservation window? Assuming I can book as early as I could, how much time would I have before the points owners can book? Or are the points and weeks a different inventory?

Points and weeks is different inventory. You can generally make home week reservations 12 months out. Not exactly 12 months like HGVC or Vistana. They use inventory release calendars where an entire week of inventory is released on the same day.

 

[dayooper]

Grande Ocean is right beside Ocean Oak. So if you like the location of Ocean Oak you may prefer Grande Ocean over Surfwatch. Grande Ocean stays also currently come with a day pass to Sea Pines. So no extra fees to enter Sea Pines when staying at Grande Ocean.

GO was my initial thought (I knew it was right next door to Ocean Oak), but the cost is almost triple what Surfwatch is. Not saying that's the only factor, but it's important.

 

[dayooper]

Points and weeks is different inventory. You can generally make home week reservations 12 months out. Not exactly 12 months like HGVC or Vistana. They use inventory release calendars where an entire week of inventory is released on the same day.

With a place like Surfwatch (or GO/Barony), I assume there is quite a lot of platinum (is that a term MVC even uses) weeks remaining. Is that correct?

 

[Big Matt]

I would strongly suggest that you look at the resort maps for each. Surfwatch is not on the ocean although there is an elevated walk across the marsh to get to the ocean front bar/grill/pool area. Some folks love the woodsy feel of the resort. Barony is directly on the beach, but has a small footprint and you have to walk through parking lots to get to the four buildings closest to the ocean from the gardenview units. I love Barony as long as I'm not in the gardenview units. To me Monarch is a great resort. Yes, two twins in the second BR, but right on the ocean and next to the Sea Pines Beach Club. I don't like HH in the summer time due to crowds and the heat, but I go at least two times a year (this year for three total weeks in May and October). Grande Ocean Gold weeks might be a good option from a price perspective.

 

[dayooper]

I would strongly suggest that you look at the resort maps for each. Surfwatch is not on the ocean although there is an elevated walk across the marsh to get to the ocean front bar/grill/pool area. Some folks love the woodsy feel of the resort. Barony is directly on the beach, but has a small footprint and you have to walk through parking lots to get to the four buildings closest to the ocean from the gardenview units. I love Barony as long as I'm not in the gardenview units. To me Monarch is a great resort. Yes, two twins in the second BR, but right on the ocean and next to the Sea Pines Beach Club. I don't like HH in the summer time due to crowds and the heat, but I go at least two times a year (this year for three total weeks in May and October). Grande Ocean Gold weeks might be a good option from a price perspective.

With who we take, we can't do the 2 twins. Our adult children and their partners wouldn't have room. Since I'm a teacher and my wife's clients have specific dates where she needs to be available, we are stuck with a school schedule, at least for the next few years. In the future, GO gold seasons would be ideal for us, but we can't swing it right now.

 

[Dean]

If I was thinking about buying a resale week based on exchange value or rental value, I’d probably put Grand Ocean first and SurfWatch next followed distantly by Barony.

From an exchange standpoint Surfwatch and Barony would be much better due to the lower cost of garden view units but from a usage or rental standpoint Grande Ocean would be the top dog for the majority.

If I were to buy a floating week at Surfwatch, what would be the reservation window? Assuming I can book as early as I could, how much time would I have before the points owners can book? Or are the points and weeks a different inventory?

With a place like Surfwatch (or GO/Barony), I assume there is quite a lot of platinum (is that a term MVC even uses) weeks remaining. Is that correct?

As I noted above, Platinum season at Barony and Surfwatch starts 2 weeks earlier than Grande Ocean. That adds value and cost to Grande Ocean even for the same view type. All MVC resorts on HHI are somewhat difficult to reserve even at 12 months out, esp the three noted here. Assume you'll have to scramble for anything June through July with August opening up somewhat (Platinum season).

 

[dayooper]

From an exchange standpoint Surfwatch and Barony would be much better due to the lower cost of garden view units but from a usage or rental standpoint Grande Ocean would be the top dog for the majority.



As I noted above, Platinum season at Barony and Surfwatch starts 2 weeks earlier than Grande Ocean. That adds value and cost to Grande Ocean even for the same view type. All MVC resorts on HHI are somewhat difficult to reserve even at 12 months out, esp the three noted here. Assume you'll have to scramble for anything June through July with August opening up somewhat (Platinum season).

OK, even owning a floating week is difficult to book right when the window opens. Not sure I'm ok with that. I might have to explore a bit more here. Are there any tips or tricks to get the week you want?

 

[Dean]

OK, even owning a floating week is difficult to book right when the window opens. Not sure I'm ok with that. I might have to explore a bit more here. Are there any tips or tricks to get the week you want?

The best trick is to own more than one week where you can book at 13 months out or more. That gives you a better chance and a second chance to book. As long as it can be booked consecutively or concurrently it doesn't have to be the same resort or area. Otherwise it's understanding the booking window and doing so online at 12 months to the second. At 13 months out you have to call. An alternative for HHI is to buy a fixed week fixed unit option at Monarch or Harbor point but since those have twins in the second (sleep 6) that wouldn't work for you plus they are not up to the same standards as the big 3 we've been discussing. Timesharing requires a certain amount of flexibility. If one required a given resort and week you need to own in a way to reserve at or before 13 months out for HHI at least for the top 3 being discussed. If you have some flexibility it's more workable. The alternative is just to rent what/when you need and not worry about it otherwise. For those that have to wait on vacation scheduling or similar, they either need to book and hope for the best or not play in the timeshare sandbox.

 

[dioxide45]

From an exchange standpoint Surfwatch and Barony would be much better due to the lower cost of garden view units but from a usage or rental standpoint Grande Ocean would be the top dog for the majority.



As I noted above, Platinum season at Barony and Surfwatch starts 2 weeks earlier than Grande Ocean. That adds value and cost to Grande Ocean even for the same view type. All MVC resorts on HHI are somewhat difficult to reserve even at 12 months out, esp the three noted here. Assume you'll have to scramble for anything June through July with August opening up somewhat (Platinum season).

Are the big three that hard though? I always thought with the shorter platinum season (vs something like Newport Coast) that booking 12 months was easier?

 

[dayooper]

The best trick is to own more than one week where you can book at 13 months out or more. That gives you a better chance and a second chance to book. As long as it can be booked consecutively or concurrently it doesn't have to be the same resort or area. Otherwise it's understanding the booking window and doing so online at 12 months to the second. At 13 months out you have to call. An alternative for HHI is to buy a fixed week fixed unit option at Monarch or Harbor point but since those have twins in the second (sleep 6) that wouldn't work for you plus they are not up to the same standards as the big 3 we've been discussing. Timesharing requires a certain amount of flexibility. If one required a given resort and week you need to own in a way to reserve at or before 13 months out for HHI at least for the top 3 being discussed. If you have some flexibility it's more workable. The alternative is just to rent what/when you need and not worry about it otherwise. For those that have to wait on vacation scheduling or similar, they either need to book and hope for the best or not play in the timeshare sandbox.

I've played the game for several years now and am pretty good at working within the HGVC system. Up until this year, I have been able to get the week we need at the resort we want. Didn't happen this year but we got a great backup so we are happy. There are ways of getting those hard to get weeks within the HGVC system so I was wondering if there were shot cuts with MVC.

 

[Dean]

Are the big three that hard though? I always thought with the shorter platinum season (vs something like Newport Coast) that booking 12 months was easier?

For MGO certainly week 25 through 29 or so is difficult but maybe a little less for 24, 28 & 29. Weeks 30 to 34 are easier still. Gold week 23 may be as difficult at MGO as week 26 & 27 but I don't know for certain. I would suspect, but don't have experience, that the garden view units are easier to book at Barony and Surfwatch. Are Barony and SW more difficult with 12 weeks in Platinum vs 10, I can't say since MGO is Clearly more sought after for the weeks that overlap so this would likely overshadow the 10 vs 12 week difference in demand. One might look at Marriott.com prices to get further granularity on demand. I do think that a shorter season is easier compared to a longer one when there is a significant variability in demand for given weeks but that is less true for HHI than it might be for some other locations I believe.

I've played the game for several years now and am pretty good at working within the HGVC system. Up until this year, I have been able to get the week we need at the resort we want. Didn't happen this year but we got a great backup so we are happy. There are ways of getting those hard to get weeks within the HGVC system so I was wondering if there were shot cuts with MVC.

As long as you understand the system and have a backup plan, it'd be fine.

 

[WBP]

If view type was not an issue for you, and you were going to enroll your SurfWatch week in Interval International, and establish an I.I. membership, you could do an exchange of your second or third choice week, back into SurfWatch, through II, and so long as you are exchanging a comparable week, and you’ve given I.I. enough notice, and, ideally, more than one check-in date for the week of your choice, there is a good chance that you will get the week that you want, at SurfWatch. In our case, we would include Grande Ocean in our I.I. exchange request. If you are exchanging a week in the same season that you are seeking, you will likely benefit from the I.I./MVC Home Resort priority, an added benefit, beyond the internal to MVC exchange priority, within I.I.

I think what you are experiencing at Ocean Oak is a byproduct of the economy, and demand for Hilton Head Island, and an oceanfront resort on Hilton Head Island.

 

[ljmiii]

Resorts Owned: HGVC...

My family and I really love Hilton Head and it's been getting harder and harder to book Ocean Oak so I'm exploring other ways to own there...

1. For those rare occasions when we aren't going to HHI, would those weeks give us good trades in Interval International?...
2. How does Surf Watch rank in popularity among the Marriott HHI resorts? I'm assuming that Grand Ocean is the most popular but I'm unfamiliar with Marriott as a whole...

Certainly HGVC is a much easier system to use than MVC. Not only are you pretty much guaranteed your Home Week reservation but with a bit of planning (and walking) you can exchange into most of the non-affiliate resorts during Club Season. On the other hand making MVC reservations for the week you own is much more of a contact sport and trading through II is always a gamble that rewards patience and flexibility.

I assume you've looked into buying at Ocean Oak and found that for better or worse Strand Capital aggressively ROFRs the South Carolina properties. Much as I would love to own in Charleston, we've been ROFR'd out of Liberty Place and I've had to accept that I can't buy there at a price I'm willing to pay. Which leaves us with MVC...

Given what you have written, I would focus on buying the resort/villa/season you want and put aside II trading considerations. Surfwatch is the most divisive choice because the resort is nestled in the woods and everything but the pool and pool bar is separated from the beach by a beautiful marsh. We like it best...but would only consider owning/staying in the Ocean Vista villas in the Ocean Dunes building (which have beautiful views of the ocean overlooking the march).

We also like Barony but it is much more compact than Surfwatch (and similarly would only consider owning/staying in a Oceanfront villa).

Many people like Grand Ocean best...partly because of its proximity to Sea Pines. But we prefer the north end of HHI.

OK, even owning a floating week is difficult to book right when the window opens....Are there any tips or tricks to get the week you want?

As @Dean wrote the best 'tip or trick' to booking MVC is to own two weeks that you are willing to book consecutively or concurrently at 13 months...which is what we do in Hawaii. Otherwise, be prepared to make reservation at 9:00:00AM and hope for the best. Not that getting the week you want most is impossible...but if you don't have flexibility you may well be disappointed in your ownership.

 

[dayooper]

Thank you for all of your help! I love this community. It has helped me so much in the past on my quest of better vacations. I knew that you all would provide good advice and come at my questions from different angles. This is what I understand as of right now:

• Even if I owned a platinum week at one of the Big HHI Three, it would be difficult to book there in June, July and the first part of August.
• Garden View might be easier than partial ocean view, but still not guaranteed or even easy.
• Owning 2 weeks would give me a month advantage over those that owned only one week.
• The best bet would be to purchase a gold week as it would be easier to book.
• GO might be slightly easier than Surfwatch as there is a smaller platinum season so the platinum weeks are truly desirable and there are less owners vying for those weeks. Surfwatch and Barony have platinum weeks that are not really desirable so they rarely get booked early. More owners fighting for the best weeks.

HGVC and MVC weeks are very different systems and I think I need some more research before I even think of purchasing. If it's ok with you all, I might drop by and ask a few questions every once and awhile. I do have a couple right now. It was mentioned up above that if you own 2 weeks you get a 13 month priority booking window in the weeks inventory.

1. Do you have to book those back to back? Can I book the week at one resort and exchange the other?
2. Can the weeks be anywhere? Can I own at, let's say Surfwatch and Grand Chateau in Vegas and still get the 13 month priority window for my week at Surfwatch?
3. If I purchased a partial ocean view week, can I use that to book a garden view at that same resort?
4. There's no club to join with MVC weeks, correct?
5. Does owning the week come with an II membership and would I have to pay the yearly does if it does?

Here's my thought process as of right now, if I'm going to spend ~$20,000 for a resale week in HHI, I will just purchase at Ocean Oak. HGVC is a system I know and would add to my existing ownership. I know I can get the booking I want in club season (I can see what's available in my account). The only issue with this path is no access to II with a Marriot priority account and I'm not sure if I even need that at this point. We already have 2 weeks and would struggle to use up more points/weeks until I go into semi-retirement. I didn't start this research with II in mind, but it might be a nice bonus.

Thanks again for your help!

And one last thing: GO BLUE!

 

[Dean]

Personally I have a different take on your first section. I don't think GO is easier to book, I think it's more difficult. Gold would not be easier if you want June, it actually might be as or even more difficult especially for GO.

The weeks have to be concurrent or consecutive to book 13 months out. If the other week were a lock off you could start even a week earlier. Yes they can be anywhere as long as they can be booked the same weeks you need, they don't even have to be the same season as long as dates match up. Yes you can exchange one or more if you want. If you have resale weeks you have to purchase II privately on your own.

 

[dayooper]

Personally I have a different take on your first section. I don't think GO is easier to book, I think it's more difficult. Gold would not be easier if you want June, it actually might be as or even more difficult especially for GO.

The weeks have to be concurrent or consecutive to book 13 months out. If the other week were a lock off you could start even a week earlier. Yes they can be anywhere as long as they can be booked the same weeks you need, they don't even have to be the same season as long as dates match up. Yes you can exchange one or more if you want. If you have resale weeks you have to purchase II privately on your own.

Thanks, I thought I read above that they recommended GO because the platinum booking window more lined up to what people actually want to book, but I most definitely could have read that wrong. I'm not that interested in GO as I think Ocean Oak would suit me best and would be a similar resale price.

Could I book the consecutive weeks and then cancel the week I don't want later?

 

[Dean]

Could I book the consecutive weeks and then cancel the week I don't want later?

Yes though this may change later. If you cancel or change and the week is not enrolled, there are fees.

 

[Big Matt]

GO and the others are easy to get the last 2 or 3 weeks in August via II.

 

[ljmiii]

This is what I understand as of right now:

• Even if I owned a platinum week at one of the Big HHI Three, it would be difficult to book there in June, July and the first part of August.
  
  
• Owning 2 weeks would give me a month advantage over those that owned only one week

I would more say that it is difficult to book a specific week. If your travel plans are flexible and MVC's 12 month reservation will be the 'stake in the ground' that you can later plan your travels around (e.g. 9 month HGVC ressies) the lower cost of MVC HHI weeks might make it the better choice. And yes, owning two weeks gives you both the 13 month and 12 month opportunity to make that reservation. Note that only half the eligible weeks are made available at 13 months so multi-week owners can't take all the inventory.

HGVC and MVC weeks are very different systems and I think I need some more research before I even think of purchasing....

1. Do you have to book those back to back? Can I book the week at one resort and exchange the other?
2. Can the weeks be anywhere? Can I own at, let's say Surfwatch and Grand Chateau in Vegas and still get the 13 month priority window for my week at Surfwatch?
3. If I purchased a partial ocean view week, can I use that to book a garden view at that same resort?
4. There's no club to join with MVC weeks, correct?
5. Does owning the week come with an II membership and would I have to pay the yearly does if it does?

You need to book the weeks either concurrently or consecutively. And yes you can exchange the other.
Yes they can be at any resort.
No, you can only book the villa type, season, and resort at which you own (similar to Home Week reservations).
Correct, there is no MVC weeks club to join.
And lastly, if you buy a resale week on HHI you will have to pay separately for your II membership.

Here's my thought process as of right now, if I'm going to spend ~$20,000 for a resale week in HHI, I will just purchase at Ocean Oak....

The only issue with this path is no access to II with a Marriot priority account and I'm not sure if I even need that at this point...

Ocean Oak is a great resort and certainly would be easier to use...either as a Home Week reservation on HHI or as a Club Reservation elsewhere.

And if trading through II is an objective, you could/should buy a different MVC week that is much better for trading.