Grande Ocean showing its age, maybe it's just me

[dmharris]

Hi all, I've not been on Tug much in the past few months as I've been engaged otherwise, i.e. work, life. But we are on a two week vacation, first at Ocean Watch and now at Grande Ocean.

This is our fourth time here since 2007 and the property seems tired and very worn. Mainly outside the villa. Has anyone else felt that?

Maybe it's because we went to a presentation at Surfside and saw the new decor planned for all the villas. Has anyone seen it in a property? It is very upscale contemporary, appealing to a generation younger than me. Which is fine. It has a living room with a sectional sofa which is great but would be better if it wasn't so hard, but understand they have to do that for durability.

Of maybe it's because we were first at Ocean Watch which feels newer than Grande Ocean. Although tiles in the bathroom were badly in need of grouting.

Back to my original point, Grande Ocean grounds and buildings seem worn out and kinda dingy.

 

[Pompey Family]

Hi all, I've not been on Tug much in the past few months as I've been engaged otherwise, i.e. work, life. But we are on a two week vacation, first at Ocean Watch and now at Grande Ocean.

This is our fourth time here since 2007 and the property seems tired and very worn. Mainly outside the villa. Has anyone else felt that?

Maybe it's because we went to a presentation at Surfside and saw the new decor planned for all the villas. Has anyone seen it in a property? It is very upscale contemporary, appealing to a generation younger than me. Which is fine. It has a living room with a sectional sofa which is great but would be better if it wasn't so hard, but understand they have to do that for durability.

Of maybe it's because we were first at Ocean Watch which feels newer than Grande Ocean. Although tiles in the bathroom were badly in need of grouting.

Back to my original point, Grande Ocean grounds and buildings seem worn out and kinda dingy.

I agree with you. It was our first time to Grande Ocean this year and I didn't feel that it lived up to its hype. Yes it was a lovely resort and the location was great but our villa was very tired and dated. The bathroom was dingy and needed a good overhaul. The appliances looked as if they hadn't been changed since the early 90's and the balcony was in severe need of re-rendering and painting. None of this spoiled our holiday though as it was merely cosmetic and didn't affect our enjoyment of the resort.

I think some of the dinginess may be attributed to the trees, particularly around the central part however I like the trees and it reflects what Hilton Head is all about.

We had a quick tour of Surfwatch but we didn't see inside the villas however the outside decor and grounds looked very fresh and well maintained.

 

[Janette]

Maybe folks will stop requesting it so I can get multiple units for my family in the summer.

 

[skyequeen]

Also at Grand Ocean for 2 Weeks

We are at Grand Ocean now for 2 weeks and will return in January. When we checked in at night the unit seemed newer, but is is well maintained for all that though the shower needs updating soon. These are very spacious units and we are oceanfront and loving it. We have been to Surfwatch, but few units there are on the water. You have to take the shuttle or be driven or walk a bit to get to the beach, which just isn't the same, so we prefer the older Hilton Head resorts like Grand Ocean and Monarch for their location on lovely beaches and access to Sea Pines bike paths and more tropical foliage. We are also owners at OceanWatch which is so well cared for. But in winter Hilton Head is a very nice place to be and you feel like a resident. It is very relaxing. The more we come here, the more we like it and we didn't really expect that when we first visited off season. It grows on you.

 

[chalee94]

i just stayed at grande ocean the week before thanksgiving and royal palms in orlando the week after thanksgiving (last week).

one of the living room chairs at grande ocean was kaput (the cushion had collapsed) but the unit was generally in great shape - a tiny bit worn but no real issues. i had the worst unit location-wise at the resort and was probably still as close to the ocean as i was at surfwatch in one of the better units in the building nearest the ocean. (i still love surfwatch, though.)

OTOH, last week at royal palms was by far the worst marriott timeshare i've stayed at: the master shower didn't really drain, the 2nd bath toilet had flushing issues, the carpet in the living room was looking patchy in some areas, the paint on the door of the master bedroom was starting to peel, several of the walls looked worn and needed paint. also seemed to be thinner walls as there was a fair amount of traffic noise and noise from other guests.

the orlando trip wound up being a solo trip and that was a relief as i would have been embarrassed to have friends/family along. i noticed they were renovating one group of buildings at royal palms while i was there - i suspect my villa was next in line...(i did leave maintenance notes about the bathroom issues).

 

[jont]

Maybe folks will stop requesting it so I can get multiple units for my family in the summer.

Wishful thinking Janette

Like yogi says " It's so crowded nobody goes there anymore."

 

[MOXJO7282]

we prefer the older Hilton Head resorts like Grand Ocean and Monarch for their location on lovely beaches and access to Sea Pines bike paths and more tropical foliage.

Couldn't have said it better. Yes GO is an older resort but that is what we like about it. It has a special charm that the other HHI, as very nice as they are, have a little less, IMHO. For us its the closeness to the beach and all that mentioned above makes it a very special place indeed.