Harbour Pointe & Sunset Point question

[DeeCee]

Hi everyone. Just looking at the HHI Marriott's and I see Harbour Point/Sunset Point is located at Shelter Cove. Are they two separate resorts? If so, what are the MF's on Sunset Point legacy weeks? I see the MF thread but only see Harbour Point listed. Also, are the MF different for each different season? I'm curious about Sunset Point MF's for Gold Season. What beach do owners at this resort use? My cousin is looking at resale weeks and since I actually consider doing this kind of research not only educational, but fun as well, I thought I'd ask some questions on her behalf.

Any info is appreciate. TIA
Dee

 

[SueDonJ]

They are two separate resorts as far as MF's which differ from each other. If they're both not reported in the MF's sticky thread then maybe a Sunset Pointe owner who sees this will add to that thread. South Carolina does not allow MF's to be differentiated by season or view, only by unit size. I believe that all units at both Harbour Point and Sunset Pointe are 2BR units. They're small, though, and I don't know if the 2nd bedrooms still have two twin beds or if that's been changed in recent refurbishments.

For all other practical purposes they're the same resort, or at least they share the same footprint and limited amenities with their Activities Schedules combined into one. I don't know if they have beach access through any of the private properties in Palmetto Dunes or other MVC resorts that are on the beach side of the island - it wouldn't surprise me if that's the case but I just don't know if it is. If they don't have that access, there are plenty of public access points all up and down the coast plus the Palmetto Dunes area free Dunes Buggy can be used.

The Shelter Cove resorts are my favorite for off-season stays because the views of Broad Creek are fantastic, the birding is great (the largest flock of migrating cedar waxwings I've ever seen hung around for a few days in the trees just outside our 4th-floor unit one January,) and the whole Shelter Cove area has gone through a rebirth with many restaurants and activity spots within walking/biking distance. The town's Arts Center is right there, too. In-season I'd miss the beach access just off the property line but I wouldn't hate it, and the fact that you can see the Shelter Cove fireworks that go off every Tuesday night in-season from right there on property is great!

 

[Swice]

Adding to what Sue said: We've stayed there once. There was a shuttle that would drive you across the street to a beach access point. However, we found it easier to drive our car to that access point. I am trying to recall-- seems like our Marriott parking pass got us into the beach parking lot... BUT, there was limited parking. Depending on time of the year, I think the shuttle would be the only practical option to get to the beach. If walking out of your door and touching sand in a matter of minutes is a big deal for you, then you may want to consider something else. However, some like being about to walk around the shopping and residential area.

 

[Superchief]

There are also four different villa layouts of various sizes at Harbor Pointe. I am curious regarding whether there is/was a difference in cost to purchase week for the larger size units. I was told that they try to assign the owners villas that match their ownership, but it isn't guaranteed.

 

[dgf15215]

My wife and I have been at Harbour Point at least a handful of times but never at Sunset Point. In the off-season, the parking across the road on the beach is generally very accessible but if that lot is full, you're plum out of luck. I walk there and it's a long walk, an easy bike ride. I've been at different layouts at Harbour Point over the years, but overall I'd say that compared to the four or five other HH locations we've been at, it's quieter, the view is very relaxing over the water and it's an easy walk towards the Harbourside III area at Shelter Cove which has a variety of restaurants and shops including one of best French bakeries we've ever been at. The Disney Resort is just across the channel from Shelter Cove. And I might point out that while it's a long walk to the beach, some of the other HH properties have what seem to be just as long a walk from many of the properties. I think that it's the least expensive points-wise than any of the other HH properties.

 

[SueDonJ]

My wife and I have been at Harbour Point at least a handful of times but never at Sunset Point. In the off-season, the parking across the road on the beach is generally very accessible but if that lot is full, you're plum out of luck. I walk there and it's a long walk, an easy bike ride. I've been at different layouts at Harbour Point over the years, but overall I'd say that compared to the four or five other HH locations we've been at, it's quieter, the view is very relaxing over the water and it's an easy walk towards the Harbourside III area at Shelter Cove which has a variety of restaurants and shops including one of best French bakeries we've ever been at. The Disney Resort is just across the channel from Shelter Cove. And I might point out that while it's a long walk to the beach, some of the other HH properties have what seem to be just as long a walk from many of the properties. I think that it's the least expensive points-wise than any of the other HH properties.

I don't know how long a walk it is to the beach from the two resorts in Sea Pines that aren't on the beach, Harbour Club and Heritage Club. But there's no way that the walk from Harbour Point or Sunset Pointe in the Shelter Cove area across 278 to the beach is shorter than or the same as the walk from the furthest gardenview units at any of the four that are on the beach. Those include Monarch, Grand Ocean, SurfWatch and Barony Beach, with SW and Barony having the gardenview units set back the furthest. Consider that if you're walking from Shelter Cove you have to walk through the area between the edge of Broad Creek where the resorts sit out to the entrance on 278, then cross 278, then walk through the neighborhood areas before you come to the entrance to either of those resorts, then walk through the resorts. Some think the gardenview areas of SW and Barony are too far from the beach, sure, but they're not that far away!

Our off-season stays using DC Points or cash have been a true bargain because we booked close enough to the check-in dates to use discount rates. I think availability lately has been impacted by all the people trying to use expiring DC Points affected by COVID cancellations, but eventually things should normalize.

 

[jme]

This link might be helpful.
It's the most reasonable WALK to the beach, seeing as how you won't have to cross over the golf course if taking a direct route.
Anyway, 36 minutes and 1.8 miles........If biking, it would be even quicker.
Not sure if I would want to walk or bike, but it does show the logistics of doing so.

Marriott Hilton Head Resort & Spa to Marriott's Harbour Point and Sunset Pointe at Shelter Cove

goo.gl

 

[ilene13]

There are also four different villa layouts of various sizes at Harbor Pointe. I am curious regarding whether there is/was a difference in cost to purchase week for the larger size units. I was told that they try to assign the owners villas that match their ownership, but it isn't guaranteed.

We bought a week at Harbour Pointe in 1984 from the original developer . It was one of the larger units and it was a fixed week 26. It was more expensive to buy that unit, as they were priced by size and week. A few years later the developer went bankrupt, just as they were going to start phase 2. Marriott took over the property and Sunset Pointe was built where phase 2 was supposed to be. Originally there were issues about the amenities as Marriott was letting Sunset Pointe owners and guests use the ones at Harbour Pointe. They were supposed to build more. We sold our unit and were founding owners at the Grande Ocean. There used to be a beach club next to the Marriott Hotel (was the Hyatt in 1984) that was designated for our use.

 

[Superchief]

We bought a week at Harbour Pointe in 1984 from the original developer . It was one of the larger units and it was a fixed week 26. It was more expensive to buy that unit, as they were priced by size and week. A few years later the developer went bankrupt, just as they were going to start phase 2. Marriott took over the property and Sunset Pointe was built where phase 2 was supposed to be. Originally there were issues about the amenities as Marriott was letting Sunset Pointe owners and guests use the ones at Harbour Pointe. They were supposed to build more. We sold our unit and were founding owners at the Grande Ocean. There used to be a beach club next to the Marriott Hotel (was the Hyatt in 1984) that was designated for our use.

After Marriott took over the resort, did you typically get the larger unit size assigned when you stayed there? Was there any designation indicating the size you owned? I would be upset if I had purchased the larger unit and paid a premium but then was randomly assigned any unit size during my owned week.

 

[SueDonJ]

After Marriott took over the resort, did you typically get the larger unit size assigned when you stayed there? Was there any designation indicating the size you owned? I would be upset if I had purchased the larger unit and paid a premium but then was randomly assigned any unit size during my owned week.

I think that like Monarch, with both of them developed/sold prior to Marriott Vacation Club taking them over, Harbour Point owners have fixed Weeks and fixed Units.

 

[dgf15215]

Thanks for that. It is really a nice walk assuming you either like walking or force yourself to walk whether you really love it or not. Apart from the detail that normally I'm walking to the beach by the Dunes House Restaurant, you have the path exactly as I walk it. And I was sure that it wasn't that far because walking to the beach and back is barely 4 miles and I try to walk over 4 miles daily, weather permitting. Heck, here at Ocean Point I'm at 5 miles.

 

[dgf15215]

I don't know how long a walk it is to the beach from the two resorts in Sea Pines that aren't on the beach, Harbour Club and Heritage Club. But there's no way that the walk from Harbour Point or Sunset Pointe in the Shelter Cove area across 278 to the beach is shorter than or the same as the walk from the furthest gardenview units at any of the four that are on the beach. Those include Monarch, Grand Ocean, SurfWatch and Barony Beach, with SW and Barony having the gardenview units set back the furthest. Consider that if you're walking from Shelter Cove you have to walk through the area between the edge of Broad Creek where the resorts sit out to the entrance on 278, then cross 278, then walk through the neighborhood areas before you come to the entrance to either of those resorts, then walk through the resorts. Some think the gardenview areas of SW and Barony are too far from the beach, sure, but they're not that far away!

Our off-season stays using DC Points or cash have been a true bargain because we booked close enough to the check-in dates to use discount rates. I think availability lately has been impacted by all the people trying to use expiring DC Points affected by COVID cancellations, but eventually things should normalize.

You are most likely right on that point but I'll be in HH in April and will test the furthest walk at Barony. Is there another HH location I should be looking at for a distance to the beach measurement? The map that JME laid out is exactly how I walk it and is only 1.8 miles by Google. I do recall that my walk to and back the Dunes Restaurant access to the beach is less than 4 miles, I need to walk on the beach and then some to get to 4.

 

[SueDonJ]

You are most likely right on that point but I'll be in HH in April and will test the furthest walk at Barony. Is there another HH location I should be looking at for a distance to the beach measurement? The map that JME laid out is exactly how I walk it and is only 1.8 miles by Google. I do recall that my walk to and back the Dunes Restaurant access to the beach is less than 4 miles, I need to walk on the beach and then some to get to 4.

I'm not sure I understand? You're saying it's 1.8 miles from the Shelter Cove resorts to the beach and you're wondering how the distance from Barony's gardenview buildings to the beach compares with that 1.8?

There's no comparison. Here's the map that shows Barony's two gardenview buildings set back behind the Westin Hotel (that's adjacent to the main Barony campus.) It's a matter of minutes to walk to the beach from there, not miles. Another way to look at is this map of Hilton Head Island - Barony Beach is situated in the green Port Royal area adjacent to the beach and the Shelter Cove resorts are situated in the purple Palmetto Dunes area adjacent to Broad Creek.

If I'm misunderstanding and you're talking about the other HHI resorts that aren't adjacent to the beach, Harbour Club and Heritage Club in Sea Pines, then the walking distance from those to the nearest beach might be comparable to the distance from Shelter Cove to the beach. But I don't know how beach access from those resorts works.

 

[Superchief]

Thanks for that. It is really a nice walk assuming you either like walking or force yourself to walk whether you really love it or not. Apart from the detail that normally I'm walking to the beach by the Dunes House Restaurant, you have the path exactly as I walk it. And I was sure that it wasn't that far because walking to the beach and back is barely 4 miles and I try to walk over 4 miles daily, weather permitting. Heck, here at Ocean Point I'm at 5 miles.

You are like my brother and his wife. They probably walk 10 miles per day and really enjoy walking trails around Hilton Head when they visit with me in Feb. When we stay at Harbor Pointe, we walk to Kroger and most restaurants. Even Santa Fe and Sea Grass Grill aren't too far and it is easier to walk than find parking. The only challenge is crossing 278. The walk back is a good way to burn off the food and wine.

 

[SueDonJ]

You are like my brother and his wife. They probably walk 10 miles per day and really enjoy walking trails around Hilton Head when they visit with me in Feb. When we stay at Harbor Pointe, we walk to Kroger and most restaurants. Even Santa Fe and Sea Grass Grill aren't too far and it is easier to walk than find parking. The only challenge is crossing 278. The walk back is a good way to burn off the food and wine.

There's an underpass at the Palmetto Dunes entrance so you can avoid crossing the 278 traffic. I found a video here. On the beach side look for the signs that say something like "Bike Path to Shelter Cove" and on the Shelter Cove side look for the signs that something like "Bike Path to the beach." They've done some recent bike path updates so the signs might be different from what I remember.

 

[Dean]

There are also four different villa layouts of various sizes at Harbor Pointe. I am curious regarding whether there is/was a difference in cost to purchase week for the larger size units. I was told that they try to assign the owners villas that match their ownership, but it isn't guaranteed.

As noted they are fixed week and fixed unit and they almost always assign to the unit for exchanges basically always do for owned weeks. Historically there has been a cost difference buying resale. A & B units are roughly the same price, C somewhat less and D even less. For exchanging it doesn't matter as II treats them all the same, IMO it makes a big difference if using the week. If one is buying they need to know what unit type they are getting and the best way to do so is to get the unit number and check against the layout.

 

[ilene13]

After Marriott took over the resort, did you typically get the larger unit size assigned when you stayed there? Was there any designation indicating the size you owned? I would be upset if I had purchased the larger unit and paid a premium but then was randomly assigned any unit size during my owned week.

We always went our fixed week, so we got our fixed unit!

 

[dgf15215]

You are like my brother and his wife. They probably walk 10 miles per day and really enjoy walking trails around Hilton Head when they visit with me in Feb. When we stay at Harbor Pointe, we walk to Kroger and most restaurants. Even Santa Fe and Sea Grass Grill aren't too far and it is easier to walk than find parking. The only challenge is crossing 278. The walk back is a good way to burn off the food and wine.

I can walk all I'm able to, never quite enough to burn off what I'm eating and drinking <g>.

 

[DeeCee]

Thank you everyone for great information!! We do own at Surfwatch, in a garden villa. I love the walk through the resort grounds down to the beach, but the garden villas are set back the furthest on the property. I don't think it's more than a 7 minute walk, maybe a little more than 1/4 mile. If we're not into walking it, they will take us down in a golf cart. I'm usually the one that chooses the short walk more than anyone else in my travel party. The grounds are just so pretty.

Also, thank you for the info on the unit sizes and the shared amenities between both Harbour/Sunset Point resorts. I'm sure all the Marriott's are beautiful and was interested in these Shelter Cove resorts as we've stayed in Disney's HH resort a few times in the past and we like the Shelter Cove area. We own DVC but don't use it for HH usually. So....I was looking at resale weeks in the Marriott's on HH. We use our Surfwatch week for Springtime, actually Spring, (Easter/Passover week). It's our favorite time of year to be there. That being said, we have also vacationed on HH in October and would love another week for that month! In a perfect world......

Again, thanks for all the info. Much appreciated.
Dee

 

[kozykritter]

Which buildings belong to which resort at Harbor/Sunset? If you are standing in the parking lot looking towards the water, I think someone said that the three buildings on the left belong to Harbor Pointe and the two buildings on the right is Sunset. Is that correct? I'd like to stay in the quietest part of the two resorts the furthest away from the parking lot and Shelter Cove Lane

 

[jmmoultn]

We used to own a "Sport" week at Sunset Pointe. We visited the resort a few times, and liked the resort and its location (though we didn't walk to any beaches -- I believe they had a shuttle, though). We got some decent trades over the years for it through II. When Marriott began the DP program, the week only exchanged for something like 650 points. Since the MFs were $1500+ (even a few years back), we figured it was cheaper to rent a week, use getaways or get a week there, or just the days we want, with DPs, so we deeded the week back to MVCI.

 

[dvc_john]

Which buildings belong to which resort at Harbor/Sunset? If you are standing in the parking lot looking towards the water, I think someone said that the three buildings on the left belong to Harbor Pointe and the two buildings on the right is Sunset. Is that correct? I'd like to stay in the quietest part of the two resorts the furthest away from the parking lot and Shelter Cove Lane

In looking at the map with the directions to the beach posted by jme above (in post #7), I believe that the 3 buildings with the orange colored roofs are Harbour Point and the 2 buildings with the brown/grey colored roofs are Sunset Point.

Someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[Fasttr]

Which buildings belong to which resort at Harbor/Sunset? If you are standing in the parking lot looking towards the water, I think someone said that the three buildings on the left belong to Harbor Pointe and the two buildings on the right is Sunset. Is that correct? I'd like to stay in the quietest part of the two resorts the furthest away from the parking lot and Shelter Cove Lane

https://owners.marriottvacationclub.com/medias/8806557220894.pdf?context=bWFzdGVyfHJvb3R8Mjc4NzUyfGFwcGxpY2F0aW9uL3BkZnxoY2EvaDU5Lzg4MTYyNTQ0NTE3NDIucGRmfDJjZTVmYTBmZDMxOGYwNmZlZWRiOGY3Mjg3MjNhMjJiNmI2OTA0N2UzYzY2M2U2NmQ2NWVkZjBiNzA3OWFjN2Y

 

[kozykritter]

https://owners.marriottvacationclub.com/medias/8806557220894.pdf?context=bWFzdGVyfHJvb3R8Mjc4NzUyfGFwcGxpY2F0aW9uL3BkZnxoY2EvaDU5Lzg4MTYyNTQ0NTE3NDIucGRmfDJjZTVmYTBmZDMxOGYwNmZlZWRiOGY3Mjg3MjNhMjJiNmI2OTA0N2UzYzY2M2U2NmQ2NWVkZjBiNzA3OWFjN2Y

Thanks!