HILTON HEAD RESORTS - BEST ?

[Caseyblue]

We have never been to Hilton Head. We are an adult couple with no kids who enjoy golf & beach.

MVCI has several resorts there. Would appreciate any recommendations, pros, cons etc.
Thank You

 

[Fasttr]

I've always found this post to be a good summary of the Big 3. https://tugbbs.com/forums/index.php...endly-hilton-head-resort.195232/#post-1492915

This thread also has some good info in it....https://tugbbs.com/forums/index.php?threads/best-of-hilton-head.253540/

 

[SueDonJ]

Of the eight resorts on HHI four are directly on the beach, two are on Broad Creek in the Shelter Cove area (mid-island) and two are in Sea Pines (southernmost island location.) All eight have 2BR non-lockoff units; only SurfWatch has multiple 3BR units but Monarch has a single 3BR unit.

The island is fairly small and loaded with restaurants everywhere so proximity to good food shouldn't be an issue anywhere. (Check out Marty's HHI Restaurant Thread.)

On the beach, north-to-south: Barony Beach Club, SurfWatch, Grande Ocean and Monarch.

At Shelter Cove: Harbour Point, Sunset Pointe

At Sea Pines: Harbour Club, Heritage Club

If golf is a priority, all of them may be able to arrange discount fees at local courses but Heritage Club is the only one with a free golf program.

The "big three," Barony, SW and GO, are beautifully designed, have extensive pool areas and full Activity Schedules for all ages with both onsite and offsite options. The fourth beach resort, Monarch, is smaller than the others and is the oldest, but its location is perfect nearby the Coligny Circle tourist area.

The setting for the two Broad Creek resorts is perfect, mid-island nearby restaurants, shopping, the Arts Center, and Shelter Cove Towne Centre. The footprint fits right in to the island's natural eco-system. Off-beach season this is my favorite for a couple's stay.

Harbour Club sits square in Harbourtown overlooking the famed lighthouse with restaurants, bars, music and harbor activities just outside the door.

All that said, and taking into account first impressions, my personal favorite has always been SurfWatch because it's the one that makes the most of the natural setting throughout the resort. The footprint is large with tons of open space, which some consider a drawback because walking anywhere might take a few extra minutes. Don's is Barony Beach because of its amenities and because its Oceanfront units all directly face the ocean.

[Edited to add] Look through the info packet that you'll get when checking in to any of the eight for the extensive list of restaurants/local vendors which offer discounts if you show your Marriott keycard, and know that the onsite concierges can make many reservations for you even during the busiest times and/or for large parties. We take full advantage.

 

[jont]

Here we go again! the never ending debate is back

 

[tlwmkw]

Sue's summary is excellent. They are all really nice resorts. Big question is location- if beachfront then GO, Barony, Surfwatch, and Monarch. Of those Barony has the best nicest decor in the units at the moment. GO did a refurb recently but didn't do the bathrooms and they are pretty awful/dated. I haven't been at Monarch recently so can't say what that's like now. Other factors to consider- Monarch is actually in Sea Pines (it is the only one in Sea Pines) and that is a nice feature. GO is close to Sea Pines and the touristy area, Coligny. Barony and Surfwatch are mid island and not in the busy/crowded area around Coligny.
I haven't stayed at the non beach front resorts but I know folks who love them.

When considering you need to think what location suits you best and that should narrow down your choice. Honestly though, you can't go wrong with these resorts and they are all really nice. There will be many opinions about which is best and that opinion depends on what you value in a resort.

tlwmkw

 

[jme]

Any of the "Big Three" resorts would give you one of the most wonderful vacations you've ever had,
so pick one blindly if you want. You would still never go wrong. Look at the pictures, look at the resort maps,
look at the Googlemaps aerial views, and read online reviews.....maybe you'll get a flash of brilliance that will cause
you to be drawn to one more than the others. Regardless of where you stay, the island is small and you'll still be fairly close
to anything at any time.

The thing is, just go to Hilton Head. And when there, get out, explore, be adventurous, and you'll find "your spots".
And next thing you know, you'll return again and again.

 

[Swice]

All have some kind of advantage.
If you are going in the "off season," then I would give more consideration to the "best" list. Otherwise, you may not have much of a choice. If you plan to go during the warmer months, especially when schools are out," take whatever you can get!
using:
Interval: put a request in for all-- consider yourself blessed with whichever you get during the warm months
Points: I'd pick the property that maximizes my available points -- based on dates/days of the week.

 

[Fairwinds]

Great explanation from all, especially Jont. I’ve stayed many time but only in Barony, Surfwatch, Monarch, and Harbour Club. I loved each resort for different reasons. You can’t go wrong!

 

[AlmostRetired]

I have only stayed at three - Heritage (one time when I wanted the golf package and the course was right across the street), Grand Ocean (when I need to sleep 8) and the Monarch where I own (sleeps only 6). We enjoy Sea Pines and the surrounding area hence the reason for our choices. Biking, beach, relaxing by the pool and eating out are the main activities we enjoy. Crabbing at Harbour town comes in a distant second but a great activity for family bonding at any age. The biking on Sea Pines is second to none of all the timeshare locations. If you do not have little kids and do not need to be directly on the beach, the Heritage and Harbour Club are a 3 minute drive or 15 minute bike ride to the Sea Pines Beach Club. The beach club has the best lobster rolls I ever had. The Monarch is older, smaller and doesn't look like a Marriott because it wasn't built by Marriott. If the Marriott look and feel is important, you like a large property with bigger pools or want to sleep 4 in the second bedroom, rule out the Monarch. This all being said, the Grand Ocean is a can't miss.

I have seen the Surfwatch and Barony and they are fantastic looking resorts. We have never stayed because of our affinity towards the Sea Pines area. I have no doubt they offer a great vacation experience.

The answer comes down to what is important to you.

 

[Caseyblue]

Thanks to everyone for the great info!
What are things (weather) like in April/May and Oct/Nov ?

 

[Fairwinds]

Thanks to everyone for the great info!
What are things (weather) like in April/May and Oct/Nov ?

That’s my favorite time to visit. weather is just right for me (not muggy)perfect for bikes and golf. Butl I don’t mind the summer either because it’s vacation after all and I can just slow down or take a swim

 

[Big Matt]

I've stayed at all of them. Don't listen to the advice of any one person because some love one versus the other. Go read the reviews and also read up on Hilton Head in general. The island has very different vibes depending on what part you are on. You can go to ultra crowded to quiet based on location and season. There are lots of restaurants, but they are concentrated in a hand full of locations mainly on the main drag or around traffic circles. I can honestly say that I loved something about every one of them. That's a tall order.

 

[disneymom1]

Lots of great advice here!! You will get lots of opinions here, as people have their HHI favorites.
Grande Ocean, in my opinion, has the location advantage. All units are very close to the beach. GO is located near the entrance to Sea Pines. Upon check in, guests are given a Sea Pines pass for both car and bikes, which is great if you want to ride bikes in Sea Pines! There are shops and restaurants within walking distance. There are 3 outdoor pools. Lots of activities.
I agree with Sue - Surfwatch in my opinion is the most beautiful resort of the 4 beach front Marriotts, as it fits in with the natural setting. As it has a large footprint, some of the units are a bit of a distance from the beach (15-20 min walk), but some are closer. Surfwatch has 2 outdoor pools - one is by the beach. I feel these 2 pools can become a bit crowded during the peak summer season. Lots of activities.
Harbour Point and Sunset Point share amenities/pool and the resorts are located on Broad Creek. Beach is accessible by car, but during peak season there is a shuttle available. There are restaurants and shopping within walking distance at Shelter Cove.
Harbor Club is near the iconic Hilton Head lighthouse inside Sea Pines, as is Heritage Club. Both have shops and restaurants within walking distance. Both resorts are much smaller with fewer amenities.
I have never stayed at Barony, but it is also one of the "big three" beach front Marriotts. Barony has a spa onsite.
Hilton Head is great! You will have a great time no matter which resort you decide to stay at! Beaches are pristine. Lots of great restaurants.
Many golf courses to choose from. People are very friendly.

 

[pedro47]

IMHO, there are no bad Marriott’s Resorts on the island. I would refused to rank any of them. All are outstanding and we normally stay two consecutive week one week at GO and the second week at SurfWatch or maybe the Barony. All three resort will give you three different feels of the island. We loved all three because they will give & offer you something different. Just go and enjoy your vacation stay.

 

[bogey21]

We have never been to Hilton Head. We are an adult couple with no kids who enjoy golf & beach.

IMO Monarch is your best bet. You have a nice beach right at the Resort, the bike trail abuts the Resort and there is a golf course right across the street. Units are smaller than at the others but if there are only 2 of you and no kids, who cares about the size of the unit...

George

 

[Beachclubmum]

IMO Monarch is your best bet. You have a nice beach right at the Resort, the bike trail abuts the Resort and there is a golf course right across the street. Units are smaller than at the others but if there are only 2 of you and no kids, who cares about the size of the unit...

George

There's major construction going on there right now.

 

[pedro47]

Beachclubmum, What is the major construction project going at the Monarch.
We have never stayed at this Marriott.

 

[Beachclubmum]

I'm not a Marriott owner, so perhaps someone else can fill in the details. However I am in Sea Pines this weekend and walked past Monarch yesterday. It's a huge construction site right now, with fencing, workmen, noisy equipment and an alternative entrance into the parking lot.

 

[SueDonJ]

Beachclubmum, What is the major construction project going at the Monarch.
We have never stayed at this Marriott.

2019 is the fourth year of a Special Assessment spread over four years for a major refurbishment at Monarch, including windows and exterior facade replacement due to water intrusion issues that went undetected for some time and were exacerbated by the hurricanes these last few years. Unless they've announced something different, I'd guess that's the work still being done.

 

[Beachclubmum]

I just walked the beach. I could see scaffolding on the beach side and hear the sounds of circular saws toward the street side. Surprising, as I don’t think Sea Pines allows commercial work on Sundays.

 

[Dean]

Lots of nice resorts, we prefer Grande Ocean and are unlikely to stay at HP/SP again. Getting an exchange in for May, Oct/Nov shouldn't be that difficult if you have options that way. Also you might consider some of the non Marriott resorts depending on your options, esp if you don't need a 2 BR.

 

[AlmostRetired]

The Monarch is completing what the HOA is calling a Facade Project and Refurbishment. The bulk of the facade portion is the replacement of balcony doors and all windows with highly insulated impact resistance glass. The refurbishment is being done at the same time. In 2018 2 building were shut down and the same was done in 2019 finishing up the work. The last two buildings are schedule to be completed by the end of March.

My 2 units were completed last year and while I didn’t haven’t seem either one yet, important to me was the feedback from my renters which are very positive.

We did have a 600 assessment spread over 4 years that ended this year and a 200 assessment in 2017 related to the Hurricane. This maybe the first year my MF will go down year over year in my 24 years of ownership since all assessments will be over....or at least it better go down even with the year over year increase.

 

[Shankilicious]

Thanks to everyone for the great info!
What are things (weather) like in April/May and Oct/Nov ?

I went in mid April of 18 and the weather was perfect for walking, biking, golf etc but the outdoor pools were a little cool still, as was the ocean. But again, absolutely perfect for walking the beach or anything else.

 

[Big Matt]

Weather in April/May/October is perfect. November fades as you go through the month as days get shorter. May is probably the best weather month of the year.

 

[Old Hickory]

Here we go again! the never ending debate is back

My first reaction, as well.