Hilton Head to Orlando

[Pompey Family]

Finally completed our Playa Andaluza resale and traded it for a week at Harbour Lake as there was nothing available for Hilton Head. Consequently we're doing a two stage holiday this year, one week at Grande Ocean and then drive down to Harbour Lake for the second week. I presume that as Harbour Lake owners we have priority over non owners for building preference despite actually using the Andaluza week as an exchange?

Also, any tips for the drive to Orlando? Interesting stops or places for lunch etc?

 

[TSPam]

Hi,
If you have a weekday check in for harbour lake realize that traffic on I-4 is bad from 4pm until after 6. You could take 417 toll road if you want

If you haven't been to St. Augustine,Fl it has a great historical district--Oldest city in US.

About room allocation. It is always best to call and ask for what you want. They will try to give you what you want and owners do get priority over non-owners.

 

[Pompey Family]

Thanks TSpam, we're checking in on a Saturday so traffic should be ok. Thanks for the recommendation about St. Augustine, I'll check it out.

Any recommendations for buildings. We'll be taking along our 5 & 7 year old boys plus 12 & 15 year old nieces. Not particularly bothered by the noise of kids unless it goes on too late. I'm an early riser, nieces aren't although I think they'll be in for a shock when they come away with us, no 11 a.m rising for them!

 

[TSPam]

I have not stayed there but I usually ask for a high floor. I go in the winter so I look for a balcony that faces south to get the sun. If you are going in the summer look for a balcony that faces north so that you don't get the heat of the sun sun.
Google maps shows the resort well and you can use that as a guide and the review section of TUG has a resort map giving numbers and names of the buildings.

 

[RBERR1]

The drive is about 5 hours. Watch out for Radar traps on I-95.

 

[NboroGirl]

Thanks TSpam, we're checking in on a Saturday so traffic should be ok.

Saturday evenings are the worst on International Drive and around I-4. Other days, not so bad.

 

[dioxide45]

If you want an owner preference at Harbour Lake, make sure that you tell them you are a Harbour Lake owner when you make your villa request. Since you traded in through II, they may not cross reference and see that you also own there. Be sure to let them know.

We have had this happen at Grande Vista. The reservation didn't show we were owners when we checked in. I told them at checkin that we were and we receive an owner room key so we would be eligible for owner discounts around the resort.

I know that Cypress Harbour and Ocean Pointe are good about cross referencing your ownership to the resort and to other Marriott resorts, it just doesn't seem that Grande Vista does this. Not 100% sure if Harbour Lake does or not, but it won't hurt to have them note it when you make a villa request.

 

[Pompey Family]

We have had this happen at Grande Vista. The reservation didn't show we were owners when we checked in. I told them at checkin that we were and we receive an owner room key so we would be eligible for owner discounts around the resort.

I didn't realise there were owner discounts at the resort. What do they offer?

 

[GeraldineT]

I didn't realise there were owner discounts at the resort. What do they offer?

I know at GV the golf is discounted and I think there may be a small discount at the restaurant.

 

[NboroGirl]

I don't think there are discounts at Nick's Grill, but they often have owner specials. Last year it was a free app if you went on a Wednesday night (or something like that). The only discounts I am aware of at GV are for golf.

And dioxide45, I'm not sure what you mean by an owner room key. We've sometimes gotten a card that gives us discounts at the pool bar and some other perks, but I never heard of an owner room key.