So I have a question for the Marriott Grande Ocean experts. We are traveling to Marriott Grande Ocean in Hilton Head over July 4th. I am looking for building suggestions, our situation is a bit unique. We have 4 villas for the week. Two villas are from my parents, which are platinum owners at the resort.....an oceanfront and oceanside. The other two villas are oceanside villas I reserved with destination points(actually an enrolled owner). I own three marriott weeks at other locations. So with all that in mind.....
Questions:
1. What would be the best building to request for the villas to be located, close to beach, pools, and activities?
2. Is there a building that has the best ocean front villas....my hope is that I can get good units requested based on my parents ownership at the resort.
3. How do they prioritize requests at this resort?
4. Any other suggestions for a great trip at the resort...we will have 8 adults and 12-14 kids.
Thanks for your all help!
If you want both oceanfront and oceanside villas to be in the same building so that you can visit each other more easily, you have options of Dolphin and Starfish, which are located on opposite sides of the resort. They are L-shaped buildings, near the ocean, with the corner "elbow" on the inside....see photo below:
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Marri...d+Island,+Beaufort,+South+Carolina+29928&z=18
We are doing the same thing starting today, but we are doing 3 consecutive weeks, with one villa concurrent in the middle, making 4 in all (1 villa, 2 villas, 1 villa for the 3 weeks). We selected Dolphin because we have both oceanfront and oceanside villas too. You could do the same for Starfish---bldgs are mirror images.
In the aerial view photo, Starfish is last bldg on your left, near South pool and Pool Bar Jim's, whereas Dolphin is last bldg on right, near North pool. North end is quieter because of the lagoon, and South end has the big "dolphin pool"(strange that it's not near Dolphin bldg).
Southside "Dolphin pool" is popular with families because it's huge and divided into smaller coves. Kids love that pool---one water current swirls, one bubbles, one shoots water into air, one is motionless. North pool is quieter EXCEPT when they do the kids' activities and also when music is playing for the activity. Usually it's reggae music, and they may have a hula-hoop contest, a limbo contest, etc. Usually that's in the middle of the day, lasting only a short time, and we are always on the beach, so it's fine with us. In the mornings and evenings, it's very quiet at the North Pool.
We also love the grills on the North side, under the big gazebo (not covered anywhere else), and it's just beautiful there with lagoon all around, and everything on that side is shaded----very beautiful, and nice at night with trees all lit up. Also closer to bike rental next door at Sea Horse bldg---which also houses Marketplace Deli and work-out room. Lagoon side also has a quiet row of shaded lounge chairs for reading or napping, somewhat removed from pool and resort activity. North side also has grassy area in front of oceanfront wing, with lounge chairs close by, where it's really quiet for sunning---sort of off to itself.
South side has Pool Bar Jim's and lovely South pool.....much fun to hang out there, especially when you wish to have a drink, then hit the pool for a quick dip, then sun again----that side has a small wooden deck off the pool area overlooking the ocean, actually extending out about 20 feet into the dunes. Get to your lounge chair early if you desire that deck. South side is pretty quiet too. The outdoor Grille is also close, where you can get grilled-to-order burgers, hot dogs, hot sandwiches like chicken, fish, wraps, whatever----nice extensive selection for a poolside grille. A nice picnic area is there with covered umbrellas.
If you perhaps want "separation" from the other villas (oceanfront vs oceanside), choose one of the inner two oceanfront bldgs Sea Horse or Sand Castle (both are exclusively oceanfront).....Both have better/quieter views of ocean, and are more removed from pools and activities....you'll notice when walking past them that the area is super quiet.
As for trips, have no clue....we do trips to the beach and pools.
HH has loads of activities off-site though. Pick up the brochures and booklets at the spa/lobby/front desk when checking in, and search those. Plenty of environmental tours, excursions, etc. You can google HH activities and check now.
I would highly recommend BIKING on the Hilton head trails, some of the nicest and safest in the world, mostly inside Sea Pines Plantation, entrance gate just a mile down from Grande Ocean. You can rent bikes at GO and it's an easy and quick ride to Sea Pines. Best trails are (look them up on a map) (1)Plantation Drive (turn right off Lighthouse Rd on way into Harbour Town), (2) road which goes to South Beach area, branching to LEFT just past Marriott Monarch.... South Beach is the home of many cool shops and restaurants and world-famous "Salty Dog T-Shirt Shop". (don't recommend restaurants there at South Beach, however----not too bad, but there are soooo many more great ones to waste it on those). (3) go on into Harbour Town....it's gorgeous. Note: great ice cream counter located inside the Cinnamon Bear Country Store, about midway, under breezeway among HT shops. Lighthouse is gorgeous, and physically sound bodies can go up the stairs for a spectacular view. Also lots of beautiful boats and yachts there in the world-famous Harbour Town harbour.
Good luck......
