Marriotts in South Carolina - opinions please

[TEK224]

I am planning a trip to Hilton Head and Myrtle Beach for February. Currently I have a week at Barony Beach Resort in Hilton Head. I've never been to that resort before.
I also saw some weeks available for Grande Ocean. From reviews I've read, both are very nice and Grand Ocean is closer to the beach. If anyone has stayed at these, which would you recommend? It will be me and my SO, both in our 60's. We're interested in just relaxing and checking out the area at a leisurely pace. I've also read that, at Barony, exchangers are put in the satellite buildings behind the Westin. Not sure if I would like that. We'll be there off-season, so not sure if that would still occur.
We've stayed in the MVC at Grand Dunes in Myrtle Beach and enjoyed it very much. How would either of these two other resorts compare to Grand Dunes?
Thanks!

 

[dioxide45]

OceanWatch is probably more comparable to Barony than Grande Ocean. OceanWatch too has its "satellite" building. Though the OceanWatch property is more tall high rise compared to Barony. Though I would say Barony has a more landscaped feel vs the concrete slab that makes up most of OceanWatch. Barony has a nice interior courtyard with lush foliage. Even the Woodsy section at OceanWatch doesn't match it.

 

[elaine]

Grand Ocean’s location is far superior, esp as in Feb you’ll want to be near coligny square and sea pines (large gated community with harbourtown) to walk, eat, shop. If you bike, there are many trails and I think GO guests get a sea pines pass. If not, rent bikes from a sea pines vendor and ask if it comes with weekly pass.

 

[Bucky]

GO is great for rest and relaxation close to the beach. Barony we were not impressed with at all. MOW is superior to both of the others depending on location selected. The Garden View and Ocean View rooms are in the two back buildings. Oceanside and Oceanfront rooms are in the front 3 buildings. There is far more shopping and activities in the Myrtle Beach area. But, if all you want to do is relax, GO is a fine but personally we get antsy after a few days of doing nothing and want to get out and do something and we find MOW much better for that.

 

[pedro47]

We liked GO and SurfWatch for R&R @ Hilton Head.

 

[TEK224]

GO is great for rest and relaxation close to the beach. Barony we were not impressed with at all. MOW is superior to both of the others depending on location selected. The Garden View and Ocean View rooms are in the two back buildings. Oceanside and Oceanfront rooms are in the front 3 buildings. There is far more shopping and activities in the Myrtle Beach area. But, if all you want to do is relax, GO is a fine but personally we get antsy after a few days of doing nothing and want to get out and do something and we find MOW much better for that.

I may get antsy a little bit too. Most times I am the kamikaze type, where I have everything planned out as to activities. My SO is more the chill and relax type. We are planning a few things to do but, for this trip, It will be mostly chill out, relax by the pool, read a book. Our last few vacations have been go, go, go, so I planned this one more for him and his style.
Thanks for the info.

 

[TEK224]

Thanks to all for the insight!

 

[Dean]

If you aren't well versed in the HHI locations, I'd chose Grande Ocean. More accessible to many of the shops and restaurants, more and varied bike paths, closer to Sea Pines (and a pass for Sea Pines included which has a cost otherwise), no garden view units across the street plus larger units. All 3 of the newer resorts are great but we prefer GO having stayed there 4th of July week about 10 times with larger groups. We did Surfwatch once for our group. I'm assuming you're looking at II. The risk for both OW & Barony for an exchange is that you may end up in a Garden View unit even if the exchange says otherwise.

 

[wuv pooh]

If you have points consider Sunset Point/Habor Point. I am going in February for 12 nights for 1,050 points and Grande Ocean et al are over 2,000 points for 7 nights. It is a nice location at Shelter Cove Harbor with nice restaurants/happy hours. You need to drive across to the JW to use the beach but I don't spend all day at the beach that time of year. Surfwatch has the best indoor pool if you need that. I know people were swimming outdoors last February, but not my vibe.

 

[GTLINZ]

Agree with previous poster and have been to Harbour point multiple times. Not sure if you are exchanging or using points, but it is a great points deal. Not on the ocean but the march is spectacular and can walk to restaurants, etc. Likely the oldest buildings in HHI with Marriott and not fancy but well kept. Our units always had a fireplace also.

A very different vibe than the beach.

 

[TEK224]

If you have points consider Sunset Point/Habor Point. I am going in February for 12 nights for 1,050 points and Grande Ocean et al are over 2,000 points for 7 nights. It is a nice location at Shelter Cove Harbor with nice restaurants/happy hours. You need to drive across to the JW to use the beach but I don't spend all day at the beach that time of year. Surfwatch has the best indoor pool if you need that. I know people were swimming outdoors last February, but not my vibe.

Not using points. Will be using a week in II.
Thanks!

 

[pedro47]

Agree with previous poster and have been to Harbour point multiple times. Not sure if you are exchanging or using points, but it is a great points deal. Not on the ocean but the march is spectacular and can walk to restaurants, etc. Likely the oldest buildings in HHI with Marriott and not fancy but well kept. Our units always had a fireplace also.

A very different vibe than the beach.

I'm going to look at Sunset Point/ Harbour Point. We just liked to relax and walk around the resort areas.

 

[jmhpsu93]

I'd agree with @Dean above...first time I'd go with Grande Ocean. Super close to Coligny and Sea Pines, great resort, lots of on-site amenities. Surfwatch is our favorite but it's a vibe thing and I love how spread out it is and the marshland access to the beach, but it's not for everyone. Barony is like GO Jr. but the courtyard is pretty. We haven't been to the inland properties yet but they're on the list to try.

 

[Dean]

I'm going to look at Sunset Point/ Harbour Point. We just liked to relax and walk around the resort areas.

Personally I'm not a big fan of the resorts or the location. Units can be small, esp for most exchanges, and the second BR has twin beds so sleep 6, if that matters. Pool is also an issue compared to the other options though likely not an issue for Feb.

 

[dioxide45]

I'm going to look at Sunset Point/ Harbour Point. We just liked to relax and walk around the resort areas.

We are going to all the non beach Marriott properties in January. There are a few YouTube videos out there about these properties already, but there will certainly be more.

 

[pedro47]

Personally I'm not a big fan of the resorts or the location. Units can be small, esp for most exchanges, and the second BR has twin beds so sleep 6, if that matters. Pool is also an issue compared to the other options though likely not an issue for Feb.

Must have the two queen beds in the second bedroom and must be in a gated community.

 

[jont]

We are going to all the non beach Marriott properties in January. There are a few YouTube videos out there about these properties already, but there will certainly be more.

Jeremy
Having been to all, I'm interested in watching your videos and getting your take on all the non-beach resorts. All of them have positives. All are a lot smaller with less amenities, but they are also very peaceful and close to many restaurants and shops. Enjoy your stay and I hope the weather is good. January can be very nice there.

john

 

[JIMinNC]

It will be mostly chill out, relax by the pool, read a book.

Just remember in February on the SC coast relaxing by the pool may be a bit brisk. While it's certainly possible to get a day in the low 70s or so that time of year, more typical high temps are in the 50s to low-60s range. Morning lows can often be in the mid-to-upper 30's and 40's. If it's cloudy and there is a northeast breeze off the cool ocean, the moisture can make it feel even colder.

 

[TEK224]

Thanks Jim.
Coming from PA, where it can be in the 10's or 20's in February, 50's or 60's would seem like a heat wave!
Even if I just chill on the balcony, it'll still be relaxing. That's what this vacation is going to be about.

 

[Bucky]

Thanks Jim.
Coming from PA, where it can be in the 10's or 20's in February, 50's or 60's would seem like a heat wave!
Even if I just chill on the balcony, it'll still be relaxing. That's what this vacation is going to be about.

In this case I would just stick with MOW. The extra 3 hr drive to get to HHI just isn’t worth it to me. They have heated indoor and outdoor pools and plenty of spots such as the quiet pool area to lay around and read a good book.

 

[ljmiii]

Piggy backing onto this thread with a slightly different question...

Thus far we've only stayed at Surfwatch and loved it. To us the one downside is the lack of walkable restaurants other than the Sea Salts pool bar and so we're thinking about trying a different HHI resort. We're only interested in the beachfront resorts and would love your thoughts.

In particular, Barony is of interest because the Westin next door seems to have a wide range of bars/restaurants (even though the googly-thing seems to make it look like it's actually annoying to walk there). Monarch seems to have nothing onsite though the Sea Pines Beach Club next door looks nice. And Grande Ocean seems to be the same as Surfwatch but different...trading Sea Salts for Loggerhead Landing. TIA.

 

[Dean]

Piggy backing onto this thread with a slightly different question...

Thus far we've only stayed at Surfwatch and loved it. To us the one downside is the lack of walkable restaurants other than the Sea Salts pool bar and so we're thinking about trying a different HHI resort. We're only interested in the beachfront resorts and would love your thoughts.

In particular, Barony is of interest because the Westin next door seems to have a wide range of bars/restaurants (even though the googly-thing seems to make it look like it's actually annoying to walk there). Monarch seems to have nothing onsite though the Sea Pines Beach Club next door looks nice. And Grande Ocean seems to be the same as Surfwatch but different...trading Sea Salts for Loggerhead Landing. TIA.

With the requirement for options with a short walk for restaurants and on the beach, I don't think any of these fit the bill. There are however shuttles that cover each of these locations. https://hiltonheadpropertiesrandr.com/blog/free-inexpensive-public-transportation-hilton-head/. There are a number of options within walking distance of MGO IMO but we're talking a mile to a mile and a half. Probably the most reliable option would be Monarch and the Sea Pines Shuttle.

 

[JIMinNC]

Thanks Jim.
Coming from PA, where it can be in the 10's or 20's in February, 50's or 60's would seem like a heat wave!
Even if I just chill on the balcony, it'll still be relaxing. That's what this vacation is going to be about.

HaHa! We've always lived in the Carolinas, so don't even start thinking about the pool or beach until it gets well in the 70s! For me, 50s is COLD. We own a condo on Hilton Head and one of the coldest I've ever been was a couple winters ago, standing waiting for the elevator on the 4th floor of our building with the northeast wind whipping in off the ocean. Air temp was probably in the 50s, but I felt like I was in Alaska!

 

[Dean]

Let me add that I would not visit HHI without personal transportation or with the requirement not to use it. Just too many options and needs including groceries, restaurant, shopping, activities, etc.

 

[Superchief]

I usually go to Hilton Head for four weeks from mid-Jan to mid-Feb. Although it isn't beach weather, it is jacket weather which is a vast improvement over our winter. A beach location is much less important at that time, but I like to stay at Surf watch because of its central location and wooded area. There are a Kroger, several restaurants, and a Planet Fitness within a 10 minute drive. The MVC points requirements for the Big 3 dramatically increase on Feb 1, so I typically move to a non-beach resort unless I can get an exchange. In my experience, there are typically 4-5 sunny days above 65 during my stay. Last year, the warmer days (70+) were cloudy and the sunny days were cooler. There are also days where there are low clouds along the beach, but it is sunny in the non-beach locations. I actually had two sunny days at Sunset Pointe that were cloudy at Surf Watch, We enjoy trips to Savannah and Pinkney Park and walk a lot.