Marriotts in South Carolina - opinions please

[tschwa2]

While I haven't been in the dead of winter, I have been in HHI pre beach season in late march/early April and Harbour Club is another favorite. While I would never go to HHI without a car, it is nice to be able to walk to Harbor Town. We prefer it over the Shelter Cove units. I probably would still pick GO but it only by a little in the non beach season.

 

[Steve A]

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.

True. When we lived in Madison Wisconsin, I used to say as long as I got up to 15°, it was sunny out and not windy. I was OK. Living now in Hilton Head anything less than 60° and I’m feeling cold.

 

[m61376]

Monarch is also a bit smaller and older but very nice and in Sea Pines so location is great. Biking on the beach was fun and easy for a non bike rider and were in your age range. Might be another one to consider. When we were there we toured around and out of the big 3 I think GO had the best location


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[TEK224]

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.

Since we've been to MOW in Myrtle Beach, we wanted to try something different this time. With HHI being a short drive to Savannah, that gives us some options for a day of sightseeing. Our plan is to do a week in HHI and then a week at MOW (hopefully) before heading back home. I think I'm going to keep an eye out for MGO and try to switch over there. Even if it's chilly to lay on the beach, I do like walking along the beach at water's edge. Very relaxing for me!

 

[Big Matt]

Just diving into this conversation......I've been to HHI every month of the year over the last 25 years. It's really great all year, but different. My least favorite time of the year to go is summer time due to the crowds and heat, but I've done that a dozen times and had a lot of fun. During non-beach season it isn't very busy and getting into restaurants is not a big problem, so keep that in mind. Given what you want to do, I would go with Grande Ocean followed by Monarch, Harbor Club in Harbortown, Surfwatch (you will get gardenview as a trader), Barony (great if you were to get ocean side/front), and then the ones at Shelter Cove. Heritage Club is also good (in Harbortown), but it doesn't come up in II very often.

Don't worry as much about the specific location of the resorts in terms of where they are on the Island. Everything is no more then 20 minutes away no matter where you stay. Grande Ocean, Monarch, Heritage and Harbor all come with Seapines passes which saves $9(?) per entrance if you stay at another resort and are walking/biking distance to lots of restaurants. The ones at Shelter Cove are too, but it's a big trade back in terms of the units themselves. I would definitely explore the Shelter Cove area since there are some very good restaurants there, a huge Kroger, and a Whole Foods.

 

[TEK224]

Just diving into this conversation......I've been to HHI every month of the year over the last 25 years. It's really great all year, but different. My least favorite time of the year to go is summer time due to the crowds and heat, but I've done that a dozen times and had a lot of fun. During non-beach season it isn't very busy and getting into restaurants is not a big problem, so keep that in mind. Given what you want to do, I would go with Grande Ocean followed by Monarch, Harbor Club in Harbortown, Surfwatch (you will get gardenview as a trader), Barony (great if you were to get ocean side/front), and then the ones at Shelter Cove. Heritage Club is also good (in Harbortown), but it doesn't come up in II very often.

Don't worry as much about the specific location of the resorts in terms of where they are on the Island. Everything is no more then 20 minutes away no matter where you stay. Grande Ocean, Monarch, Heritage and Harbor all come with Seapines passes which saves $9(?) per entrance if you stay at another resort and are walking/biking distance to lots of restaurants. The ones at Shelter Cove are too, but it's a big trade back in terms of the units themselves. I would definitely explore the Shelter Cove area since there are some very good restaurants there, a huge Kroger, and a Whole Foods.

Thanks!

 

[heathpack]

Just diving into this conversation......I've been to HHI every month of the year over the last 25 years. It's really great all year, but different. My least favorite time of the year to go is summer time due to the crowds and heat, but I've done that a dozen times and had a lot of fun. During non-beach season it isn't very busy and getting into restaurants is not a big problem, so keep that in mind. Given what you want to do, I would go with Grande Ocean followed by Monarch, Harbor Club in Harbortown, Surfwatch (you will get gardenview as a trader), Barony (great if you were to get ocean side/front), and then the ones at Shelter Cove. Heritage Club is also good (in Harbortown), but it doesn't come up in II very often.

Don't worry as much about the specific location of the resorts in terms of where they are on the Island. Everything is no more then 20 minutes away no matter where you stay. Grande Ocean, Monarch, Heritage and Harbor all come with Seapines passes which saves $9(?) per entrance if you stay at another resort and are walking/biking distance to lots of restaurants. The ones at Shelter Cove are too, but it's a big trade back in terms of the units themselves. I would definitely explore the Shelter Cove area since there are some very good restaurants there, a huge Kroger, and a Whole Foods.

What do you do when you go in non-beach season? I am mainly interested in the beach myself, but see a lot of availability in other months and I wonder what folks do then. We don’t golf. What kinds of things are there to do? Maybe we should consider an off season trip.

Also- we’re Marriott owners but exchanged into Surfwatch for Aug 25-Sept 1 using our Hyatt. Likely the lowest demand summer week. But we got an email from Marriott a few days ago saying we were assigned an Oceanside villa. So garden view is not inevitable for exchangers.

 

[Dean]

I know some have said the beach is less important in winter but for us view & location is actually more important in winter than otherwise.

 

[tschwa2]

What do you do when you go in non-beach season? I am mainly interested in the beach myself, but see a lot of availability in other months and I wonder what folks do then. We don’t golf. What kinds of things are there to do? Maybe we should consider an off season trip.

Also- we’re Marriott owners but exchanged into Surfwatch for Aug 25-Sept 1 using our Hyatt. Likely the lowest demand summer week. But we got an email from Marriott a few days ago saying we were assigned an Oceanside villa. So garden view is not inevitable for exchangers.

Day trips to Savanah are nicer outside of the blistering heat of summer.
Not sure about February but in late March and April, you can kayak and do other boating activities. If you are there for a full week there is usually 1 or 2 days that are warm enough for beach days even it it isn't warm enough for swimming in the ocean.

 

[JIMinNC]

What do you do when you go in non-beach season? I am mainly interested in the beach myself, but see a lot of availability in other months and I wonder what folks do then. We don’t golf. What kinds of things are there to do? Maybe we should consider an off season trip.

Also- we’re Marriott owners but exchanged into Surfwatch for Aug 25-Sept 1 using our Hyatt. Likely the lowest demand summer week. But we got an email from Marriott a few days ago saying we were assigned an Oceanside villa. So garden view is not inevitable for exchangers.

1. Day trip to Savannah
2. Day trip to Beaufort
3. Eat - HHI has fabulous independent restaurants. See this thread: Marty's HHI Restaurant Thread [Ongoing]
4. Take a walk on the beach if its one of the more temperate days
5. Bike (if you are a biker)
6. Golf (I know you said you don't golf, but for others who might read this, golf is good 12 months of the year)
7. Shop at the Tanger Outlets in Bluffton
8. Visit Old Town Bluffton
9. Visit Burnt Church Distillery for a tasting tour (Bourbon, Whiskey, Vodka, Gin)
10. Go to Harbour Town in Sea Pines; Visit the Lighthouse

 

[JIMinNC]

would definitely explore the Shelter Cove area since there are some very good restaurants there, a huge Kroger, and a Whole Foods.

Just FYI...Whole Foods is closing their HHI store

 

[Big Matt]

Heathpack, JIMinNC's list is a good one. I would add the following

1) Tennis
2) Visit the nature preserves
3) Fly a kite
4) Photography
5) Museums and Historic sites
6) Boat ride/cruise
7) Putt Putt golf
8) Live music at the Jazz Corner
9) It takes an all day effort, but Charleston is only 2 hours away

 

[TheTimeTraveler]

Just FYI...Whole Foods is closing their HHI store

I think Krogers will step. up to the plate and use their existing store to plug the Whole Foods closing.





.

 

[JIMinNC]

I think Krogers will step. up to the plate and use their existing store to plug the Whole Foods closing.

I don't really see Kroger filling the gap from the loss of Whole Foods. Two very different merchandising and market strategies. Whole Foods will be missed by HHI locals and part-time residents like us.

 

[ljmiii]

Perhaps it is a matter of expectations, but we found the Whole Foods disappointing and ended up doing most of our shopping at Harris Teeter which we found surprisingly well stocked for a 'random' supermarket.

 

[JIMinNC]

Perhaps it is a matter of expectations, but we found the Whole Foods disappointing and ended up doing most of our shopping at Harris Teeter which we found surprisingly well stocked for a 'random' supermarket.

Harris Teeter is a great grocer. It is by far the dominant chain in the Charlotte area where we live and has six or seven stores within a five to ten minute drive of our home. They have stores in most major cities in the Carolinas. It’s now owned by Kroger Corp, but operated independently. Generally high quality products, nice stores. Not the lowest prices around, but it’s always been our go-to grocer in Charlotte.

In both HHI and Charlotte, we use Harris Teeter for most of our major grocery shopping. We’ve used Whole Foods in both places for specific things - for example, their grass fed Filet Mignon steaks are far better than the steaks we have bought anywhere else. The Whole Foods in HHI was smaller than the one we use near our Charlotte home, but it was nice having Harris Teeter and Whole Foods in both places. In HHI, we only go to Kroger if we are in a hurry and don’t want to drive over to the HT on Main Street or the HT near Sea Pines. Kroger is right across William Hilton Parkway from our condo in Palmetto Dunes, but it’s usually so crowded with tourists, we try to avoid it.

We’ll miss Whole Foods in HHI for the great specialty items we always got there.

 

[Dean]

We really like HT as well as Publix. Not as crowded as Publix. I'll admit I haven't compared prices but historically and locally, Publix is relatively expensive though when I have looked at prices at HT in other areas (like Charleston), I found them on the higher side as well. I miss the Bi Lo. I find the Piggly Wiggly to be poor at best in terms of size, location, cleanliness and availability. I've never been a big fan of Whole Foods or Fresh Market, I see them more as a niche option. Historically we haven't shopped at Kroger in many many years though it's largely because we haven't had one close. I'm OK with Trader Joe's and truly like Aldi's, neither of which are currently on HHI unfortunately.

 

[jme]

Since Harris Teeter is now owned by Kroger Corp, they take the little Kroger customer discount card which they scan at purchase for any qualifying discounted prices.
We always end up having one or more deals.
(Note for that customer card: It particularly helps at Kroger with the randomly occurring 20% wine discounts for a case of their extensive wine inventory
(or equivalent of 12 bottles or more, mix and match----huge savings, best anywhere I've found)

 

[dioxide45]

We really like HT as well as Publix. Not as crowded as Publix. I'll admit I haven't compared prices but historically and locally, Publix is relatively expensive though when I have looked at prices at HT in other areas (like Charleston), I found them on the higher side as well. I miss the Bi Lo. I find the Piggly Wiggly to be poor at best in terms of size, location, cleanliness and availability. I've never been a big fan of Whole Foods or Fresh Market, I see them more as a niche option. Historically we haven't shopped at Kroger in many many years though it's largely because we haven't had one close. I'm OK with Trader Joe's and truly like Aldi's, neither of which are currently on HHI unfortunately.

I'm not sure who owns the lease of that old Bi-Lo store. Perhaps, just perhaps, it could become an Aldi as Aldi did buy Southeastern Grocers who previously owned Bi-Lo. Though I suspect the people of Hilton Head Island would turn their noses up to an Aldi. Though SE Grocers killed off the Bi-Lo name resulting in that store closing.

 

[Dean]

I'm not sure who owns the lease of that old Bi-Lo store. Perhaps, just perhaps, it could become an Aldi as Aldi did buy Southeastern Grocers who previously owned Bi-Lo. Though I suspect the people of Hilton Head Island would turn their noses up to an Aldi. Though SE Grocers killed off the Bi-Lo name resulting in that store closing.

Aldi has a lot of fans and I've heard very few detractors so I could see it working there as well.

 

[jwalk03]

I love Aldi for many products. Shop there weekly at home and frequently order from there on vacation when there is one close by the resorts.

 

[Big Matt]

HT and Kroger are both very good stores. You can't just wander in and buy things, especially meat and seafood. You have to buy on sale. Also, leverage BOGO/similar to optimize your dollar. I think people greatly misunderstand Whole Foods. I shop around the preimeter of the store, but not in the middle. You get high quality there for sure. Their prices aren't out of line either.

 

[JIMinNC]

Not an Aldi fan at all, but they have announced a HHI location. It’s supposed to be built in Sea Turtle Marketplace near the new Parker’s gas station and Golf Galaxy.

Would much rather have Trader Joe’s, and as I said, hate we are losing Whole Foods.

 

[Dean]

HT and Kroger are both very good stores. You can't just wander in and buy things, especially meat and seafood. You have to buy on sale. Also, leverage BOGO/similar to optimize your dollar. I think people greatly misunderstand Whole Foods. I shop around the preimeter of the store, but not in the middle. You get high quality there for sure. Their prices aren't out of line either.

I've compared prices and options for our local Whole Foods and Fresh Market. They have some good stuff but other than some specials, I've always found them to be significantly over priced.

 

[Superchief]

We really like HT as well as Publix. Not as crowded as Publix. I'll admit I haven't compared prices but historically and locally, Publix is relatively expensive though when I have looked at prices at HT in other areas (like Charleston), I found them on the higher side as well. I miss the Bi Lo. I find the Piggly Wiggly to be poor at best in terms of size, location, cleanliness and availability. I've never been a big fan of Whole Foods or Fresh Market, I see them more as a niche option. Historically we haven't shopped at Kroger in many many years though it's largely because we haven't had one close. I'm OK with Trader Joe's and truly like Aldi's, neither of which are currently on HHI unfortunately.

Although I haven't shopped at the Fresh Market on HHI, the stores in our area have high quality meats that are priced reasonably when on special. The key is learning the specials schedule and to shop on those days, Our stores currently have whole salmon on Friday's for $8.99 and it is much better than Costco or Kroger.