I don't understand the point of these comparisons unless you're talking about how many steps it takes to put your feet in the sand? Regardless of which resort you're talking about, as properties that directly adjoin the beach and are beautifully landscaped each in their own way, they're infinitely more visually-superior than a house on a street in a nice neighborhood of rental homes. Perception is key and I'd bet that the short walk through one of the resorts beats the short walk through this home's neighborhood any day.
I'm not knocking the neighborhood - it's very nice! But knowing the difference between the SurfWatch footprint and the nice rental homes neighborhood that's just around the corner, it seems odd to use how many steps it takes to get to the beach as a selling feature when comparing the home to the resorts.
I think being in close proximity to the beach is very important for big family outings, especially if there are grandparents present. Steps to the beach do matter. The location of the house in question is quite nice, and walking through a private neighborhood is no problem.
The intent of my exercise was to show that the house at 28 Pelican St. was NOT FARTHER to the beach than the resorts (rather, it's quite close), and then also to simply give the visual to show that.
Most families will want to take a walk together, to catch up, so to speak, and altho most of the vacation will be in and around the house, walks on the beach, in groups, will be something everyone desires. Plus the activities in the house-----longer meals, playing games, telling stories, getting reacquainted with extended family members, and in general just hanging out together.
What landscaping one sees on the way to the beach doesn't much matter for this type of family adventure, altho the resorts do excel in this---it's the sand and surf they want, not the journey.
The 'house thing' is something that is rather MISSING in the current timeshare or accommodation experience, and now Marriott takes note of that and is inching its way into the door. They want to have a viable option for that customer too, and it's an attractive venture I think. Good for them.
(Not to digress, but I like flexibility and innovation, and Marriott has certainly latched onto that concept as they move forward, whether offering homes, retrofitting hotel properties as timeshares, or acquiring boutique hotel properties all over the globe. Sounds more interesting than simply building the cookie-cutter timeshare resorts, especially in and around big cities.)
As Janette said so well, many like her are already doing the house rental experience, but currently are compelled to seek out independently-owned homes to rent. But she has just illustrated that the need is there, and no doubt there are more Tuggers who will be intrigued by the home rental option as Marriott moves forward.
So far the cost of Marriott's home on Pelican St. in Hilton Head doesn't seem so prohibitive, especially when several families are participating. But these 'homes of the future' should hopefully remain reasonable and never outrageously priced, so I hope they're listening.
And.......who's to say it wouldn't work for several TUG couples together too, and not only traditional families? Now that would be a hoot.
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