OceanWatch- I don't get it

[Big Matt]

I had a very similar experience as the original poster including room, view, etc.

I watched each day as the same people put beach towels down on their chairs at 7 or 7:30 and left them for hours if not all day without using the chairs. I had one family tell me that they went to Charleston, but wanted to have the seats when they got back for dinner. Of course the folks running the place never got rid of any towels even though it was clear on the signs that you couldn't reserve before a certain hour. What a joke!

No restaurants anywhere nearby and nothing at all near the resort.

The beach was great, but it was so crowded that it wasn't even enjoyable.

The sales staff called and bugged me and promised a welcome pack. When I asked for it, they said that I couldn't have one since I didn't respond the first day.

Sorry if this pi--ses people off, but I had to post.

 

[jdunn1]

Matt. There is a very nice restaurant at the Marriott hotel next door.

...and even on the cruise ships the staff does not remove towels and stuff from the chairs. I wish they would but they won't because too many people claim money and personal belongings are missing after their stuff is removed.

...Two years ago I went on a cruise with a lot of people and we were always on the look out for a row of chairs, together. A nice couple who had been laying out since early morning told us the rest of the chairs in their row had not been used all day (it was about 1PM or so). We removed the towels from the chairs and I think someone had left a pair off flip flops, too. Well, that family came back at like 3PM expecting those chairs. We almost got into a fight! We told them how the chairs were unused for half a day (Carnival has a 1 or 2 hour hold time policy). Anyway, as they stormed off they snapped at us "You must be Americans". It was funny. I am sure they were from Canada.

I had a very similar experience as the original poster including room, view, etc.

I watched each day as the same people put beach towels down on their chairs at 7 or 7:30 and left them for hours if not all day without using the chairs. I had one family tell me that they went to Charleston, but wanted to have the seats when they got back for dinner. Of course the folks running the place never got rid of any towels even though it was clear on the signs that you couldn't reserve before a certain hour. What a joke!

No restaurants anywhere nearby and nothing at all near the resort.

The beach was great, but it was so crowded that it wasn't even enjoyable.

The sales staff called and bugged me and promised a welcome pack. When I asked for it, they said that I couldn't have one since I didn't respond the first day.

Sorry if this pi--ses people off, but I had to post.

 

[jme]

two issues

I watched each day as the same people put beach towels down on their chairs at 7 or 7:30 and left them for hours if not all day without using the chairs.

No restaurants anywhere nearby and nothing at all near the resort.

Sorry if this pi--ses people off, but I had to post.

(1) Towels on poolside chairs......This problem is actually "other people's behavior", not entirely fault of resort. Can be remedied, but would take Nazi-like behavior by resorts. OK with me!!! To date, resorts have tried everything but to no avail. Surely an issue, but shouldn't speak to quality of a resort. More chairs could always be added, but sometimes just WHERE would that be? I have a feeling the problem would remain. Similar at numerous resorts, actually at most, and not just MOW. That's because PEOPLE are the same everywhere......selfish. Resorts are vastly different, people are same!

Why not have a secret identifying code for name/unit REQUIRED TO BE attached/displayed on each towel placed at a poolside chair, and if there's not a code/ticket attached, then the towels are taken up automatically. No code ticket attached, up it goes. No one would leave towels without ID, because it would mean they'd be losing them.

And, if it DOES have the ID and yet should be unattended a while, it will be taken up and must be claimed at the office, and now they know who you are. If code is present and it was confiscated for selfishness in hogging unattended chair, the guest would be fined(?) or at least reprimanded. At end of week, towel count for each villa could be checked, missing towels to be billed for token fee. Would require a few extra employees which would raise the MF slightly (an imperceivable amount) but imho, it is warranted! Anyway, a thought.

(2) Below is a link worth looking at real quickly, before proceeding.

https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=...OWoVBHvxWRw&oq=bonefish+grill&t=h&mra=ls&z=16

The blue line is the DRIVE ROUTE from OceanWatch resort. Bonefish Grill is shown (a major restaurant and a great one), and then it's Outback Steakhouse, and afterward the floodgate opens. So many restaurants it's hard to choose!!!! All begins within 3+ minutes, ONE MILE, as depicted in print from Googlemaps. Aerial view shows just how close they really are!!!!

Maybe some are unaware, but this is not truly an issue as map shows. Many other Marriott resorts have farther distances. Not a fact that really matters to me anyway, imho. Newport Coast Villas, for example, is one of the most spectacular resorts anywhere, especially in the Marriott system. Maybe my all-time favorite. Yet it's a long drive to restaurants in nearby Newport Beach. Yet that doesn't diminish the quality of the resort in the least.....or shouldn't...same for Manor Club, also one of my favorites....long drive to restaurants, and especially to Colonial Wmsbg, Busch Gardens, and Water Country-- the major attractions, but that doesn't enter into the discussion of the quality of the resort.

Second map, showing Broadway at the Beach, a major area at Myrtle Beach for activities, dozens of restaurants, an IMAX movie theater, and many shops. Not a major trip, imho, when compared to many other Marriotts.

https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=...AiTHT_cbYanq58g&oq=broadway+&t=h&mra=mru&z=13

 

[emmaddy]

Ocean Watch complaints

Obviously, everyone has his own opinion here of what constitutes a great resort. Some of the complaints which are a big deal to some posters are not issues to others.
We have been to Ocean Watch at least a dozen times and we will continue to go back. Over the years we have seen it become more crowded as it was built-out. This sometimes does result in frustration, especially when other guest refuse to abide by the rules. I find it really annoying when people arrive with more that 8 people and cram 5 generations into one unit. When they exit the room, its like watching the clown car. Although I understand the chair problem by the pool, we almost always find seats any time we go there. Admittedly we spend most of our time at the beach, but we often hit the pool at lunch time and later in the day.
As for no close restaurants, etc. I think that is a plus! The isolation of OW is one of the best things about it. Again a difference of opinion. Try the buckets and beer shrimp and crab, grab a couple of salads or a pizza downstairs and you have dinner without even changing from your beachwear.
While we're on the subject of different strokes, we traded into Grand Ocean a few years ago highly anticipating what many say is the best Marriott property. We had to wait for our unit and instead of inviting us to go enjoy the pool or beach, the staff rudely told us to "go sit over there and we'll call you when it is ready." Meanwhile we were ambushed by the salesperson who wanted us to buy. Not an auspicious beginning. Our unit was first floor and any view was totally blocked by trees. It was so dark inside we had to keep the lights on all the time. Also, the second bedroom had a view of the stairs, elevator, and a trash dumpster. Not exactly paradise. I understand that traders often get the worst locations so that's the way it goes.
The worst part of our trip though was it was lovebug season (mid sept.) and they were EVERYWHERE. It was difficult to speak without one in your mouth. In addition, the beach was covered with prickly seaweed so deep it was impossible to walk through it with bare feet. Because of some ecology law, they were prohibited from removing it. Since we are beach people, that really changed our itinerary. We rented bikes and spent most of every day riding throughout the island. That was very enjoyable.Okay so this wasn't our best vacation, but we did make the best of it and I did not slam GO as the worst place ever. Things happen; sometimes peole are annoying or you don't get your first choice. Roll with it and if you hate the place don't go back.

 

[m61376]

(1) Towels on poolside chairs......This problem is actually "other people's behavior", not entirely fault of resort. Can be remedied, but would take Nazi-like behavior by resorts. OK with me!!! To date, resorts have tried everything but to no avail. Surely an issue, but shouldn't speak to quality of a resort. More chairs could always be added, but sometimes just WHERE would that be? I have a feeling the problem would remain. Similar at numerous resorts, actually at most, and not just MOW. That's because PEOPLE are the same everywhere......selfish. Resorts are vastly different, people are same!

Why not have a secret identifying code for name/unit REQUIRED TO BE attached/displayed on each towel placed at a poolside chair, and if there's not a code/ticket attached, then the towels are taken up automatically. No code ticket attached, up it goes. No one would leave towels without ID, because it would mean they'd be losing them.

And, if it DOES have the ID and yet should be unattended a while, it will be taken up and must be claimed at the office, and now they know who you are. If code is present and it was confiscated for selfishness in hogging unattended chair, the guest would be fined(?) or at least reprimanded. At end of week, towel count for each villa could be checked, missing towels to be billed for token fee. Would require a few extra employees which would raise the MF slightly (an imperceivable amount) but imho, it is warranted! Anyway, a thought.

In Aruba the SC did this a few years ago. The tags are not on the towels, but each guest is given a numbered chair tag on arrival. It hasn't stopped the chair hogs from claiming chairs early and then going elsewhere for hours, and it hasn't increased the policing, but it has cut down on the many guests that double-dipped- reserving a chaise at the beach and at the pool, so they could go back and forth, while one sits empty enjoying the shade of an umbrella or palapa. I think it really made a big difference there.

Personally, I like to sit at the beach, but do love to use the pool. So when I walk over to the pool, we all just find a single empty lounge to put our belongings on for the time we are in the pool. But others had reserved lounges all day for their entire party in the past, and the tag system has cut that abuse down.

I do wish they had a meter stamp type thing though- leave your lounge and get a meter time ticket- if you're not back in 90 minutes, then your belongings can be moved. It would be a bit inconvenient, but would certainly cut down on the chair hogging. In reality, if you have several people in your party, usually someone is there if you are really using the chaises, so it wouldn't be that you constantly had to get a time stamp. Without some objective way of knowing when the lounges were vacant, it is really impossible for security to enforce any time rule.

 

[MOXJO7282]

While we're on the subject of different strokes, we traded into Grand Ocean a few years ago highly anticipating what many say is the best Marriott property. We had to wait for our unit and instead of inviting us to go enjoy the pool or beach, the staff rudely told us to "go sit over there and we'll call you when it is ready." Meanwhile we were ambushed by the salesperson who wanted us to buy. Not an auspicious beginning. Our unit was first floor and any view was totally blocked by trees. It was so dark inside we had to keep the lights on all the time. Also, the second bedroom had a view of the stairs, elevator, and a trash dumpster. Not exactly paradise. I understand that traders often get the worst locations so that's the way it goes.
The worst part of our trip though was it was lovebug season (mid sept.) and they were EVERYWHERE. It was difficult to speak without one in your mouth. In addition, the beach was covered with prickly seaweed so deep it was impossible to walk through it with bare feet. Because of some ecology law, they were prohibited from removing it. Since we are beach people, that really changed our itinerary. We rented bikes and spent most of every day riding throughout the island. That was very enjoyable.Okay so this wasn't our best vacation, but we did make the best of it and I did not slam GO as the worst place ever. Things happen; sometimes peole are annoying or you don't get your first choice. Roll with it and if you hate the place don't go back.

Its unfortunate when an exchanger gets a bad room and has a bad week because it can taint and turn off someone to an otherwise beautiful location and resort. I'm fairly certain if you didn't get the dumpster view you'd have a much more positive feeling towards GO. I'm spoiled owning OF and for sure would enjoy it less it were not for the OF views.

Also we go last week in August (would be there today if not for my daughter's first year / first week in college) and at different times in Sept and never had the bug problem you experienced so again that experience hurt your overall enjoyment.

I've seen these reviews from Maui to Aruba and it disappoints me because I want everyone to experience the resorts I own and have the same positive experience which they would I'm convinced if it were not for the bad room placement and perhaps an isolated bug or weather issue.

As for comparing HHI to MB, just to add more of my own .02 cents, OW is a much nicer resort overall, the OF units are some of the best I've ever seen, but overall I have to give the nod to HHI, especially the GO because of location, ambience, and a smaller town charmgoing on. MB is just a little too touristy for me, and the restaurants from my experience come up way short compared to HHI.

 

[jme]

Its unfortunate when an exchanger gets a bad room and has a bad week because it can taint and turn off someone to an otherwise beautiful location and resort. I'm fairly certain if you didn't get the dumpster view you'd have a much more positive feeling towards GO. I'm spoiled owning OF and for sure would enjoy it less it were not for the OF views.

Also we go last week in August (would be there today if not for my daughter's first year / first week in college) and at different times in Sept and never had the bug problem you experienced so again that experience hurt your overall enjoyment.

I've seen these reviews from Maui to Aruba and it disappoints me because I want everyone to experience the resorts I own and have the same positive experience which they would I'm convinced if it were not for the bad room placement and perhaps an isolated bug or weather issue.

As for comparing HHI to MB, just to add more of my own .02 cents, OW is a much nicer resort overall, the OF units are some of the best I've ever seen, but overall I have to give the nod to HHI, especially the GO because of location, ambience, and a smaller town charmgoing on. MB is just a little too touristy for me, and the restaurants from my experience come up way short compared to HHI.

Good points Joe, as always. Especially about wanting others to feel what you feel about places you love. From that, I know you're a genuine guy, which I've known anyway. But that tells me a lot about your heart.

Since we've been to Grande Ocean 72 times, we've literally seen almost every villa imaginable, and that includes first floors behind trees and everything else. C'est la vie.

In my years of traveling, I have learned that a resort's overall appeal is SO MUCH MORE than a room assignment.

I let that last sentence stand alone, because I feel it's important. Our stays and our happiness are never affected by the villa we receive, whether at GO or Ocean Pointe, Newport Coast, Kaua'i Beach Club, Mountainside or Summit Watch, or Lakeshore reserve....or whatever. We've been to many more, and Europe too.

What I remember most about trips is what we did, where we went, what we saw, and certainly not where we slept. I've seen dozens of castles and palaces, but couldn't for the life of me tell you what my bedroom that week looked like. I do recall that the ceilings looked a lot alike. And that will likely continue.

The "resort experience" goes way beyond that, but many seem to judge their vacation purely on what room and view they get, and for that I'm sorry. They forget it's only one week, one time there, so judgments are made. They're perhaps so chapped on DAY ONE that their week is ruined.......and that's unfortunate. So that ONE SINGLE week is forever tainted in their mind. I also believe that villa assignments across the board seem to even out---good and bad, if there's such a thing.

And what some stupid 20-something immature desk person said also falls into that category. I just refuse to allow circumstances, or someone else, to control my happiness that way. And, btw, that desk person may not even be there the next week for all we know, and frankly they're a dime a dozen.

Love bugs and seaweed......hmmm....seems to me like we're invading their space, not the reverse, but those two things are very infrequent if not rare, so that's just nature and not much we can do about it. Perhaps the other 51 weeks of the year are not like that? Actually, they're not. Fall is the season for both. We've been there, done that. We laugh and enjoy the destination anyway, and those things are totally forgotten until I read them here. Life must be an awfully bumpy ride for some, but if that's ever the case for me, I tend to turn and look out the window instead.

I have a good friend checking out of SurfWatch today, and another checked into GO yesterday----both TUG buddies-----and both kindly texted me to let me know they were there and having fun. Thanks guys. Thanks for sharing! Makes me want to drive straight there, but I'm stuck at home for a while. Sure wish I could trade my backyard view for a view of some hallway with a garbage can at Grande Ocean......I wouldn't even see that can because I'd be running for the surf, and planning a great night out with a bottle of wine and a Cowboy Cut Rib Chop at Santa Fe.

 

[Gophesjo]

I am at Myrtle Beach, staying in my pleasant little timeshare unit about 14 blocks up the street from MOW, so today I decided to walk up the beach to see what was happening at MOW - having in mind this discussion thread. I walked onto the property from the beach and the best word I can think of for describing what was going on in the pool area was chaos. The pool had to be reaching its occupancy maximum, and there were only a small handful of chaises that weren't occupied.

There is strong surf and a very high tide today which probably contributed to the number of people in the pool (as they were not in the ocean), but seeing this made me wonder how crazy it must be weeks 25 to 30 or so.

By the way I also walked onto the JW Resort next door and it was much calmer - fewer people in the pools or on the deck.

All that said, I still am impressed with MOW every time I stroll or drive by.

 

[jont]

Checked in today

Like the OP, i just spent a week at Surfwatch an am following it up with a few days at Ocean watch. I reserved 2 nights garden view villa. A few days ago I called ahead requesting the Pine building, highest floor possible.

We arrived here at 5:30 with no line at the front desk. I was told the room was not ready an when I asked when they expected to be available the young lady said she did not know but asked for my cell # and they would call me when it was ready. Sound familiar? I said fine and asked for a parking pass so I could put my car in the back lot. My wife, daughter and I then walked over to the beachside pool an sat down at the bar for a beverage. No sooner than taking my first sip my cell rings, my reception was fine, and I am told our villa is ready. It's about 6pm. At the front desk I'm told my villa is on the 8th floor of the Pine building,and it's an end unit with a corner balcony. So I'm pretty happy they gave me what I asked for. I don't know if being an owner here helped or not but my experience was very different than the OP's.
Not having stayed here for several years, no back buildings, I was very impressed with the grounds and thevway the property has matured. The negative, as it has always been is the parking, it's very crowded but living just outside NYC this is something i'm used to. Concerning the light bulbs in the restrooms, they are very slow warming up, but once on they are fine, IMHO,personally if it helps save some money on our MFs I'm all for it.The lighting at the sinks seems adequate for shaving/grooming, but I
have been often told I look much better in low on no light.
I will check out the pool and chair situtation tomorrow, but I expect it to be very crowded. I will probably start off at the woodsy pool and move over to the beach and beach pool later in the afternoon.
One final note, all the staff ware very friendly and helpful, typical of the treatment I have always received at marriotts. We had a problem with the tv in the second bedroom and the maintenance man was up in 5 minutes to fixit, a loose cord.

I'm very sorry the original poster and some others have had problems but what I have experienced and seen today, I am very happy and proud to be an owner at Ocean Watch and I feel it stacks up favorably to every other Marriott in the system.

 

[jont]

I'm at the beach pool now, its 945 and there are plenty of chairs available. there is some chair hogging going on but nothing worse than ive seen at aruba, barony, newport. i expect the pool deck to be filled up in an hour or so. there are staff members walking around keeping an eye on things. so far so good.

 

[emmaddy]

Timeshare experiences

Glad to hear things are well at OW. We will be returning in Oct. and anticipate the pace and crowds will be slower than in our summer week.
Some recent posters have questioned others' opinions about their given locations within OW and GO. It seems a bit disingenuous of any Marriott owner to assert that a view/location within a resort does not affect the experience. If that were the case, wouldn't we all be staying at the Bates Motel instead of shelling out thousands to buy Marriott properties? And would there even be view distinctions within a resort?
The location/view certainly does not dictate the overall vacation experience, but get real here, wouldn't you rather see the ocean than a stairway or people constantly walking past your balcony? Also, as an owner don't you expect to get a better location than a trader?
We've traveled pretty much exclusively at Marriotts throughout the US, Europe and Caribbean (just got back from the new Scrub Island BVI resort) and have come to expect a level of courtesy from the staff that is their trademark. When one of these people lets us down, it is disappointing, but does not ruin our week. I think if it didn't bother others, they wouldn't refer to the desk help as "stupid."
Please remember too that many folks get only 1 or 2 weeks of vacation a year, not 11 or 12, so they want those weeks to be as good a possible. I haven't noticed anyone so upset that they didn't deal with the issues, as most simply say there were some letdowns. I think they have managed to move on and maybe they won't return. But isn't that the way it goes everywhere? If you don't like a store, restaurant, theater, or hotel you don't go back.

 

[CashEddie]

Can someone explain what the chair policy is at OW? Do guests have a "right" to reserve a chair for hours even though they are not occupying it?

Seems like alot a fuss over nothing. The way I roll is if you are not in your chair when I come by, your stuff is getting moved, period. I had to do this on a cruise ship. Folks left books and towels on the big chairs for hours. Waited for a bit and and then moved their stuff. They come back and complain. Nothing they could do but get their stuff and get to stepping.

So let an empty chair be available with a towel in book on it when I get to OW. I will just politly move those items to the side or give it to an attendant for safe keeping and I will take a seat. Nothing person can do that is not there. (unless someone explains otherwise)

 

[jme]

Can someone explain what the chair policy is at OW? Do guests have a "right" to reserve a chair for hours even though they are not occupying it?

Seems like alot a fuss over nothing. The way I roll is if you are not in your chair when I come by, your stuff is getting moved, period. I had to do this on a cruise ship. Folks left books and towels on the big chairs for hours. Waited for a bit and and then moved their stuff. They come back and complain. Nothing they could do but get their stuff and get to stepping.

So let an empty chair be available with a towel in book on it when I get to OW. I will just politly move those items to the side or give it to an attendant for safe keeping and I will take a seat. Nothing person can do that is not there. (unless someone explains otherwise)

if everybody did that, the problem would go away quickly. Good for you Cash. I'm with you.

 

[jdunn1]

Hi John. Thanks for the trip reports. Hope your vacaton is going well. Have you checked out the new pool? Is it open, yet?

Not wishing my life away but I can't wait for next summer when I can go to OceanWatch.

I hope this thread keeps a lot of people away next summer, too.

I'm at the beach pool now, its 945 and there are plenty of chairs available. there is some chair hogging going on but nothing worse than ive seen at aruba, barony, newport. i expect the pool deck to be filled up in an hour or so. there are staff members walking around keeping an eye on things. so far so good.

 

[jont]

hi jim
OW is great! wish i could stay all week! new pool is done but not yet open, they are waiting for final city approval. hopefully this week im told.resort is packed but everything is cool!

New "Serenity Now-Insanity later" pool

 

[KathyPet]

One way to deal with the chair shortage is to do what I actually saw two people do at SKB this past Feb. Pick up the lounge chair you have been using and take it to your unit. Yup in SKB the two small pools are close to the villas and these two picked up their chairs (yes they were the SKB chairs not their own personal chairs) and carried them up a flight of stairs to their unit. Guess that is one way to ensure that you get a chair when you want it.

 

[Steve A]

Like a previous poster we will be at the OW in October (14-21 to be exact). What can we expect in terms of crowds at the resort and in Myrtle Beach? Will the ocean be warm enough to swim in? Any recommendations for villa requests?

BTW, we got this week with a Barony Bronze.

 

[Egret1986]

Well, my first thought was "unbelievable."

One way to deal with the chair shortage is to do what I actually saw two people do at SKB this past Feb. Pick up the lounge chair you have been using and take it to your unit. Yup in SKB the two small pools are close to the villas and these two picked up their chairs (yes they were the SKB chairs not their own personal chairs) and carried them up a flight of stairs to their unit. Guess that is one way to ensure that you get a chair when you want it.

But I can believe it.

Wow!

 

[Gophesjo]

Answering Steve A

Crowds significantly down, and the tail end of the ocean swimming season. Check out Oktoberfest on the Boardwalk (if you dare)...

 

[jdunn1]

I wouldn't count on the ocean being very warm. It may be down right cold, in fact. Not to worry, though. OceanWatch probably has the nicest pool complex of any mainland Marriott resort. Unlike the ocean front Marriotts in Hilton Head (not counting SurfWatch), all the pools are heated, too. Maybe LakeShore has a nicer pool complex but I believe that is actually the JW's pool complex?

I think when you go to a summer beach resort in the off season, it is especially valuable to be at a nice resort, and OceanWatch is one of those resorts with so much to do within the resort, you hardly ever need to leave. Have lots of fun.

Like a previous poster we will be at the OW in October (14-21 to be exact). What can we expect in terms of crowds at the resort and in Myrtle Beach? Will the ocean be warm enough to swim in? Any recommendations for villa requests?

BTW, we got this week with a Barony Bronze.

 

[emmaddy]

We will be there at the same time so I checked and found the the avg. air temp during Oct. is 77 and water temp averages 72 degrees. Not quite warm enough for us, but should be great beach reading and walking. We hope the quiet pool is open by then as well.
If you want a nice daytrip, I can suggest Brookgreen Gardens near Murrell's Inlet. It has beautiful gardens as well as many sculptures and art exhibits. The on-site restaurant is perfect for lunch and you can take a boat ride thoughout the waterways where the guide will tell you the history of the once-rice plantation. Very informative and relaxing.
Traffic and crowds should be minimal this time of year around the resort; although I am not familiar with the Oktoberfest celebration so I may be wrong about that. The place could be hopping!
I am sure you will enjoy the area and the great resort.

 

[jont]

Like a previous poster we will be at the OW in October (14-21 to be exact). What can we expect in terms of crowds at the resort and in Myrtle Beach? Will the ocean be warm enough to swim in? Any recommendations for villa requests?

BTW, we got this week with a Barony Bronze.

You will most likely get a garden view. they are the lower 8? floors or the back 2 buildings. each building has 5 units per floor, with the end units having a revised floorplan and a smaller balcony. the 3 middle units have the typical marriott floorplan.
The Maple building looks out over the woodsy pool and is on the south end of the property, any views, glimpses really, are obstructed by the 3 front buildings and the hotel.
The pine building looks over the wooded area which has the playground, firepit, and putting green. Its on the north end of the property and you have a better chance of seeing the ocean if you can get a high enough floor.. Either build ing is fine and you have a walk to the beach which is similar to the barony garden units.

views from 8th floor of pine building

 

[mbeach89]

Re: Brookgreen Gardens

We will be there at the same time so I checked and found the the avg. air temp during Oct. is 77 and water temp averages 72 degrees. Not quite warm enough for us, but should be great beach reading and walking. We hope the quiet pool is open by then as well.
If you want a nice daytrip, I can suggest Brookgreen Gardens near Murrell's Inlet. It has beautiful gardens as well as many sculptures and art exhibits. The on-site restaurant is perfect for lunch and you can take a boat ride thoughout the waterways where the guide will tell you the history of the once-rice plantation. Very informative and relaxing.
Traffic and crowds should be minimal this time of year around the resort; although I am not familiar with the Oktoberfest celebration so I may be wrong about that. The place could be hopping!
I am sure you will enjoy the area and the great resort.

What we failed to realize was that an admission ticket to Brookgreen Gardens is valid for a full week! Bring your camera!

 

[m61376]

One way to deal with the chair shortage is to do what I actually saw two people do at SKB this past Feb. Pick up the lounge chair you have been using and take it to your unit. Yup in SKB the two small pools are close to the villas and these two picked up their chairs (yes they were the SKB chairs not their own personal chairs) and carried them up a flight of stairs to their unit. Guess that is one way to ensure that you get a chair when you want it.

Shhhh... don't give away our secret :hysterical: - seriously, don't give anyone ideas, or you may see a line-up of people doing exactly that.
Sometimes human behavior is amazing:rofl:

 

[jont]

One way to deal with the chair shortage is to do what I actually saw two people do at SKB this past Feb. Pick up the lounge chair you have been using and take it to your unit. Yup in SKB the two small pools are close to the villas and these two picked up their chairs (yes they were the SKB chairs not their own personal chairs) and carried them up a flight of stairs to their unit. Guess that is one way to ensure that you get a chair when you want it.

I don't get that. To me it's not the actual chair that's important, it's the location. Why not just pick up any chair from another section of the deck and move it where you want?

Maybe those people liked those chaises so much they wanted to sit in them inside their unit.:hysterical: