Report on Five Weeks in Hilton Head

[jme]

Hi Marty, you still haven't tried Flora's Italian restaurant, my personal favorite in HH? I can't beleive Carrabba's makes your list and Flora's is still not there.
I recently sent my friend who has a 2nd home on HH with his in-laws who have lived on HH for years. They all loved Floras and said they couldn't beleive they have never tried nor known about this great friendly restaurant. I know there are a lot of great choices on HH for dining but please give it a try on one of your upcoming trips. Tell Flora and her husband that Brian from NJ sent you.
Enjoy.

You're right. I jotted it down when you told me about it last year, but never got a chance to go there. I will make it a point to try it.

We typically don't do Italian as much as the other types when at the beach, hence the omission. But stay tuned, Floras is on my radar, as is every restaurant I hear or read about. Believe me, though, it's hard to pass up my "first loves" to try something else. For example, we were at Grande Ocean last week but never got to our favorite, Santa Fe. We tried other places "doing research", LOL, but skipped the place we adore. Very tough.

 

[Luvtoride]

Marty, I completely understand. It does have to be a tough decision to forego one of your favorites to go to a "new" restaurant for research, but tis the life of the culinary guru of HH!
I guarantee you will have a wonderful dining experience and will find Floras to be one of the best values on HH.
We are going back to HH twice this year, but not until Late August and then again in October. Although you never know how things could change and we could get down for a quick trip sooner... Now that I know all of the highlights of all the Marriott properties thanks to BocaBoy and this thread. I always keep your restaurant list handy when I'm there. .

 

[TRAVELING FOOL]

We are still on our winter travel as newly retirees, and I must say am loving the off season! We started out at Barony for a week on a AC certificate. Even though it was cold most of the time, we managed to make the best of it. Loved the theatre at Northridge plaza with the reclining leather seats and cheap rates! Love all the great restaurants there as well.We then headed on to Oceana Palms and Ocean Point, neither of which we had ever been. Each had a different feel, but loved it at both. The weather was in the mid 70's. We are now at Grand Vista, which was also new to us. Also good weather, which is about to change in a few days. Still better than the snow we could be in in Virginia! This is a huge resort and kind of miss that smaller personal resort feel, but still a beautiful place. Our last stop will be next week at Cypress Harbour, also new to us.Hilton Head remains close in our hearts and want to purchase a resale there. It's an easy drive for us and we've been going there for many years. We are staying at Monarch on a Getaway for Springbreak , along with our grandkids. First time there, so looking forward to it. Loved Sea Pines when we would stay at GO, so this will be great.

 

[Luvtoride]

Traveling, your trip sounds great. Good for you to be kicking off your retirement in such a grand style and getting away from the snow (again today) in the northeast. That's a great way to compare and contrast different MVC resorts. We were just at Oceana Palms last month and really enjoyed it. We own at Cypress Harbor and love the feel of that resort as well. Enjoy the rest of your time on your "retirement tour" and I hope Spring arrives by the time you get back to VA.
Brian

 

[icydog]

As one who vacationed at Monarch many years I am pleased to see it rated top three. IMO it tends to be overlooked.

George

I actually own fixed week 9 Garden View at Monarch. 2014 was my first usage there. I have to say I didn't love it. I was by myself in the second bedroom (because I was traveling with a married couple and I thought it the right thing to do) and I couldn't stand the twin beds even when pushed together into a King bed. I thought the rooms were small and the furniture very tiny and uncomfortable. I've stayed at many other Marriott's on Hilton Head and this resort was my least favorite. This year I have it in II waiting for a trade.

I know others absolutely love the Monarch. I wish I could be persuaded to give it another try.

 

[ScubaKat]

Thanks for the review of the resorts! We have been lucky in trading into Grande Ocean for the last couple of summers through II relatively last minute. This year after selling back one of our Marriott weeks and grabbing weeks for Christmas and Spring break being on a school schedule now.. we were out of Marriott weeks to trade for the summer.. I was matched with Monarch through RCI for July! :whoopie::whoopie: I had hesitated taking it but figured couldn't go wrong with a Marriott on HHI.

 

[jont]

Thank you for the great report. I have been looking forward to reading about your HHI mega stay since you first posted about it several months ago. Although I have visited all the Marriotts on HHI, I have only been able to stay at half of them but I am slowly working my way down the list. Harbor Pointe is coming up this spring. I am also glad you were able to meet and share a meal with Marty and his lovely wife Mona. They are truly two of the nicest people i have had the good fortune of meeting. And Marty is the de facto expert on HHI dining. When Marty speaks (about HHI resturants), people listen. Thanks once again for the great report Boca. Well done.

 

[jme]

Thank you for the great report. I have been looking forward to reading about your HHI mega stay since you first posted about it several months ago. Although I have visited all the Marriotts on HHI, I have only been able to stay at half of them but I am slowly working my way down the list. Harbor Pointe is coming up this spring. I am also glad you were able to meet and share a meal with Marty and his lovely wife Mona. They are truly two of the nicest people i have had the good fortune of meeting. And Marty is the de facto expert on HHI dining. When Marty speaks (about HHI resturants), people listen. Thanks once again for the great report Boca. Well done.

Aw Shucks, thank you John. It's my wife Mona that clinches it, though. Don't know what I did to deserve her. Can't wait to see you and Marie in April, that is, if you can dig out of the snow. all my best

 

[grjedreweery]

BocaBoy......you've inspired me to make my first visit to HH in Jan/Feb (2016). My wife takes early retirement in June this year and we can now go on 'extended' vacations so the first one will be to HH. From 26 Jan 2016 we will be enjoying consecutive weeks in Harbour Club, Monarch, Surfwatch and Grand Ocean - returning back to UK 23rd Feb. Intend to 'destroy' my attempts at weight control (dieting) in as many of jme's recommendations as possible at the same time. Some may think HH will be a bit chilly but here in the UK we've rarely seen temperatures above 50F since end of October and won't see them for a week or two yet so HH in February will be like late Spring/early Summer to me.

 

[jme]

BocaBoy......you've inspired me to make my first visit to HH in Jan/Feb (2016). My wife takes early retirement in June this year and we can now go on 'extended' vacations so the first one will be to HH. From 26 Jan 2016 we will be enjoying consecutive weeks in Harbour Club, Monarch, Surfwatch and Grand Ocean - returning back to UK 23rd Feb. Intend to 'destroy' my attempts at weight control (dieting) in as many of jme's recommendations as possible at the same time. Some may think HH will be a bit chilly but here in the UK we've rarely seen temperatures above 50F since end of October and won't see them for a week or two yet so HH in February will be like late Spring/early Summer to me.

When you visit HH next year, let me know, and we'll personally HELP you destroy your attempts at weight control (but only while you're there---don't want you to be bad forever.) Would love to join you for dinner.

This has been an unusually cold year---it's definitely not always like this. Last year we had temps in the mid to upper 60s-low 70s a few times. Wife played tennis every day. We're usually there one week in Jan, one week in Feb, and one week in March.....See you then......jme

 

[grjedreweery]

It would be nice to meet up. Never met a 'Tugger' before. I expect you've got lots to teach me when it comes to maximising my Marriott experiences.

 

[jme]

It would be nice to meet up. Never met a 'Tugger' before. I expect you've got lots to teach me when it comes to maximising my Marriott experiences.

everyone can help.

this board has a wealth of knowledge AND experience, which will save you money, enhance your family time together, and help create great memories for years to come.

it's an open book. welcome.

 

[Superchief]

I look forward to trying all the restaurant recommendations when I am there later this year. In order to minimize the damages, I try to work out regularly when on vacation. I was disappointed in the fitness facilities at Harbor Club (last year) and Sunset Point (several years ago). Can anyone provide information regarding which resorts have good fitness facilities, including weight training? I consider the facilities at Oceana Palms, Marco Island, Newport Coast, and Mountainside to be pretty good.

 

[BocaBoy]

Thank you for the great report. I have been looking forward to reading about your HHI mega stay since you first posted about it several months ago. Although I have visited all the Marriotts on HHI, I have only been able to stay at half of them but I am slowly working my way down the list. Harbor Pointe is coming up this spring. I am also glad you were able to meet and share a meal with Marty and his lovely wife Mona. They are truly two of the nicest people i have had the good fortune of meeting. And Marty is the de facto expert on HHI dining. When Marty speaks (about HHI resturants), people listen. Thanks once again for the great report Boca. Well done.

Thanks , John. I am glad you enjoyed my summary. Marty speaks very highly of you and Marie also. Maybe some day we can have the pleasure of meeting you also.

 

[jont]

Thanks , John. I am glad you enjoyed my summary. Marty speaks very highly of you and Marie also. Maybe some day we can have the pleasure of meeting you also.

Boca
I look forward it also.

 

[Serina]

We like Flora's Italian and highly recommend it too.

 

[Luvtoride]

Flora's Italian Restaurant

Serina, Finally someone else who has tried (and loves) Flora's! I've been recommending it here for almost 2 years and begging Marty to try it so it might make his recommended restaurant list. We're from NJ near where Flora and her husband used to have a restaurant before moving down to HH. We recommend it to everyone. Friends of mine who live in Hilton Head finally tried it a Few weeks ago and loved it! They couldn't believe that had never tried this hidden gem! My review on Yelp, under Brian F is still the top featured review for Flora's. It's hard to find better food and hospitality anywhere. Glad you're another fan.
Brian

 

[jme]

Serina, Finally someone else who has tried (and loves) Flora's! I've been recommending it here for almost 2 years and begging Marty to try it so it might make his recommended restaurant list. We're from NJ near where Flora and her husband used to have a restaurant before moving down to HH. We recommend it to everyone. Friends of mine who live in Hilton Head finally tried it a Few weeks ago and loved it! They couldn't believe that had never tried this hidden gem! My review on Yelp, under Brian F is still the top featured review for Flora's. It's hard to find better food and hospitality anywhere. Glad you're another fan.
Brian

I'll be back at HH next week, and will dine at Flora's.

 

[Superchief]

Thanks to Dioxide's helpful post regarding MVC codes, I noticed that my exchange to Grand Ocean for Labor Day week is for an Oceanfront villa. This will be my first stay at this resort and I'm really looking forward to having oceanfront. I exchanged a Gold NCV week.

Flora's restaurant sounds similar to Claudiana's, a fantastic family run restaurant near me in Polaris area of Columbus. I plan to try it and several other recommendations when I'm there. Thanks for all of your reviews and suggestions.

 

[tschwa2]

It has been mentioned before in Hilton Head, they are likely to downgrade you from Ocean front and give it to a Grande Ocean owner who is trading back into the resort.

 

[dioxide45]

Thanks to Dioxide's helpful post regarding MVC codes, I noticed that my exchange to Grand Ocean for Labor Day week is for an Oceanfront villa. This will be my first stay at this resort and I'm really looking forward to having oceanfront. I exchanged a Gold NCV week.

Flora's restaurant sounds similar to Claudiana's, a fantastic family run restaurant near me in Polaris area of Columbus. I plan to try it and several other recommendations when I'm there. Thanks for all of your reviews and suggestions.

I would expect the worst and hope for the best. If you exchanged in though II, there is a good chance that they will reassign your villa to a Garden View. The SC resorts are known to do this with pretty good regularity. Moving owners that exchanging in are bumped up and non owners are moved down. Being a Marriott owner will help, a lot depends on the number of Grande Ocean owners staying there that exchanged in to the property.

 

[Superchief]

I would expect the worst and hope for the best. If you exchanged in though II, there is a good chance that they will reassign your villa to a Garden View. The SC resorts are known to do this with pretty good regularity. Moving owners that exchanging in are bumped up and non owners are moved down. Being a Marriott owner will help, a lot depends on the number of Grande Ocean owners staying there that exchanged in to the property.

Hopefully, being Premier Plus and now 'Chairman' level will help. I typically send an email to the inventory control manager about a month prior to my stay. Does anyone know the email for the appropriate person at GO?

Many schools start prior to Labor Day, so perhaps that will reduce the number of Oceanfront owners staying that week. I appreciate everyone's help.

 

[Fasttr]

This will be my first stay at this resort and I'm really looking forward to having oceanfront.

Just to manage your GO OF expectations, since you say its your first stay, OF at GO really means an OF villa will be "near the ocean", not necessarily direct OF as it does at most other resorts.

 

[Superchief]

Just to manage your GO OF expectations, since you say its your first stay, OF at GO really means an OF villa will be "near the ocean", not necessarily direct OF as it does at most other resorts.

This is also the situation at Ocean Point. A high floor ocean view villa has a better view of the ocean than a low floor Oceanfront which is blocked by trees. I just hope to be able to see the ocean and hear the waves from my balcony.

 

[NTP66]

At Grande Ocean, Garden View (especially from the Dolphin building side) is a lot nicer than ocean view, IMO. That's more because of the fact that the Atlantic is just meh to look at until you get to Florida.