We own at both Barony (2 weeks) and Grande Ocean (6 weeks), first purchase in 1998 and a few later....
We've stayed at Barony about 20-25 times, at GO about 80-85 times (seriously).
I have never noticed or felt that Barony was any closer to the beach than GO.....
if it is, it's by mere steps, totally irrelevant in actual distance or feel, and that can be seen clearly in links below.
One big difference, GO's beach is much wider and flatter. It has the widest stretch of beach on the island,
where the original William Hilton Inn stood (built in 1959)...Marriott bulldozed it and constructed GO.
The stone dolphin at WHI still sits outside the Dolphin Grille at GO---I played on it as a child, and my children played on it.
At either resort, you're on the beach within 1 minute from OF units, 2-3 minutes from farthest back OS buildings.
Important to note that Barony only has 2 OF buildings, while GO has 4.
GO's units are slightly larger in square footage, which is noticeable to me. Both resort's units are top notch,
and their on-schedule renovations have always been superb. I particularly like Barony's last one in color scheme
and retiling of the shower and adding glass doors. Very nicely done.
Owners at all of Marriott's "Big 3" at Hilton Head are intensely loyal, with good reason---all of them are great resorts,
and folks like them for different reasons, all reasons being valid. All three reign above any other HH resorts, imho.
GO is currently undergoing a renovation---removing the large jetted tubs and replacing them with a more conventional tub,
and enlarging the shower (adding glass doors) and reworking the bathroom layout. Should be great.
Direct ocean views, especially with an OS villa, are much more plentiful at GO than Barony.
All top level floors (floor 5) at GO see the ocean, and several level 4 floors see the ocean. A handful of OS 3rd floors see the ocean.
We've stayed in almost every unit in GO more than once, so I know them well.
Barony has very few OS units that see the ocean....you can count them on your hands, perhaps on just one hand.
(Compare the distances of buildings from beach...and figure in the pools in front.)
Barony:
★★★★★ · Hotel
goo.gl
Grande Ocean:
★★★★★ · Hotel
goo.gl
One reason I like the west coast beaches is that I get to enjoy the sunsets and not have to get up early for the sunrise