Summer trade Barony HHI or Crystal Shores Marco, FL?

[Theiggy]

So I have a trade for Barony Beach mid August and I have Crystal Shores Marco Island on hold for the same week (my final retrade bc I’m having a hard time committing!) I’m like a kid in a candy store with all these MVC bulks lately!!! So... we like- beaches, pools, and restaurants. On site restaurant/bar is a feature we like bc I don’t like to cook much but also like to drive to surrounding restaurants too. How is the ocean in each place? Jellyfish in HHI that time of year? Seaweed in Marco Island that time of year? Pros/cons please. Kids are 14 and 12, and like water activities. Help! Unit on hold.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[elaine]

Luv hhi all summer. Mid-August is still fringe high season. But marriott lists Marco units for more $. Lots do do on hhi for teens-I took mine for years.

 

[Theiggy]

Luv hhi all summer. Mid-August is still fringe high season. But marriott lists Marco units for more $. Lots do do on hhi for teens-I took mine for years.

Thank you for your response! It’s a tough decision!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[alwysonvac]

I would go with Barony.
Crystal Shores comes up more often for exchange than Barony in August.

 

[Panina]

I have been to both and I would go Crystal Shores. Both places have lots to do in the area but with what you listed you want Crystal Shores will give you what you want.

 

[Dean]

So I have a trade for Barony Beach mid August and I have Crystal Shores Marco Island on hold for the same week (my final retrade bc I’m having a hard time committing!) I’m like a kid in a candy store with all these MVC bulks lately!!! So... we like- beaches, pools, and restaurants. On site restaurant/bar is a feature we like bc I don’t like to cook much but also like to drive to surrounding restaurants too. How is the ocean in each place? Jellyfish in HHI that time of year? Seaweed in Marco Island that time of year? Pros/cons please. Kids are 14 and 12, and like water activities. Help! Unit on hold.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Side by side I'd keep the one that best fits your needs otherwise in terms of travel and location. For us it'd be Barony because we love HHI and it's closer. If you can figure out the unit code for the Barony exchange and it's Garden View, I might take the Marco exchange.

 

[Theiggy]

I’m still on the fence but leaning toward keeping Barony. @Dean it is a garden view I had an ocean view but changed it for Surf Watch, got garden there and changed back to Barony for better date and ended up with GV. Do you think that there is a chance I can eplus to Grande Ocean last minute? I’m kind of holding out for that. HHI is closer, little cheaper flight.

Can anyone speak about the beaches that time of year in either place?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Dean]

I’m still on the fence but leaning toward keeping Barony. @Dean it is a garden view I had an ocean view but changed it for Surf Watch, got garden there and changed back to Barony for better date and ended up with GV. Do you think that there is a chance I can eplus to Grande Ocean last minute? I’m kind of holding out for that. HHI is closer, little cheaper flight.

Can anyone speak about the beaches that time of year in either place?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I do think there's a chance to get GO but it might be under 60 days if you do. Nice problems overall. Personally I prefer GO then SW then Barony and for the GV units, I much prefer SW over Barony but YMMV. I can't speak to the beaches for that time of year, we normally go week 25, 26 or 27 and will again this year. If you stick with Barony now I'd go ahead and plan your flights. If you feel you have to book your air you might go in Friday and leave Sunday planning a couple of rental or hotel days and possibly several versions. That way if an exchange comes up after you book your flights and it's not the same start date, you'll have flexibility without losing a day of the exchange. Nice problems though regardless of the specific end point, enjoy.

 

[Pamplemousse]

I’m still on the fence but leaning toward keeping Barony. @Dean it is a garden view I had an ocean view but changed it for Surf Watch, got garden there and changed back to Barony for better date and ended up with GV. Do you think that there is a chance I can eplus to Grande Ocean last minute? I’m kind of holding out for that. HHI is closer, little cheaper flight.

Can anyone speak about the beaches that time of year in either place?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

My favorite MVC is Crystal Shores. What view would you get there? Ocean view is amazing. We loved being able to walk up the beach or across the street to restaurants and taking day trips to Naples ( great botanical garden) and the Everglades. We went in February and the weather was perfect. No seaweed, although there was a red tide warning on our last day- but you can’t plan nature.
I haven’t stayed at Barony but have been at Grande Ocean. Also loved it there. That was in April and it was a little cool for ocean swimming. Good restaurant options on the island, but we drove to everything and we didn’t find as much to do nearby. Might be different in summer.

 

[Big Matt]

You will be going to Marco in off season. It will be miserably hot. It will be hot on HH too, but there will be much more to do. I would take Barony ten times out of ten. They are completely different resorts and locations, and you see that Panina likes Marco better. I would suggest that you research both and decide which is best for you.

 

[Theiggy]

Thank you all! For now I’m staying with Barony.
First world problems.....my brother is trying to persuade me to rent a big beautiful house in Destin with our friends instead. [Deleted ad-like comment. <-- SueDonJ] So many places.. so little time. I have to say I’m loving timesharing so far. The key here though is I hardly laid out any cash for my weeks. Another happy tugger- glad I found these forums before purchasing.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Superchief]

I am at Barony now and have been to Crystal Shores several times. We really enjoy both areas, but prefer to travel during off season. I would never come to Hilton Head during summer because it is peak season and the traffic is terrible. Although Marco Island will also be busy, there are several restaurants within walking distance and there are a few alternative roads to travel on. The additions at Chrystal Shores are completed and it is really a fabulous resort. The Stilts restaurant on site has improved greatly and is now pretty good. The fitness center is much nicer and better equipped than Barony (and any other Hilton Head MVC resort). The beach is large with white sand, but typically the gulf is much calmer than the Atlantic.

Your family might enjoy a trip to Everglades City for a bay cruise or airboat ride. We saw several dolphin during our bay cruise in October. There is a little restaurant near there that has the best Cuban Sandwiches I've had other than in Key West. Ft. Myers airport is easy to navigate and there is a Costco nearby on the way to Marco Island.

 

[Steve Fatula]

Yeah, Marco is much nicer IMHO, fancier if you like that sort of thing. Beautiful houses, lots of ocean daytrips, etc. We actually did the long Everglades drive into the main park all the way to the southern tip of Florida. I am with Superchief, hate Hiltion Head in summer due to traffic and crowds, will never go there again in summer. But in the end, it's whatever you prefer, there is no right answer. Just opinions!

 

[jont]

We were at Crystal sholes last Aug, after going to HHI numerous times in Aug. Loved the resort and esp the units and balcony. But it is very quiet that time of year. Places are open but there are no crowds (which my be a plus for you) As far as the heat, I would rate them about the same. WE still like HHI better because of all the restaurants and vibe.

 

[Big Matt]

This is exactly my experience with Crystal Shores. I was really disappointed about how dead it was that time of year. I really wanted to love it, but it was boring. Agree completely on the balcony and transition from main living are to the lanai. I also avoid HHI in the busy summer months and enjoy it much more during spring, fall and winter. June is great in Hilton Head, but starting the second or third week it gets nuts with traffic, and the great local places get over run with tourists.