SurfWatch help

[jdunn1]

Hi Everyone. I'm checking into SurfWatch on Easter. So excited!!! Is there a real vacume in the room, one with a hose? We like to travel with those vacume seal bags but believe it or not the Wyndham we were last at in August only had those sweeper vacumes that are manual push.

Also, we need to rent bikes. The few times we stayed at Disney's Hilton Head resort, they always ran out of bikes by Easter, and that is our check-in date. Can I reserve bikes before checking in? I called and the guy I spoke to said no, I have to reserve bikes in person with a vila number.

Any Easter day activities at this resort? Same guy who told me no reserving bikes said the resort does stuff for Easter but couldn't even give me a hint of what the resort does. Something about the resort not planning activities until the week before? At Disney's resort, they had a very nice Easter Egg hunt Easter morning. We will be staying Charlotte the night before Easter and want to plan our drive to the resort so we do not miss any special activities.

Is the park across from SurfWatch anything special? Also, is there anything like a store of mini golf or anything we can walk to or bike to easily from the resort? We'll bike a couple miles if there are bike paths. The Disney resort kind of spoiled us because there was so much to bike to just outside the resort. I think SurfWatch is in a much more remote part of the island, but I want to think there are some things you can bike to from the resort.

No Pizza Hut at SurfWatch?

Thanks, everyone. We are ready to go NOW. Just hoping for nice and warm weather.

 

[pedro47]

Suggestion, just call the resort and ask your questions ?

 

[dioxide45]

We stayed at Surfwatch last April, I don't remember a vacuum in the room, of course there could have been but vacuuming wasn't our priority so we may just not have seen it.

 

[Carol C]

Can't recall the vacuum as I don't use em on timeshare stays. But they have so many planned daily activities, including a chili night and a bratwurst night, plus their cozy "cinema", plus their indoor pool and huge jacuzzi, so much on site you'll have more than enough to do. You won't even have time to vacuum, wink wink. Hey have fun!

 

[yumdrey]

Hi Everyone. I'm checking into SurfWatch on Easter. So excited!!! Is there a real vacume in the room, one with a hose? We like to travel with those vacume seal bags but believe it or not the Wyndham we were last at in August only had those sweeper vacumes that are manual push.

Also, we need to rent bikes. The few times we stayed at Disney's Hilton Head resort, they always ran out of bikes by Easter, and that is our check-in date. Can I reserve bikes before checking in? I called and the guy I spoke to said no, I have to reserve bikes in person with a vila number.

Any Easter day activities at this resort? Same guy who told me no reserving bikes said the resort does stuff for Easter but couldn't even give me a hint of what the resort does. Something about the resort not planning activities until the week before? At Disney's resort, they had a very nice Easter Egg hunt Easter morning. We will be staying Charlotte the night before Easter and want to plan our drive to the resort so we do not miss any special activities.

Is the park across from SurfWatch anything special? Also, is there anything like a store of mini golf or anything we can walk to or bike to easily from the resort? We'll bike a couple miles if there are bike paths. The Disney resort kind of spoiled us because there was so much to bike to just outside the resort. I think SurfWatch is in a much more remote part of the island, but I want to think there are some things you can bike to from the resort.

No Pizza Hut at SurfWatch?

Thanks, everyone. We are ready to go NOW. Just hoping for nice and warm weather.

I don't remember about vacuum, but SurfWatch offers the most activities among all marriott resorts in HHI.
You can rent a bike in building 54, I was there last summer and still saw many bikes available. Many different sizes to choose and guys in there were very kind.
About 1 mile from SurfWatch, there's a small adventure park for putt-putt, mini golf and arcade. There was a kids night out program in surfwatch and they used this place. My son liked there so much, so we went there again next day.
There are nice bike paths around surfwatch.
There's pizza hut express in the market.
Go and enjoy!

 

[TSPam]

HI,
I'm pretty sure that there is a vacuum in the closet that contains the furnace.

surfwatch just shut their pizza Hut and put their marketplace "express" by the front lobby. It is now 24 hrs but has less stuff.

The theatre is going to be shut for some amount of time while they expand it. I would call to see.

You could ask to talk to Caitlin in activities about what events they will be doing.

Biking is easy from surfwatch and it is 2.7 miles to the mini-golf near just past disney.
There is a closer one only 0.7 miles away--just down the street.

the park across the road has tennis courts, lots of places to run and play and good biking paths.

It is fun to bike on the beach and it is one mile along the beach from Surfwatch to Barony beach club and the Westin.

Surfwatch has an ocean side bar/food outlet.

We love surfwatch and the people are great. We have stayed at Disney and although we like it there too, we like the ocean a bit better and having two outdoor pools and and indoor pool are great.

 

[dioxide45]

surfwatch just shut their pizza Hut and put their marketplace "express" by the front lobby. It is now 24 hrs but has less stuff.

This is a disturbing trend. When we were at Ocean Pointe last year the Pizza Hut Express was shuttered. Not sure if it was a seasonal thing or permanent though. I guess since these outlets are operated by MVCI they can add or remove the services. If they are not profitable then they will go by the wayside.

I really like the Pizza Hut Express at the resorts, it is a convenience thing and you can go down and pick it up or eat poolside if you want. Sure you can get delivery, but that is a pain. I guess if not enough people are using the services, they just aren't viable. Though while at Ocean Pointe on prior visits there was never a shortage of a line in front of the Pizza Hut Express in mid afternoon.

 

[normab]

I am at Surfwatch right now, sitting on the balcony! They have completed the updating of the units, new fabrics everywhere, new living room seating (not so crazy about the seating choices but that's an individual style/decor choice). They even refurbished the kitchen and bathroom floors. Very nice overall.

Yes there is a real vacuum in the utility closet.

I was told they closed the Pizza Hut because they lost money on it, and they moved the MarketPlace into the lobby as a MarketPlace Express. There are local Pizza places that deliver I believe. Also, the beach bar is already open for the season. I don't agree that it's a "disturbing trend". It's a business and as owners we expect fiscal responsibility, so if they are losing money, they should be looking at options. Hilton Head has hundreds of restaurants, and the resort villas have a full kitchen and plenty of grills. There are 3 grocery stores withing 2 miles either direction. There are plenty of restaurants that deliver or have take-out to satisfy the needs of everyone staying here. There really are plenty of options for everyone.

Of note, they are converting the old space into an activity center. This was done based on feedback/ comments from owners.

There are movies every day this week, and lots of activities everyday. We are attending the beer tasting, the wine and cheese social, and probably one of the movies. Maybe even beach-bar bingo! We were here Christmas week and were surprised at the number of activities, so I imagine Easter will be the same. We own here and exchange back also, and are happy at how the staff responds to suggestions from the owners.

There are plenty of bikes here so I can't imagine you need to reserve in advance--but you can call the resort and they can tell you more about availability.

You will really enjoy your stay here, we love it more with every visit.

Norma

 

[jdunn1]

Thanks, everyone. Such great info and so nice of everyone to respond. I'm jealous of the person at SurfWatch, now. I bet the weather is wonderful. I am writing from Cleveland, Ohio and we were near 70 and sunny, today. Supposed to be upper 60's for us for the next two weeks. If we are warm up here in the north, it usually means perfect weather down south.

No big deal about the pizza hut, but it would have been really neat. My step-dad is going on this trip and he LOVES pizza hut. He will be the most disapointed.

Glad to know they have a real vacume. We will be filling up our two bedroom with 8 people and a baby, so with all those people (especially the kids) we will be vacuming. But, I really wanted to know about the vacume becuase we use those vacume bags, which really make packing towels and clothes so much easier.

So glad to hear there are lots of things to bike to around the resort and that there are plenty of bikes. At Disney, they ran out of bikes twice on us when we checked-in on Easter. We just ordered bikes from an outside vendor but it took them a day or maybe it was half a day to deliver the bikes. No big deal but around Easter, the weather is hit or miss and so loosing a nice weather day for biking is a bit of a loss.

Can't wait to see what is going on for Easter at SurfWatch. The Disney resort always has a nice Easter Egg hunt on Easter. I have good memories of that.

There are plenty of grills? We plan on grilling most nights.

Is the movie theater closed? Someone said they are expanding it and it might be closed right now.

I am big into biking. I think I will be renting one of those kid carries for my bike because I like to bike more than my 6 year old can keep up with. Definatley, I will bike along the beach to the other Marriott resorts to check them out and it would be fun to bike to that shopping center just off the beach (colligony? sp).

Thanks for all the great info. I'll call the resort about the Easter activities. Glad to hear the pool bar is open. I think those bucket night things sound fun.

 

[pedro47]

There are plenty of gas grills.

 

[Steve]

Pictures of the New Decor?

I am at Surfwatch right now, sitting on the balcony! They have completed the updating of the units, new fabrics everywhere, new living room seating (not so crazy about the seating choices but that's an individual style/decor choice). They even refurbished the kitchen and bathroom floors. Very nice overall.

Do you...or does anyone...have any pictures of the new decor that you could share? I'm interested to see it. I am hoping it is not the "retro modern" look like Marriott has installed at Ocean Pointe. (No offense to those who like that look. It's just not my favorite, and I will probably avoid SurfWatch if they have gone with that style.)

Thanks,

Steve

 

[jdunn1]

I did call Surfwatch, tonight. The movie theater room is open, now but no one could say for how much longer. I'm not going to count on it being open for Easter week, though. Again, I was told Easter day activities were not known, yet. I'll call a week or two before check-in. If there are a lot of activities that day, we will head into the resort early.

The guy I spoke to assured me they would have enough bikes but said that on busy weeks, like 4th of July they do run out, but that they can always get bikes -- just maybe not always from other Marriott resorts on busy weeks. The price for bikes is $25 a week, not $20, like someone else has posted. I guess fishing equipment is not free, either. The person I spoke to wasn't sure of the price for fishing equipment but was sure there is a charge. Oh well.

 

[dioxide45]

I was told they closed the Pizza Hut because they lost money on it, and they moved the MarketPlace into the lobby as a MarketPlace Express. There are local Pizza places that deliver I believe. Also, the beach bar is already open for the season. I don't agree that it's a "disturbing trend". It's a business and as owners we expect fiscal responsibility, so if they are losing money, they should be looking at options.

Unfortunately it is still a loss of services where there was no charge to the HOA and owners (other than pay for product). The Marketplace and Pizza Hut Express at MVCI properties were owned and operated by MVCI. Yes, I understand they need to be profitable in order to be viable, but they didn't cost owners anything if they lost money. That loss was on Marriott.

The problem with these services is that smaller resorts can't sustain them. I am surprised that Lakeshore Reserve can sustain the large Marketplace it has. I really hope it doesn't go by the wayside as it is the best Marketplace we have been to at a MVCI property. Another issue is that many of the items are just plain overpriced. I always found the pizza to be reasonable, but the sandwiches, salads, and other items are just too expensive. Perhaps instead of removing/downsizing them, the should have looked at outside third parties to lease the space and try to make a go at it. Perhaps this is an option they considered, but the option they ended up with is not very good.

MVCI is investing in the pool bars, they are investing at Barony and recently invested in a new Marketplace/pool bar/food court at Grande Vista. Of course the number of units at Grande Vista is far higher than at Surfwatch. It seems that there is money to be made in the pool bar business.

 

[normab]

Do you...or does anyone...have any pictures of the new decor that you could share? I'm interested to see it. I am hoping it is not the "retro modern" look like Marriott has installed at Ocean Pointe. (No offense to those who like that look. It's just not my favorite, and I will probably avoid SurfWatch if they have gone with that style.)

Thanks,

Steve

I guess I would say the style is more modern than the previously. I think the furniture is comfortable, just nothing I would put in my living room!!

Sorry I can't upload pix since I only know how to do it with my card reader and that's at home.. (I really need to learn how to use my iphone, some day I will

Norma

 

[Quilter]

We just got a trade to SurfWatch too. It's 3/31-4/7 which the reps were calling Easter although Easter's not really until 4/8. DH told me last night he'd like to come home a week early so today I spent 5 hours rearranging reservations. When II says the inventory changes constantly they really mean it. I've been calling for weeks looking for another Hilton Head week. Of course when I gave the agents the dates they would say "but that's Easter". Then this morning the SurfWatch week showed up online. My hands were shaking when I called II. I gave II back the 4/20 OceanWatch week.

We'll be Hilton Head nomads. 3/31 SurfWatch, 4/6 Barony Beach, 4/13 Grande Ocean.

Since SurfWatch is busy I suspect we'll get the "traders" rooms. Still, could someone please recommend a room location that would be good for an exchanger?

 

[TSPam]

Hi,
I like high floors so I always ask for the top floor.

All the rooms are great and even the garden side rooms are great. Lots of sun on the balcony of the garden side rooms. I find that building 5100 doesn't have very much sun on the balcony but you can see the ocean from the lower floors.

Do call and put in a request. Many people do not put in any request so you are more likely to get what you want if you ask

 

[normab]

To Quilter

Do you know what view you were confirmed into? It's easiest to get whatever you traded into...

All the buildings have a decent view--no parking lot views here. And all the rooms were just refurbished for the "soft goods". So IMHO, this resort doesn't have "trader" rooms, and we have stayed at lots of resorts and know exactly what you mean!!

There is only one oceanside(oceanfront) bldg. It faces the ocean, but the verandah can be cold in the off-season on windy days. We like this unit best in the warmer weather, April-October.

Ocean view is further back and is right by the larger pool, probably the most central part of the property. Tide Mark is our favorite.

Garden view is farthest from the beach, closer to the indoor pool and shuffleboard, table tennis, etc. Your view is the pond with the ducks, and even though we own oceanside, we have exchanged here a couple of times with no complaint. We like Sea Dunes the best of the 2.

Good Luck and have a great time.

Norma

 

[dioxide45]

Do you know what view you were confirmed into? It's easiest to get whatever you traded into...

All the buildings have a decent view--no parking lot views here. And all the rooms were just refurbished for the "soft goods". So IMHO, this resort doesn't have "trader" rooms, and we have stayed at lots of resorts and know exactly what you mean!!

There is only one oceanside(oceanfront) bldg. It faces the ocean, but the verandah can be cold in the off-season on windy days. We like this unit best in the warmer weather, April-October.

Ocean view is further back and is right by the larger pool, probably the most central part of the property. Tide Mark is our favorite.

Garden view is farthest from the beach, closer to the indoor pool and shuffleboard, table tennis, etc. Your view is the pond with the ducks, and even though we own oceanside, we have exchanged here a couple of times with no complaint. We like Sea Dunes the best of the 2.

Good Luck and have a great time.

Norma

Unfortunately for most exchangers (those that don't own at Surfwatch exchanging back in), unit assignment is a clear pecking order. This pecking order doesn't just apply within the view assigned (like most other resorts do). Exchangers generally get garden view at the HHI properties regardless of what view is actually assigned to the exchanged week.

I believe the Surfwatch has three views, Garden View, Ocean Side, and Ocean Vista. Exchangers will generally be placed in Garden View, especially during busier times of higher owner occupancy.

 

[Quilter]

Do you know what view you were confirmed into? It's easiest to get whatever you traded into...
Good Luck and have a great time.

Norma

Thank you for your help and good wishes. My II account says HDBBV. Does that mean anything to you?

 

[sb2313]

Thank you for your help and good wishes. My II account says HDBBV. Does that mean anything to you?

Thats a developer deposit(h) of a 2 bedroom ocean vista villa. Best of luck with your request and have a great time at surfwatch!

 

[Quilter]

So Marriott deposited something into II in flextime? I'm glad I saw it With the rearrangement of reservations I was able to cancel a reservation at the St. Petersburg Vinoy Renaissance, upgrade and move that MR travel certificate to my Scrubs Island next January and then move my OceanWatch confirmation with II over to SurfWatch. I like being with the DC because there was no fee for the change. Had to also change hotel and b&b arrangements the rest of the way home but you all are familiar with the feeling you're a travel agent aren't you?

 

[normab]

Unfortunately for most exchangers (those that don't own at Surfwatch exchanging back in), unit assignment is a clear pecking order. This pecking order doesn't just apply within the view assigned (like most other resorts do). Exchangers generally get garden view at the HHI properties regardless of what view is actually assigned to the exchanged week.

I believe the Surfwatch has three views, Garden View, Ocean Side, and Ocean Vista. Exchangers will generally be placed in Garden View, especially during busier times of higher owner occupancy.

I am sure you are correct--I guess that would apply to all TSs. My point was mainly that there are no bad views here, and all the rooms are updated equally. There definitely are some bad views at some Marriott resorts. Two examples that come to mind are the parking lot views at Waiohai and the dirt/snow wall at Mountainside. Not very attractive views. Here at Surfwatch all the views are of the resort grounds which are nicely maintained.

 

[Quilter]

Are the first floor units actually above the parking and therefore 2nd floor (like Grande Ocean)? While I also like a high floor, these 1st floors don't bother me to much since they make it easy to come and go to pools.

Thanks for all the suggestions for room locations. I appreciate it very much.

 

[TheTimeTraveler]

Are the first floor units actually above the parking and therefore 2nd floor (like Grande Ocean)? While I also like a high floor, these 1st floors don't bother me to much since they make it easy to come and go to pools.

Thanks for all the suggestions for room locations. I appreciate it very much.

Actually, it depends upon what building you are placed into. Some have garages under, and some do not....

Maybe SueDonJ can provide the specific named buildings that do or do not have the garages under.



.

 

[dioxide45]

Actually, it depends upon what building you are placed into. Some have garages under, and some do not....

Maybe SueDonJ can provide the specific named buildings that do or do not have the garages under.



.

I believe that the Garden View building is the only one that does not have parking under the building.