The sounds of delight

[Quilter]

Well it's come down to the last night of a 5 week string. Doing the last 2 loads of laundry and packing for the 5 day trip home. The slider door is completely open. Sounds of rolling surf rolling right in the room. Lights twinkling on a distant Tybee Island. Across the courtyard I hear children. When I go to the balcony I can see it's two little girls in the kiddie pool. They are holding hands and circling round and round all the while singing "Ring a Round the Rosie. . ."

It's grand at Grande Ocean.

 

[jdunn1]

Were you at Grande Ocean for five weeks in a row? Wow!!! Do you own that many Grande Ocean weeks?

I was just at SurfWatch for Easter week. Loved it! Would have liked a little higher temps, but for the whole week, we never saw a cloud. Pretty amazing weather, even if there were days when it was cool.

I asked someone else what is better Grande Ocean or SurfWatch and my take away is that Grande Ocean is a much more compact resort where all the pools and common areas are set in a courtyard between the buildings? I walked around Barony and while I liked the grounds very much, the common areas felt a little closed in to me. Does Grande Ocean feel closed in at all?

I am so used to the Shelter Cove area of Hilton Head, having owned at the Disney resort for many years that when I stayed at SurfWatch, it felt very comfortable. But, I think I would like all the action on the Grande Ocean side of the island, just not sure if I would like a closed-in resort. SurfWatch was so nice having such wide open spaces, and it was quiet. But, SurfWatch didn't have a kids play room, no marketplace (well there is a very small one) no pizza hut. On the other hand, I would immagine SurfWatch has the nicest indoor pool out of all the Marriotts. The main pool at SurfWatch was only okay in my oppinion. It was perfectly pretty, but kind of small and not very spectacular.

Just wondering what makes one resort better than the other in your oppinion.

...and have a safe drive home. We drove home to the Cleveland area last weekend. Did that drive in just over 12 hours. I was very tired when I got home.

 

[Janette]

Safe travels. You can always retire and be in the low country all the time(except when timesharing). We will be staying at GO in June when our three children and their families are on the island. Sorry my schedule was so hectic the last couple of weeks. We will meet up someday!

 

[Quilter]

Were you at Grande Ocean for five weeks in a row? Wow!!! Do you own that many Grande Ocean weeks?

I was just at SurfWatch for Easter week. Loved it! Would have liked a little higher temps, but for the whole week, we never saw a cloud. Pretty amazing weather, even if there were days when it was cool.

I asked someone else what is better Grande Ocean or SurfWatch and my take away is that Grande Ocean is a much more compact resort where all the pools and common areas are set in a courtyard between the buildings? I walked around Barony and while I liked the grounds very much, the common areas felt a little closed in to me. Does Grande Ocean feel closed in at all?

I am so used to the Shelter Cove area of Hilton Head, having owned at the Disney resort for many years that when I stayed at SurfWatch, it felt very comfortable. But, I think I would like all the action on the Grande Ocean side of the island, just not sure if I would like a closed-in resort. SurfWatch was so nice having such wide open spaces, and it was quiet. But, SurfWatch didn't have a kids play room, no marketplace (well there is a very small one) no pizza hut. On the other hand, I would immagine SurfWatch has the nicest indoor pool out of all the Marriotts. The main pool at SurfWatch was only okay in my oppinion. It was perfectly pretty, but kind of small and not very spectacular.

Just wondering what makes one resort better than the other in your oppinion.

...and have a safe drive home. We drove home to the Cleveland area last weekend. Did that drive in just over 12 hours. I was very tired when I got home.

No, just the last week. OP 2 weeks, SW, BB, GO. This was the oddest of our long term travels as we moved every week. Don't plan on a repeat for moving week after week. The plus side is I got to experience SurfWatch and Barony for the first time. I've read many a question on TUG asking "which resort on HHI?" They were both very nice. I read your SurfWatch report and our experience was similar. We did have the full sectional though. Our room overlooked the main pool and your report filled me in why it was so packed every day. We had 1 swim at the oceanside pool. It was nippy when we got in but soon felt delightful. I knew you were going to SurfWatch with 7 kids so every time I passed a large family group I wondered "is that Jim?"

I plan to do a comparison of the 3 but not tonight. Maybe from the iPad in the car tomorrow. 5 hours on the road. Grande Ocean is where we own and it's where my heart settles. I'm biased.

Janette, I dream of living in the low country. It makes me high as a kite in the Spring. Mellow in the Fall. But summer is a total no go for me. In the Winter I just have to see my OP peeps. So I'll just have to settle with Grande Ocean and let the maintenance crew keep this place in tip top shape while I play.

Coyotes are playing Blackhawks on t.v. Just saw an aerial view of my Chicago skyline. Time to get back to the garden in Michigan and Millenium Park in Chicago.

 

[jme]

Grande Ocean is where we own and it's where my heart settles. I'm biased.

Agreed, and that says it all.

And quite poetic, I must add. Let me share my sentiments about the different Hilton Head Marriotts.

We have been multiple Marriott owners since the late 90's, perhaps longer than most TUG members currently active on the boards.... and I've been a TUG member since 1998. We own 3 weeks at Grande Ocean, 2 at Barony, and 1 at Myrtle Beach's Oceanwatch. I have stayed at Surfwatch once (this past Spring), and have toured/visited it several times prior.

We have stayed at Barony only a handful of times. We have stayed at Grande Ocean 76 times..... Yes, 76 times. Our "locked-in" annual family vacation is 3 consecutive weeks at GO in June. We've traded (Barony weeks) many times in order to visit dozens of the other Marriott resorts all over, and have traveled most everywhere, including Europe, enjoying many great Marriott Hotels.

Just two weeks ago I bought a 4th Grande Ocean week, and can't wait to stay a whole month....my wife says all I need to do is add 48 more weeks. LOL. My two kids, both graduate students, are asking more and more about how the system works.......they never asked before.........Funny, but I think they're secretly planning their own futures there.

So it's needless for me to say much more----I am more-than-familiar with the differences between GO, Barony, and Surfwatch, and my heart remains firmly planted on South Forest Beach Drive.....it's no contest.

I've read several recent comments about GO being a "compact resort", etc. -----nothing could be further from the truth. It's large and spread out, and has more beach frontage than the others combined. It is also located on the widest stretch of beach on the island, and has, by far, the superior location. Marriott could only wish to have more Grande Oceans. You won't find a more loyal ownership than there, and we simply quiver at the thought of relinquishing a week by trading for anything else. For years we've had the highest rate of owner occupancy in the system, for many reasons. Read the ratings and the stats....they speak volumes. I love the other resorts, too---they are top shelf, but GO is something special.

Wasn't going to join the conversation, but when Quilter said she loved hearing the ocean with the glass doors open, it jarred my heart. We sleep with the glass doors open whenever we can (mostly during off-season rentals using the owner discounts, when the temps are wonderfully cold at night) and it's a heavenly sound to hear those waves gently crashing all night long. We simply cannot stay away, even in the colder months. Whenever we pass through that entrance gate, we are coming home. Just as Quilter said, it's where our hearts settle too.

for beachfront frontage, compare:

Grande Ocean:
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Marri...outh+Forest+Beach+Drive,+SC&radius=15000&z=18

Barony:
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Marri...+Club,+Grasslawn+Avenue,+SC&radius=15000&z=18

Surfwatch:
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Marri...on+Head+Island,+Beaufort,+South+Carolina&z=18

 

[ilene13]

Agreed, and that says it all.



We have been multiple Marriott owners since the late 90's, perhaps longer than most TUG members currently active on the boards..


We bought our first timeshare in 1980!!! We became part of the Marriott system when they took over Harbour Pointe, we were founding owners at GO, Barony and Surfwatch. Of all our HH properties we now only own at Surfwatch.

 

[jdunn1]

Hi Quilter. I should have posted a meet and greet invitation or something. Didn't even think of it until now, though. Next year??? Actually, we are not sure about Hilton Head for next Easter. It's definately our fist pick, but I am worried it is going to be cold again next year, only without the sun. Might do Orlando, instead -- but we really would miss Hilton Head. Like you know, we had a big group with us. A neighbor went with us and one of their kids cried when leaving Hilton Head.

Thank you for the note and I look forward to your comparison, if/when you get around to doing that. For future reference, if you need a hotel in Charlotte on the way down or back to Hilton, I highly suggest the Drury Inn Northlake. We stayed there the day before Easter. Almost a brand new hotel and for $90 or so, you get breakfast and dinner for free. The food is only okay, but there is so much free food and drinks, it almost doesn't feel right. Plus, the rooms are very large and super clean. It's a pet friendly hotel, and boy do people take advantage of that. Still, the hotel is super clean and you would never know pets were ever in the room. The hotel is next to a nice mall, too -- with lots to walk to and so much more within a short 2 minute drive.

jme. I guess I need to try Grande Ocean after reading your post
It must be really great for you and your family to have stayed there 70+ times. I understand what it is like to have a place you like so much. I'm hoping OceanWatch will be that place for my family over the years, but I have to wait one more year to actually stay therre . Poor me, I know, this summer I have to settle for Ocean Pointe.

If you do not mind one question, how do the rooms at OceanWatch compare to Grande Ocean or even SurfWatch? I thought the room at SurfWatch was huge, and it looks like the rooms at Grande Ocean might even be bigger. But, the rooms at OceanWatch look at least 200 sqft smaller? Is the size difference noticable? Our large group (not all of which actually spent overnight with us) were very comfortable in the SurfWatch unit. I've read the kitchen at OceanWatch is small. Not a big deal but the kitchen at SurfWatch was huge!

I might have started that term "compact" when writing about Grande Ocean. I have never been to Grande Ocean, so I have no idea if that term even remotely applies. I did walk around Barony and I think compact is a pretty fair word. Definately, no one is going to feel closed in at Barony, but I was fully aware I was in a green space surrounded by building when I was there, even if the courtyard was really nice! Super nice, actually.

Love reading all of these comments. They are fun.

 

[tmoscola]

We own at OW, but exchanged with another owner one year for a GO week. The GO unit feels much larger than the OW unit. We typically travel with 6 people to OW and are comfortable. I think 8 would feel tight in OW. One thing in particular I loved about the GO unit was the laundry area with the large closet for storage. I wish our OW unit had that. We travel with little ones and would use it for the beach toys, luggage and beach cart. I know OW has the place to store the stuff right at the beach, but I don't feel comfortable leaving our stuff out there overnight. We really enjoyed our stay at GO and would go back in a second, but our heart remains loyal to OW.

Looking forward to reading the comparison if you get a chance to post one. We are looking to rent a HH unit this summer as we have a conflict with our OW unit already booked.

 

[jme]

jme. I guess I need to try Grande Ocean after reading your post
It must be really great for you and your family to have stayed there 70+ times. I understand what it is like to have a place you like so much. I'm hoping OceanWatch will be that place for my family over the years, but I have to wait one more year to actually stay therre . Poor me, I know, this summer I have to settle for Ocean Pointe.

If you do not mind one question, how do the rooms at OceanWatch compare to Grande Ocean or even SurfWatch? I thought the room at SurfWatch was huge, and it looks like the rooms at Grande Ocean might even be bigger. But, the rooms at OceanWatch look at least 200 sqft smaller? Is the size difference noticable? Our large group (not all of which actually spent overnight with us) were very comfortable in the SurfWatch unit. I've read the kitchen at OceanWatch is small. Not a big deal but the kitchen at SurfWatch was huge!

I might have started that term "compact" when writing about Grande Ocean. I have never been to Grande Ocean, so I have no idea if that term even remotely applies. I did walk around Barony and I think compact is a pretty fair word. Definately, no one is going to feel closed in at Barony, but I was fully aware I was in a green space surrounded by building when I was there, even if the courtyard was really nice! Super nice, actually.

Love reading all of these comments. They are fun.

Susan (SueDonJ) did a great service by noting the square footage of the various units--- here's her report:

"All the South Carolina resorts according to marriott.com:
1465sf - Harbour Club and Heritage Club
1380sf - Grande Ocean
1300sf - Barony (no difference on that website for OF, OS and GV)
1275sf - SurfWatch
1220sf - Harbour Point
1200sf - Monarch
1056sf - Ocean Watch
1050sf - Sunset Pointe"

My theory with the Big 3 (GO, Barony, and SW) is that with each subsequent resort, the units got smaller---typical Marriott modus operandi. Oceanwatch in Myrtle Beach was built about the same time as SW, if not a bit later with the back bldgs, so it has smaller units too. They are all quite adequate, though, imho, and i feel all Marriott units everywhere are fantastic....far exceeding the norm.

We stayed in a 3-BR Surfwatch unit recently, a lovely refurbished one, and my wife did comment that the living room was noticeably smaller. She said when looking from the kitchen toward the TV on the far opposite wall, all she could see was furniture lined up, like walking into a furniture store showroom (with hardly any space in between). I thought the kitchen was much smaller too. Same quality, however.

Bottom line, I thought the unit was fine, as we spend more time out of it, but I do notice that GO units are the largest----just more "walk-around" space. The master BR is definitely larger, and the bathrooms too. Just a function of being the earlier construction.

Each property is unique. The layout of the buildings is based solely on the available space within the beachfront property......SW has the pretty marsh, but it restricts building space.....no big deal, it's all beautiful. Barony was sandwiched in between the Westin and other private housing because that's all the property they could buy. Great. Better a Marriott than anything else. Add a spa to make it more appealing. SW added the 3-BR concept for same reason. Smaller properties, smaller units, needed some incentives. Still sweet.

Please take a look at the aerial photo links of the 3 properties in my previous post ----they show clearly the space available for the buildings.

Owners like each of the properties for different reasons......there are really no "right or wrong answers". They are all divine.

 

[tmoscola]

Owners like each of the properties for different reasons......there are really no "right or wrong answers". They are all divine.

Totally agree with this statement!!

 

[tlwmkw]

Grande Ocean is similar to Barony in that the buildings surround a courtyard but the courtyards are much bigger at Grande Ocean so it doesn't feel closed in (and at certain times of day Barony can feel almost dark in that area). I think compact is not a bad word to describe MGO- there isn't the long walk to the beach that you get at Barony and Surfwatch from the garden villas- I personally think that is the advantage of MGO so that is really more of a compliment. But when it is high season and everyone is in those courtyard areas it can feel a little crowded. The rooms are a bit bigger but honestly we couldn't see where the extra space was (the Barony Garden villas are noticeably bigger). The bottom line is that these are all beautiful resorts and the very small differences allow for different people to make their own choice about what they like. We have stayed at Monarch too, which many people don't care for and we found that to be very nice too. You can't go wrong with any of these.

I haven't stayed at Oceanwatch but would love to do so- it is also very hard to exchange into so we'll all look forward to Jdunns reviews.

tlwmkw

 

[jme]

Quote:
Originally Posted by jme
Owners like each of the properties for different reasons......there are really no "right or wrong answers". They are all divine.

Totally agree with this statement!!

exactly......

that's why we also bought Barony years ago----it's a neat property.

that's also why I bought a resale week at OceanWatch two years ago. I love the property, and love Myrtle Beach... it's different. I wanted to be an owner there! The size of the units doesn't matter one bit to me. The pools are amazing, and the resort has a wonderful feel. Myrtle Beach is FUN, and I love going. Matter of fact, I'm going next weekend on a rental weekend....could use points, but......

I'm going there in order to enroll my points in the DC personally with the sales manager. I could do it online more easily, but it gives me a good excuse to get my toes in the sand, eat some seafood, and visit with a dear friend.

My old sales rep from GO is now the Sales Manager at OW....has been a while.......Anthony Colone, and I love him like a brother-----know his wife and watched his kids grow up----- he's a fantastic guy.....honest as they come. We'll likely have dinner with them. Altho I bought "developer" from him years go on our initial weeks at GO, I don't care anymore----I'm well past that----I did the right thing for us at the time, and it changed our world for the better. I'm going to let him sign me up, "just because".... It'll be a short formality, but fun.

 

[jdunn1]

Meant to say thanks for all the info you gave me and others. The size of the various rooms is great to have but better to have are your thoughts on the rooms and places.

I almost bought a developer OW week many years ago. Heck, I think I even had literature on OceanWatch before it was even built. Can't remember but the price back then was something like 16k-24k. Even though you bought developer GO week(s), those weeks have actually held their value well so I bet so even though you could have paid less, probably not worth it at the time you bought, anyway. I do wish I had bought into Marriott sooner, instead of buying Disney. For me, buying DVC points was cheaper than buying a Marriott week at the time. Also, when I bought my DVC points, resale owners were not treated any different than people who bought developer, same wasn't true with Marriott and still isn't true.

Have fun at Ocean Watch. Can't wait to get there next year. Wish I was going this year, but we got an Ocean Pointe trade for this summer way before I bought into OceanWatch. Woodsy pool looks fantastic, and so do all the other pools.

Quote:
Originally Posted by jme
Owners like each of the properties for different reasons......there are really no "right or wrong answers". They are all divine.




exactly......

that's why we also bought Barony years ago----it's a neat property.

that's also why I bought a resale week at OceanWatch two years ago. I love the property, and love Myrtle Beach... it's different. I wanted to be an owner there! The size of the units doesn't matter one bit to me. The pools are amazing, and the resort has a wonderful feel. Myrtle Beach is FUN, and I love going. Matter of fact, I'm going next weekend on a rental weekend....could use points, but......

I'm going there in order to enroll my points in the DC personally with the sales manager. I could do it online more easily, but it gives me a good excuse to get my toes in the sand, eat some seafood, and visit with a dear friend.

My old sales rep from GO is now the Sales Manager at OW....has been a while.......Anthony Colone, and I love him like a brother-----know his wife and watched his kids grow up----- he's a fantastic guy.....honest as they come. We'll likely have dinner with them. Altho I bought "developer" from him years go on our initial weeks at GO, I don't care anymore----I'm well past that----I did the right thing for us at the time, and it changed our world for the better. I'm going to let him sign me up, "just because".... It'll be a short formality, but fun.

 

[Quilter]

Hi Quilter. I should have posted a meet and greet invitation or something. Didn't even think of it until now, though. Next year??? Actually, we are not sure about Hilton Head for next Easter. It's definately our fist pick, but I am worried it is going to be cold again next year, only without the sun.

If we meet at another time that would be nice. Cold? You call that cold? Oh no, it was delightful. We're already booked for Heritage week 2013. Really, with vacations and weather you have to be prepared for anything and roll with it. It could be rainy in Orlando.

A neighbor went with us and one of their kids cried when leaving Hilton Head.

Obviously the kid wasn't cold.

Thank you for the note and I look forward to your comparison, if/when you get around to doing that. For future reference, if you need a hotel in Charlotte on the way down or back to Hilton, I highly suggest the Drury Inn Northlake.

Thank you for the tip in Charlotte.

After all the posts my comparison would be redundant. I'm very glad others have chimed in. Personally, I liked the large shower and cottage decor of SurfWatch, the bluebird of happiness at Barony and everything at Grande Ocean and Sea Pines.

Staying at the other end of the island (SW and BB) helped us explore new places that we will return to. Coastal Museum, Hudson's, Old Fort Pub, north beach, farmer's market.

I might have started that term "compact" when writing about Grande Ocean.

I would say the site plan of GO is "efficiently" laid out.

Wasn't going to join the conversation, but when Quilter said she loved hearing the ocean with the glass doors open, it jarred my heart. We sleep with the glass doors open whenever we can . . .when the temps are wonderfully cold at night) and it's a heavenly sound to hear those waves gently crashing all night long.

We kept the door open most every night.

 

[jme]

We kept the door open most every night.

Yep, love those ocean waves at night......

another unique but seldom-mentioned note:

in the summer, if you're on the lagoon side of the resort, between the hours of 7-11 pm, you can hear from the balconies what I call the "Froggie Chorus"......We love it.

One frog starts to croak----one single solitary sound at first----- then another about 10 seconds later.

Then five more frogs join in, then the whole universe of frogs----it's really amazing. Seriously like a conductor is leading them.

Then they suddenly quit. Total silence, all at once, lasting a good half hour.

Then, half-hour later, here they go again.... Same song.
One frog first (is there a designated "lead" frog?) ....that single lonesome voice ....but not for long.......it's like the whole Mormon Tabernacle Choir joins in........

so hilarious, so cool, so amazing......don't know how to describe it, but it's a phenomenon that will never be forgotten. Sort of a vacation tradition now. and our kids still talk about it all year long. Never heard the likes of it before, but it remains strong each and every summer.....I wonder if they practice in the off-season? maybe down at Ocean Pointe?

anyone ever heard it?

 

[MOXJO7282]

The best thing about the GO for us is the close proximity to Sea Pines as we love to ride bikes to the different shopping enclaves in there.

 

[taffy19]

Well it's come down to the last night of a 5 week string. Doing the last 2 loads of laundry and packing for the 5 day trip home. The slider door is completely open. Sounds of rolling surf rolling right in the room. Lights twinkling on a distant Tybee Island. Across the courtyard I hear children. When I go to the balcony I can see it's two little girls in the kiddie pool. They are holding hands and circling round and round all the while singing "Ring a Round the Rosie. . ."

It's grand at Grande Ocean.

This is what we love too on Maui. Is it warm enough this time of year where you are? Just curious.

 

[Quilter]

This is what we love too on Maui. Is it warm enough this time of year where you are? Just curious.

Warmth is relative. I love GO in the Spring. The lap pool was 88. Loved it. Generally the air temps range 50's to 70's. This time they broke into the 80's somedays and it was getting a bit too hot for my liking.

Travel to Ireland and Scotland has given me a love for weather in the range of HHI in the Spring.

It's 64 here in Asheville and we're having brunch (and surfing) outside at a lovely cafe.

 

[Quilter]

another unique but seldom-mentioned note:

in the summer, if you're on the lagoon side of the resort, between the hours of 7-11 pm, you can hear from the balconies what I call the "Froggie Chorus"......We love it.

so hilarious, so cool, so amazing......don't know how to describe it, but it's a phenomenon that will never be forgotten.

anyone ever heard it?

I've been on the lagoon side in the fall and think I've heard it. I like the woodsie feel of the lagoon side at the lap pool and hot tub. We made time to take a moment enjoying a swing to watch the heron and turtles.

I've been to Monarch in summer. That didn't work for me. Maybe if I was at GO in the summer my attitude would change. I'll have to keep an open mind because I can't ever imagine not being content there.

In the other post I said warmth was relative. Well it is when you're use to freezing winters but are allowed to get a jump on Spring by traveling. Warmth is also subjective. It's related to vacation expectations. If I'm expecting 80 but get 50 it's cold. If I'm expecting 60 and it's 60 it's fine. If I'm expecting 60 and get 70 it's a bonus.

Today in Lewisburg, WVA it was 55. I put on a jacket and pulled out the gloves for the first time in weeks. But it wasn't unexpected. It was a grand day in Scotland

 

[pedro47]

OP. just a nice review and thread. Be safe and drive carefully home.

 

[jimf41]

OP. just a nice review and thread. Be safe and drive carefully home.

Totally agree. Nice to read a positive thread once in a while. Wish we had more like it.

 

[Quilter]

Thank you both. It warmed my heart too to talk about HHI with my peeps

I'm on iPad in lobby of greenbrier, hence the prob with caps. Waiting for hubby to break a $50 for tip money. Quick check in with tug.

Jim I saw your suggestion for madrid sc hotel. It made me look onto Madrid. Oh the power of suggestion! Let me suggest a little town in the USA--Lewisburg WVA.

Got to go find my man...

 

[chalee94]

y'all talked me into a fall week at GO. then i noticed it seems like the last refurb was in 2007? i guess the rooms are still in pretty good shape?

i stayed at surfwatch in 2010 and loved it. looking forward to going back...

 

[Quilter]

Ah the power of suggestion

Our room had granite counters and decent kitchen. New sofa and chairs in living room. It wasn't the "new" cottage trend with stainless that SurfWatch has but it is very comfortable and cozy.