VWL Groupies & Lovers Thread (Special Collectors Edition 2.0) updated 21 June 2023

[Corinne]

Thanks CD! Is this building #31? It appears to have a water view?

 

[sleepydog25]

Thanks CD! Is this building #31? It appears to have a water view?

View attachment 649154

Hey, Corinne! Glad to help out your planning and thinking. First, the picture you posted is the front part of the resort. In particular, your arrow is pointing at the Live Oak Lodge where you check in when you cross over that short bridge. It is also called Bldg 11 and has the only guest elevator on property which is shares with the conjoined Bldg 12 to the immediate left of the Lodge in the picture. Those two buildings house only studios and 1BRs, so you will not be staying there.

The other buildings with rooms on property are numbered 13-31 and most of those have the same configuration: two 2BRs on each end of the building for a total of four per building--two will be top floors and two bottom floors. Every room has steps since all the buildings are elevated due to living in hurricane country. The majority of rooms at HHI are 2BRs--72 out of 123 total rooms, in fact. In the top middle of your photo, you'll see the fishing pier where you can go crabbing or fishing or just sit and take in the sights and sounds. Follow that boardwalk back to the left and where it disappears into the trees is where you will find the Big Dipper pool, Tide Me Over (QS), the Mercantile, Community Hall, and Broad Creek Rentals (bikes, activities, etc.). Here's a map that might help you out:


If you'll note, Bldg 31 is at the far left and back of the resort and does offer what is generally regarded as the best marsh views at the resort. You can also see that the following buildings, in addition to 31, have marsh views: 29, 27, 24, 22, 18, 17, 14, and 15. All other buildings look out over the interior of the resort--AKA "island view." None overlook the Shelter Cove marina, which is at the bottom of the map, as those buildings along the that road all face the marina but the balconies overlook the interior.

So, if it were me, I would request a high floor and marsh view. Of the two, a high floor would be of more importance since it's well known that hard flooring in the main living space of the rooms reverberate a great deal, so if you have kids dancing above your head, you'll likely know it. Don't worry, though, as the interior views are themselves quite lovely overlooking grilling areas, hammocks, yard games, and beautiful landscaping. I would call the front desk a few days ahead of your trip and speak to them about your wishes. As always, nothing is guaranteed, but truly, there are no bad rooms at HHI. Some are closer to the pool/mercantile area, some have marsh views, but all are serene where you can just relax and soak up the low country vibe. It's a small resort, so getting around isn't hard.

As for activities, I'll leave that to others but will say that bobbiwoz is correct: biking is king. There is approximately 100+ miles of biking/walking trails on Hilton Head, and you can get to everything you need or want that way. You can also reserve kayaks, take a guided kayak tour (or paddle boards), fishing excursions, and more. I trust you'll have a wonderful time, and feel free to ask follow up questions, too.

 

[Corinne]

Thanks Sleepy! So helpful, as always! I am definitely map challenged …..that said, I really appreciate your detailed explanation because I would have assumed the outer buildings also had water views. Which building is closest to the beach? Are you sensing a them here?

 

[jimmytammy]

And, yes, this is a great place to come to, find some normalcy (well, other than maybe JT--I mean that guy's elevator just doesn't go to the top floor if you know what I mean ), and to share our stories.

I for one wholeheartedly and 100% resemble this statement
All those in agreement, nod with a yes

 

[bobbiwoz]

Thanks Sleepy! So helpful, as always! I am definitely map challenged …..that said, I really appreciate your detailed explanation because I would have assumed the outer buildings also had water views. Which building is closest to the beach? Are you sensing a them here?

Corinne, the resort is about 1.5 miles from the beach, Beach House, and you only have to go to the shuttle stop which is right by the entrance to the resort. Or drive, bike to the beach. I am “walking on sand“ challenged, otherwise the beach would be my #1 place to be.

It’s a lovely beach!

 

[DonMacGregor]

Thanks Sleepy! So helpful, as always! I am definitely map challenged …..that said, I really appreciate your detailed explanation because I would have assumed the outer buildings also had water views. Which building is closest to the beach? Are you sensing a them here?

People get confused because the resort is actually on a tiny "islet" on the many tidal waterways that make up the interior of Hilton Head Island. here's a Google Earth view:



It's rotated so it will fit, but you can see the resort at the upper left, and Beach House on the lower right. The resort is inland from the ocean, and Beach House is right on the Atlantic.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Hey, Corinne! Glad to help out your planning and thinking. First, the picture you posted is the front part of the resort. In particular, your arrow is pointing at the Live Oak Lodge where you check in when you cross over that short bridge. It is also called Bldg 11 and has the only guest elevator on property which is shares with the conjoined Bldg 12 to the immediate left of the Lodge in the picture. Those two buildings house only studios and 1BRs, so you will not be staying there.

The other buildings with rooms on property are numbered 13-31 and most of those have the same configuration: two 2BRs on each end of the building for a total of four per building--two will be top floors and two bottom floors. Every room has steps since all the buildings are elevated due to living in hurricane country. The majority of rooms at HHI are 2BRs--72 out of 123 total rooms, in fact. In the top middle of your photo, you'll see the fishing pier where you can go crabbing or fishing or just sit and take in the sights and sounds. Follow that boardwalk back to the left and where it disappears into the trees is where you will find the Big Dipper pool, Tide Me Over (QS), the Mercantile, Community Hall, and Broad Creek Rentals (bikes, activities, etc.). Here's a map that might help you out:
View attachment 649255

If you'll note, Bldg 31 is at the far left and back of the resort and does offer what is generally regarded as the best marsh views at the resort. You can also see that the following buildings, in addition to 31, have marsh views: 29, 27, 24, 22, 18, 17, 14, and 15. All other buildings look out over the interior of the resort--AKA "island view." None overlook the Shelter Cove marina, which is at the bottom of the map, as those buildings along the that road all face the marina but the balconies overlook the interior.

So, if it were me, I would request a high floor and marsh view. Of the two, a high floor would be of more importance since it's well known that hard flooring in the main living space of the rooms reverberate a great deal, so if you have kids dancing above your head, you'll likely know it. Don't worry, though, as the interior views are themselves quite lovely overlooking grilling areas, hammocks, yard games, and beautiful landscaping. I would call the front desk a few days ahead of your trip and speak to them about your wishes. As always, nothing is guaranteed, but truly, there are no bad rooms at HHI. Some are closer to the pool/mercantile area, some have marsh views, but all are serene where you can just relax and soak up the low country vibe. It's a small resort, so getting around isn't hard.

As for activities, I'll leave that to others but will say that bobbiwoz is correct: biking is king. There is approximately 100+ miles of biking/walking trails on Hilton Head, and you can get to everything you need or want that way. You can also reserve kayaks, take a guided kayak tour (or paddle boards), fishing excursions, and more. I trust you'll have a wonderful time, and feel free to ask follow up questions, too.

I'm curious Sleepy if the marsh area fills in at high tide like the resort picture that was posted showing it with water all around it? It doesn't sound like it does.

 

[DonMacGregor]

I'm curious Sleepy if the marsh area fills in at high tide like the resort picture that was posted showing it with water all around it? It doesn't sound like it does.

Kat, while I haven't stayed at HHI, I've seen plenty of photos and videos that seem to suggest the "rear" portion of the resort (the marsh) does get some tidal influence.



The fishing pier has been depicted as surrounded by water at high tide, and I believe the canoe rentals used to be along the back side. The front side, with the boat docks is navigable and looks to be dredged (defined channels), but the back side looks totally tidal and may not see too much water during a neap tide.

 

[Corinne]

I'm curious Sleepy if the marsh area fills in at high tide like the resort picture that was posted showing it with water all around it? It doesn't sound like it does.

Kat, you beat me to my next question! I wondered the same thing, our friends have a beautiful marsh view home here in MA, and when the tide comes in, it’s a water view! (Gorgeous sunsets as well)!

 

[bobbiwoz]

The creek is very tidal.

 

[sleepydog25]

I'm curious Sleepy if the marsh area fills in at high tide like the resort picture that was posted showing it with water all around it? It doesn't sound like it does.

Great question and, yes, it does fill in with water. The high tides generally range from 6.5 to 8.5 feet at high tide with the occasional outlier during king tides. Corinne's Lodge picture above appears to be close to high tide. That is an old picture, and that area of water to the right of the Lodge isn't as blue or as deep or as wide as the picture would have you believe. If you were to drop a golf ball at the bottom right corner of the Lodge, an average golfer could reach the condos to the right across the water (unseen in the photo). At low tide, you could easily wade across from the pier to the grasses on the other side and barely get your pant legs wet, though the oyster beds out there might cut your feet.

Kat, you beat me to my next question! I wondered the same thing, our friends have a beautiful marsh view home here in MA, and when the tide comes in, it’s a water view! (Gorgeous sunsets as well)!

No building will have only a water view--the water doesn't come that high up onto the property, and there is enough foliage (grasses, mainly) that you'll know you're not actually on the water. We did have a concurrence of a king tide, storm surge, and high winds late last year when the water came up much closer to the buildings, but even then, it was obvious no rooms were truly "on the water." As mentioned, the Atlantic is 1.5 miles away from the main resort, and there are no rooms there, just the pool, games, food, etc.

Finally, in bobbiwoz's bottom picture above, that's Bldg 15 you see. The photo was taken from Bldg 11, and Bldg 13 is off to the right of picture (out of sight). It's perhaps the quietest of all the buildings on site.

 

[sleepydog25]

Corinne, here are a few photos from the resort to give you a better idea of what the views are like.

Taken from upper deck where Tide Me Over is located and looking out over the pier. This was November and a fairly substantial high tide as, if you look closely, the water has come all the way up to the bottom of the pier.


Looking out from the pier walkway toward the west. Those lights you see in the tree line to the left are coming from some of the buildings, specifically (from left to right) 27, 29, and near the final large tree, 31.


On the other end of the resort, this shot was taken from the third floor of Bldg 11. The building across the water is a condo complex and the one I mentioned you could hit a golf ball to. Note, the water isn't blue, there is a lot of grassy marsh which is typical, and while not a fully low tide, it's getting close. During the king tides, the water will reach up to the steps at that building (next to the white shrubbery in the middle right).


Sunset back at Tide Me Over and another high tide.


Finally, what set of pictures from the resort would be complete without a shot of the Atlantic taken from the Beach House's boardwalk that leads to the ocean. This is a sun rising shot.

 

[sleepydog25]

Here are a couple more sunset shots just for grins...

This picture was taken at the farthest point from the main Lodge and next to Bldg 31. There is a grilling area (both propane and charcoal grills available) and a couple of Adirondack chairs sit underneath the huge oak tree to the immediate right: those are its limbs in the shot. The point sits beside the deep water channel leading to and from Shelter Cove Marina, and that is not the Disney resort you see in the picture to the left. This point, with the Adirondack chairs, is perhaps the most photographed area at the resort.


And this is Shelter Cove Marina at sunset. The boardwalk you see running down to the right of the picture is public access as many of the boats in the marina are berthed on the Disney resort side. To the right, behind all the trees, lie the Disney resort buildings. Again, none of the buildings look out over the marina, just the front stoops and entrances. So, you can certainly step out onto the stoop in the evenings or mornings and get a lovely view.

 

[bobbiwoz]

An unusual picture from HH. My sister and I took a video from our balcony of these two raccoons coming out of their home! Heres a screenshot from the video.

 

[hhisc16]

Here are a couple more sunset shots just for grins...

This picture was taken at the farthest point from the main Lodge and next to Bldg 31. There is a grilling area (both propane and charcoal grills available) and a couple of Adirondack chairs sit underneath the huge oak tree to the immediate right: those are its limbs in the shot. The point sits beside the deep water channel leading to and from Shelter Cove Marina, and that is not the Disney resort you see in the picture to the left. This point, with the Adirondack chairs, is perhaps the most photographed area at the resort.
View attachment 649505

And this is Shelter Cove Marina at sunset. The boardwalk you see running down to the right of the picture is public access as many of the boats in the marina are berthed on the Disney resort side. To the right, behind all the trees, lie the Disney resort buildings. Again, none of the buildings look out over the marina, just the front stoops and entrances. So, you can certainly step out onto the stoop in the evenings or mornings and get a lovely view.
View attachment 649507

Love the DHHIR pictures! Made my day!

 

[Corinne]

Thanks so much for all the input and photos Sleepy, Bobbi, and Don!

Since I really don’t have a good sense of where I want to be located, I am not going to request a building. I will request an upper floor, which I aways request wherever we visit.

Thanks again all, and feel free to keep pics and suggestions and random thoughts coming!

 

[bobbiwoz]

I am able to post the link to raccoon video until March 25 apparently!

https://share.icloud.com/photos/0d2DjcCCnY_32KJTJ4OCPRdrw#Hilton_Head_Island

 

[hhisc16]

I am able to post the link to raccoon video until March 25 apparently!

https://share.icloud.com/photos/0d2DjcCCnY_32KJTJ4OCPRdrw#Hilton_Head_Island

Now that was cool! I never noticed that area next to the Lodge.

 

[DonMacGregor]

Finally, what set of pictures from the resort would be complete without a shot of the Atlantic taken from the Beach House's boardwalk that leads to the ocean. This is a sun rising shot.
View attachment 649504

Well, let's hope it's not setting over the Atlantic...LOL

Seriously, those are some beautiful shots. Thanks for posting.

 

[jlmarr]

Question for fellow BRV owners - we're planning a November trip and availability seems bad, so I'm wondering the long-awaited refurb might be happening then. If so is noise going to be an issue? Any chance we'd be getting a brand-newly refurbed room or one that's pretty old and beat up? I imagine nobody knows but I'll throw it out there anyway.