orangetravelcat

I've been looking at websites and reading Fodors posts and there is talk of gated communities and "plantations". We are planning to go end of Oct/beginning of Nov. and thinking of staying at the Marriott Ocean Grande - a Marriott Vacation Club timeshare.

Is anyone familiar with this property? Is the location good?

Also, we may fly into JAX instead of SAV since the fares are lower. What is a good place between JAX and Hilton Head to stop for the night? We will be tired as getting to JAX fro Phoenix is an all day affair, so wouldnt want to drive for more than maybe 45 minutes.

sf7307

Here's a good map (at least it's colorful) that shows how Hilton Head is divided up. We stayed at the Hilton, which is in Palmetto Dunes. So you're driving along the main road, you turn into the plantation, there are rows and rows of houses and condominiums and then at the end is the hotel, which is right on the beach. I imagine the Marriott is situated similarly. I'm pretty sure the beach is continuous because we walked from the Hilton to other hotels along the beach.

sf7307

Sorry, here's the link:

http://www.hiltonhead.com/map.cfm?subcategoryID=33

hmmm

The "plantations" are large, mostly gated communities. Some are strictly residential. Some, mixed use.

bert2

Marriott's Ocean Grande is on South Forest Beach Drive, just west of Pope
Ave. It isn't in a "gated" community (i.e. plantation) We have walked and driven by many times and it looks like a lovely property.

You are within walking distance to many restaurants and shops at Coligny Plaza, and have access to an amazing stretch of beach. It's located close to Pope Ave., which provides easy access to grocery stores etc. and either #278 (William Hilton Parkway) or the Cross Island Pkwy (toll $1.25) I think JAX is about a 2.5 hour drive, so you will have to decide whether to stop enroute or not. Since it's your first time on HH, arriving after dark is probably not a good idea. Signage is not what you expect, and finding your way around for the first time can be an adventure.

Sea Pines is the only plantation that allows complete access with purchase of a pass -- $5 but it's worth it to explore, visit South Beach marina & Harbourtown. Lovely to drive through when the sun is shining through the curtains of moss.

After you arrive get a good island map -- there is an excellent Welcome Center on 278 just as you come onto the island, they are most helpful. For a map to/of the property : Google <51 South Forest Beach Hilton Head>

socialworker

It *is* confusing.....we went for the 1st time last year w/friends who knew the place and that helped a lot! It is very different from any place we have ever been but I am glad we went. Lots of natural beauty.

Re: the signage, and the dark.....pay heed and do not arrive in the dark!

orangetravelcat

If we book the flights I have on hold, we'd arrive JAX at 10:40 pm so we would overnight near the airport and head for Hilton Head the next morning.

Another option for lodging is the Marriott Harbour Club, which I believe is in Sea Pines. Which is a "better" location?

starrs

I like the Hilton Garden Inn at the Jax airport.

socialworker

I don't know why I did not notice your mention of the Marriott Ocean Grande. That is where we stayed w/our friends and it is a gorgeous location right on a long stretch of beach! The sand is so packed down there that you can ride bikes on the beach. We saw incredible wildlife there, dolphins, pelicans and bullfrogs that "sing" in water that is part of the landscaping of the place. I highly recommend it over the Harbour Club. The stretch of beach that the Ocean Grande is on is breathtaking!

socialworker

BTW when staying at the Ocean Grande we did not have to pay the $5 to enter Sea Pines. We rode bikes there too and it was lovely.

starrs

Are you staying at the Marriott hotel (high rise) or lowrise condos?
I've stayed at the hotel for business and the views ARE incredible. We'd book a corner suite and customers would oohhh and ahhhh. Didn't get a chance to explore the grounds, but the restaurants and hotel were good.

orangetravelcat

This is the website of the Marriott:
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel...-grande-ocean/

All the accommodations are 2 bedroom suites - not that we need the extra bedroom since it's just Mr OTC and me.

After reading socialworker's comments above, I think we'll go for the Grande Ocean.

Thanks for the tip on the Hilton Garden Inn. Will check into it. Also thinking of the Marriott Courtyard at JAX.

SAnParis2

If you are not in a hurry, meander over to Amelia Island, it is only about 45 minutes from JAX. There is a Hampton in the Old Town, for one night, I'd likely stay there.

stumpworks73

Another strong recommendation to stay at Ocean Grande and not Harbour Club. Ocean Grande is on a beautiful beach. As mentioned above convenient to restaurants and shopping.

Harbour Club is at Harbour Town. You are a 10 minute drive or 20 minute bike ride to a beach.

Although you want to visit Harbour Town while at Hilton Head, staying there is too much being in the thick of it.

SugarPlum

The Marriott Ocean Grande is a great property, on a nice stretch of beach. I prefer staying 'off plantation' in the South Forest Beach area (where the OG is located) -- you have easy access to Sea Pines, lots of restaurants and shopping, etc. At the time of your visit you shouldn't have much traffic (getting across the island mid-summer before the Cross Island Parkway used to give me a traffic headache).

As several other posters have warned, signage in HH is unique. The island is heavily wooded, and has been developed to preserve much of the natural beauty. There are no tall lighted signs marking grocery stores, restaurants, etc. All of the signage is low to the ground, and rather discretely placed in most cases. During my first visit, I had difficulty finding shops, restaurants, etc. even with the address and map in hand because the signage isn't 'in your face' like it is in other resort areas.

Enjoy your visit! Fall is a beautiful time at HH.

Brian_in_Charlotte

Lot's of good info here, and I agree with all of it, especially the prime location of the Marriott. We prefer to stay more central and not behind the gates of a plantation to have better access to more of the island's great restaurants.

As you're arriving so late in JAX, I'd probably just stay in one of the JAX airport hotels - there are lots of mid-priced choices on the short road between the airport and I-95.

And as you'll have plenty of time the next day before you can check in to lodging on HHI, you could easily visit Amelia Island (as recommended above) and even have lunch in Savanah.

SAnParis2

I agree w/Brian, if you are arriving late (unlike many Airports) the area around JAX is fine w/a number of basic chain hotels & restaurants w/easy access to I-95.

orangetravelcat

Hilton Head sounds great. Can't wait. A couple of years ago, we spent a few days at the Hampton inn on Amelia Island. We loved Amelia but since we've been there, will probably opt to go to Savannah for day. Thanks everyone.

sf7307

We prefer to stay more central and not behind the gates of a plantation to have better access to more of the island's great restaurants

This confuses me. What difference does it make whether you're staying on the beach "behind the gates of a plantation" vs. not doing so vis-a-vis access to the island's great restaurants? Either way, you just get in your car and drive, don't you?

Brian_in_Charlotte

Yes, but from North or South Forest Beach, I can reach many more restaurants more quickly than I could if I stayed in a plantation. In less than 3 minutes I can be at The Sage Room, Flavors, Island Bistro,The Sea Shack, It's Greek to Me, Truffles Grill, The Studio, Vassili's, Aqua, Just Pasta, Stellini and lots more casual places. In 5 minutes I can be at Julips, Alligator Grill, Kwizen, Marley's, Crane's, Michael Anthony's, Red Fish, Catch 22, Antonio's, 211, Eat!, Hugos . . .