Hilton Head has me confused.
 

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.

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.

Sorry, here's the link:

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

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

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>

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!

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?

I like the Hilton Garden Inn at the Jax airport.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

<i>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</i>

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?

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 . . .

Stay right at JAX. 3 hours max to HHI next day all Interstate. Ocean grand very mice right on beach. You have to pay a few $ to go into Sea Pines, but worth it. You can get into any plantation for dining as well as all the open island areas. Rent bikes.
enjoy

Haven't been in some time, but I believe that the interstate gets you as close as Savannah. The last 30 miles or so is state road.

Some clarification. JAX to HH is approx. 141 miles. Stay on 1-95N to Exit 8/ #278. Will be clearly marked Hilton Head. From the 1-95 exit it is approx. 20 miles to the island on #278 (double lane highway) You may see it called Fording Island Rd. on maps. Easy driving. You will go through a built up area (Bluffton) before you cross two bridges. Once over the bridges you have 2 choices. Continue on William HIlton Pkwy (right lane) or take the Cross Island toll route (exits left) Either way you will end up at Sea Pines traffic circle. Stay on the inside of the circle, and exit at Pope. South on Pope to the Coligny Cirlce -- outside lane, exit onto S. Forest Beach. OG is about 3 min on your left.

Toll road is faster, but the advantage to 278 is you get a better feel for the island, also can stop at the Welcome Centre to pick up maps, restaurant guides etc. Ask them to locate stores etc. on the map to save time later.

One word of caution. There is a small white building that says Visitor/Welcome Center before the official one -- that's not it. The Welcome Centre/Discovery Museum is a large grey building set back from the road about .5 mile from the bridge, on your right.

Savannah is an amazing city, but a "drop In" or stopping for lunch isn't going to give you any perspective. Probably more frustrating than enjoyable. Best you make a day trip from HH. Takes about 40 min going the back way. If you wish, I'll give you info on our usual route/routine for parking etc.

Also, I'm not clear on the plantation debate. We personally enjoy the tranquility of being in a plantation away from the hustle-bustle. It only takes a moment to go through the gatehouse and usually enjoy a friendly smile and wave. Our favourite plantation is probably Sea Pines -- this time we stayed at Lands End, and although it is certainly away from it all the natural beauty was worth the drive, You are still only a short drive to any restaurant. Plus we could walk to The Salty Dog for the best seafood salad I've eaten and .. the view is free!!

Enjoy exploring HH -- a unique destination.

I also enjoy the plantation. The gated community is very nice and you seem to enter into a private well manicured area away from everything. Shipyard Plantation is very nice with beautiful trees and greenery everywhere. Also, in the plantations you have private access to an uncrowded beach. Can't beat that! Claudia

We made our reservations and will fly into JAX and overnight at the Courtyard by Marriott since we're getting in so late. Then head to HHH the next day and spend four nights at the Marriott Ocean Grande, or Grande Ocean - I keep forgetting the proper name. Then back to JAX for the flight home. We'll decide once we get to HHH whether or not to go to Savannah for one of our days. Just plan to play it by ear, and relax, and not plan anything in advance. Thanks for all your advice.

Thanks for the update, hope you have a great trip! Be sure to search out the little "waterways" in the landscaping of the Marriott where the frogs sing at night. It is like nothing I have ever heard before!

The Marriott Grande Ocean has one of the finest locations on Hilton Head. My wife and I have owned a timeshare at Marriott's Monarch at Sea Pines for 26 years and think it's location (a mile or so from the Grande Ocean) is perfect. Sea Pines is the most beautiful plantation in Hilton Head. It may be a little cold in late October but I would strongly recommend renting bicycles and riding on the great bike paths in Sea Pines. Both Harbour Town and South Beach are well worth a visit. For retaurants I would highly recommend Tapas, the Sea Shack, Dye's Gullah Fixins, Redfish and Truffles. Also, the beach is very wide and hard packed sand so you can ride your bike on it, also. For a really different road trip, I would recommend going to Beaufort. It has the charm of Savannah, but is a little closer. Be sure to take a carriage ride in Beaufort to get all the history. Have a great time.

I googled Beaufort and it is definitely an option if we decide to venture off Hilton Head. Thanks for the restaurant recs.

We spend two weeks in HH each spring and your choice for lodging won't disappoint you. It's central to the "main" circle on the island and convenient to the Cross Island Parkway. I would recommend the following restaurants: Redfish; Old Oyster Factory; Alexander's; Eat!. If you happen to be there on a Tuesday, Eat! is a great choice, as their entire tapas menu is half off and their tapas choices are plentiful and very tasty!!