I am planning a trip for next summer to Hilton Head. I am interested in a 2 bdrm villa near the ocean. I want to stay in Sea Pines, Forest Beach or Shipyard and want to spend less than $1400. So far the Evians, the Colonnade and Beachwalk all look nice in Shipyard. Has anyone stayed at any of these places? Any feedback would be appreciated. Also, what about any nice places in Sea Pines. I really haven't been able to find too much that meets my needs there?

Summer in HH is the high season- you have to stay at the places you have found to have a beach without paying extra.

I would stay in Sea Pines, they have more to offer and you don't pay an entrance fee if you are a guest.

Try a timeshare website but they are usually very busy with owners then..

PS good side trips are Parris Island Marine base and Savannah.

I recently booked a trip to Hilton Head for September. I used sunsetrentals.com and found it extremely easy to use. Also a good spot for research is resortquest.com.

We booked a 3 bedroom condo (beachfront)for 1450 with tax and everything. It's in Palmetto Dunes. I've stayed there one other time and enjoyed the area. Our rate was low due to the time of year.

I've stayed at Colonnade Club for the past two years and my family was very happy with our villa. We go at the end of August, the first week the rates drop, and the whole area is not too crowded. The villas have a medditerranian feel to them and many have hugh windows overlooking lagoons or the golfcourse. It is about a five minute walk to the beach and you are right on the bike path. Evian is probably about a ten minute walk to the beach if that matters to you. They look very nice, more like cluster homes, but I've never been inside them. We usually rent bikes and ride to the beach. I think you'll find Shipyard to be a little cheaper than Palmetto Dunes and we like it better because it is smaller and there seems to be less traffic. I recommend renting bikes for the week. It's only about $25 a week per bike and most of the rental companies deliver to your door. If you like it hot and you can vacation at the end of August, it's great because the crowds are gone and it is very relaxing. Hope this helps.

I've been to Hilton Head several times and we stay in Palmetto Dunes so I'm not familiar w/the particular villas you've mentioned. Howver, here's a tip. If your schedule isn't too tight, consider going the end of August - rates go down a bit then. The weather is nice and everything is a bit less crowded.