New to Hilton Head

We are planning a short vacation (4-5 nights in August) in hilton head. We are older parents of a 12, 9 and 7 year old. We usually stay in Hyatts and Westins when travelling and am a bit confused about the Hilton head area. Is the Westin in a good area for walking around especially walking to some good restaurants. We want to stay right on the beach and do not need a condo as i do not plan to cook one meal. We enjoy the pool, the beach, renting bikes, good food, miniature golf, kayaking, and other kid activities.

Would the Westin be a good pick or is there something else out there similiar to a Westin in a better location.

any help you can give would be appreciated.

We heard that Hilton Head is beautiful and we cannot wait to visit!

New to Hilton Head

The Westin is the finest hotel on the island. It has an oceanfront location in the Port Royal area of the island (see my Sticky marked plantations). Other than the two restaurants at the hotel, you will have to drive to others.

The Hilton Resort may be a better choice. It is located in Palmetto Dunes, and is also oceanfront. You can eat at the hotel in their restaurant ';Mostly Seafood';, or walk to the Marriott and eat at ';Conroys'; (you may even spot Pat himself, as he eats there whenever he%26#39;s on the island). There is a third restaurant ';Alexanders'; within walking distance.

On other days you can take the buggy to Shelter Cove where there are a number of additional restaurants.

I may be predjudiced but I think the Golf Courses and Tennis facilities at Palmetto Dunes are superior to those at Port Royal.

Finally you might consider the Marriott also, but I think the Hilton is a better choice, it certainly is more popular with those who use Travel Advisor.

If you just want the beach and walk to stores and restaurants, consider the Holiday Inn Oceanfront. It is very near Coligny Circle with it%26#39;s shops and restaurants within walking distance.

Stan (hhiguy)

New to Hilton Head

With kids I would stay in the South Forest Beach area. You can walk to shopping, dining, miniature golf, small water park, etc. Even if you don%26#39;t plan to cook a condo offers more room for everyone and is probably the same price as the hotels you are looking at. There are 2 very nice condo resorts in that area. Have fun.

thank you for all your input. Can you tell me what the differences between the Marriot and Hilton are. We like a nice pool, bar area or bar service at the pool, a lunch place at the pool, a breakfast restaurant in the hotel and a beachfront hotel. We would like to be able to walk to dinner at night and maybe shop or miniature golf with the kids. Do any of the hotels fit the bill??

I do not want a condo...we run a bed and breakfast 365 days a year, cook daily, and clean rooms. I want to sit back, have someone make my bed and serve me food. It is the only few days we get spoiled a years.

Thanks for your help in advance.

You will have a hard time walkiing to ';activities'; from either place. The traffic is heavy and I would not want to be on the street with 3 children. To be able to walk, you would have to stay at a condo or a motel in the South Forest Beach area (some condos have maid service I think - you could ask). The nicest ones on the island are the Seacrest (very expensive). I hope you know that there is not alot for children to do on Hilton Head other than one water park, miniature golf and some activities at Coligny Plaza and Shelter Cove has fireworks one night a week (or they have in the past). There is a safe bike riding path (plenty of bike rentals) and you could go to Harbor Town one night (although expect crowds). There are also some neat things to do if you are willing to leave the island such as going to some of the other islands and the preserves.

The Westin is a long way from South Forest Beach where most of the action is. Hilton Head is beautiful but just be prepared for the traffic !! If you are from rural Va. you will be in for a surprise!

Chunky doesn%26#39;t know Palmetto Dunes very well. There is a walkway bike path to tennis and golf and they are a short walk from either hotel. So traffic is not a problem. The beach is less crowded than Forest Beach even with the two major hotels on site. While there are those who are very enthused with Forest Beach, others want the privacy and amenities of a plantation. Sometimes posters seem to forget that.

As for the two hotels both have what you seem to require. The Marriott is more of a convention hotel, though both have meeting facilities The Hilton is more laid back, and most rooms are studio apartments. The Windjammer Lounge at the Hilton is a popular nitespot among visitors and locals.

They also have Childrens programs available for guests.

Stan (hhiguy)

thanks again for the help. Our children do not need much entertainment, a pool, a beach, a night or two of miniature golf and some shopping is fine.

We are just not the condo type but appreciate all the feedback. At this point in my life, a resort fits my vacation needs.

Is the Hilton mostly families? We are not into loud abnoxious kids with parents who hang by the pool and ignore their children. We really just want ';nice';.....

The marriot sounds conventionish, but the hilton scares me with studios...doesn%26#39;t that mean lots of kids and noise?

I know I am being picky but we are pretty tired and just want some quality relaxing time at a really nice place with our kids.

Is the Hilton in a better location for walking or is the Marriot?

Just returned from Hilton Head last week, stayed in a condo in Palmetto Dunes and looked at both the Hilton and Marriott. I really liked the beach bar at the Marriott but the Hilton has a more tropical pool area. Palmetto Dunes does have a lot to offer in walking distance. Bike rentals, kayak rentals a few restaurants, etc.

i%26#39;m sorry to say that since I live in Hilton Head, I can%26#39;t give you input as to the type of guest at each venue.

Working in an occupation that requires my attending out of town meetings several times a year, I can tell you that the hotel ambience depends largely on the guests. Some groups will be loud and noisy, while others are more sedate.

I travel frequently to Northern Virginia, and generally stay in the same hotel. Some nights I can%26#39;t sleep because of the noise, and others the hotel seems almost empty. I have stayed there when wedding and family reunions are going on, and each group is different. I believe you will find that to be true here.

Stan (hhiguy)

You say you don%26#39;t need a Villa but you mentioned your kids ages. Separate but close rooms much like home would make the experience much more enjoyable than connecting rooms at a hotel. We didn%26#39;t cook a meal but a kitchen is nice for snacks for the kids and saves a lot of money. Villamare Oceanfront Villas (Palmetto Dunes area) is one of the closest places to the beach. We stayed in an owner maintained unit, wonderfully decorated with family photos and a logbook. A large pool outside and inside, covered parking (tight though). As for walking to restaurants I wouldn%26#39;t advise that since there are so many trees to block a drivers vision from seeing you or you seeing them. You are minutes from everything and you don%26#39;t want to be there all the time (noisy). I like Palmetto Dunes area because much of it is behind a 24 hour security gate. Outside of the gate in a week stay we did see two acts of crime being attended to. I don%26#39;t know anyone that hasn%26#39;t frequented Hilton Head Island that hasn%26#39;t gone to the Sea Pines Plantation at least a couple of times during their stay. We enjoyed the Horse Back riding at Lawton Stables, gentle horses and basically a walking ride through the trees for reasonable rates for the whole family. Get all the coupon books and information you see along the way to your location. Ask the locals for the best places to eat, get there early, and don%26#39;t mind waiting for good seafood regardless of the building surroundings. We go every year, have to book early usually. Savannah, Georgia is minutes away, we ate a wonderful meal at Lady and Sons, booked at 11:00am for a 1:15pm time, reservations are a must.

To all those who have recommended Villa or Condo rental for retirednvirginia. Folks when they want to come (August) you can only rent condo%26#39;s by the week (Saturday to Saturday). They are coming for 4 or 5 days. They know what they want.

Help them acheive their dreams. Don%26#39;t tell them your dream vacation.

Stan (hhiguy)