Is the Sea Mist really as bad as some of the reviews?

The outside waterparks at this hotel really intrigue me, as I know my young children would LOVE them. We are booked at another place right now, but if the right special came up, I was considering the Sea Mist.... but the reviews are not very, well good!

Tell me the truth.... would you go there?

Is the Sea Mist really as bad as some of the reviews?

I would not go there. I have seen the place but haven%26#39;t stayed there. I am very picky about rooms, not only do the ammenities have to be updated but the main thing is it has to be clean. And it just didn%26#39;t look clean to me; looked a bit rusty and dingy. The pictures on the web is how so many people get dooped into going there. And with the many many many negative reviews there isn%26#39;t anyway I would stay there.

There are many other hotels with as many nice pools as Sea Mist that aren%26#39;t crappy.

Dunes Village

Compass Cove

Breakers

Island Vista

and many others.

Is the Sea Mist really as bad as some of the reviews?

The outside dosen%26#39;t look to clean so I would hate to see what the inside actually looks like.

We have been by the Sea Mist a few times and I was NOT impressed!! It looked old and the location is not the best. If you want a nice hotel with a waterpark stay at the Dunes Village Resort.

Just in driving by The Sea Mist is a no go it looks bad just from the outside would hate to see the in side.

Try The Caribbean. They have some great deals going and a new stuff.

Sea Mist really gets a bad rap in my opinion. I HAVE stayed there. It is a great place if you have kids. Sure, it%26#39;s an older hotel, but there%26#39;s tons to do if you get the Family Value Package. The waterpark is awesome, it has a really nice lazy river, very big and wide. The children%26#39;s activity pool is wonderful for small children, and it really does look like the pics on the website. You also have the option of the Family Kingdom Waterpark, which looks more fun for adults and older kids (we didn%26#39;t have time to go during our stay) plus they have like thirteen pools. They also have a nice playground and arcade. Now tell me where else you can pay one price and ride all the rides you want at Family Kingdom for one price every night of your stay? Now I know I sound like a Sea Mist spokesperson, so I will say yes, there are nicer, prettier rooms to stay in at Myrtle. And other things to do besides Family Kingdom. But do you go on vacation to stay in your room? We stayed oceanfront in the Tides Building and the view was amazing and our room was clean with everything we needed for a family of four, no bugs or anything gross, the staff were very nice. My only advice would be to stay in the Driftwood or Tides Building because they are renovated. The buildings across the street do look older, but if I wanted all the amenities Sea Mist offers at a lower price I would consider staying there. My only real criticism of the place is that the mini-golf is in really sad shape. Other than that, you will be having so much fun you will struggle to get it in! So if you have kids go to Sea Mist and have a very fun vacation!

Yes, it is that bad. Pics are deceiving. No, I would not go there. One time was enough.

This place is a collection of formerly separate properties, some better looking (inside %26amp; out) than others. I have not seen any of the various rooms, but the water park (like the mini-golf course) looks old %26amp; dated...I%26#39;m also not sure this is free to guests...does anyone know?

Not in one of the better locations, either. IMHO, There are better options even in that pricerange.

Going through Washington

I live in NJ and the last 3 times I have driven back from M.B. I seem to make a wrong turn and wind up in the city of Washington? I even have a GPS and they tell me to take I395 and I wind up on Pennsylvania Ave. Can someone please tell me what to look for in this area so I don%26#39;t go wrong?

Thanks,

Ed

Going through Washington

Ed, When you%26#39;re in the Inner Loop of 495/95 the 95 exit is on the left about 5 miles past teh Maryland stsate line.

Do you take 295 bypass of Richmond?

Going through Washington

yes, I take the 295 Richmond. I never have a problem on 95 going south, it%26#39;s just coming home.

My GPS sends me I395 which takes me through the city. I think it should be I495 which I think is called the beltway. The exits seem very close together and I always end up on the wrong one.

Yes you should look for 495/95 North the outer loop, which is I the right 169A. Going straight the roadway turns into 395

check out the map

http://maps.google.com/maps?sourceid=navclient%26amp;rlz=1T4DKUS_enUS267US267%26amp;q=washington+loop+95+map%26amp;um=1%26amp;ie=UTF-8%26amp;split=0%26amp;gl=us%26amp;ei=OJjGSYKeO4KstgfGsfT1Dw%26amp;sa=X%26amp;oi=geocode_result%26amp;resnum=1%26amp;ct=image

The other posters gave you the correct info -- at Springfield, you want to get on 495 North/East. I think the sign for 495 likely indicates something like ';495 to Alexandria';. From there it is about 30-35 mins around DC to get back on 95 North towards Baltimore. Since 495 is indeed a beltway, it really wouldn%26#39;t matter if you got on the ';inner loop';. It is probably no more than 10 mins difference on which route you take around DC.

Your GPS must want you to take 395 to 295 N (which can be tricky) or it wants you to take 395 to the end where it dumps you on New York Ave (Route 50) which will also get you to 295 N. Neither are as easy as just taking 495 around DC.

Ed:

I avoid DC like the plague...we hit horrible traffic there the last few times %26amp; I%26#39;d much rather take more scenic routes.

One of these times, try taking 50E to Norfolk %26amp; cross the Chesapeake via the Bay Bridge/Tunnel...if you never have it can be breathtaking on a clear day, just seeing the roadway disappear into the bay!

Traveling up the DELMARVA peninsula into DE, you can either take the Cape May/Lewes ferry (a real treat that saves a little time but somewhat expensive) or travel up Rt.1 to the Delaware Memorial into NJ.

Maybe a little longer but give it a try, especially if the weather is nice. I even take 17N the whole way to Norfolk sometimes, a little longer but more direct. I%26#39;m just not an interstate lover.

As others have stated 395 doesn%26#39;t take you the way you want to go you want 495/Baltimore.

But be careful if you haven%26#39;t been within the past 1-2 years because the exits aren%26#39;t exactly they way they used to be. Especially heading south because the exits are different. And note the change on the Wilson Bridge heading south as well.

If you ever get confused just remember you want to be going to Baltimore not Washington coming north.

koa

Will be going to the KOA over easter and read the posted reviews saying there was a fire ant problem. Has anyone been there recently? And is this still a problem? We were there two years ago and had no problems and loved the campground, hence we are going back.

Any help would be appreciated.

Mike

koa

Hi,

In Mount Pleasant area Fire Ants are a constant problem where ever you go. Normally, any problem ones are removed. Being visual about your surronding is usually enough.

You we also see some changes to Blackbeard%26#39;s next door if you are interested.

Is any of your party known to react to Fire Ant bites?

Hope you enjoy your Easter break.

Regards,

Alan

senior trip

Any suggestions as to accomadations renting to high school seniors in June?

senior trip

Just type in senior above in the forum search. This topic has been covered extensively and you%26#39;ll find lots of suggestions by doing a search.

senior trip

A lot of hotels do not rent to under 21 and some don%26#39;t rent under 25. You need to do some research and call the hotels directly to find out their policy for renting to you. You will most likely have to pay a cash deposit anywhere from 100-250 so be prepared for that. Usually the nicer the property, the less likely they will rent to you. The smaller, older properties will because they need the business.

transfer file

One day in Savannah

I%26#39;ll only be in Savannah one night and one day. What are the must sees? Thanks

One day in Savannah

Post on Savannah%26#39;s forum; you are on Charleston, SC forum.

bloom-

Any private condos for rent at Sandy Beach Resort

I%26#39;m looking for condos on VRBO.com. Nothing comes up for Sandy Beach Resort... does anyone know why not?

Any private condos for rent at Sandy Beach Resort

I suspect they only rent through the front desk/web site. It would be difficult to keep up with vacancies at the property web site if each owner was doing their own thing.

Need recs for HHI villa/condo

My husband, infant son and I are going to Hilton Head in a few weeks, and I%26#39;m struggling to make a decision on where to stay. I would appreciate any recommendations you can give me.

We%26#39;re looking for a 2 bedroom condo or villa that is within a short walking distance to the beach. Since we have a baby, the shorter the walk, the better. We will also have our dog with us, so pet-friendly properties are a must. We would like to be near shops and restaurants so that we can limit the amount of time in the car.

Nearly every property I look at says within walking distance of the beach, but in my opinion, 1-mile away is not walking distance!

I think we are leaning towards Sea Pines, just because it appears there%26#39;s more to do there.

Thank you!

Need recs for HHI villa/condo

We%26#39;ve stayed at the Moorings in Palmetto Dunes 3 times. 2BR 2 BA, kitchen dining/living area. Each BR had its own balcony. Find a unit that%26#39;s been recently updated.

It%26#39;s between the Marriott and the Dunes House. Depending on where you stay in the Moorings, could take less than a minute to walk to the beach.

Need recs for HHI villa/condo

Oops. I forgot; it%26#39;s actually a 3 bath. 3rd bath has only a toilet, a shower, and washer/drier.

Breakers??

Which is the best building to stay in?? Palmetto, Seaside, etc?? Never have stayed before and they are offering the best deals yet, and I have my choice of room... thanks! =)

Breakers??

Paradise, Palms,I heard the 2 you have listed are last on the list. Hope that helps some. When are you going?

Breakers??

Paradise is the newest. Supposedly the Palms just reopened a week or so ago newly renovated. I think someone said that the Palmetto was remodeled as well (not sure about that one). We booked our O/F suite in the Palms building, hope by saving $200 (could of been in the Paradise) I haven%26#39;t made a mistake. Could of also stayed at the Coral Beach for several hundred less but don%26#39;t think they have updated/renovated in a while. That would of been nice but not really walking distance for the kids.

OH well hope you do good

good luck

1.Paradise is first and it has been upgraded recently on top of being the youngest building.

2.Palms was recently completely renovated.

3.North Building was upgraded recently.

4.Palmetto was refurbished and it was doable prior to however I didn%26#39;t like the condition of the furnishings/appliances but that%26#39;s supposedly all changed.

5.Sailfish was it%26#39;s own hotel a few years ago and they bought and just added their own little thing.

6.Seaside is ok but it%26#39;sthe smallest building and I believe it%26#39;s the oldest building along with Palmetto and Palms.

They are all doable. They have all had some type of renovation, refurbishing, remodeling or upgrades in the past 1-2 years. If you want the best you will pay for the best and get the best with Paradise Towers. Otherwise Palms would be second and as I listed above in that order.

Thanks! We%26#39;re coming down on the 20th. They have a special book 2 nights get one free... =)

Just an update b/c we are back home now =(...We went down early so they put us in the Palmetto Tower the 1st night and the Paradise (original reservation) the rest of the weekend, and to tell you the truth we liked both equally! Of course we just had an ocean view room in the Paradise Tower so it was a little small to our liking, very narrow w/ a tiny balcony. We did scope out some of their ocean front rooms and they looked very nice. The Palmetto room looked like it was just updated w/ tile floors and nice bedding, etc. If I were to go again I would save some money and not worry so much about booking the Paradise Tower b/c all the buildings looked nice to me! =)

bike paths near island club seawatch

Are there bike paths in the area where the Island Club Seawatch condos are located?

Thanks.

bike paths near island club seawatch

Yes. There are bike paths along Folly Field Rd. They connect to the paths along 278. I have stayed at the Island Club and have biked all the way down to Shelter Cove. The paths along 278 are not in the shade and are noisy from all of the traffic (a lot different than Sea Pines). I prefer to bike on the beach instead.

bike paths near island club seawatch

Thanks for your reply. We usually stay in the Shipyard Plantation and I like riding bikes there.

Don%26#39;t know if I would like riding on the main road.

There are a couple of side streets in the Folly Field area that are good for ridding. Also, you could try crossing 278 to Mathews Dr. and Marshland Rd. I believe that they recently redid the bike paths along Mathews Dr.

Just returned from HH and did our usual miles and miles of bike riding... never bore of it.

There are wonderful paths running parallel to the streets for your enjoyment and safety.

Usually stay in Folly this time in South Forest Beach. It was a bit windy on the beach, the wind in the winter is from the north, in the summer from the south. Since we were toward the toe of the island we rode the paths from Coligny to Folly and flew back on the beach! Really took no time at all with the wind at our backs! Biking on the beach is really such a treat and the paths give you a chance to see the architecture and wild life that is often missed while in the car, not to mention the little shops and restaurants in the tucked away plazas. There are new paths on Mathews, when in Folly I ride my bike to Bi-lo and fill up by basket.

Print out page 2 of this Town of Hilton Head bike pathways map on legal paper and you%26#39;ll be set.

hiltonheadislandsc.gov/Island/BikePaths/Bike…

bloom-

plantation tours

do you have to drive yourself to the plantations for a tour there or do you get to take a tour bus, etc? from downtown? i.e. middleton place, magnolia, etc.

thanks.

plantation tours

There are tour bus companies that will take you there. Your hotel concierge will be able to make all of the arrangements, or check out the Things to Do - and Tours section (see left)

plantation tours

thanks.

There is also a service to drop you off that is offered by one of the tour guide services. They pick you up at the Visitors Center and drop you off at the plantation with no additional tour service so it is cheaper. Check with the Visitors Center.

1 more dumb question/ miniature golf

Okay, I got great advice on how to enjoy my first trip ever to the beach. Now I need advice on miniature golf. Never played before, was never interested. So, I plan on taking the kids while at the beach. I%26#39;m pretty sure the concept is to go to different points of the course and try to sink the ball. However, do you continue through the entire course even if you do not sink the ball at each point?

I%26#39;m uncertain of the cost procedure. Is there like a charge per individual, per game for the entire cost. Like if there were 5 of us and the admission was $7, would it be $35 for the my entire party to play one round of golf or is there an admission to get in and then additional costs for the game?

Thanks guys.

1 more dumb question/ miniature golf

Miniture golf is 18 holes and if you can%26#39;t make it in with 5 shots you should pick up and move on to the next hole.Cost is $9 per adult and not sure on children.If you are going to play a lot you can go to Dragons Lair and buy a card for $35 that allows you to play 5 different courses .

1 more dumb question/ miniature golf

If there is no one behind you and your kids waiting to go, you can keep letting them try to make it in the hole. Price is usually per person, per round. Children are a few dollars cheaper at most places. Have fun!

Yes, that%26#39;s pretty much the idea of the game each course is a little different with different themes and obstacles to make it a little more challenging. MB has a ton of differnt putt-putt courses some old and needing redone others very nice and fun. We have done almost all of them i think and Dragons%26#39;s Lair is a nice one at Broadway. There is a dragon that come out of his castle like home and tells a story and blows real fire up in the air every 20 minutes i think. You will see all the different couses driving around they are all on Kings Hwy, just look around and decided which one you think your kids would enjoy. Sometime there are coupons in the coupon books for $1 or %2 off and it%26#39;s also cheaper if you go during the day at some of the courses like $5 per round.

Here%26#39;s a link to some coupons for mini gold including the dragons lair.

sunnydayguide.com/myrtle_beach/…GS_All.pdf

Prices are usually significantly discounted during the early (and hot) part of the day. I%26#39;ve seen some prices less than $5 for early play. If there are people behind you and nobody in front of you just let them play-thru and continue on after they finish the next hole. That way your kids can take their time and have fun. You didn%26#39;t mention your kids ages but if they are young don%26#39;t push them to finish if they are getting tired of the game before the final hole. There are so many places to pick from it%26#39;s a difficult choice deciding on where to play. I suggest letting the kids pick based on how the course is themed.

Thanks, you guys are really helpful.

Myrtle Beach without kids - Where to stay?

Hi,

I am going to Myrtle Beach the first weekend in May with my husband and another couple.

We would like to stay in a 2 bedroom suite or condo with partial kitchen or so.

Is there a resort that anyone recommends that is more adult oriented? We are in our early 30%26#39;s.

Thanks!!

Myrtle Beach without kids - Where to stay?

Royale Palms is beautiful. Don%26#39;t know your budget but I can highly recommend this resort:

…hilton.com/en_US/…index.do

Myrtle Beach without kids - Where to stay?

Towers on The Grove in NMB

Try Roxanne Towers. All ocean front and all have kitchens. Smaller complex with easy parking. Gets great reviews on TA. Check them out over there %26lt;%26lt;%26lt;%26lt;%26lt;%26lt;%26lt;%26lt;%26lt;.

Marriott Grande Dunes

Cool - This is great.... I am starting to look everything up.

What about nightlife suggestions? We will want to go to a dance club that plays the latest music (pop, hip hop, etc.)

Try:

-Anderson Ocean Club Resort %26amp; Spa

-Marriott Grande Dunes

-Monterey Bay Suites

-Sandy Beach Resort

-Oceans One Resort

The ones listed usually don%26#39;t have as many kids as other resorts because they don%26#39;t have the typical ';water parks'; that interest parents with kids. You will still see some kids but these places are are not as large of a resort either.

Places to hang out, well since we have 3 children, I might not be much help there but I see lots of couples hanging out at Broadway at the Beach (www.broadwayatthebeach.com) at night because there are several bars and restaurants and other entertainment that are opened at night. Otherwise, others can help with the dancing thing.

There is lots to do at Broadway you can look at their website but i know there is a Senior Frogs and a couple of other bars with great music especially on the weekends.

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narrowed down hotel choice-which is better?

i think i%26#39;ve narrowed down a hotel choice: which do you think is better? bestwestern sweetgrass inn or springhill suites riverview?

narrowed down hotel choice-which is better?

i would like to add hampton inn/w ashley and hampton inn/mt pleasant to that list of choices. thanks.

narrowed down hotel choice-which is better?

You must have a car to realistically do any of these.

I would not stay at the Best Western Sweetgrass. The Springhill is the closest of your four choices and is very close to California Dreaming restaurant. It would be my first choice. Both Hampton Inns would be ok but are further away from where you will want to go for touring downtown. If you plan to go to the beach, the one in Mt. P might be ok but I would go with Springhill otherwise.

thank you scblossom for your input.

Narrowing down restaurant choices

Hello again! My last thread about plantation and tour opinions was getting lengthy so I decided to start a new one for this.

Ok, we got some great suggestions from Kevin at the HI and I was wondering if I could get some of your opinions on them.

Upscale, fancy dinner We would like at least one night to go out somewhere nice where we could dress up. My husband is your typical steak man, I like many different foods, seafood and italian also. The suggestions are as follows:

High Cotton

Cypress

Middleton Place

Casual want real good authentic southern food

Virginias

Cru Cafe

39 Rue De Jean

Pana Avito I like the idea of the courtyard dining

Luca

Also suggestions on good breakfast places

Narrowing down restaurant choices

For streak and some seafood I enjoyed Grill 225 in the Market Pavilion Hotel (great Tuna Tower app.)There is also the Oak Streak House on Broad St., italian style steakhouse. For casual southern I like Virginia%26#39;s on King, also Poogan%26#39;s Porch and the Hominy Grill. I think that all three do breakfast as well and Joseph%26#39;s on Meeting is also a good breakfast spot. 39 Rue de John is very nice for lunch or dinner, different menu%26#39;s for each. Kind of a french bistro feel, mussels or sushi or rare burgers for lunch (not everyone in Charleston can serve the burgers that way (they grind there own high grade meat). More upscale at dinner, last time I had dinner there I think I had Dover sole. They also have a seafood restaurant right behind there called Coast, those two and Virginia%26#39;s all have the same owners.

Narrowing down restaurant choices

You forgot Magnolia%26#39;s!! They have the BEST true southern fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy with mini buttermilk biscuits, fresh corn off the cob (just like my grandmother used to make) and collard greens. The plate is piled high at this upscale restaurant. I%26#39;m hungry!

By the way, I also heard this is Oprah%26#39;s favorite when she comes into town.

Places to stay in MB w/teens 15 @19

Hi everyone! Haven%26#39;t been to MB since 1979! Looking for a hotel or condo on the beach. 15 year old boy is not an ';all day at the beach'; type kid.

Maybe a place with other activities like a nice pool with waterslide,go karts or some other activity close by to break up the day for him. Maybe a hotel near the center of town/action. Although I don%26#39;t want to break the bank, I am willing to spend so that we all have a great time. After all it is vacation!

Places to stay in MB w/teens 15 @19

Coral Beach has pools along with a bowling alley, arcade, pool tables, air hockey, and things to keep him occupied

Best place to get discount coupons.

Just wondering where the best place to get coupons for discounts on admission and restaruants. I have the official Myrtle Beach guide that I ordered, but it didn%26#39;t have any coupons. Usually, most places have brochures or publications with coupons for $XX%26#39;s off. IS there a website?

Thanks!

Best place to get discount coupons.

I%26#39;ve always seen coupon books in grocery stores at the beach.

Best place to get discount coupons.

You can get great coupons in the Sun news online edition. MyrtleBeachOnline.com. The Sun news is the Myrtle Beach newspaper. Look under the newspaper ads at the very top right of the web page. Everything from minature and regular golf to great dinner discounts and coupons. I check every Sunday so I wont miss any good ones.I figured this year when I went I saved at least 100.00 on dinner with BOGO coupons. Have fun!! Wish I was going again.

I just checked out the website. Can you only access the coupons on Sunday??

Hey thanks for the link! Here%26#39;s some other links that may work

鈥yrtlebeachonline.com/SS/Page.aspx鈥?/p>

http://www.myrtlebeachcoupons.com/

sunnydayguide.com/myrtlebeach/coupons.html

You can also try Restaurant.com

It is a site where you can get $10-25 gift certificates to area restaurants at deeply discounted prices.

Ed

You can check the sun news anytime. Sunday has the most coupons and it looks they update on Sundays but you can look anytime. Like I said they are in the newspaper ads which are located in the top right hand corner at the very top of the page. Have fun looking.

Pretty much every hotel will have a rack of coupon books - Monster, Sunny Days are a couple.

http://themonstercouponbook.com

http://www.sunnydayguide.com/

Grab a bunch of different ones because not every restaurant/attraction advertises in all books and discounts vary by publication.

You%26#39;ll see some welcome centres - some operated by time-share places - as you drive in on Hwy. 501 or Hwy. 9 and they stock books.

And look for the hermit crab coupons for your kids!

Kevin

Toronto

bloom-

Book Tours Ahead of Stay?

trying to get my ducks in a row. from out of state. will be a newcomer visitor to charleston. do you need to book your tours before your stay? intended stay memorial day week in may. or is there plenty of time to book your tour a day or two before you want to go? i.e. plantation tours, boat tours, carriage tours. thanks.

Book Tours Ahead of Stay?

For Memorial Day weekend, you will want to book popular tours ahead of time.

In particular, the dinner cruises book up with groups. Inquire now so that you won%26#39;t be disappointed at the last minute.

Other tours that you may want to book (if you are interested) are Ed Grimball%26#39;s walking tour and Alphonso Brown%26#39;s Gullah history tour. These tours are popular, and are conducted in small groups.

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Easter in Charleston

We will be visiting Charleston over Easter and I was wondering if anyone could recommend a good place for Easter dinner...I am not sure if most restaurants close there for Easter or if they offer brunch/dinner?

Easter in Charleston

My bet is that most restaurants will have Easter Brunch - we went to the Swamp Fox (Francis Marion Hotel) on Thanksgiving so I%26#39;d expect the same at Easter. (I remember there were many choices, in fact)

Easter in Charleston

My husband and I will be there Easter Sunday as well. I spoke with a woman at the Convention %26amp; Visitors Bureau, and she said that most of the restaurants, tours, etc. are open Easter Sunday. Sad, huh? :( but lucky for us, I guess. Tip well, these folks could be home with their families.

Just wanted to add that we%26#39;ve already got our reservation for Magnolia%26#39;s for brunch. Hmm . . . should I indulge my dream and buy an Easter Sunday hat? I think I can get away with it in the South more easily.

Thanks for the info...that will make it easier knowing everything will be open...go for the hat.

Wear your hat PROUDLY! Many of the ladies will be wearing them. On Saturday before Easter, the Hat Ladies of Charleston usually have their Easter Prominade that starts at Washington Park (Broad at Meeting Streets) and ends near White Point Garden which is near The Battery down East Bay Street. It is delightful to watch! It will probably be announced in the newspaper.

Magnolias should be good for Easter brunch. Most of the hotels also have Easter buffets each year with special menus.

Hilton Head in May

We are planning to rent a condo the last week of May. What is the weather like? We really want to play in the ocean and go swimming at the condo. We will have two 12 year girls with us.

Please help!!!!!

Hilton Head in May

Check out the average weather temperature chart at:

weather.com/weather/climatology/monthly/29928

Of course, the way this year has been going it could snow the last week of May!

(just kidding)

Average high around 83 with lows averaging around 66. The ocean won%26#39;t be bathwater warm like August, but should be fine for 12 year olds.

Good luck!

- Jeff

Hilton Head on a Low Budget

I%26#39;ve been searching tripadvisor and various vacation rentals sites for a couple of weeks for a budget-minded 2br for me, my husband, and four 16 year olds guys for the week beginning 5/30--unfortunately the first week of kill-budget rates. Our first stay there last year was at the Breakers, but it was too small really. Looking for comparable access to beach and shops and restaurants. Strangely, the guys loved going to Piggly Wiggly on their own.

Anyway, any suggestions? Courtside $700; Surf%26#39;s Court $750; HHB%26amp;T $500; Fiddlers Cove $545 -- so far these are the best quotes I%26#39;ve been given, all very generous.

Should I give up the search now and pick up about a month before--would I have better luck with the rates then?

Thanks.

Hilton Head on a Low Budget

Have you tried the VRBO website? You may able to find exactly what you are looking for at the right price renting directly from the owner.

Hilton Head on a Low Budget

Thanks Amy. Yeah, I am exclusively rent off VRBO where ever I go. After we invited all the guys, we found out one had to do band camp the 5/23 week, so that pushed us all out a week and out of budget, to be honest.

I%26#39;ve also tried greatrentals, hiltonheadvacationrentals, vacationrentalpeople, homeaway, ownervacationrentals, a1vacations, hhicondo, hiltonheadvacation, vacationcompany, clearstay, vacationsbyowner, hhibeachretreat, flipkey, and seriously about 20 more!

Thanks though; that%26#39;s the best rec I could give to anyone as well.

A 2br at HHB%26amp;T for $500 sounds unusually cheap. Make sure they aren%26#39;t quoting you a 1br with bunks in the hall (just like Breakers) and that it is in decent condition.

HHB%26amp;T is on the oceanfront, great oceanfront pool, walking distance to Adventure Cove for miniature golf. Check Shoreroom Ballroom%26#39;s event schedule to see if there is a teen-friendly concert or event that week.

Rent bikes and they can easily get to Port Royal Plaza, Bi-lo, McDonald%26#39;s, Pineland Station, Main Street and Wal-mart to the north and Fuddruckers, Shelter Cove Mall and Shelter Cove Marina to the south. Even Coligny and The Crossings Skateboard Park aren%26#39;t an unreasonable bike ride on the paved bike paths. We always used Hilton Head Ice Cream as a bike destination. It%26#39;s about 5 miles each way.

If you are looking to cut costs, take the guys to Yummy House for the $6.95 chinese lunch buffet. Pizza Hut also has a pizza/pasta buffet for $8.95. You might not need to feed them dinner. ;)

As for waiting, we%26#39;re seeing tons of vacationers already. The roads are crowded and spring bookings are pretty good. I expect there will be a mad rush to lock in summer vacation rentals very soon.

I%26#39;d suggest Hilton Head Resort where I own, but I%26#39;m not aware of anyone that rents for less then $650.

Good luck!

- Jeff Morgan

Thanks Jeff!

Hey Jeff, the guy at HHB%26amp;T wanted the deposit and a copy of my license. Is that normal? I%26#39;ve rented from folks on VRBO a few times and never had that come up before. And do you think HHB%26amp;T is a good spot?

I suspect he%26#39;s just making sure you are a real renter and not a Nigerian scam. If you offered to pay with a money order, he should have immediately gone on ';high alert';. A typical scam is they send an ';international money order'; that turns out to be more than the rental amount, then ask for a refund of the difference. Two months later the money order turns out to be fake and the owner lost the amount of the refund. I usually get 2 or 3 of these scam ';offers'; each year. Maybe this owner has been burned before.

Each HHB%26amp;T villa is individually owned. The resort itself is fine and was rated one of the top 10 family resorts on HHI a few years ago. My wife has sold several villas there so I%26#39;ve been there many times.

When we were hunting our condo back in 1997 we stayed a weekend at HHB%26amp;T and a weekend at Hilton Head Resort. The one bedrooms are just too small for extended stays. My wife wanted to live at the beach during the summers with our two kids. We chose the larger 2br units at HHR. HHB%26amp;T has some 2 bedrooms in the Tennis Villas and Admiral%26#39;s Row. The rest are 1 br with bunks in the hall (as far as I have seen).

I wouldn%26#39;t have any problem staying at HHB%26amp;T. It%26#39;s a hopping place with lots of families and activity in the summer. Your sixteen year olds should have a great time in a relatively safe, gated environment.

- Jeff