Marriott's Monarch Resort, Hilton Head Island

Marriott's Monarch at Hilton Head Island, like Harbour Club, and Heritage Club (see two previous posts) is nestled inside the prestigious Sea Pines Plantation. Unlike Harbour Club and Hertiage Club, it is also on the ocean. Monarch is where it all began for Marriott. Marriott got it's start in time shares in Hilton Head and has a huge presence there. Additionally Monarch was the first of all Marriott's time shares. Though it's the oldest, don't let that fool you. It has resently gone a complete rehab. Marriott has on going projects so no facility/resort ever get's truly outdated.
Monarch is the largest of the 3 resorts inside Sea Pines with 4 buildings and a much larger resort area then the other two. Because of it's size, and it's location on the beach; it is more suitable for families with children. The 4 buildings are Magnolia, Dogwood, Camellia, and Azalea...are you getting a feel for the place yet? It's quite pretty with wonderful landscaping that attracts birds and butterflies. While I feel it's more suited to families with children then the other 2 in Sea Pines; it is also quite serene and large enough; it seem you would be able to find quiet-if that was your interest. The lobby can accomodate social gatherings of good size, as you can see by the picture.

Grab a book and rock away in the shade of The Pines and relax. This is the back porch area.I mentioned birds and butterflies...it's a a bit of a bird santuary.
The pool, the bar, and pretty pond area. One of the pools, I should say.
Another pool provides a great view of the ocean below.The buildings you see down the way, are the 4 villas at Monarch from the beach view.

While I can't say I've stayed here, or viewed the inside of the villas, I was indeed impressed with what I did see.

**Parts of the blog theme have been missing for about a week. I blieve it's tied into the many changes blogger and Google are making. Things like scheduled posts haven't been working well. Trying to play through, hoping it will come back on line. The plane white is rather boring. If not, I'll be on the look out for a new travel blog theme.**

Harbour Club at Harbour Town, Hilton Head

Harbour Club in Harbour Town on Hilton Head Island has a very nautical feel, as well as a very southern low country atmosphere. It's located only steps from restaurant and shops with fabulous water views, and still within the confines of the prestigious Sea Pines Plantation; just as Heritage Club is. If you're into boating more then beach activity this is an idea location. Tennis and golf activities are at hand as well.
Looking through the moss covered trees towards the resort you truly feel like you're in the low country. In fact, if you don't look carefully....you could miss it.
A comfortable large lobby area with plenty of common space gets plenty of use. Many social activities take place here for both Heritage Club and Harbour Club.
And what we look and feel more southern then a grand staircase leading to wide balcony's where you sit in rocking chairs and enjoy the serenity? Beyond the beautiful waterfall area is a large cheese game if you feel like making a challenge to another quest.
Sit in the shade and swing, or collect up at the nightly fires and review the days activities with friends, family, and other quests. This area is also used for common social activities between both Heritage Club and Harbour Club.
Relax in the hot tub and gaze out on sound, or take a dip in the pool to the left of this picture.

I would highly recommend this resort to those who prefer a quiet, more adult vacation spot.

*Check back for information on Monarch, Marriott's first time share*

*-*-Families are gearing up for the kids to be out of school, planning vacations, and summer activities, let Flat Stanley help you. He used to have a series here; but now he has his own blog that will be filled with ideas to make every activity a learning opportunity and promises to be fun. He's inviting you all, kids, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers, sisters, teachers, and baby sitters to get in the act. Please visit Flat Stanley and Friends, click HERE*-*-

Heritage Club at Harbour Town, Hilton Head

The Marriott's Heritage Club at Harbour Town in Hilton Head, is as you can see, in a secluded wooded area. Would be a great place to get in out of the sun during the hotter spring and summer months. It was a bit cool for us in January; but as we traveled about to other areas of the Island we were very comfortable. (if you missed the previous post, scroll back for a color coded map of the Island to help you with locations.........the locations are significant).

Once you enter to register, these marvelous southern style stair cases take you to the 2nd floor common area. It's quite pretty and relaxing. Many of the resorts social activities take place here. A great way to get to know other quests.

Often there are member meetings held here, special events in the game room for the younger set (teens mostly), are located just beyond the bar area here on the 2nd floor. Welcome nights for the adults, and a fun after golf gathering took place here with wine and cheese. They had a golf open one day pairing the quests up, and gave away a few prizes. Very enjoyable.

We like to cook the bulk of our meals in when we travel and find the common spaces like these gas grills are a big asset. The grills are always clean, well lite for nighttime use. Often they too become a source of socialization among the quest while the cooking gets done. We took our Martini's down and sat at the table while waiting on the steaks. I highly recommend it.

An over view from our balcony showing the hot tub on the left, pool on the right. Under the little gazebo is a more private hot tub.........we enjoyed a late afternoon drink here on several occasions before time to clean up and prepare dinner.

**Next blog post will explore Harbour Town and possible Monarch Resorts. Hope to see you soon.**

Marriott's in Hilton Head, South Carolina

*those circled in yellow are timeshares located in Sea Pines, those circled in blue on the beach, orange located on the marsh side of the Island,... Green is The Residence Inn, and Red The Resort both non timeshare locations*

If you want a quiet relaxed vacation at Hilton Head, think Marriott. If you want an active beach vacation with the kids think Hilton Head, if you like to golf...think Hilton Head. Are you a history buff, think Marriott's at Hilton Head.

Marriott has a huge presence on Hilton Head Island, something for anytime of year, and a variety of budgets. Not only that, but you can focus on the type of vacation you want by the location.

There are 3 Marriott Time Shares in the prestigious Sea Pines Plantation. Marriott's Heritage Club and Marriott's Harbour Club both in Harbour Time, Mariott's Monarch on the beach. Both Heritage Club and Harbour Club are within walking distance to shopping, dining, and the harbour. The Monarch has beautiful beach front views and is within biking distance to the shopping and dining in the harbour as well as The Sea Pine's Shopping areas. All 3 locations are 2 bedroom 2 bath facilities available to owners, and renters. Beautiful accommodations to choose from. Heritage Club is the smallest and probably the most quiet if you're looking for a more relaxed adult location. Monarch is the oldest of all Marriott's timeshares, as it was the first built and where Marriott got it's start in the timeshare business. Don't let that fool you though, as they're always updated.

We enjoyed a wonderful week at The Heritage Club and plan to return. I wouldn't suggest this location for families, as the pool area is small and without the kids extra stuff that exists in many other locations. It was however perfect for us, as we like the quiet and the un-congested areas. We no longer have small children and so prefer the more adult vacation spots.

A nice galley kitchen which we found to be very efficient. We like to cook our own meals the bulk of the time on vacations. The door at the end leads to the small utility room with a stack washer and dryer.
Living room area with fireplace looking into the bar area and kitchen. The dining room is to the right of the bar stools, and sliding glass door with balcony right behind me. I was standing at the door when I took this photo.
One of 2 jetted tubs. This one is in the 2nd bedroom.
The bar area looking into the kitchen. We had our cocktails here most nights.
The second bedroom.
Master suite with jetted tub, and sliding glass door to the balcony.
The dining room area.

The villa was laid out nicely and had plenty of room, though the living room was one of the smaller one's we've seen in our travels, we found it to be very comfortable. The villa can sleep 8 with 4 in the 2nd bedroom and 2 on the sleeper sofa in the living room though I believe that would be a bit crowded in the space provided with the table able to seat 6 and the living room doesn't have seating for more then 4 or 5 comfortably.

The balcony is large enough for a table and 4 chairs, so eating outside during nice weather would be a plus.

More details for Monarch and Harbour Club (in Sea Pines Plantation) discussed in the next post, as well as more detail on the commons spaces at Heritage Club.

Sticky Fingers, Charleston South Carolina

It's Menu Monday time.
Well, doesn't that look good! Though this mouth watering picture of Ernie's Pecan Pie is on the wall at Sticky Fingers in Charleston, South Carolina...it's not on the menu. Got our attention because both hubby (who's name is Ernie by the way), and I love Pecan Pie.

We choose Sticky Fingers for dinner on our recent trip to Charleston because it was close to our hotel, Marriott's Renaissance in the historic district. We had walked, and walked, and walked all day long and wanted something close. During the day we had passed (several times) Sticky Fingers that seemed busy with customers, and assumed that to be a good sign. Sigh...it wasn't.

Our meals were very disappointing, again! We've heard raves about how good the food is in the south and so far I would argue that's not true. The decor is interesting, as the building there at 235 Market Street has 100 year old pine floors and dates back to 1875. Our waitress was friendly; but everything else was lacking. The food wasn't good. Hubby had what is suppose to be their award winning ribs, though he wouldn't give them any award. The dry rub appeared to be coated on top of the meat, not rubbed into the meat and cooked slow in order to absorb the flavors. He loves good slaw, but after a quick taste left it on his plate. I had the toughest brisket ever, tough and dry. A good slow good brisket usually falls apart, I had a hard time cutting this with a sharp knife.

The tables, chairs, and floors all looked like they needed to be cleaned. We ate, we didn't linger like we typically do. We learned from our waitress they were being purchased by a new owner. Perhaps that's a good thing; as it we would not return nor recommend this restaurant. It's in such a good location, I do hope the new owners can turn it around.

After returning home, I learned this was a chain restaurant, which had we known, we probably would have avoided. The chain started in 1992 in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina and now there are 16 locations throughout North and South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida. We rarely enjoy dining at chains and this opinion certainly didn't change after our visit. The website indicates they boast southern and real low country charm. Don't let that lure you into thinking this is the place to go............it isn't!

Still hungry for a good brisket, since the above didn't satisfy my appetite, I purchased a brisket and will cook it slowly in my crockpot..........it will be tender and juicy, as it should be. Care to join me?

Join me again, next Monday for Menu Monday on Feb 20th