Swallowtail or Royal Dunes?

Glitter Brunello · #1 (**permalink**) 08-17-2008, 08:31 PM

I am familiar with the conundrum... walk to the beach from Royal Dunes, or have to drive from Swallowtail (or take the trolley), but get to be in Sea Pines?

Help, please... I'd rather be in Sea Pines... but does anyone know the current status of Harbor Town? Last time I was there, the shops/restaurant area was under contract to be sold, a lot of stuff was closing...

Any info on the relative condition of the units?

Spicebush also under consideration.. I like the location but read some iffy things about unit/furnishings condition...

Ryne08 · #2 (**permalink**) 08-17-2008, 09:19 PM

One vote for Swallowatail only because you are on Sea Pines Plantation. Royal Dunes villas can matach Swallowtail and Spicebusch. At Royal Dunes you have two large master bedroom with a third bedroom with twin beds. Plus at Royal Dunes you have three nice bathrooms.

I would choose Swallowatail, Spicesbusch or Royal Dunes in that order.
Enjoy your week on the Island.

Jimbo · #3 (**permalink**) 08-18-2008, 03:21 PM

I was recently checking out Royal Dunes due to what I found out was a limited connection to DRI (formerly Sunterra.)

I'd still pick Spicebush as I love the biking to be had in Sea Pines. Last year when we were there, we stayed at the new Marriott and road the bike paths from one Marriott to the other but there was limited biking opportunity otherwise. We found a loop that was about 3 miles or so long but that wasn't much of a ride.

So, for biking and the other pleasant things about Sea Pines, I'd vote for Spicebush.

Is there a pool at Spicebush. I'm pretty sure there is. So, that should be nice and relaxing...

Ryne08 · #4 (**permalink**) 08-18-2008, 08:11 PM

The swimming pool is located behind the villas at Spicebusch. All three resorts are very nice, my choice/selection would be a resort on Sea Pines Plantation.

Glitter Brunello · #5 (**permalink**) 08-18-2008, 10:00 PM

Thanks all. I agree, Sea Pines it is. Now to decide between Swallowtail and Spicebush. I like the "closer to the beach" location of Spicebush, but am concerned about the upkeep of the units... has anyone been there recently? I still have Swallowtail on hold, but just until later tonight.

funtime2 · #6 (**permalink**) 08-18-2008, 10:06 PM

We were in HH earlier this month. I do not know about the units at Harbor Town, but we strolled the shops. There were not very many people there, but due to the economy there were not as many people on HH as one would expect at this time of the year! Many businesses are feeling the crunch. Some as much as half as it was last year.

Glitter Brunello · #7 (**permalink**) 08-19-2008, 07:27 PM

Ok, have done some more research and called down there. Am posting this for any members with similar inquiries in the future, and changing the title to include Spicebush...

Swallowtail units are larger, with a Master Suite upstairs and the second bedroom downstairs off the living/dining/kitchen area. The Master Suite has a separate seating area that can be used as a third bedroom. The master bath has a large soaking tub.

Spicebush units have both bedrooms upstairs, and lack the extra sitting area. Spicebush kitchens have been recently redone, Swallowtail kitchens are older.
Spicebush is a short bike ride or long (too long for us) walk to the beach, but the trolley doesn't stop at Spicebush. Swallowtail is across from the Sea Pines Center, with a few shops and the trolley stop. Swallowtail is closer to Harbour Town, but it is a long walk (again, too long for us).

Swallowtail at Sea Pines

Spicebush at Sea Pines