Sea Crest Surf and Racquet Club

I just purchased this unit last year and this was our first time staying- 6/21/08-6/28/08….we were very happy. We got ourselves an incredible deal on the purchase and the maintenance fees are much less expensive compared with my DVC points. I cannot wait to return next year and neither can my husband. What a nice trip!

Unit Features: We stayed in a 1 bedroom 1 bathroom unit on the second floor at the front of the building.

Size of Unit: 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom with full kitchen and living room

Condition of Unit and Property: Good condition, older building at the exterior hallways and a bit dark. Unit was light and bright except for the bedroom which was painted a deeper blue color. The two onsite pools were in great condition and very clean. The air conditioning worked great and the shower had good water pressure. The unit was very clean- especially the bathroom and kitchen. I was impressed for an older resort. I read before that the furniture was cheap and wicker—this was not our experience. Our queen sleeper sofa had bright clean cushions and the frame was a heavy rattan. The kitchen peninsula had 3-4 new chairs to sit at the counter and eat and there was a kitchen table with 4 chairs. The bathroom had an updated vanity but older sink top with new light fixtures. We were pleased with the mattress but the pillows were thin. In the hallway the unit has a set of bunk beds-we used these to store our suitcases and extra toiletry supplies/napkins/etc. The balcony was nice sized-enough room for our little table and 2 chairs. They provided a clothes drying rack in the room and do not permit people to hang their towels on the balcony railings.

Kitchen Features: Full size refrigerator-newer, full size oven/range-newer, full size dishwasher-newer, microwave-new, blender-new, toaster- new, and coffee maker-newer. Plenty of dishes/glasses and silverware. We used many of the mixing bowls and frying pans to make our breakfast every morning. I would have liked a larger mug for my morning coffee/tea but it was still fine. The kitchen was extremely clean. A few of the drawers pulled out unevenly but still functioned.

Any problems encountered such as check-in problems, room changes, etc.: Check in went very smoothly and the staff could not have been friendlier… very pleased.

Planned Resort Activities such as welcome parties, barbecues, kid programs, and outings: They offered a welcome party but we did not attend. They have a room called the Crest Nest which has a pool table, large TV, games, crafts, movies, etc. I went up to see what was available but did not use any items. The woman who staffed this room was lovely and extremely helpful.

Resort Amenities: The units do not have a washer and dryer in the unit but they have a laundry room onsite which I used. Each wash or dry cycle is $1.50. The dryers were great because unlike other places I have stayed, the length of the drying cycle was more than adequate to dry our clothes with one payment. The room had a hamper to use so it was easy to transport the clothes to the laundry room. The main office has quarters for the washers/dryers.

I did not use this but they now have internet access in the Crest Nest and wireless internet at both pools.

The pools were very clean onsite.

I saw a few people playing shuffleboard one evening on the lighted court.

One family used the picnic area and BBQ grills-they seemed to have a great time.

There is a children’s playground next to the picnic area which seemed to satisfy the little ones when they weren’t in the pool.

Even when it was busy, we were able to always find a place to park near our unit.

We were happy to see expanded cable since we are TV watchers.

I never did walk down the road to see the tennis courts.

Staff Friendliness and Responsiveness: Extremely great! I could not have been happier with the staff at the resort. We had a balcony chair which had a broken back piece-I reported it and the following morning a brand new chair was delivered.

Convenience to Area Attractions: The biggest plus for this resort is its location and beachside pool. We were able to walk a block to the beach where this resort has a beachside pool, restrooms and tiki bar. The pool was much larger than I thought it would be for an older place. I had my frozen smoothie drinks everyday that we went to the ocean. The tiki bar is run by the Aqua Restaurant which is located in the new-quarter share Sea Crest Condominiums(which overlook the Sea Crest Surf and Racquet Club pool in one area)….a nice perk. We rented our umbrellas and chairs for the week from the lifeguard as we do every year—love to not have to carry and set up everything—just go and relax. Right across the street is Coligny Plaza---WOW is all I can say!! Restaurants, grocery store, numerous shops—the place had everything we needed….most importantly an ice cream shop!

Additional fees assessed: none

Suitability of Resort for couples, families, relaxing, partying, etc.: Suitable for all except those using a wheelchair. The unit has an elevated kitchen and bathroom which are a step up from the rest of the units flooring.

Picture a resort with 2 pools, a hot tub, and outdoor grills on site, as well as pickle ball courts one block away, and a shopping center across the street with a grocer, restaurants, shops and movie theatre. Add to that, access to 2 more pools, a snack bar and restrooms fronting on one of the best beaches in all of the U.S., and less than two blocks away, and you have an idea why this resort is quite possibly the best situated on all of Hilton Head Island.