Marriott's Monarch At Sea Pines

“Monarch Reigns Supreme on Hilton Head Island”

Top 10 things to know about the Marriott Monarch: 1. Nestled inside the gates of Sea Pines, amidst sprawling trees and shade aplenty, is the beachfront Mariott Monarch. Its prime location is the resort’s prime selling point. It’s within Sea Pines (unlike Grande Vista) and on the beach (unlike Harb… more

Top 10 things to know about the Marriott Monarch: 1. Nestled inside the gates of Sea Pines, amidst sprawling trees and shade aplenty, is the beachfront Mariott Monarch. Its prime location is the resort’s prime selling point. It’s within Sea Pines (unlike Grande Vista) and on the beach (unlike Harbour Club and Heritage Club). The beach tends to be very crowded and densely populated at Grande Vista with its proximity to Coligny. The beach at Monarch is busy but never overcrowded. 2. The two-bedroom suites are smaller at Monarch versus its Vacation Club cousins. The second bedroom has two single beds. The living and dining area are also more compact but still spacious. The rooms do show some wear and tear, and I would describe them as gently used. Greater attention to detail would benefit the resort immensely (e.g., the towel rack was loose, the dishwasher needed to be bolted into the cabinet, and the water temperature never reached the hot state). None of these are dealbreakers, but they are nuisances. I am willing to overlook these minor issues for the beach; I would be much less tolerant without the location advantage. 3. All suites include a washer and dryer with starter detergent. Pro tip: pack light and take advantage of the in-room laundry. 4. The resort consists of four buildings, all within a stone’s throw of the pool and the beach. Parking tends to be more abundant near the Azaleia and Camelia buildings, with overflow parking beyond Camelia. We’ve never had an issue finding a spot because parking is strictly enforced, so make sure to display the hang tag given at check in. 5. All buildings have a single elevator, so be prepared for long waits at peak times (weekends from 8 to 10 am and again from 3 to 6 pm). Some fourth and fifth floor rooms offer a glimpse of the ocean. Most rooms overlook the gardens and pool. 6. Monarch tends to attract more families and kids, and activities are much more plentiful. Beyond the planned activities, outdoor games include ping pong, foosball, and chess. The pool scene is also more vibrant but not overcrowded. During the peak summer season were still able to find poolside lounge chairs throughout the day. It’s not one of those resorts in which people reserve their pool chairs at 8 am (thank goodness). Harbour Club and Heritage Club tend to be quieter but much less to do for kids. 7. Two restaurants are within walking distance – Coast and Fraser’s. Pro tip: order your food to go at the Coast bar and take it to the beach or pool. 8. Monarch is a walker’s paradise from the beach to the golf course to the abundant trails. 9. The reception staff does a nice job trying to accommodate early check-ins. We’ve stayed at the Monarch several times and won the check-in lottery with early entries on two of three occasions. While we did not get early access this time around, we switched villas during our two-week holiday, and they allowed us to stay in the first one while waiting for the second one. 10. It’s a Marriott Vacation Club so no elite benefits apply. Late checkouts are almost never possible during peak season regardless of status. Overall, Monarch is my favorite resort on the island because of its idyllic location. Sea Pines is the heart of Hilton Head Island, and the Monarch is perfectly situated on the beach, near two excellent restaurants, and immediate access to the seemingly endless trails. While far from perfect, it’s a fantastic family resort, and the only place we’ll stay on the island. At least for now, Monarch reigns supreme.

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