Sea Crest

We stayed a week at this older condo on Hilton Head. I do not know what the cost is normally as we were staying there via a space available program for the military or military retirees.

They said a one bedroom unit was available for sale for $800 for the 2nd week in Feb., after which you would pay the condo fees which I think were something on the order of $450/year (if I heard that right).

They have various activities, crafts, things for the kids (including a playground on site) and some things at night - I went to the welcome coffee Monday morning and they had a guest speaker. They will arrange tennis lessons, and gave us a list of golf courses with the fees. Also they offered discounts on bike rentals and to some restaurants.

Unique Quality: Our unit was on the 5th floor, which they are apparently in the process of renouvating. The floors up there in the 'hall' (the halls were open to the air, but had a cover and were in the center of the building with the units on each side) are concrete without any tilelike finish on them. There are also old appliances out in the hall.

There is an elevator at each end with a glass outside wall. There were luggage carts that you can load and take up to your unit.

Our unit has a loft with twin beds and a TV, a great room with another TV and a balcony looking over one of the two pools (one of them is heated), a full kitchen, a half bath, and a bedroom with a queen bed and a full bathroom. The latter bedroom has a window out onto the corridor which is lighted all night, so it has blackout curtains on it. You have to keep them closed, or people can watch you sleeping.

There is a step up into the kitchen from both the hall and the living room. We have to be careful about that- not to trip. The kitchen includes, pots and pans, and eating utensils, plus a toaster, coffee pot and microwave.

All local calls are free. We have access to the beach with the combination to the beach gate and changing rooms, but not to the newer unit parking garage. Parking was free. .