14 Top-Rated Beach Resorts in Hilton Head, SC

Hilton Head Island in South Carolina’s coastal Lowcountry region is home to some of the top golf courses in the US and also boasts beautiful white-sand beaches and a plethora of resorts for all styles and budgets of traveler. From luxury hotels to budget-friendly accommodations, there is no shortage of places to stay in Hilton Head, and many are right on the beach and a very good deal.

The island is easy to get around, and top attractions here include Coligny Beach Park for walking and biking by the sea and the Harbour Town Lighthouse on the island’s southernmost tip for a history lesson and stunning views. For dining, shopping, live music, and a marina, head to Shelter Cove Lane or Coligny Plaza. There are also lodging options around all these attractions.

Resorts in Hilton Head are often destination-oriented experiences that cater to families with kids, or couples on romantic getaways (and most of the time a mix of both). They feature multiple restaurants, swimming pools, direct beach access, and amenities from golf courses to tennis courts and spas. Find the best place to stay on your next vacation with our list of the top beach resorts in Hilton Head.

1. Inn & Club at Harbour Town – Sea Pines Resort

Accommodation: Inn & Club at Harbour Town – Sea Pines Resort

The Inn & Club at Harbour Town on the grounds of the Sea Pines Resort is another four-star luxury resort that works well for couples or families. Just a quick stroll from the Harbour Town Lighthouse, it offers swanky Carolina Lowcountry-style rooms, with awesome soaking tubs in the bathrooms that are a favorite with couples on a romantic holiday.

The two-bedroom suite, however, is perfect for families. It looks directly out on the resort’s golf course from its balcony and has a kitchenette and separate living space.

For amenities, you’ll discover a restaurant, swimming pool, and gym on the grounds. There is also access to other parts of the Sea Pines Resort, including the beach club and golf course clubhouse via a free shuttle service.

Address: 7 Lighthouse Ln, Hilton Head, South Carolina

2. Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island

Accommodation: Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island

One of the most luxe resorts on Hilton Head Island, the Sonesta is a popular four-star, four-diamond property perched on a beautiful white-sand beach and surrounded by subtropical gardens. Expect modern rooms and suites that come with balconies, Keurig coffee makers, and flat-screen smart TVs.

Amenities here include multiple swimming pools, including a zero-entry lagoon pool. There is also a hot tub, the super relaxing Arum Spa, and a fitness center open 24 hours daily. For dining, you’ll have a few choices, including a restaurant that focuses on South Carolina Lowcountry home cooking.

Address: 130 Shipyard Drive, Hilton Head, South Carolina

3. Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort

Accommodation: Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort

Right on the Atlantic Ocean, the Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort is another top-end resort. It recently underwent renovations, and its rooms and suites are all clean and comfortable. Families will appreciate that even the entry level rooms come with kitchenettes. The suites here are quite swanky, and couples will love relaxing on the furnished balconies at sunset.

Away from the rooms, the Omni offers four restaurant options. It also has a number of on-site swimming pools, including one specifically for children. Should you need to relieve some tension, the spa offers a range of massages. There is also a fitness center, and guests can access Hilton Head’s best golf courses at the Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort.

Address: 23 Ocean Ln, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

4. The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa

Accommodation: The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa

A luxe resort that works well for families and couples, the Westin Hilton Head Island Resort and Spa has a prime location on a beautiful white-sand beach backed by swaying palm trees.

Guests can choose from rooms or suites, all of which are contemporary in design and well-appointed with a Carolina Lowcountry style throughout. All come with the brand’s patented Heavenly Beds, which are beyond comfortable. All rooms have balconies, but the best have direct ocean views.

Resort amenities are expansive. If you have the children with you, there is a Westin Family Kids Club here with activities for your little ones. This lets parents escape to the Heavenly Spa by Westin for a relaxing massage or rejuvenating facial treatment. There are also three swimming pools on-site.

For dining, you can choose from four different restaurants with children’s menus. Guests also have access to the adjacent Port Royal Golf & Racquet Club to play on a championship golf course.

Address: Two Grasslawn Avenue, Hilton Head, South Carolina

5. Marriott’s Barony Beach Club

Accommodation: Marriott’s Barony Beach Club

The centrally located Marriott’s Barony Beach Club has an oceanfront location and is not far from Shelter Cove, Coligny Plaza, and Harbour Town. This family-friendly property is an all-condo resort, and these are spacious two-bedroom affairs with modern decor. They also feature full kitchens and furnished balconies. Some have direct ocean views.

There are a number of amenities on-site to keep you entertained, including indoor and outdoor swimming pools and an inviting spa for some relaxing pampering. You can also rent bikes to explore the island or try your hand at some of the on-site games, like bocce ball and table tennis.

The on-site restaurant serves up casual American fare for lunch and dinner. There is also an on-site market with takeaway coffee and snacks.

Address: 5 Grasslawn Ave, Hilton Head, South Carolina

6. Marriott’s Grande Ocean

Accommodation: Marriott’s Grande Ocean

The beachfront Marriott’s Grande Ocean resort is set in a lovely location adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean. Popular with families and couples alike, accommodation is in well-appointed rooms and spacious two-bedroom villas. The villas are great if you are traveling with children, as they are equipped with full kitchens and a large dining area.

On-site there are numerous amenities for guests. A seasonal kids’ camp keeps little ones entertained while parents play a round of golf at a nearby world-class course. There are also three outdoor swimming pools and one indoor pool on-site, as well as a putting green, bocce ball, shuffleboard, a fitness center, hot tubs, and even nature trails to explore. Bikes can also be rented.

Finally, there are two restaurants on-site, as well as weekly dinner events like Lowcountry Boils that are fun opportunities to interact with other guests.

Address: 51 S. Forest Beach Dr, Hilton Head, South Carolina

7. Marriott Hilton Head Resort & Spa

Accommodation: Marriott Hilton Head Resort & Spa

The 4-star Hilton Head Marriott Resort & Spa has a prime oceanfront location and is also a good-value property. The rooms and suites were recently renovated and are comfy and clean. They also feature private, furnished balconies accessed through floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors, with either resort or ocean views.

This destination resort is both family and couple-friendly and offers a range of amenities to keep you entertained, including three championship golf courses and 25 tennis courts. The spa is quite lavish and offers a range of treatments for mind and body.

More activities offered including horseback riding, bike rentals, and parasailing. There are also two swimming pools and, of course, direct access to the beach. For dining, choose from a number of on-site options, including the classy Blue, which serves fresh seafood, as well as traditional Lowcountry favorites.

Address: 1 Hotel Cir, Hilton Head, South Carolina

8. Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort

Accommodation: Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort

Designed to look like a 1940s fishing lodge, Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort isn’t on an ocean beach, it’s on a private 15-acre island estuary. An obvious family favorite, it offers a range of rooms, from studios to one- and two-bedroom villas that can accommodate up to 10 people.

Amenities on the property, which is less than a mile from the shops and marina at Shelter Cove Harbour, include an outdoor pool with a waterslide, a kids’ pool, kids’ club with organized activities, and quite a few different dining options. There is also a free shuttle service to Disney’s Beach House, which boasts a heated swimming pool.

Address: 22 Harbourside Lane, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

9. Hilton Grand Vacations Club Ocean Oak Resort Hilton Head

Accommodation: Hilton Grand Vacations Club Ocean Oak Resort Hilton Head

Ocean Oak Resort fronts the Atlantic Ocean and is a great-value three-star resort that is super popular with families for all its kid-focused amenities. Here, you’ll find two-bedroom suites done up in luxe modern Carolina Lowcountry style. They are popular with families because they come with full kitchens, living rooms with pull-out couches, and even a dining room table to plop the children down at for breakfast or dinner.

There is direct beach access from the resort, and guests can rent kayaks to take into the sea or bikes to cycle around Hilton Head. Other amenities include a bistro restaurant with ocean views and a sundeck with a swimming pool. There is also a workout room and even a kids’ playground on-site.

Address: 41 S Forest Beach Drive, Hilton Head, South Carolina

10. Beach House

Accommodation: Beach House

The boutique, chic Beach House is another great option on Hilton Head Island and is known for its live music scene in season. Set right on a beautiful beach, it offers a mix of rooms that are either designed for relaxing or for their proximity to the more lively ocean side of the property and the popular Tiki Hut-they are much more noisy, so book the R&R rooms if you want a quieter sleep.

Amenities here include live music and entertainment on the beach, as well as a swimming pool and a restaurant serving up traditional Lowcountry fare. The location is also convenient to other island dining and shopping, as it is right next to Coligny Plaza, which has lots of both.

Address: 1 South Forest Beach Drive, Hilton Head, South Carolina

11. Marriott’s Monarch at Sea Pines

Accommodation: Marriott’s Monarch at Sea Pines

Set within the acclaimed Sea Pines Plantation, which is famous for its stunning natural beauty, Marriott’s Monarch at Sea Pines occupies six acres right on the beach and is just under two miles from the Harbour Town Lighthouse.

The accommodation here is in two-bedroom, two-bathroom villas that are individually decorated, but all come with full kitchens, separate living and dining spaces, and furnished balconies. This resort is a great choice for families, as the villas have plenty of space to move around, and you can keep costs down by cooking some meals in house.

Amenities at the Monarch at Sea Pines include two swimming pools, a splash pad for kids, planned activity options that are family friendly, and a fitness room. There is also a spa with a range of massage and other treatment options.

If you want to play some golf or tennis, guests here have access to the Sea Pines Beach Club next door. There are also plenty of restaurant options in the vicinity of the resort.

Address: 91 N Sea Pines Drive, Hilton Head, South Carolina

12. Best Western Ocean Breeze Inn

Accommodation: Best Western Ocean Breeze Inn

For an affordable hotel within walking distance of Coligny Beach, try the recently renovated Best Western Ocean Breeze Inn. The 2-star hotel offers very clean and comfortable rooms that are smartly appointed with crisp white linens, cushioned head-boards, and faux wood floors. There are also units with kitchenettes that families will appreciate.

Amenities here include a free breakfast in the morning, a swimming pool, fitness center, outdoor fire pit for guests to use, and privileges at a nearby golf course. Pet friendly rooms are also available.

Address: 11 Lemoyne Ave, Hilton Head, South Carolina

13. Marriott’s SurfWatch

Accommodation: Marriott’s SurfWatch

If you’re traveling to Hilton Head for a beach vacation with the kids and the grandparents, Marriott’s SurfWatch is a great choice. It offers two- and three-bedroom villa accommodations, with plenty of space to move around, right on the oceanfront.

The villas are modern and comfortable, and come with a full kitchen should you wish to save some money by cooking meals at home. They also feature separate living and dining space and have private balconies.

The resort also has plenty of family focused amenities. There is a kids’ club, outdoor playground equipment, and a room with arcade games. Kids also stay free here.

Also on-site are indoor and outdoor swimming pools, hot tub, direct beach access, and a restaurant. You can get a workout in at the fitness center or play a game of tennis on the resort courts. If you wish to explore Hilton Head on two wheels, you can rent bicycles here as well.

Address: 10 Surfwatch Way, Hilton Head, South Carolina

14. Marriott’s Harbour Point and Sunset Point at Shelter Cove

Accommodation: Marriott’s Harbour Point and Sunset Pointe at Shelter Cove

Marriott’s Harbour Point and Sunset Point at Shelter Cove is not directly on the ocean but offers easy access to the sea, which is just short bike ride or quick drive away. The resort is a good choice for families, as it offers accommodation in two-bedroom villas.

The villas are relatively modern and comfy and filled with amenities. You’ll find separate living and dining areas with plenty of space to move around. There is also a full kitchen in each, and many have new appliances. Washers and dryers are also included as are multiple Smart TVs, so your family can stream various programs.

The 3-star hotel has pretty marshland views from its outdoor public spaces. On the grounds, you’ll find a swimming pool and hot tub, as well as tennis courts. There is also a fire pit with benches around it. Should you wish to have a BBQ, there are grills for guests to use.

Bikes can be rented, and if you want to partake in area activities or have a dinner out booked, the hotel concierge can set this up. There is also a convenience store if you need to stock up on cooking essentials, and a modern fitness room, so you won’t need to stop your normal workout routine on vacation.

Address: 4 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head, South Carolina

Map of Beach Resorts in Hilton Head, SC

Hilton Head Island, SC – Climate Chart

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Hilton Head Highlights: When you’re ready for an outing from your resort or want some time away from the beach, turn to our list of Top Tourist Attractions in Hilton Head to find more things to do in the area. This is also a popular area for fishing. For more details, see our article on the Best Places for Deep Sea Fishing in South Carolina.