18 Top-Rated Resorts in South Carolina

With charming historical cities, like Charleston, and beautiful beaches, either on the mainland or on an island like Hilton Head, plus some of the best golfing in America, South Carolina is a popular resort vacation destination. You’ll find accommodation options here for all budgets.

Whether you are seeking a good-value stay in Myrtle Beach to house your kids and parents on a summer beach vacation, or you’re in search of a romantic retreat with a side of golf at a swanky luxury resort, like Montage Palmetto Bluff near Hilton Head or The Sanctuary Hotel at Kiawah Island Golf Resort near Charleston, there are plenty of resorts to choose from.

Choose the best place for your trip with our list of the top resorts in South Carolina.

1. The Sanctuary Hotel at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, Kiawah Island

Accommodation: The Sanctuary Hotel at Kiawah Island Golf Resort

For a golf vacation, it is hard to top The Sanctuary Hotel at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, which is south of Charleston proper on Kiawah Island. A destination resort property, it offers play on five championship golf courses.

Accommodation is in elegant, posh rooms and suites that are spacious and come with Italian linens draped over comfortable beds, and marble bathrooms.

Also on-site is a spa and various restaurants. Non-golf-focused activities can also be arranged.

When it comes to dining, there are multiple restaurants to choose from here: The Ocean Room is the signature steakhouse and has both four-star and four-diamond ratings. If you’re craving Lowcountry cooking then check out Jasmine Porch for Southern food and hospitality.

Address: 1 Sanctuary Beach Drive, Kiawah Island, South Carolina

2. Montage Palmetto Bluff, Bluffton

Accommodation: Montage Palmetto Bluff

Near Hilton Head, Montage Palmetto Bluff is a luxury retreat right on the May River. There is a range of accommodation styles to choose from, including swanky and spacious rooms with marble bathrooms and ultra-cute Southern-style cottages featuring screened-in porches and fireplaces.

On-site amenities include eight restaurants, an outdoor swimming pool, a hot tub, gym, tennis courts, spa, and a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course. Guests also have access to fishing gear and kayaks, and alligator-spotting trips can be arranged.

Address: 477 Mount Pelia Road, Bluffton, South Carolina

3. Wentworth Mansion, Charleston

Accommodation: Wentworth Mansion

Located in the heart of historic downtown Charleston, the Wentworth Mansion is a member of the Historic Hotels of America. Dating back to the 1800s, the hotel once served as a private residence. Today, it is a boutique inn with resort-style amenities and a 5-star rating.

The interior exudes timeless elegance and Gilded Age grandeur. You’ll find beautiful Italian crystal chandeliers, windows of stained glass, and hard-carved wood fireplaces throughout. The rooms and suites are each unique when it comes to size and shape, but all are posh and super comfortable.

One of the best assets is the full hot breakfast served at their Circa 1886 restaurant. which is included in your rate. At dinner, the restaurant cooks up Lowcountry-inspired fare with global influences. There is also a luxe spa on-site if you need some pampering. And the concierge can help with reservations for restaurants and suggestions of what to see in the area.

If you are traveling with a dog, Wentworth Mansion is pet friendly. They charge a $40 nightly fee for up to two dogs per room.

Address: 149 Wentworth Street, Charleston, South Carolina

4. Inn & Club at Harbour Town – Sea Pines Resort, Hilton Head

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

Just a five-minute walk from the Harbour Town Lighthouse on Hilton Head, the Inn & Club at Harbour Town is also on the grounds of the Sea Pines Resort.

It features swanky rooms with South Carolina Lowcountry décor and awesome bathrooms with soaking tubs. There is also an option to stay in a two-bedroom suite, which adds living space, a kitchenette, and direct golf course views from the balcony.

Away from the rooms, amenities include an outdoor pool, a restaurant, a gym, and access to Sea Pines Beach Club, as well as other parts of the resort via a free shuttle. There is also golf course access and a clubhouse here.

There are also multiple dining options around the Sea Pines Resort. These include Harbour Town and Bakery for breakfast choices and Harbourside for American fare, served at outside tables overlooking the yacht basin.

Address: 7 Lighthouse Ln, Hilton Head, South Carolina

5. Hotel Bennett

Accommodation: Hotel Bennett

The relatively new luxury Hotel Bennett opened in February 2019 and has been impressing travelers to Charleston ever since. A boutique property with 179 rooms and suites, it still boasts plenty of resort-style amenities.

Overlooking Marion Square and fronting King Street, this 5-star hotel boasts old-world charm with a side of Southern style. Upon arrival, you’ll be whisked into the lobby by jacketed doormen via a hand-painted rotunda. Inside, expect polished marble floors, white-leather banquettes, and extravagant flower arrangements.

The rooms feature the same level of classy luxury. Expect custom furnishings including built-in bookshelves stocked with reading material, locally inspired artwork, high-quality linens on comfy beds, and deep pedestal soaking tubs and separate showers in the bathrooms.

Head up to the rooftop to visit the pool. You can grab one of the sun loungers or reserve a private cabana with a sofa and flat-screen TV. Other amenities include a spa with a full range of treatments and a fitness center.

The signature restaurant, Gabrielle, covers two stories and has outdoor dining space. It serves elegant southern fare. There is also a French patisserie on the grounds. Finally, if you are traveling with a dog, the hotel is pet-friendly.

Address: 404 King Street, Charleston, South Carolina

6. Harbourview Inn, Charleston

Accommodation: Harbourview Inn

In the Charleston Historic District, you’ll love the quaint Harbourview Inn, which is also right on the water. Look for the 52-room boutique property inside a structure that once served as a cotton warehouse. Today, it features options for sleeping in either traditional or historical rooms — the latter have brick walls and deep soaking tubs.

Rates include breakfast, which can be enjoyed in your room or up on the hotel’s rooftop, which boasts awesome views. The milk and cookies they put out nightly is another unique perk of staying here.

Address: 2 Vendue Range, Charleston, South Carolina

7. Marriott’s OceanWatch Villas at Grande Dunes, Myrtle Beach

Accommodation: Marriott’s OceanWatch Villas at Grand Dunes

Marriott’s OceanWatch Villas at Grande Dunes is a luxury oceanfront property in Myrtle Beach located in a residential community. It offers accommodation in contemporary two-bedroom villas, which are popular with families as they feature separate living and dining spaces plus full kitchens and balconies boasting either ocean or garden views. There is also free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs with DVD players.

Grab a bite to eat from one of the four restaurants on the grounds. These include the seasonal Sand Dollar Grille. It cooks up American fare, including hand-crafted pizzas at tables facing the waterfront. Also on the grounds are indoor and outdoor pools, a hot tub, a gym, and barbecue grills.

Address: 8550 Costa Verde Drive, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

8. Wild Dunes Resort, Charleston

Accommodation: Wild Dunes Resort

With sleeping options in two different hotels, as well as beach houses and condos, Wild Dunes Resort is right on the beach and offers something for all types of travelers.

Families will like the spacious suites at the Village at Wild Dunes hotel on the grounds.

The Boardwalk Inn, within stumbling distance from the beach, is a good choice for couples — it has an adults-only swimming pool.

Other amenities here include multiple restaurants, swimming pools, a spa, and two 18-hole golf courses.

Address: 5757 Palm Blvd, Isle of Palms, South Carolina

9. The Charleston Place, Charleston

Accommodation: The Charleston Place

The Charleston Place is in the Charleston Historic District and is an elegant luxury property popular with couples.

Expect sophisticated contemporary décor in the rooms and suites, which are done up in white and grey and have high-thread-count linens on comfortable duvet-cloaked beds and Carrara marble bathrooms stocked with products from French luxury brand L’Occitane.

On-site amenities include a saltwater swimming pool on a rooftop deck, a gym, a spa, shops, and a couple of restaurant choices.

Address: 205 Meeting Street, Charleston, South Carolina

10. Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island

Accommodation: Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island

Sitting right on a white-sand beach backed by subtropical gardens on Hilton Head Island, Sonesta Resort is a popular pick. It offers modern rooms with flat-screen smart TVs, Keurig coffee makers, balconies, and free Wi-Fi. There are also suites with living spaces, and in one case, a Jacuzzi tub.

On-site amenities include a few different restaurants, including one focusing on Lowcountry cooking, as well as indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a hot tub, a spa, and a 24-hour gym.

Address: 130 Shipyard Drive, Hilton Head, South Carolina

11. Hilton Grand Vacations Club Ocean 22, Myrtle Beach

Accommodation: Hilton Grand Vacations Club Ocean 22, Myrtle Beach

If you’re looking for a classy all-suites property in Myrtle Beach, just a 15-minute walk from the boardwalk, check out Hilton Grand Vacations Club Ocean 22 Myrtle Beach. It is especially popular with families who like the large, clean, and contemporary suites in a high-rise hotel setting.

They have plenty of space to move around and include living rooms with pull-out couches, private balconies, and full kitchens. Other on-site amenities include two swimming pools (one is inside), a hot tub, a workout room, and a snack shop and deli.

Address: 2200 North Ocean Boulevard, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

12. Marriott’s Grande Ocean, Hilton Head

Accommodation: Marriott’s Grande Ocean

Marriott’s Grande Ocean in Hilton Head is about a 15-minute walk from Coligny Beach Park and also less than a five-minute drive to the Harbour Town Golf Links.

It offers accommodation in two-bedroom suites, which are modern and elegant and have Jacuzzi tubs in the master bathrooms. They also feature private balconies, flat-screen TVs, full kitchens, and separate living areas with pull-out sleeping couches.

Amenities here include an outdoor pool and hot tub, direct beach access, and a casual restaurant. There is also a spa with an indoor pool and sauna, a workout room, and tennis courts on-site.

Address: 51 South Forest Beach Drive, Hilton Head, South Carolina

13. North Beach Resort & Villas, North Myrtle Beach

Accommodation: North Beach Resort & Villas

North Beach Resort & Villas features Georgian architecture and tropical accents and is right on the oceanfront in North Myrtle Beach, about a 15-minute walk from Barefoot Landing.

It offers individually decorated condos and cottages ranging in size from one to five bedrooms, and all feature ocean views, kitchens, and washer/dryers. The most luxe digs here come with private pools and hot tubs in a secluded backyard.

Amenities include a restaurant, multiple swimming pools, a spa, an ultra-modern gym with Pilates reformers, and even a meditation lounge. Golf packages are also offered.

Address: 100 North Beach Blvd, North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

14. Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort

Accommodation: Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort

As the name implies, the Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort is right on the waterfront. It offers 295 spacious, recently renovated rooms, which all feature kitchenettes and balconies. There are also 28 swanky oceanfront suites with oversized furnished balconies, which work great for families.

On-site amenities include multiple swimming pools, including one specifically for kids, a spa, a fitness center, and four restaurants. Guests also have access to Hilton Head’s top golf courses and tennis courts at the Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort.

Address: 23 Ocean Ln, Hilton Head, South Carolina

15. The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa, Hilton Head

Accommodation: The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa

The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa sits right on the beach and is just half a mile from the Port Royal Golf & Racquet Club. It offers contemporary rooms and suites with nautical themes and perks like super comfy pillow-top mattresses, rainfall shower heads, and balconies, along with flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and work desks.

Away from the rooms, there are multiple restaurants, including two with direct sea views from tables plus a day spa, gym, and three outdoor pools. The hotel is also pet-friendly.

Address: Two Grasslawn Ave, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

16. Hotel Bella Grace, Charleston

Accommodation: Hotel Bella Grace

In Charleston’s Asonborough neighborhood, just half a block from Marion Square, Hotel Bella Grace is a new, affordable luxe boutique property. The three-star hotel is unique in combining a new modern hotel for its 50 rooms, lobby, and gym with an old mansion dating back to 1830.

The Delaney House portion of the hotel is where you’ll be served breakfast daily. It also offers gathering spaces for events.

The rooms and suites are all contemporary in decor, with original artwork and comfy beds. The suites come with full kitchens, and should you wish for your fridge to be stocked upon arrival, they also offer grocery shopping services (for a fee).

Address: 117 Calhoun Street, Charleston, South Carolina

17. Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort, Hilton Head

Accommodation: Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort

Families love Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort, which was designed to resemble a 1940s fishing lodge. It is located on a private 15-acre island estuary, less than a mile from the shops and marina at Shelter Cove Harbour, and offers a mix of studios and one- and two-bedroom villas, which can sleep up to 10 guests.

Amenities include an outdoor pool with a waterslide, a kids’ pool, a kids’ club with organized activities, and multiple restaurants. There is also a free shuttle to Disney’s Beach House, which has a heated pool.

Address: 22 Harbourside Ln, Hilton Head, South Carolina

18. Ocean Oak Resort by Hilton Grand Vacations, Hilton Head

Accommodation: Ocean Oak Resort by Hilton Grand Vacations

On Hilton Head Island, Ocean Oak Resort faces the Atlantic Ocean and offers accommodations in luxe, contemporary Lowcountry-styled suites. These feature two bedrooms, full kitchens, dining tables, and separate living rooms with sleeper sofas and balconies, as well as in-room washer/dryers. As such, it is a popular pick with families who enjoy the space to spread out.

On-site amenities include a bistro restaurant with ocean views, a lagoon-style swimming pool, a sundeck, and a workout room. There is also direct beach access, a convenience store, a children’s playroom, and bike and kayak rentals available.

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

Map of Resorts in South Carolina