Hilton Head Island in South Carolina may be one of the top vacation destinations in the world, but it’s home to a vacation unlike any other. For one thing, it’s not like visiting many other cities in the US, filled with neon signs, skyscrapers, and other human-made delights. Instead, Hilton Head was designed to be at one with nature. And you, too, will feel at one with the natural world when you stay here.

Though it’s only five miles wide and 12 miles long, it’s home to over 60 miles of multi-use trails. It’s a great place to go horseback riding, cruise around on a bicycle, or just stroll through wildlife-filled preserves. 

It’s a top summer spot, but Hilton Head has plenty to do all year long. In February, you can learn about the Gullah culture with the Gullah Celebration or celebrate the area’s fishing heritage with the Hilton Head Island Seafood Festival. Or watch South Carolina’s only PGA tour tournament in April.

No matter when you go, you might be wondering where you should stay in Hilton Head. So we’ve compiled a list of the 12 best hotels in Hilton Head – from beachside villas to activity-filled resorts – to help you plan a fun-filled getaway you’ll never forget. Pick your favorite Hilton Head hotel from this list, and you’re bound to have a fun and relaxing time at this beachy retreat.

Where to Stay in Hilton Head

There are plenty of great places to stay in Hilton Head. One of the best parts of this vacation spot is that it’s highly bikeable and not that large. It’ll only take you about a half-hour by car to get from one end of the island to another. 

Although biking might take you a bit longer, you’ll love riding through the breezes with the wind in your hair as you enjoy the sights of this beautiful location. So, no matter where you stay, getting to another area of the island won’t be too challenging.

Staying in Coligny puts you in a somewhat central location, and it also places you near the largest beach on the island. Shelter Cove is another somewhat central place to stay in Hilton Head. It’s a great place to be if you want to be around local nightlife.

You can also head to the Sea Pines area, which is perfect for outdoor adventurers. Here you’ll find the Sea Pines Forest Preserve, and you can go kayaking, horseback riding, and much more. But no matter where you stay in Hilton Head, you’ll never be too far from everything this island has to offer!

The 12 Best Hotels in Hilton Head

1. Inn & Club at Harbour Town

Located within the Sea Pines Resort, the Inn & Club at Harbour Town is just a five-minute walk from the historic Harbour Town Lighthouse. Staying at this boutique hotel also places you just a short drive away from Baynard Cove and the beach.

Guest rooms exude luxurious island vibes, with a calm coastal palette and large bay windows looking out to the resort and the golf courses below. When you stay here, expect plush mattresses, Frette Italian linens, and memory foam pillows to greet you. Rooms also include free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and bathrooms with soaking tubs. 

With a two-bedroom suite, you’ll also get a separate living space, a kitchenette, and a balcony. Butler service is available at all hours for all rooms.

Also on-site is a relaxing serenity pool, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and an evening bar service. When the weather heats up, you’ll also get access and transportation to the Sea Pines Beach Club. 

Throughout the day, you can grab a bite at Links, an American Grill, the hotel’s on-site restaurant, offering signature grill selections, an award-winning wine list, and views of the famed Harbour Town Golf Links. You’ll find it inside the Harbour Town Clubhouse, which also includes a pro shop and locker room.

2. Beach House Resort

You’ll find the Beach House Resort, one of the best Hilton Head hotels, alongside Coligny Beach, providing you with beautiful ocean views throughout the hotel’s property. This beachfront hotel is known for its laid-back atmosphere, where live music is always playing, and it’s always time to get your drink on.

All rooms come with a flat-screen TV, luxury skin and hair products, a mini-fridge, a workstation with charging ports, and a Keurig coffee maker with locally-sourced coffee. Free Wi-Fi is accessible throughout the resort. Some rooms have additional features, including a trundle bed, a balcony, and ocean views.

Take a quick stroll to the beach, or relax with a drink in hand at the pool. You can also rent a bike for an easy way to get around town. 

There’s always something lively happening at this Hilton Head hotel. Join a yoga class on the beach on the weekends, or listen to live music from the iconic Tiki Hut, a beachfront bar offering signature cocktails and live performances every day. For even more dining and drinking options, visit The Porch for Southern comfort food with ocean views.

3. Grand Hilton Head Inn, Ascend Hotel Collection

The Grand Hilton Head Inn, Ascend Hotel Collection, is one of the best hotels in Hilton Head if you’re looking for unfussy rooms with easy access to the area’s best attractions. You’ll be just one block from Forest Beach, with short walks or drives to the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina and Shipyard Golf Club.

Guest rooms include free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, premium bedding, a workstation, a private balcony, a sitting area, a microwave, a refrigerator, and a Keurig coffee maker. You’ll wake each morning to a free breakfast before you get a workout in at the fitness center or take a dip in the seasonal outdoor pool. 

This hotel is perfect for those who want to be active on their vacation. Play a round of tennis on the courts or practice your golf swing with an indoor golf practice net. When you’re ready to get out on the green, you’ll have access to reduced fees and preferred tee times.

4. Palmera Inn & Suites

Just a stroll away from Long Cove Golf Club and the sandy beaches of the region, the Palmera Inn & Suites is one of the coolest hotels in Hilton Head. This hotel is a truly tranquil retreat, featuring a seasonal outdoor hot tub and pool surrounded by lovely palmetto trees. As soon as you exit the hotel, you’ll find the island’s network of bike and nature trails, creating a space that feels at one with the nature of Hilton Head.

All rooms at this hotel are either suites or bi-level lofts. They all offer fully-equipped kitchens with coffee makers, microwaves, cookware, range-top stoves, and fridges, creating the perfect environment for an extended stay or a full-family vacation. 

Each suite also comes with a balcony, air-conditioning, blackout curtains, complimentary Wi-Fi, and a flat-screen TV with a DVD player and cable programming. Select rooms look out at the swimming pool or the wooded area around the resort.

Each morning, you’ll wake to a build-your-own-breakfast, or you can just grab coffee or tea in the lobby. Before you head to the beach, get in a workout at the fitness center. There are even amenities for your pooch here, with each pup staying here getting two bones and a door hang tag to mark your room as dog-occupied!

5. Island Links Resort by Palmera

You’ll find the Island Links Resort by Palmera, one of the best Hilton Head hotels, just under a mile from the Adventure Cove Family Fun Center and just over a mile from the beaches of Hilton Head. This hotel offers all the comforts of home in a luxurious setting. 

Located in the Port Royal Plantation, you’re just nearby the Port Royal Racquet Club, where you’ll be able to get in an hour for four people on the courts. Also on the plantation, you’ll find walking, biking, and rollerblading trails, offering many opportunities to get out and get active. 

For an indoor workout, you can head to the fitness room, or you can skip the exercise and go right to relaxing in the outdoor pool, which is heated during the fall and winter. Golf lovers will have easy access to both the Shipyard and Port Royal golf courses. You can head to the on-site clubhouse to take a load off after a round of 18 holes. 

All rooms at this hotel are actually two- or three-bedroom villas with a full kitchen and living room area. The villas come with washers and dryers, and televisions are in each bedroom and living room. Rooms also come with whirlpool tubs and balconies. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property.

6. Royal Dunes Resort

The Royal Dunes Resort is one of the best Hilton Head hotels thanks to its villa-filled accommodations and easy access to the beach and other Hilton Head attractions, like the Coastal Discovery Museum.  All rooms in the oceanfront hotel are three-bedroom and three-bathroom villas, providing the perfect space for a family-filled vacation.

The villas include two master bedrooms with king beds and private baths. The guest bedroom has two twin beds, while the living room has a sleeper sofa for even more guests. You’ll also find a fully-furnished kitchen and private balcony in each villa. In-room amenities include free Wi-Fi, a TV in the living room and each bedroom, DVD players, cable TV, a Jacuzzi, and a washer and dryer.

While you’re within walking or driving distance from tons of Hilton Head activities, you don’t need to leave your hotel to find things to do. Head to the picnic areas to grill your family a meal, or join a weekly, seasonal cookout hosted by the hotel. Relax in the sauna or hot tub. Take your little one to the children’s pool, or you yourself can enjoy going for a swim in one of two adult pools.

After that, play a round of shuffleboard or corn hole, take your child to the playground, or hop aboard the beach shuttle to spend a day in the water. The hotel also offers different on-site activities throughout the year, so be sure to ask the front desk about what’s happening during your stay.

7. Bluewater Resort & Marina by Spinnaker Resorts

The Bluewater Resort & Marina by Spinnaker Resorts is one of the most unique hotels in Hilton Head because of all the activities that guests have access to. Located on the banks of Skull Creek, this hotel is a perfect place to be if you want to spend your vacation out on the water.

All rooms in this hotel are one-, two-, or three-bedroom condos with fully-equipped kitchens complete with granite countertops and bars, living room areas with entertainment centers and balcony walkouts, and bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms. All condos also come with washers and dryers for added convenience. 

Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property. Also on-site, you’ll find two outdoor pools and a hot tub, as well as a lazy river and kids’ splash pad. Over in the activities center, you’ll find an indoor pool with a sauna, a fitness room, a lounge, and a game room. 

And on the sports court, you’ll be able to play basketball, pickleball, volleyball, and badminton. Other games throughout the property include ping-pong, chess, shuffleboard, and bocce ball. You’ll also find an on-site mini golf course.

You’ll also get access to activities that take you off-site. Hop on a kayak from the Bluewater Dock, or embrace your golf privileges at the Golden Bear Course or the Country Club of Hilton Head.

8. Coral Sands Resort by Palmera

Just a mile from Coligny Beach is one of the best Hilton Head hotels, the Coral Sands Resort by Palmera. This all-villa hotel offers units with one, two, or three bedrooms. Each villa has a full kitchen, a washer and dryer, and TVs in every bedroom and living room. Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel.

Also on-site is a dedicated concierge team who will help you plan your perfect Hilton Head vacation. Go for a round of golf at the nearby Shipyard and Port Royal golf courses, or have a complimentary game of tennis for one hour for four people each day at the Van Der Meer Shipyard. 

Enjoy the crystal clear seasonal pool, work out in the fitness room, or cruise down the tropical-themed lazy river. Kids will also love the outdoor splash zone, while you’ll love the poolside bar and grill.

9. Coral Reef Resort

Coral Reef Resort is located in the exclusive Shipyard Plantation. When you stay here, you’ll be atop 10 beautiful acres offering a number of family-friendly amenities. 

Each guest room is actually a full townhouse, offering both two- and three-bedroom accommodations. In each unit, you’ll find free Wi-Fi, a full kitchen, a washer and dryer, a DVD player, a stereo, and TVs in each bedroom and living room. The bathrooms feature spacious showers and soothing tubs.

Also on-site is the concierge team, who will help you plan your vacation. By staying here, you’ll have easy access to the Shipyard and Port Royal golf courses, as well as the Port Royal Racquet Club, where you’ll be able to play one hour of tennis for four people each day. You can also take a dip in the outdoor pool, go for a stroll along the nature trails, or just relax on a porch swing as you take in the sunset over the gorgeous grounds.

10. Villamare Resort

Villamare is located in the Palmetto Dunes Resort and offers one- or two-bedroom beachfront villas. They’re designed to provide you with all the comforts of home, with the added benefit of an ocean view, which you’ll take in from your private balcony. You’ll be just steps from Hilton Head Island Beach when you stay here.

Every room comes with a private bathroom with complimentary toiletries, a TV, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and luxury linens and towels. On-site, you’ll enjoy an oceanfront pool, a children’s pool, and a hot tub. The oceanfront sundeck offers an opportunity for a relaxing day in the sun on one of many cozy lounge chairs. 

When you’re ready to venture to the beach, a private boardwalk will take you there, which also features an outdoor shower for when you’re ready to come back to the hotel. From there, you can spend an evening enjoying the indoor amenities, including an indoor pool, hot tub, and health club.

11. Shipyard by Spinnaker Resorts

You’ll find Shipyard by Spinnaker Resorts nestled in the Shipyard community, located along the fairways of the Brigantine Golf Course. Here at this hotel, you’ll find two-bedroom townhouses with a spacious open floor plan. 

These townhouses are two-story and feature two-and-a-half baths. Each villa has a large open dining room area and a living room, complete with a flat-screen TV, stereo, and sleeper sofa. 

You’ll also have a fully-equipped kitchen with granite countertops and a breakfast bar. Eat your meals indoors, or head onto your deck, with views of the lagoon and golf course. You’ll also get free Wi-Fi and an in-unit washer and dryer. 

When you stay here, you’ll have easy access to Shipyard Beach Club, Shipyard Golf Club, and Van Der Meer Tennis Center, which you can get to with even greater ease with your free bicycles. On-site, you’ll find even more amenities, including a pool, playground, kids’ splash pad, cabanas, putting green, hot tub, and tennis court.

12. Dunes Villas

Dunes Villas offers a diverse array of villa accommodations, offering something for every family of travelers. These villas are just a short distance from Hilton Head Beach South and Coligny Beach. 

Each villa comes with a private bathroom with either a bath or shower and complimentary toiletries. All rooms have a TV, free Wi-Fi, and air conditioning, while some villas also come with a patio or balcony. Some villas also have an ocean view.

Wake each morning to the sound of collapsing waves, or keep your eyes peeled for dolphins playing in the Atlantic. Relax in a heated oceanfront pool, get cozy in a cabana, or have a picnic in the picnic area. 

Check Prices on Booking.com

There you have it! The 12 best Hilton Head hotels. Did we miss any cool hotels in Hilton Head? Let us know in the comments.

Didn’t find the perfect Hilton Head hotel? Try searching here:

Planning a trip to South Carolina? Check out our favorite books and travel guides!

SHARE THIS ON PINTEREST