Planning Guides
Best Resorts on Hilton Head
Sea Pines, Palmetto Dunes, and the island's other top resort communities — compared honestly.
Hilton Head Island is built around its resort communities. Unlike most beach destinations, the best "resorts" here aren't hotels — they're entire gated communities with their own beaches, golf courses, restaurants, and amenities. Choosing the right community shapes your entire trip.
Sea Pines Resort
Sea Pines is the gold standard of Hilton Head resorts — a 5,000-acre self-contained destination at the island's southern tip. Harbour Town Golf Links (home of the RBC Heritage), five miles of private beach, the iconic lighthouse, equestrian center, and dozens of dining and shopping options. Staying inside Sea Pines gives you access to the trolley system, Beach Club, and the full resort experience without ever leaving the gates.
Local tip: Book a lagoon-view villa for the best value — the views are just as scenic as golf-view and typically 20–30% less expensive.
Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort
Palmetto Dunes is a 2,000-acre oceanfront resort offering three miles of beach, three championship golf courses, the world-class Palmetto Dunes Tennis & Pickleball Center, and an 11-mile lagoon system perfect for kayaking. The resort includes the Omni and Marriott hotels plus hundreds of vacation rental villas. Shelter Cove Marina is a short bike ride away.
Local tip: The Villamare and Barrington villa complexes are the most popular for families — closest to the beach with the best pool setups.
Hilton Head Beach & Tennis Resort
HHI Beach & Tennis Resort is the best value for direct oceanfront access on the island. The 55-acre complex offers condo-style rentals from $127/night — a fraction of what you'd pay in Sea Pines for the same beach proximity. Ten lighted tennis courts, the island's largest oceanfront pool, on-site dining, and a beach bar make this a complete resort experience at an accessible price.
Local tip: Book an oceanfront unit — the premium over a resort-view unit is often only $30–$50/night and the experience is dramatically better.
Shipyard Plantation
Shipyard is one of Hilton Head's most underrated gated communities — quieter and more residential than Sea Pines, with excellent golf, a great beach, and more affordable rental rates. The Sonesta Resort is the anchor hotel within Shipyard. A great choice for families who want the gated resort experience without the premium price tag of Sea Pines.
Local tip: Shipyard's beach is genuinely one of the best on the island — wide, flat, and much less crowded than Coligny or Driessen.