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Best Hilton Head Island Hotels

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Many of Hilton Head-goers own their own seaside villas or have summer homes in golf course communities. Others own time shares, some of which are available for rent. For the rest of us regular folk, there are a number of resorts, the best of which are huge, luxurious complexes complete with multiple restaurants, pool areas, bars and kids' clubs. If you're looking for an all-inclusive relaxing vacation, they're hard to beat. Many of them offer golf packages or other deals. On the budget side, there are several chain hotels farther away from the shores. Most of them are pleasant, if a touch generic. For budget travelers, Bluffton is your best bet. Across the causeway from Hilton Head, this small town is popular with families visiting their loved ones at the Parris Island Marine base. There are plenty of budget chains to accommodate your needs.
Harbour Pointe and Sunset Pointe at Shelter Cove Marriott Vacation Club International

Harbour Pointe and Sunset Pointe at Shelter Cove

Neighborhood: Hilton Head Price Range: Expensive
In Shelter Cove Harbour, these twin resorts are a cut above the standard beach accommodation in terms of decor. The Spanish hacienda-style buildings have 111 two-bedroom, two-bath villas with stocked kitchens and balconies. Interiors are a fancy mix of modern and class, with contemporary prints and classic South Carolina pineapple motifs. There's a fitness facility and a family-friendly outdoor pool. As always, ocean-view rooms cost more. But hey, you're on vacation. Guests tend to be well-heeled families and couples.

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Harbour Pointe and Sunset Pointe at Shelter Cove  

Barony Beach Club

Neighborhood: Hilton Head Price Range: Expensive
These luxury villas are like having your own private beach condo. The two-bedroom villas each have fully-stocked kitchens, making them a good choice for longer-term stays and family vacations. Decor is upscale, with plush linens and soothing sage and peach walls. Master suites have Jacuzzi tubs. You can save money by requesting a garden view, or go all out with an ocean view. Unlike some Hilton Head hotels, the Barony Beach Club doesn't have much in the way of restaurants or pubs. It's definitely a place for people who enjoy their privacy.

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Barony Beach Club  

Monarch at Sea Pines

Neighborhood: Hilton Head Price Range: Expensive
In the massive Sea Pines plantation, this luxe resort sits on six oceanfront acres. The two-bedroom villas each have fully stocked private kitchens and individual patios or balconies. You'll feel less like you're in a hotel and more like you're staying at your own beach house. If you want to socialize, grab your sunscreen and head down to the outdoor pool. Rooms are pleasant, with standard beach-style decor. Some are a bit small and oceanfront villas will cost you. Guests range from vacationing families to golf-crazed former fraternity brothers on boys' weekends, so you'll find a pretty diverse mix here.

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Monarch at Sea Pines  

Beachwalk

Neighborhood: Hilton Head Price Range: Moderate
More modestly-sized than many of the Hilton Head behemoths, this 91-room hotel is pleasant and affordable, though a tad bit generic. Rooms have a standard South Carolina hotel decor, with framed palm tree prints and floral bedspreads. Some rooms have kitchenettes. We especially like that you're only three blocks from Hilton Head's public beaches and dozens of restaurants and bars. Many of the guests are families with children, who enjoy hanging out at the small hotel pool. Continental breakfast is complimentary.

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Beachwalk  

Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa

Neighborhood: Hilton Head Price Range: Moderate
In the Port Royal Plantation, this imposing hotel sits like a castle along a stretch of white sand beach. Rooms are airy and modern, with plush white linens and soothing beige- and sand-colored walls. Traditional and deluxe rooms are the same size, but deluxe rooms have better views—why not splurge? Or go all out with a ginormous Carolina King Suite. Resort-style features include three pools, a fancy-pants fitness facility, jogging trails, a kids' club and an on-site spa. There are three hotel restaurants—the snack bar-like Turtles, the casual Carolina Cafe and the upscale Oceans. Guests range from honeymooners to golf pros to families with small children.

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Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa  

Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island

Neighborhood: Hilton Head Price Range: Moderate
If you're looking for an all-inclusive experience, this 340-room beachfront hotel is a solid bet. It's the kind of place you could stay for a week without leaving the premises, if that's your thing. Hotel restaurants include an onsite coffee bar selling Starbucks, a casual cafe (don't miss the Sunday champagne brunch), an upscale terrace seafood restaurant, a poolside snack bar serving beer and a lounge with a dance floor and happy-hour specials. There's also a 24-hour fitness facility, a gift shop, a summer kids' club and a tennis club next door. Rooms are comfy and elegant, with dreamy white linens and splashes of contemporary color.

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Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island  
Comfort Suites Bluffton Choice Hotels

Comfort Suites Bluffton

Neighborhood: Bluffton Price Range: Budget
Many Hilton Head regulars save a little cash by staying on the mainland in Bluffton, rather than on the island itself. If you choose to do the same, this modern chain hotel is a solid pick. The 78 rooms are comfortably appointed in cream and gold colors, with standard suite amenities like microwaves, fridges and Wi-Fi. There's a small pool. In addition to Hilton Head vacationers, the hotel is also popular with families attending weekly graduations at the nearby Marine base on Parris Island. Graduations are on Friday afternoons, so Thursday and Friday nights can be busy.

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Comfort Suites Bluffton  

Hilton Garden Inn

Neighborhood: HiltonHead Price Range: Budget
You trade location for price at this pleasant chain hotel, located just west of the bridge that leads onto Hilton Head Island proper. With 104 rooms, its modest size feels more like a suburban business hotel than a beach resort. Rooms are light-filled and lovely, though, with white linens and calm sage green walls. Most of the guests are vacationing families, many with small children. There's a restaurant open for breakfast (we'd only recommend it if you're pressed for time) and a lobby convenience store. Other amenities include a fitness center, pool and business center.

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Hilton Garden Inn  

Candlewood Suites Bluffton

Neighborhood: Bluffton Price Range: Budget
On the mainland, this 124-room hotel is convenient to both Old Town Bluffton and Hilton Head. Accommodations are all suite-style, with fully-equipped kitchens that come in handy for long-term stays. The hotel's pet-friendly and popular with vacationing families and visitors to the nearby Marine base. Guest rooms are clean and modern, decorated in pleasant neutrals. You can walk to a handful of nearby restaurants, a pleasant change from your average highway-side chain hotel. It may not be particularly interesting, but it is a solid choice for price-conscious travelers.

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Candlewood Suites Bluffton  

Hampton Inn Hilton Head

Neighborhood: HiltonHead Price Range: Budget
Popular with cost-conscious vacationers and families attending graduation at the Parris Island Marine base 45 minutes away, this comfortable chain hotel offers standard business traveler amenities without much character. The 115 rooms are sunny and comfortable, with white linens and cream-color walls. Larger suites are nice for families. Amenities include a small business center, a fitness room, a pool and complimentary hot breakfasts. There are several restaurants in the area, mostly of the mid-price chain variety.

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Hampton Inn Hilton Head  
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