Summary
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- Hotels + Resorts
Whether you’re planning your first multi-generational trip or Hilton Head Island is your longtime family vacation tradition, here’s where to stay to keep everyone happy.
A summer vacation on Hilton Head Island is an annual tradition for many families. Pristine white sand beaches, miles of bike paths, and endless outdoor activities make a trip to the largest barrier island on the southern Atlantic seacoast an ideal destination for all ages.
Hilton Head has a number of beachfront resorts that offer enough amenities to keep the entire family entertained, including conference centers, spas, multiple pools, kids clubs, and a variety of dining outlets. Wherever you stay, you’re sure to create happy memories and return for future generations.
The Westin Hilton Head Resort and Spa
From private cabanas by the pool to family portraits on the beach, The Westin offers a personalized experience for those looking for an intimate stay to celebrate special occasions. Moreover, the entire family can come, including your pets — dogs are welcome, and there even is a dedicated dog park on the property.
As a wellness-focused brand, The Westin Hilton Head Resort and Spa offers families a variety of ways to stay active, eat healthy, and learn about the environment. The concierge can help you find the best local runs, walks, and yoga for the entire family, as well as arrange for discounted golf, tennis, and pickleball at the Port Royal Golf & Racquet Club. Outside Hilton Head’s kiosk at the hotel is available from May to October, providing a convenient poolside spot to rent bikes to ride on the island’s 60 miles of bike paths.
For those seeking to learn more about the natural beauty on the island, The Westin also brings in local experts. You can go on an alligator tour at Sea Pines, learn about sea turtle nesting on the beach, discover why Hilton Head Island’s beaches have frequent tides and fewer seashells, or gaze at stars from a telescope at night. The experts share their knowledge about conservation, safety, and nature.
Marriott Hilton Head Island Resort and Spa
At Marriott Hilton Head Island Resort and Spa, kids have their own hotel check-in area, complete with a step stool to reach the counter. The Marriott boasts an impressive 513 guest rooms, an 18,000-square-foot ballroom, an Olympic-size pool, and a 10,000-square-foot spa with 16 treatment rooms.
The hotel is located on seemingly endless Palmetto Dunes, featuring an 11 miles lagoon system and over 100 miles of bike trails. It is common to see families riding tandem bikes, kayaking, and canoeing while parents enjoy teeing off at one of the area’s three top golf courses.
Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island
Located in the gated Shipyard community, Sonesta Resort on Hilton Head provides a fantastic program for toddlers and young families to safely enjoy a beach vacation. With its swimming pool, water fountains, and pool toys, there are nonstop events listed on the daily activity board. During the summer, half- and full-day kids camps include outdoor sports and arts and crafts, plus meals and snacks. Additionally, there’s a make-your-own ice cream bar and a snow cone happy hour to look forward to.
You can also see some of the island’s wildlife at Sonesta’s lush lagoon. Kids can check off a punch card and win a T-shirt by spotting local wildlife, such as sand dollars, jellyfish, and horseshoe crabs. Evening activities include movie screenings on the big screen or gathering around the firepit for s’mores. When parents need a night out, the concierge at Sonesta can arrange for a private nanny service to look after the children in the comfort of their hotel room.
Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort
The Omni Oceanfront Resort is located in the quiet Palmetto Dunes area and offers a blend of classic and modern oceanfront suites with private balconies, spacious bedrooms, and kitchenettes. As the largest resort with room offerings on Hilton Head Island, all guestrooms feature a mini-kitchen with a microwave, refrigerator, and dining table.
A live DJ keeps the resort atmosphere vibrant, while vocalists entertain dinner guests on the outdoor patio. Kids camps run from Memorial to Labor Day, providing leisure activities such as tie-dye, turtle hunts, biking, and paddle boarding. The open outdoor areas are perfect for family games of pickleball, corn hole, life-size chess, and ping pong.
The Sea Pines Resort
Spanning along 5,000 oceanfront acres, Sea Pines ranks among the most upscale family-friendly resorts on Hilton Head. This notable resort offers a broad range of accommodation options, including spacious vacation homes, villas, and a romantic inn. Lowcountry adventures offered at the resort include tennis, horseback riding, boating, volleyball, and unique eco-adventures such as geocaching, dolphin watching, and alligator tours. Additionally, there are scheduled golf championships, culinary festivals, arts workshops, and ghost crab hunts on nights with a full moon.
