Best Hilton Head resorts for families
Those in search of a family beach vacation for the books should look no further than Hilton Head Island. It may be small in size (and thus incredibly easy to navigate), but despite this, there is no shortage of experiences that both kids and parents will love.
The beaches here are wide with soft sand — prime real estate for building sand castles, cycling and sunbathing. You'll find fun activities like summertime fireworks, restaurants with live music, watersports and more for your time spent off the sand.
Most importantly, there are hotels all over the island that are spacious and comfortable for families while keeping you close to Hilton Head's beach town action. If you're ready to begin planning, check out seven of the best Hilton Head resorts for families that TPG loves.
The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa is an upscale beachfront resort on the quieter northern end of the island near Folly Field Beach. Guests of the resort can enjoy private access to the wide sandy beach where chair, umbrella and bike rentals are available. There is also a large box filled with beach toys and boogie boards that guests are welcome to use during their stay. The resort's three swimming pools are near the beach access point so kids can hop back and forth between the two all day long.
Related: Hilton Head for families: What to do and where to stay
Standard guest rooms have one king or two queen beds, hardwood floors and private balconies. Rooms at this resort are best suited for families of four or fewer, though connecting rooms are available for larger families looking for more space or privacy. The resort has four dining venues, ranging from a full breakfast buffet to a casual alfresco restaurant overlooking the ocean.
Rates at The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa start at $183 or 40,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.
The Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort is within the Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort Community, giving guests easy access to amenities like golf, tennis, swimming, shopping, dining and more. The resort features two family pools, a splash pad for kids and private beach access with beach rentals and toys, boogie boards and other beach necessities available for purchase.
Families can choose from a variety of dining options, including the HH Prime steakhouse, the casual Palmetto Market and a beachside bar and cafe called Breeze. At check-in, kids receive an Omni Junior Chefs welcome amenity, with healthy snacks and fun activities.
Studio suites and traditional suites at the Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort are perfectly situated for families, with private balconies, above-average square footage, kitchenettes and dining areas. Larger families can opt for a luxury suite that sleeps up to six.
Rates at the Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort start at $193 per night.
Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort brings all the magic of Disney to Hilton Head's charming landscape. On Broad Creek, the resort is themed to a 1940s lodge and is only about a five-minute drive from the beach. Because of its unique setting, you get to enjoy the best of the peaceful Lowcountry tidal creek and the nearby Atlantic Ocean.
Related: The magic of Disney on the beach: What it's like staying at Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort
You'll find many of your Disney theme park favorites here, including character meet-and-greets, Mickey-shaped treats and Dole Whip. In addition to pool access at the resort and at the nearby Disney's Beach House (which you can reach by car, complimentary shuttle or bike), Disney's team hosts daily games, arts and crafts, trivia, campfires and other activities to keep kids entertained.
Room sizes at Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort range from studio suites to two-bedroom villas. The studio rooms are closest to a traditional hotel room, with a shared living and sleeping space, a kitchenette and a balcony, while the larger suites have full-size kitchens, separate living and dining areas, full-size washers and dryers and bathrooms with both a shower and whirlpool tub.
Rates at Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort start at $350 per night, but you can save by renting Disney Vacation Club points through a company like David's Vacation Club Rentals.
The Sea Pines Resort is not your typical beachfront hotel. Rather, it is a 5,000-acre community with all the comforts of home ... and a few comforts you likely wish you had at home.
The resort is home to three golf courses, a beach club, boat tours and watersports rentals, a large pool complex with a kiddie pool, horse stables, cycling and walking trails and more. Hilton Head's famed Harbour Town Lighthouse is also here, along with ample shopping, dining and entertainment. It's entirely possible to never venture off the resort grounds during your stay here.
Because of its vast size, the Sea Pines Resort offers a variety of accommodation types ranging from standard hotel rooms to multi-bedroom vacation rentals. The Inn & Club at Harbour Town is a luxury hotel with a boutique feel due to having only 60 guest rooms. You can also choose from more than 100 vacation rental homes with up to seven bedrooms and amenities like private pools and beach access.
Rates at the Sea Pines Resort start at $240 per night.
Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island is located on a lively section of the island, close to the popular Coligny Plaza Shopping Center and Colginy Beach Park. At the resort, you'll find a full-service spa, multiple restaurants, a fitness center and a zero-entry lagoon-style pool that's perfect for families.
Guest rooms have refined details and comfortable furnishings, including floor-to-ceiling windows, hardwood floors, plush robes, Keurig coffee makers and private patios or balconies. You can also choose from a garden view or ocean view room.
Despite being close to many Hilton Head hot spots, The Sonesta Resort Hilton Head has three on-site restaurants. When you do want to venture out, you can utilize the free trolley service to Coligny Plaza and a shuttle service that goes to the Shipyard Plantation area.
Rates at the Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island start at $209 per night.
Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort is the type of vacation resort families return to year after year. The resort spans 2,000 acres, encompassing a mix of oceanfront, lagoons and woodlands. You'll also find three golf courses, tennis and pickleball courts, pools, shopping, restaurants and, of course, family-friendly accommodations.
The resort is near Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina, where you can schedule dolphin-spotting boat tours or rent your own watercraft. You can also rent kayaks and canoes to explore the resort's lagoon system.
Families staying at Palmetto Dunes can choose from villas, condos or home rentals with up to six bedrooms. Guests receive a discount on shopping and dining, preferred access to amenities like tennis and pickleball and more.
Rates at Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort start at $818 per stay (plus taxes and fees), with a three-night minimum.
If you want to "waste away again in Margaritaville" without the hangover, look no further than the Beach House Hilton Head Island. This charming vacation spot embraces its beachfront locale with coastal decor, access to a wide swath of beach, a lagoon-style pool, outdoor yoga classes and a tiki bar with delicious frozen drinks and live music.
In addition to standard one-king and two-queen rooms, Beach House Hilton Head Island has spacious Jr. Suites with trundle beds and Family Jr. Suites with bunk beds. All rooms and suites have private patios, Keurig coffee makers with locally sourced coffee, mini-fridges and blue-and-white decor with a maritime flair.
Rates at Beach House Hilton Head Island start at $125 per night.
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| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.