Where to Stay

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

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There are just so many choices of where to stay on Hilton Head Island. There are over 3,000 hotel rooms priced from approximately $75 per night to $450 per night and up or you may wish to rent a private home or villa (over 6,000 to chose from) with weekly rates from approximately $1000 per week to $10,000 per week and up (during April - October). The price depends on how large of a villa/home, the view, how close it is to the beach, etc.

beach_homes

Now you also have to decide where on this 12 mile long island you want to set up base camp. Do you want to be in a gated community (plantation) or un-gated community, the south end, mid island, or north end of the island?

Where you are going to stay depends a lot on the view you want, the distance from the beach, other amenities you desire, and of course how much you are willing to spend. While the map below shows all the communities/areas of the island, only a small subset of these communities/areas accommodate short term rentals.

hilton head shoe map

The second map shows only those areas that offer short term rental options.

Sea Pines Plantation

Location: South Island
Community Type: Gated
Attractions: Harbour Town Yacht Basin, Harbour Town Lighthouse, Sea Pines Resort (world class golf-3 courses), Sea Pines Racquet Club (world class tennis), South Beach Marina, Lawton Stables, shops, restaurants
Amenities: golf, tennis, over 20 miles bicycling/walking trails, horseback riding, boating, private community beaches
Types of Accommodations: hotel (Inn at Harbour Town), private villa and home vacation rentals

South Forest Beach

Location: South Island
Community Type: Not Gated
Attractions: beach (primarily beach community), close proximity to Coligny Circle shops and restaurants, close proximity to Pope Avenue (unofficial downtown of Hilton Head)
Amenities: easy beach access, short bike ride to many island attractions
Types of Accommodations: some nearby hotels, private villa and home vacation rentals

North Forest Beach

Location: South Island
Community Type: Not Gated
Attractions: easy beach access (primarily beach community), close proximity to Coligny Circle shops and restaurants, close proximity to Pope Avenue (unofficial downtown of Hilton Head)
Amenities: easy beach access, short bike ride to many island attractions
Types of Accommodations: some nearby hotels, private villa and home vacation rentals

Shipyard Plantation

Location: South Island
Community Type: Gated
Attractions: Shipyard Golf Club (27 holes championship level golf courses),Van Der Meer Tennis (world class tennis)
Amenities: easy beach access, golf, tennis, fresh water lagoon system, 12 miles bicycle/walking paths and trails, pools, nearby miniature golf, nearby small waterpark
Types of Accommodations: hotel (Crown Plaza Hotel), many private villa vacation rentals and some private home vacation rentals

Palmetto Dunes Plantation

Location: Mid Island
Community Type: Gated
Attractions: Palmetto Dunes Golf (world class golf & 3 courses), Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center (world class tennis)
Amenities: easy beach access, golf, tennis, 11 mile lagoon system, easy beach access, 6 miles of bicycle/walking lanes/paths
Types of Accommodations: hotels (Marriott Beach and Golf Resort, Hilton Hotel and Resort Hilton Head), many private villa and home vacation rentals, shopping (sundries), and restaurants

Shelter Cove

Location: Mid Island (often considered as part of Palmetto Dunes - across Hwy 278 from Palmetto Dunes)
Community Type: Not Gated
Attractions: Shelter Cove Marina (15.5 acre marina with 170 slips & accommodate up to a 120' boat), Shelter Cove Harbour (shops and restaurants, entertainment,fireworks display during Summer months), Mall at Shelter Cove (indoor mall - short walk away)
Amenities: beach privileges at Palmetto Dunes Plantation, shopping, dining
Types of Accommodations: private villa vacation rentals

Folly Field

Location: Mid Island
Community Type: Not Gated (one of oldest neighborhoods on Hilton Head, also, newer construction in this area, Fidders Cove and HHBT are gated communities within Folly Field)
Attractions: easy beach access
Amenities: short walk to beach access, nearby miniature golf, and restaurant
Types of Accommodations: nearby hotels, private villa and home vacation rentals

Singleton Beach

Location: Mid Island
Community Type: Not Gated (newer construction - mostly 3 story homes)
Attractions: easy beach access
Amenities: short walk to beach access, nearby Chaplin Park (soccer and baseball fields, tennis courts)
Types of Accommodations: private homes vacation rentals

Bradley Beach

Location: Mid Island
Community Type: Not Gated (newer construction - mostly 3 story homes)
Attractions: easy beach access
Amenities: short walk to beach access
Types of Accommodations: private homes vacation rentals

Burke's Beach

Port Royal Plantation

Location: Mid-North Island
Community Type: Not Gated (in areas for short term rentals)
Attractions: Port Royal Golf Club (championship level & 3 courses), Port Royal Tennis Village, easy beach access
Amenities: easy beach access, golf, tennis, bicycling/walking trails
Types of Accommodations:Hotel (Westin Resort and Heavenly Spa), private villas and homes vacation rentals.