The Best Beach Hotels to Book in South Carolina

Experience the best of Southern living at this coastal hotel with a private beach overlooking Charleston Harbor and the city skyline. Don’t miss the Charleston Water Taxi, which will whisk you from the hotel marina to the Charleston Historic District, where the aristocratic homes and palmetto-lined avenues evoke the splendor and shadows of the antebellum south. While the hotel isn’t old, it’s in the style of the traditional Carolina Lowcountry homes, with a coastal palette in the rooms, all of which feature balconies or patios furnished with classic Adirondack chairs. The public spaces wow with high ceilings, plantation shutters and shady verandas ideal for sipping mint juleps.

Relax on this 7-acre (3ha) island between the Atlantic Ocean and White Point Swash, and choose from luxury villas, board-and-batten bungalows, townhouses and high-rise condos with scenic ocean views. The aesthetic is high-end, bright and beachy, with mellow yellow decor and soaking tubs. You’ll never tire of dipping in and out of the Caribbean-themed pool complex, with hot tubs and a swim-up bar for a cool beer. Finally, you can get in a workout at the on-site fitness center and reward yourself with a massage at the Cinzia Spa.

Narrow down the numerous villas by a preference for beach-chic or country-casual, but book one with an Atlantic Ocean view at this all-encompassing resort at the southern tip of South Carolina. If you love tennis, the two-bedroom tennis villas are steps from the multiple courts. Fit in a few sets before lunch at Jamaica Joe’z Beach Bar – fried clams, anyone? – or head to the largest beachfront pool on the island. But the beach is the main attraction, with uninterrupted white sand and pounding surf that makes Hilton Head one of the top vacation spots in America.

One mile (1.6km) from the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and Promenade, this mid-century-style high-rise covered with lime-green and blue balconies is the epitome of the all-American beach hotel. Between the eight-lane bowling alley, whimsical splash pad featuring toadstool sprinklers and a yellow submarine wreck (really), and many pools, the kids will never be bored. If they’re old enough to be left in your homey ocean-view suite, sneak to the Ocean’s 6 Bar and Lounge for a cooling beer or the hot tub for a relaxing soak.

You’d never guess that this secluded oceanfront resort is just 30 minutes from the lively boardwalks and nightclubs in Myrtle Beach. Separated from the mainland by the Waccamaw River tidal marshes, Pawleys Island and Litchfield Beach are virtually untouched by development. Fall into the slow rhythm of island life without missing out on modern thrills, such as swimming pools, restaurants and championship golf courses. Rent a bicycle to explore beyond the resort before relaxing in the ocean- or creek-view homes decked out in coastal shades of sky blue and sand; each unit has a porch – some are screened in – perfect for sipping your favorite tipple.

This beachfront resort offers a laid-back island atmosphere, 3mi (5km) from the shaded walkways of the Sea Pines Forest Preserve. Feel the ocean breeze and the sand between your toes as you sip your Charleston daiquiri at the atmospheric Tiki Hut beach bar before sampling Southern comfort food at the Porch Southern Kitchen and Bar. Enjoy some slow-cooked Carolina barbecue with all the sides, including fresh coleslaw, bourbon beans, and creamy mac and cheese. Contemporary, cottagey rooms with coastal accents may prove hard to leave.

This glamorous coastal hotel with wood and metal accents in rooms checks off all the luxuries on your list – beach access, balconies, ocean views, a seafront spa and more. On the quieter side of the Strand, this beach hotel is only a 10-minute drive from the classic coastal attractions in Myrtle Beach, from the whirring SkyWheel to Broadway at the Beach. Had your fill of sightseeing? Lounge under the blue umbrellas at the tropical-style waterfront pool complex, dotted with artificial, palm-studded islands, while sipping a glass of something long and strong.

This 387-room tower rises above the golden sands of the Grand Strand, so you can watch the waves rolling in from the balcony of your modern room as you sip a glass of something sparkling. If you’re feeling laid-back, rent a poolside cabana; if not, try out all nine pools at the Splash! Waterpark next door. If this isn’t relaxing enough, a deep-tissue massage at Spa33 should have you snoozing within seconds. Also, dip your toe in the beachy scene, as this stretch of Myrtle Beach is only a short seven-minute drive from the buzz of the boardwalk.