Surfside Beach: Surfside Hotel

Located on the “Grand Strand” between Myrtle Beach and Pawleys Island, Surfside Hotel is a laid-back stay that will remind you of the simple beach vacations of your childhood. This property isn’t packed with luxurious amenities, but it has everything you need for a fun and relaxing stay. There’s a pool and a hot tub, rooms and suites with ocean views, and private beach access. Plus, you can head right next door to Scotty’s Beach Bar for tropical cocktails (and lunch and dinner) on an outdoor patio.

surfsideoceanfronthotel.com; 15 South Ocean Boulevard, Surfside Beach, SC; 843-238-4444

Folly Beach: Tides Folly Beach

If you’re looking for a laid-back beach trip that only requires you to pack one pair of flip flops, Folly Beach fits the bill. And Tides Folly Beach is a comfortable and convenient place to rest your head while you’re there. Each room has an ocean view and either a private balcony or patio. There’s a heated oceanfront pool, a tiki bar, and pets are welcome. When you’re ready for a break from the beach, the hotel is within easy walking distance of plenty of shops and restaurants.

tidesfollybeach.com; 1 Center Street, Folly Beach, SC; 843-588-6464

Isle of Palms: Wild Dunes Resort

Whether you’re traveling with a group or just the two of you, Wild Dunes is a massive resort complex on the Isle of Palms that offers just about every type of accommodations you could imagine, plus amenities including multiple pools (for kids and adults), a spa, and two Tom Fazio-designed golf courses. Sweetgrass Inn, the resort’s newest addition, offers beachfront rooms and suites, as does The Boardwalk Inn. Or, for more privacy, rent a vacation home or condo within the property.

destinationhotels.com/wild-dunes; 5757 Palm Blvd, Isle of Palms, SC; 866-359-5593

Myrtle Beach: Marina Inn at Grande Dunes

A stay at Marina Inn at Grande Dunes comes with private beach access, but that’s just one of many perks that this hotel offers its guests. Enjoy spacious indoor and outdoor pools, the Hibiscus Spa, on-site dining options, a fitness center, and more. The hotel provides guests with beach umbrellas, chairs, and towels. The location is great, too. The Marina Inn is right near The Marina Parkway trails for walking and running, Myrtle Beach Water Sports where you can rent jet skis and pontoon boats, and the 18-hole Grande Dunes Resort Course.

marinainnatgrandedunes.com/beachclub; 8121 Amalfi Place, Myrtle Beach, SC; 843-913-1333 

Myrtle Beach: Dunes Village Resort

If the words “lazy river” make you instantly feel relaxed, head to Dunes Village Resort. The property, which bills itself as “Myrtle Beach’s favorite waterpark resort,” has two indoor water parks with slides, whirlpools, fountains, and swimming pools for everyone. There are four on-site dining options, a fitness center, and plenty of activities for kids. And, of course, the beach is just outside the hotel’s doors, once you’ve had your fill of waterslides.

dunesvillage.com; 5200 North Ocean Blvd, Myrtle Beach, SC; 855-340-7301

Hilton Head Island: Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort

This beautiful Hilton Head property offers the perks of a resort, with all the comforts of home (and more). Three miles of sweeping ocean views offer plenty of room to spread out and soak in the sun. And with multiple restaurants, a full-service marina, two lakes, a lagoon, a tennis center, and three golf courses, you can be as busy or as relaxed as you’d like at Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort. Choose from a villa, condo, or house rental—many come with their own pools. All the lodging options offer more privacy and space than a hotel, making them ideal for families or groups.

palmettodunes.com; 4 Queens Folly Rd, Hilton Head Island, SC

Hilton Head Island: Omni Hilton Head

This family-friendly hotel is ideal for travelers who like to stay active. Choose from 25 tennis courts, three pools (one is adults-only), volleyball, kayaking, canoeing, and access to Palmetto Dune’s 54-hole golf course. And that’s not even counting the beautiful white sand beaches. If you do find that you need a little downtime, the on-site spa offers massages, facials, body treatments, and more. With the Omni’s six dining options, you’ve got everything you need for an unforgettable vacation under one roof.

omnihotels.com/hiltonhead; 23 Ocean Lane, Hilton Head, SC; 843-842-8000

Hilton Head Island: Disney Hilton Head Resort

You probably don’t associate South Carolina with Disney, but the famed company actually has a resort in Hilton Head that’s as family-friendly as the theme parks themselves. Situated on 12 miles of beach, the property is inspired by a “1940s hunting and fishing lodge.” Kids will love the enormous pool with a waterslide, old timey general store, and dolphin-watching boat tours. Grown-ups will appreciate the cozy Live Oak Lodge, golf course, and fitness center. Rooms have views of the woodlands or the ocean, and range from studios to two-bedroom villas.

hiltonhead.disney.go.com; 22 Harbourside Lane, Hilton Head, SC; 843-341-4100

Pawley’s Island: Sea View Inn

This old-school, family-run stay calls itself “a barefoot paradise since 1937.” The Sea View Inn isn’t as fancy as other lodging options along the South Carolina coast, but it is a special one. With just 20 rooms, Lowcountry cooking (breakfast and dinner is included for guests), and the beach just steps away, this is the kind of place where you can really get away from it all. 

Choose from three types of rooms: oceanside, oceanfront, or cottage rooms. With quilts on the beds and wooden floors and walls, rooms at this inn are like stepping back in time in the best way.

seaviewinn.net; 414 Myrtle Avenue, Pawleys Island, SC; 843-237-4253

Kiawah Island: The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort

Open since 2004, this grand four-story hotel is a luxurious getaway. Obviously, golf is a major draw here—there are five beautiful championship courses on the property—but that’s not all this resort has to offer. Get pampered at The Spa at The Sanctuary, explore nature with a guided kayak tour, take a swim in one of two pools (one is reserved for adults only), or stroll the pristine coastline. There are three restaurants–a steakhouse, a Lowcountry-inspired restaurant, and a poolside grill–plus a cafe, ice cream shop, and bar.

There are four ways to stay here: The Sanctuary Hotel (with 255 rooms), private villas and homes, and the Cottages at the Ocean Course. Each option is decorated in Lowcountry coastal style and furnished with everything you could ever need. (And if not, a concierge is never far away.)

kiawahresort.com; One Sanctuary Beach Drive, Kiawah Island, SC; 800-654-2924