The Best Hotels to Book on Jekyll Island, Georgia

Bag an oceanfront room at this seaside four-star hotel in Jekyll Island; each one comes with a private furnished terrace overlooking the beach and Westin standards, such as a Heavenly bed and a rainfall shower. Dine at the Reserve, a steak and seafood specialist with an open kitchen and ocean-view terrace. Post dinner, pull up a yellow leather bar stool at Harry’s Lounge to sip a cocktail or a locally brewed craft beer with views over the darkening dunes.

An idyllic retreat for American high society from the late 1800s, this storied resort offers rooms in three original Millionaire’s Village cottages, separated from the main building and surrounded by fountain-filled gardens. Alternatively, stay in the Clubhouse, where rooms feature original fireplaces, mahogany beds and black-and-white photos of the resort back in its glory years. The Grand Dining Room provides a suitably historic setting for classics, such as chateaubriand and duck à l’orange.

Sister property to the Club Resort, the Ocean Club is the only all-suite, oceanfront boutique hotel in Jekyll Island. Coastal-inspired touches, such as rope-wrapped lamp tables, navy blue cushions and wicker chairs, abound in its airy suites, all of which have living rooms and patios or balconies overlooking the Atlantic. The ocean is also on full display from the pool deck, where you can relax on shaded loungers or around the fire pit in the evening. Don’t leave without sampling the wood-fired pizzas at the on-site restaurant.

This Marriott has the largest outdoor heated freshwater swimming pool on Jekyll Island. It’s so large that an arched bridge crosses it in the middle. Smart, blue-and-gray studios and suites are geared towards extended stays, featuring full kitchens, ergonomic work areas and island or ocean views; some also have private balconies. Breakfast – hot or cold – is included, while the laid-back oceanfront eatery, Shore, makes salads, burgers, pizzas and sandwiches. Alternatively, fire up a barbecue in the picnic area.

A maritime forest separates this secluded Hilton from one of the quietest beaches on the island, which is accessed via a boardwalk that snakes between the trunks. The proximity of the trees prevents ocean views, but the one-king or two-queen bedrooms make up for that with warm decor and treetop canopy vistas. On-site benefits include complimentary breakfast, a small gym with treadmills and weights, an outdoor pool and a bar with tables under the southern live oaks. Dogs are welcome, too.

The Seafarer offers motel-style, one- and two-bedroom suites with kitchens and living rooms, all opening directly onto a courtyard and parking zone. Tuck into a complimentary continental breakfast before strolling 10 minutes to the beach or flip-flopping to the palm-fringed pool terrace, where parasol-covered sofas provide respite. There’s no on-site dining, but the excellent Beach House Restaurant and Tap Room is a five-minute walk away.

To help you explore Jekyll Island via a network of cycling tracks, this cheerful Days Inn and Suites offers a bike rental service from reception. Value for money is further increased by a simple complimentary breakfast and free on-site parking. Nautical-themed rooms feature whitewashed, beamed ceilings, pale blue walls and wicker chairs; all have microwaves and fridges. A fire pit and barbecue zone provides the ideal setting for outdoor cooking, plus there’s a pool area (complete with a pool for kids) to lounge around during the day.