The Best Hotels for First Time Visitors in Hilton Head Island

Where to Stay if You've Never Been to Hilton Head Island

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

If it's your first trip to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina for the activities and sightseeing, then you're in for a treat. But the biggest question is often where to stay for a first time visitor to Hilton Head Island. With so many amazing hotels to choose from, it can be tough to make a decision to make the most of your first trip here. That's where we come in! In this comprehensive guide, we'll help you find the best hotels for first-timers in Hilton Head Island. After analyzing all of the hotels based on price, location, amenities, ratings, and more, we have come up with our list of the best hotels in Hilton Head Island for first time visitors. We'll cover everything you need to know about these hotels, including the amenities, location, prices and ratings. So, whether you're traveling solo, with family, or as a couple on a romantic getaway, you'll find the perfect hotel if you've never visited Hilton Head Island beofre. So check out these terrific hotels, many of which have sparkling swimming pools, delicious restaurants, and top-notch amenities, along with the perfect balance of comfort, location, and affordability. So, let's get to it and discover the best hotels in Hilton Head Island for your first trip!

(Prices are listed in U.S. Dollars.)

Marriott's SurfWatch

3-star Resort with prices starting at $659 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for First-Timers
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Beach

Located at 10 Fifth Street, Marriott's SurfWatch has great rooms from $659 (before taxes). It offers an outdoor pool, room service, a fitness center, a bar, and rooms with kitchens. It has a terrific 9.40 rating out of 10 from previous guests who have stayed here. Only 3.4 miles from the city center, first time visitors will especially love child care, laundry services, golf, a hot tub, and a game room at this relaxing hotel. Nothing says relaxation like having room service delivered.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Kitchen
  • Child pool
  • Indoor pool
  • Beach
More Great Amenities
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Hot tub
  • Game room
  • Free parking
  • Table tennis
  • Bicycle rental
  • Family rooms
  • Private pool
  • Fitness room
  • Coffee shop
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator


Sonesta Resort - Hilton Head Island

4-star Resort with prices starting at $323 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Among the Best Places to Stay for a First Visit to Hilton Head Island
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 4-star hotels.
  • Beach
  • Heated pool

A great place to stay is Sonesta Resort - Hilton Head Island which has nice rooms starting at $323. Offering an outdoor pool, room service, a restaurant, a fitness center, and a bar, it also has a great guest rating of 8.30 out of 10 from many previous guests. It's located at 130 Shipyard Drive. This convenient hotel is also nice because it offers parking, laundry services, golf, pet-friendly rooms, and a hot tub which visitors will enjoy. Also, it's just 4.4 miles from the city center. You'll enjoy unwinding in the hot tub, too. It's also less than the average price for first time trip hotels, so it's a great value.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Parking
  • Spa
  • Beach
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Laundry service
  • Pets allowed
  • Hot tub
  • Bicycle rental
  • Fishing
  • Family rooms
  • Heated pool
  • Coffee shop
  • Refrigerator
  • Kids' club


Marriott's Grande Ocean

3-star Resort with prices starting at $659 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect Hotel to Make the Most of Your First Visit
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Beach

We found Marriott's Grande Ocean to be a great place to stay, and the price starts at $659. We loved that is has an outdoor pool, room service, a restaurant, a fitness center, and a bar, and it also has a terrific guest rating of 9.60 out of 10 from previous guests. It's located at 51 South Forest Beach Drive. You'll also find rooms with kitchens, child care, laundry services, golf, and a hot tub which travelers will love. And this fun hotel is just 5.4 miles from the center of town. Having an indoor pool means that you can swim and have fun any time of the year.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Kitchen
  • Spa
  • Child pool
  • Indoor pool
  • Kid-friendly
  • Beach
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Hot tub
  • Game room
  • Free parking
  • Table tennis
  • Family rooms
  • Fitness room
  • Tennis
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator


Coral Reef Resort Hilton Head Island

3-star Resort with prices starting at $317 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Great Hotel for First Time Visitors
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 3-star hotels.
  • Beach
  • Heated pool

With terrific rooms from $317, Coral Reef Resort Hilton Head Island, at 12 Valencia Road provides an outdoor pool, a fitness center, scuba diving, snorkeling, and outdoor tennis. Its terrific guest rating is 8.60 out of 10 from previous guests staying here. New visitors will really like this amazing hotel which also offers hiking, rooms with kitchens, golf, a hot tub, and a game room. It's located just 4.6 miles from the city center, too. The swimming pool is fantastic and lots of fun, too. It's a great value, as the price is less than the average for first time trip hotels.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Snorkeling
  • Kitchen
  • Horse riding
  • Beach
More Great Amenities
  • Fitness center
  • Hiking
  • Hot tub
  • Game room
  • Free parking
  • Table tennis
  • Bicycle rental
  • Fishing
  • Family rooms
  • Heated pool
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
  • Kids' club


Omni Oceanfront Resort Hilton Head Island

4-star Resort with prices starting at $464 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for Your First Visit to Hilton Head Island
  • Beach

Omni Oceanfront Resort Hilton Head Island has a great guest rating of 8.50 out of 10, and offers an outdoor pool, room service, a restaurant, a fitness center, and a bar. The great rooms here start at $464 before taxes and depending on the season. It can be found at 23 Ocean Lane. Furthermore, it also offers parking, rooms with kitchenettes, child care, laundry services, and golf, which is nice for first time visitors. Just 4 miles from the city center, this fantastic hotel is a terrific choice. The restaurant serves delicious food, too.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Parking
  • Spa
  • Child pool
  • Horse riding
  • Beach
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Kitchenette
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Pets allowed
  • Hot tub
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Fishing
  • Family rooms
  • Tennis
  • Coffee shop
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
  • Playground


Island Links Resort by Palmera

3-star Resort with prices starting at $317 (before taxes) - See All Prices
A Good Stay for Your First Trip
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 3-star hotels.
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Beach
  • Heated pool

The great guest rating of Island Links Resort by Palmera is 9.10 out of 10. This place has an outdoor pool, a pool bar, a fitness center, a bar, and outdoor tennis. Prices for the terrific rooms are from $317, and it's located at 1 Coggins Point Road. We also love the rooms with kitchens, rooms with kitchenettes, golf, a hot tub, and a game room which are great for visitors. And since it's just 3.5 miles from the center of the town, the location is great, too. Don't forget to spend some time at the terrific pool bar where you can unwind and relax. The price of this hotel is less than average for first time trip hotels, which makes it a great value.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Kitchen
  • Beach
More Great Amenities
  • Pool bar
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Kitchenette
  • Hot tub
  • Game room
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Family rooms
  • Heated pool
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
  • Kids' club


Holiday Inn Resort Beach House

3-star Hotel with prices starting at $171 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for Your First Time in Hilton Head Island
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 3-star hotels.
  • Beach
  • Heated pool

A cool place is Holiday Inn Resort Beach House because it has great rooms that start at $171. It has an outdoor pool, room service, a restaurant, a fitness center, and a bar, it also earned a great guest rating of 8.00 out of 10 from people who have stayed here before. It's found at 1 South Forest Beach Drive. Only 5.1 miles from the city center, travelers will especially love a kid-friendly buffet, hiking, laundry services, golf, and a child pool at this convenient hotel. After a busy day, the heated pool is a nice place to unwind. It's also less than the average price for first time trip hotels, so it's a great value.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Child pool
  • Horse riding
  • Beach
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Kid-friendly buffet
  • Hiking
  • Laundry service
  • Free parking
  • Table tennis
  • Bicycle rental
  • Fishing
  • Family rooms
  • Heated pool
  • Refrigerator


Coral Sands Resort by Palmera

3-star Resort with prices starting at $271 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for First-Timers
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 3-star hotels.
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Beach
  • Heated pool

Coral Sands Resort by Palmera offers an outdoor pool, a pool bar, a fitness center, a bar, and rooms with kitchens which we really like. The terrific rooms here start at $271 (before taxes). It's located at 66 Pope Avenue and has earned a guest rating of 8.90/10. This fun hotel is also nice because it offers rooms with kitchenettes, golf, a hot tub, a game room, and a child pool which new visitors will enjoy. Also, it's just 4.8 miles from the city center. Having a kitchen in the room is a great way to make meals and save money, too. It's a great value, too, because it's less than the average price for first time trip hotels.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Kitchen
  • Child pool
  • Horse riding
  • Beach
More Great Amenities
  • Pool bar
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Kitchenette
  • Hot tub
  • Game room
  • Free parking
  • Table tennis
  • Bicycle rental
  • Fishing
  • Family rooms
  • Heated pool
  • Tennis
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
  • Kids' club


Waterside by Spinnaker Resorts

3-star Resort with prices starting at $566 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Among the Best Places to Stay for a First Visit to Hilton Head Island
  • Beach
  • Heated pool

Located at 45 Waterside Drive, Waterside by Spinnaker Resorts has great rooms from $566 (before taxes). It offers an outdoor pool, a fitness center, rooms with kitchens, golf, and a hot tub. It has a terrific 8.80 rating out of 10 from previous guests who have stayed here. You'll also find a spa and wellness center, a game room, a spa, free parking, and a pool table which first time visitors will love. And this amazing hotel is just 4.8 miles from the center of town.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Kitchen
  • Spa
  • Beach
More Great Amenities
  • Fitness center
  • Hot tub
  • Game room
  • Free parking
  • Table tennis
  • Bicycle rental
  • Fishing
  • Family rooms
  • Heated pool
  • Fitness room
  • Tennis
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
  • Playground


The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa

4-star Resort with prices starting at $304 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect Hotel to Make the Most of Your First Visit
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 4-star hotels.
  • Beach
  • Heated pool

A great place to stay is The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa which has nice rooms starting at $304. Offering an outdoor pool, a pool bar, room service, a restaurant, and a fitness center, it also has a great guest rating of 8.50 out of 10 from many previous guests. It's located at Two Grasslawn Avenue. Visitors will really like this fantastic hotel which also offers a bar, hiking, child care, laundry services, and golf. It's located just 4.1 miles from the city center, too. We found the price of this hotel to be a great value because the price is less than average for first time trip hotels.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Spa
  • Horse riding
  • Beach
More Great Amenities
  • Pool bar
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Hiking
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Pets allowed
  • Hot tub
  • Free parking
  • Table tennis
  • Bicycle rental
  • Heated pool
  • Tennis
  • Coffee shop
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
  • Breakfast in the room


Also, take a look at the First Time Trip hotels in nearby destinations: Savannah, Beaufort, and Tybee Island.

For more terrific hotel ideas in Hilton Head Island, make sure you also see Best Beach Hotels in Hilton Head Island, Best Pet-Friendly Hotels in Hilton Head Island, Best Hotels for a Weekend Getaway in Hilton Head Island, Best Hotels for One Week in Hilton Head Island, Best Hotels for One Night in Hilton Head Island, or Best Romantic Hotels for Couples in Hilton Head Island.


How much do hotels for first-time visitors cost in Hilton Head Island?

Hilton Head Island Average First Time Trip Hotel Price
$368

After analyzing 25 first time trip hotels in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, we found the average first time trip hotel price to be a remarkably economical $368. Naturally, this destination has many fantastic first time trip accommodation options with a variety of prices. The price will vary by the hotel's amenities, available dates, and the general location. If you're interested in more information about hotels here, see our guide to hotel prices in Hilton Head Island.

The average prices of our suggested first time trip hotels by star rating:

  • 4-star hotels: $376
  • 3-star hotels: $386
  • 2-star hotels: $254


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