Island Club of Hilton Head: the Best Beach Condo Vacation Rentals (April 2024)

I've been visiting Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, several times each year since I was a young child. My trips always bring back plenty of memories. Now that I have a family of my own, these trips to the beach at Hilton Head have even more meaning as we make new memories.

We've always stayed at the Island Club of Hilton Head on Folly Field Road ever since I was a kid. While we didn't own a property, we always rented one of the fantastic vacation rental beach condos at the resort. Because of my experiences at the resort both as a child and as an adult, I wanted to provide an overview of the Island Club and provide information about the best condos for rent, the amenities, the location, and more. Hopefully you will find this guide useful and perhaps even decide to stay here yourself.

After all, the Island Club is one of the more affordable, but still luxurious places to stay on Hilton Head. Yes, it's an older resort, but it has been very well maintained both by the individual condominium owners as well as by the on-site staff. The grounds and landscaping are gorgeous, the property is oceanfront, the amenities have seen updates and upgrades over the years, and the staff is friendly and helpful.

And you can't beat the location. The Island Club of Hilton Head is in a very central location on the island close to plenty of shops and restaurants (more on that later). And as mentioned before, it's right on the beach.

Contents:
- Amenities
- Location
- Condos
  -3-Bedroom Ocean Front
  -2-Bedroom Ocean View
  -Lagoon Condos

Amenities at the Island Club

One of the reasons why the Island Club of Hilton Head is so fantastic is because of all of the amenities and things to do packed into a convenient space.

The swimming pool area is right in the middle of the complex. It has a large pool with a nice waterfall feature. There's also a baby/toddler pool with a depth of about 1 foot, which also has a large mushroom-shaped water fountain which kids love. Another section has a large hot tub along with a shallow sun-bathing pool. Plenty of lounge and deck chairs are around the pool area, some in the shade of the mature palm trees and some out in the sun.

The tennis center at the Island Club is large and active. Here you'll find a pro shop staffed with a local tennis pro and instructor who runs a variety of activities, events, and lessons for guests, for both adults and youth. Every weekday morning you can take a lesson on the stroke of the day (forehand, backhand, etc.). They also organize round-robin doubles tournaments which is a fun way to meet new people. The center has both clay and hard courts, as well as pickleball courts. At the pro shop, equipment can be rented or purchased.

The tennis pro shop building also has a gym with exercise equipment and locker rooms. Outside you'll find a basketball court, too.

Near the beach access is a large playground area for kids which includes a swing set and jungle gym, tetherball, and some beach games such as cornhole.

Grills, picnic tables, sun decks, and other niceties are also found around the resort property.

What's Nearby?

The Island Club sits beachfront on Folly Field Rd., which is not far from Port Royal Plantation as well as Shelter Cove and is toward the northern end of the island, but still fairly central. Plenty of restaurants, shopping centers, and activities are all nearby.

It's possible to rent bikes at the Island Club, and some of the individual condo rentals provide bikes for free. Or, bring your own. Hilton Head Island is criss-crossed with multiple bike paths, and one of them runs right outside the resort along Folly Field Rd. which connects to the main path along Hwy 278.

Not far from the resort are several grocery stores, including a fairly new Kroger, a Whole Foods, a Harris Teeter, and Walmart.

The nearest large shopping center is Shelter Cove, which is an area with a marina, condominiums, restaurants, and shops. The area includes the Kroger and Whole Foods, along with multiple restaurants, convenience stores, and boutique shops selling anything from clothes to jewelry to ice cream to sporting goods. Shelter Cove is a large area with a number of great restaurants. You'll find seafood, fine dining, and casual places such as Giussepi's Pizza (one of my favorites), Wayback Burgers, World of Beer, and Scott's Fish Market. Behind the shops is a nice playground and waterfront boardwalk with sunset views. Also, don't miss the Shannon Tanner kid's show at Shelter Cove, located in the outdoor amphitheater by the Poseidon statue in front of the marina. He has been playing music and entertaining kids and adults for decades. On summer evenings, you can find several shows each week.

Also near the Island Club are multiple kid's activities including putt-putt, bike rentals, playgrounds, kayak rentals, and more.

A few more of our favorite restaurants on the northern side of the island include The Old Oyster Factory, The Crazy Crab (Jarvis Creek), Hudson's on the Docks, and Skull Creek Boathouse.

Golf is extremely popular on Hilton Head Island. Fortunately, the Island Club is very close to several courses which are open to the public, including the Port Royal Plantation courses which are only 3 minutes away by car. Other public courses include the famous Harbour Town Golf Links at Sea Pines and the courses at Palmetto Dunes.

The Island Club: Beachfront Vacation Rentals and Lagoon Condos

The buildings of the island club are both beachfront and slightly back from the beach. A large lagoon circles its way around the resort, and many of the non-beachfront condos have nice lagoon views. And don't worry, all of these condos are just a minute or two on foot from the sand and waves.

Three large buildings are on the beach, each five stories tall (Atlantis, Neptune, and Seawatch). The beachfront condos are 3-bedroom and 2-bedroom condos, while the ocean view condos on the sides of these larger buildings are all 2-bedroom condos. The lagoon condos are all 2-bedroom and 1-bedroom units.

Each unit is individually owned (with the exception of Seawatch). This means that every condo will be different. They have all been well kept and updated over the years, many with very nice kitchen and bathroom renovations, modern furnishings, and high-end appliances. The individual furniture and number of beds will often vary between condos. For example, the second bedroom in one might have a queen-sized bed, while another might have some kid-friendly bunk beds.

Below we have described some of the best beach condos at the Island Club so that your decision is easier.

3-Bedroom Beach Front Condos at the Island Club

The 3-bedroom condos at the Island Club are all located directly beachfront. The higher floors have better views. These condos are also the closest to the beach, as you can walk right out to the sand and waves in about 90 seconds. These condos also have 3 bathrooms. The master bedroom has a small balcony of its own in addition to the main balcony that sits off of the living room. A second bedroom is like another master as it has its own ensuite bathroom. The third bedroom uses a 3rd bathroom in the hallway. The kitchen is fairly spacious for a condo, and it has an open-concept layout with the dining and living room area. All of the condos have laundry, too.

Prices usually depend on the available dates (summer is the most expensive time of year), as well as the type of furnishings in the condo. Here are a few of the best.

Waterfront Oceanview Condo

This condo is on the top (5th) floor facing the ocean. It has seen recent renovations featuring a gorgeous new kitchen with marble countertops, high-end appliances, beautiful bathrooms, and well designed furnishings.

Peaceful Oceanfront Beach Condo at the Island Club

This 2nd floor 3-bedroom condo is a little more affordable. It has a great kitchen, nice bathrooms, and comfortable furnishings that the entire family can enjoy. The 3rd bedroom has extra room for more children, too.

Charming Waterfront Condo

Here's another top floor 3-bedroom condo with unobstructed views of the ocean. This kitchen here has been redesigned to create even more open space, and it also features nice countertops and new appliances. Both the 2nd and 3rd bedrooms have extra beds, too.

Family-Friendly Condo

This 3-bedroom condo is on the first floor. So, you won't have an ocean view but you're just a few steps from your door to the beach. The playground, tetherball court, beach games, and a nice field are also right outside which is great for the kids to get their energy out. The kitchen has been upgraded, and the bathrooms are nicely done as well. One of the bedrooms has two queens, while another has a queen and a twin, which makes this a nice place for larger families or groups.

Oceanfront and on the Beach

This is another great 3-bedroom with similar amenities and an oceanfront view.

Terrific Oceanfront Condo

This 3-bedroom has some nice features worth checking out.

Oceanfront Condo

Here's one more 3-bedroom to check out if the others are booked up. It has also seen recent renovations and has plenty of room for the whole family.

2-Bedroom Ocean View Condos at the Island Club

The most common layout for a condominium at the Island Club is the standard 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom with a balcony, kitchen, and living room offering plenty of space. The dining area and living room have an open layout that extends out to the balcony. The kitchens in some of the condos are either partially open or totally open to the main living area, depending on the type of renovations undergone over the years. On the side of the condo are the two bedrooms. The master faces the beach with a large window looking out to the open. The second bedroom uses a 2nd hallway bathroom. The condos have laundry machines and modern appliances, as well as A/C and other niceties. Here are a few of our favorites.

Top Floor Condo with Beautiful Ocean Views

This terrific top floor (5th floor) 2-bedroom condo has great views and is a good value considering everything that is offered. With hardwood floors, new furniture, and an upgraded kitchen, any family would be comfortable here.

Oceanview Beach Condo at the Island Club

With a gorgeous design and modern upgrades, this is one of the nicer condos in the resort. It is also quite close to the ocean which allows it to have a great view.

Lovely Condo with Ocean Views

This 2-bedroom is a little more affordable, as it's on the 2nd floor and set back a bit. But it's still in the oceanfront building just steps to the beach. The interior is nicely furnished with an upgraded kitchen. And since it's on the end of the building, you'll have more large windows with plenty of natural light.

Ocean View, Updated 2-Bedroom

This is a nice spot, as it has ocean views and overlooks the nice lagoon.

2-Bedroom Island Club Condo

Here's a ground-floor 2-bedroom condo that has been nicely updated with gorgeous decor and a high-end kitchen. Just step off of the balcony onto the lawn and then stroll out to the beach.

Lagoon View Condos

If you're looking for a lower price and a great value, you can find the same level of luxury in the 2-bedroom and 1-bedroom condos located in the rows of buildings set back from the beach. They are all within a short walk to the beach, and you can be on the sand in less than 5 minutes on foot, as the farthest condos are only a few hundred yards away. Just like with the other condos mentioned above, they have modern furnishings, good kitchens, laundry, and more. They are also very close to the pool, tennis courts, and fitness center of the Island Club complex. Here are some of the best.

Multi-Level Villa Condo

This is a 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom villa-style condo spread over two stories. The bedrooms are upstairs and the master has nice views looking out onto the lagoon. You're just a few minutes from the beach on foot, and the pool and tennis courts are right there, too.

Paradise 1-Bedroom Lagoon View

Here's a great 1-bedroom with nice furnishings and a lovely lagoon view.

Island Club Lagoon View, 1st Floor

This 1-bedroom condo has undergone some very nice renovations recently and has a beautiful kitchen, well-designed bathroom, and a comfortable balcony.

Family-Friendly Lagoon View Condo

Here's another 2-bedroom multi-story condo where the bedrooms are upstairs. This particular condo has some very nice furnishings and an affordable price.

Have a Great Trip!

As I mentioned above, I have so many great memories from visiting Hilton Head, and the Island Club is a big part of that. From the terrific beach to the tennis center to the swimming pool, our entire family had fun when I was a kid, and we all continue to have fun now, just with some new additions to the family.

For more ideas about places to stay in Hilton Head Island, you might also be interested in The Best VRBO Vacation Rentals on Hilton Head Island: Places to Stay for Families, The Best Sea Pines Vacation Rental Houses on Hilton Head Island, The Best Marriott Resort Beach Condos on Hilton Head Island, and The Best Affordable VRBO Beach Condos on Hilton Head Island.