Holton Head, Amelia Island or ????
 

We live in Atlanta and have taken many family vacations to Hilton Head. Now we have children / grandkids in Orlando and are looking for other options that are similar to Hilton Head, esp. Sea Pines. Any suggestions? Is Amelia Island similar? Also maybe suggestions of places / resorts in the panhandle? We don't like overly developed stretches of beach - Sanibel is another favorite but a bit far for the Atlanta contingent. Thanks for suggestions!

Although we've lived in Atlanta since the mid-70s, we've never been to Hilton Head, so can't compare it, but we really like Amelia Island. Amelia Island Plantation offers lots of lodging possibilities, there is a public beach near there (American Beach) that is pretty low key, and the city of Fernandina Beach offers dining and funky stores for when you get tired of sunning yourself and playing golf.

Hilton Head is like Amelia Island only bigger - more housing developments, more golf courses, longer stretch of beach, more restaurants and, of course, more people.

We've been once to Hilton Head and did enjoy it but hands down, we fell in love with Sea Island, Georgia.
St. Simon's island is charming with great low country food.
We flew into ATL and road tripped down.

The Cloisters at Sea Island resort is beyond stunning and always ranked top 3 in the US but you can do their sister resort, The Inn at Sea Island and saves you a ton of $$ and you can add an supplemental for a nominal fee, to use the resort, which I highly recommend..restaurants, shops, golf, homes..gated community.

Next to Sea Island is Jekyll island which is more a preserve.

You could go to beautiful beaches around Charleston, Edisto, Litchfield, Pawley's Island. Much prettier and a real beach experience as opposed to Hilton Head.