Any tips...we are a couple seeking a very romantic place to stay in July...which island is more exciting in terms of having some alternatives, shops, etc. and what about restaurants, water sports, etc. We do not want to be at a resort filled with lots of little kids this time, we are sending ours to camp which they love so we can have some romance. Thanks!

Jim,

We spent 3 days on Jekyll Island at the end of March and stayed at Villas By the Sea which I would recommend. We had the kids along and had a great time on the beach which is wonderful. However, NOTHING about the island was exciting. Tranquil is pobably the best word to describe Jekyll. There were very few restaurants on the island. There were a couple of marinas where you could rent a boat and some kayaking is a possibility.

My guess is that St. Simons offers more of what you're looking for.

Good Luck,

Kevin

Sea Island is the nicest resort on St Simons. St Simons, in my opinion, is a more upscale destination, overall, when compared to Jekyll. I don't mean to be a naysayer, but I've never found that area to be "romantic", but I guess some of that depends on where you're from and what you're used to. When I go to the beach, I like white sand, blue water, and palm trees. You don't really have that at Jekyll and St Simons. The water is grayish-blue, the sand is sorta dingy, and there are lots of oak trees with Spanish moss. It is a relaxing place, and Sea Island is a very nice resort. If you do go down that way, try to set some time aside to explore Cumberland Island. It's a remote, (largely) undeveloped island that limits the number of visitors. You have to take a boat out to it and it requires a good day to see it.

Sea Island is beautiful and The Clositer Hotel is quite lovely. At one time they had the American plan for the hotel. It is a step back time in time with excellent service and delicious food. As stated by others the islands are quiet. The shops on St. Simons are nice. The Coister is also a favorite honeymoon destination. You might enjoy staying there..

i forgot to state that The Cloister Hotel had dancing on the terrace at night.

By the way, I meant to mention the Cloister, but I kept saying Sea Island. The Cloister is ON Sea Island. The Cloister is the resort; Sea Island is where the Cloister is located. Sea Island is the super-ritzy section of St Simons.