22 Best Hotels in The Coastal Isles and the Okefenokee, Georgia

This Mediterranean-style, waterside resort—tucked behind a secure gate and impeccably appointed with tropical landscaping, rich rococo fabrics, and stained glass—is fit for dignitaries (and hosted them during the 2004 G8 Summit). Sea Island has all the luxuries you would expect, such as a sprawling two-story spa and five-star dining at The Georgian Room, as well as those that are a wonderful surprise, like the bi-level water atrium. Try the salmon BLT at Southern Tide, or grab a cone at Wonderland, an ice-cream parlor and sweet shop. The resort sits on nearly 5 miles of private beach and offers everything from fishing and sailing to beach cabanas and nature tours, and the list goes on. Families are welcome, and on-site kids' programs abound. Guests at The Cloister also have access to golf and all the amenities of The Lodge located a few miles away on St. Simons Island.

This sprawling 1887 resort was once described as "the richest, the most exclusive, the most inaccessible club in the world," and its old-world charm persists. The comfortable resort's focal point is a four-story clubhouse, with its wraparound verandas and Queen Anne–style towers and turrets. Rooms, suites, apartments, and cottages have recently been renovated in a coastal eclectic style that adds a little more color and modern flair, but still feels architecturally appropriate to the period. Two beautifully restored former "millionaires' cottages"—the Crane and the Cherokee—add 23 elegant guest rooms to this gracefully groomed compound. Next door to the Westin, the Jekyll Ocean Club is the resort's newest beachside extension, with 40 modern suites and the same great amenities. Guests of the historic inn also have access to the Ocean Club property. A hotel shuttle runs regularly on a loop between the two properties.

Although technically on St. Simons Island, this award-winning Sea Island resort has the charm and feel of an English country manor, with exposed ceiling beams, hardwood floors softened by Oriental rugs, and your own private butler, on call 24 hours a day. The richly decorated rooms, suites, and cottages have views of the golf course and/or St. Simons Sound. The lodge serves as the clubhouse for the Sea Island Golf Club and is nestled between Plantation and Seaside golf courses, the latter of which was inspired by the links courses of Scotland. Guests here have full access to three golf courses and facilities of the Sea Island beachfront hotel, The Cloister, including its luxurious spa. There's also a 18-hole putting course and a state-of-the-art golf performance center, along with two full-service restaurants and impeccable service at your beck and call. 

Grand old oak trees shade the grounds of this quaint boutique hotel, where rooms are either on the oceanfront or have a partial ocean view. The renovated interior design reflects an understated island theme, and offers several different bed configurations and layouts. Efficiencies have one king-size or two queen beds, a desk, and a kitchenette. Higher-end suites have full kitchens. Some rooms have balconies or patios.

This 1870 Victorian home, named after the Goodbread family who once owned it, is a comfy bed-and-breakfast with six uniquely decorated rooms named for famous lovers like Scarlett and Rhett and Bogie and Bacall. Innkeeper Mardja Gray is all about Southern hospitality and can assist you with ferry reservations, restaurant recommendations, and even pack a lunch for your Cumberland Island visit. She is also happy to accommodate children and pets, unlike many B&Bs. Each morning starts with a decadent home-cooked breakfast you won't want to skip.

Once described as a "Tara by the sea," this turn-of-the-last-century Carnegie family home is Cumberland Island's only accommodation. Built in 1900 for Margaret Ricketson, Thomas and Lucy Carnegie's daughter, the inn is filled with period antiques, family portraits, and original furniture that evoke the country elegance of a bygone era. And the solitude and unspoiled vistas offered by this 200-acre private compound also seems a luxury from the past. Prices include all meals; transportation by private boat from Fernandina Beach, Florida; tours led by a naturalist; and bikes.

Among the newer and more updated accommodations in Waycross, the Holiday Inn Express is centrally located in the commercial hub of the city, just down Knight Avenue from the shopping mall. Recently renovated in 2022, the hotel has clean, comfortable rooms and beds and the wellness offerings of an indoor pool, sauna, and fully equipped fitness center.

Decorated in coastal blue hues, the rooms here offer the standard comforts of a Holiday Inn but with sweeping views of the beach on the ocean side and expanded services such as bike rentals and an area shuttle. There's also a full-service restaurant, a poolside cabana bar and grill, an oversized event lawn and firepit area, and family-friendly amenities including a playground. Pets are also welcome to come along. 

Conveniently located in walking distance to the beach and several eateries, this adults-only suite hotel is a great choice for those seeking modern amenities and a little extra peace and quiet. Colorfully decorated in tropical hues and featuring local art, no two suites are exactly alike, though each features a king bed, sitting area with sofa, and kitchenette with an espresso machine. Many feature balconies and there's a lovely rooftop pool. Included with each stay is a European-style breakfast, complimentary beach bicycles, and full access to the amenities (including beach service) at nearby King and Prince resort.

This Craftsman-style inn with a huge front veranda, porch swings, and rocking chairs is filled with antiques, and each room is uniquely decorated. The romantic Lighthouse Room has a king-size bed, a fireplace, and a screened-in porch. The Family Wildlife Room can accommodate up to four guests (it has two queen beds). Innkeeper Ted whips up a delicious Southern-style breakfast each morning featuring farm fresh eggs, locally made sausage, fresh baked breads, and more. 

Located just outside the gates of the Sea Island Resort, this self-service hotel offers comfortable accommodations with a much more affordable price tag. The family-friendly and pet-friendly rooms are tastefully decorated and feature basic amenities like Wi-Fi and a mini-refrigerator. There's also free bike rental, a pool, and a fitness center on-site. A stay here does not include access to the resort amenities of Sea Island, but when available (usually in the off-season), you can purchase resort access for an additional fee. 

Situated at the southern end of East Beach, this lovely historic inn and resort has some of the only true beachfront accommodations on the island. Your accommodation options are spacious guest rooms, two- and three-bedroom apartment-style "villas," and stand-alone guesthouses. Guests have golf privileges (18-hole, 6,462-yard course is par 72) and discounted rates at the off-site King and Prince Golf Club, as well as access to many outdoor activities such as sailing and tennis. Many of the rooms and suites have ocean views and there's easy access to the pool and beach.

Offering incredible riverfront access, this new 52-room boutique resort features an on-site restaurant, poolside bar, and full-service spa, and is a comfy base for exploring Georgia's coastal isles. Elegantly decorated rooms and suites, the majority with balconies, offer luxurious amenities and custom furnishings and overlook historic Darien or the Altamaha River. The staff is happy to help you arrange boat trips, nature excursions, and more in the area. 

Built by a timber baron in 1876, this two-story, Italianate house on Darien's Vernon Square is filled with antiques that beautifully decorate each room and offers a relaxing library filled with books of local historical interest. Innkeeper Zach Rath is a former cruise chef, and with his wife, Carrie May, the duo provides unique and thoughtful accommodations for visitors, intimate wedding parties, and family gatherings. A full gourmet breakfast is included in your stay: think cheese-filled crepes, fresh baked muffins, Southern-style grits, and more.

A stay at this 10-bed, 10-bath historic Sapelo Island mansion is a rare treat reserved only for groups of 16 to 25, or a smaller group willing to pay the minimum nightly fee per person. The Spanish moss-draped home was once the summer retreat of tobacco magnate R. J. Reynolds and features a bowling lane, billiards, library, and ornately decorated "Circus Room." Owned and managed by the State of Georgia, the property stays booked well in advance, so definitely plan and book ahead. A stay here includes all meals, and you can arrange guided tours and nature experiences on the island.

The front door to the Riverview could be a time machine transporting you straight to the Old West, circa 1916, the year the hotel was built—the lobby resembles a museum, with old cameras in a glass case and high-backed typewriters on display, and a Tiffany lamp—the real thing—illuminates the reception desk. Some rooms have river views, and all have ornate iron beds and/or antique furniture from the original owner's family. The popular Seagle's Café & Saloon serves steaks and seafood, including delicious rock shrimp. Picnic lunches can be packed for your Cumberland Island excursion.

In a prime spot by the lighthouse, and only minutes on foot from the Village and the beaches, this European-style inn is made up of privately owned guest rooms—nothing fancy, but they're clean, comfortable, and individually decorated, many with furnishings and art that give off a beachy vibe. "Deluxe" rooms are swankier, most with a very modern appeal. There's a two-night minimum during high season on weekends. Discounts are available for longer stays, depending on the season.

These well-equipped stilt cottages and suites offer a comfortable (yet rustic) lodging experience right along the shore of Sapelo Island. The aptly named birdhouses provide soaring views of the Atlantic and marshes and of the island's natural beauty and near-empty beaches. Managed by local members of the Hog Hammock community, stays come with a golf cart rental and the option for prepared meals and tours. Pets can stay for a fee.

Located on the north end of the island, this full-service resort offers an 18-hole golf course, a restaurant, a luxurious pool with cabanas, and accommodations overlooking the beautiful "Marshes of Glynn" immortalized by poet Sidney Lanier. The recently remodeled rooms and suites come in a variety of bed configurations and are decorated in a modern coastal style. Upgraded suites feature full kitchenettes, sitting areas and balconies or screened porches with lovely marshfront views. An on-site complementary shuttle is available to ferry guests around the island and to a private beach club for use of its amenities. 

At the heart of the St. Marys historic district, this pink, three-story Victorian inn, built in 1872, is a perfect base for touring the town and Cumberland Island. Rooms have expansive shared balconies that overlook the main street of the village. Decor is Victorian-floral cozy, with skirted four-poster beds (in some rooms) and Oriental rugs covering the hardwood floors; some rooms have antique claw-foot bathtubs. The inn is recently under new ownership and some changes and renovations are underway.

Surrounded by 300-year-old beautiful live oaks, this historic Spanish-style inn just steps from the village offers tastefully decorated rooms and suites with a courtyard pool. Fully renovated as of 2023, the inn still retains the charm that warmth that guests and locals have come to appreciate such as the antique solid mahogany bar, imported from England, that serves as the centerpiece of the pub. Rooms feature refreshed furnishings, luxury linens and Nespresso coffee makers. Many have balconies to catch that coastal breeze. Continental breakfast is served each morning. The friendly staff can even assist you with beach gear and coolers during your stay. 

With expansive ocean views, this resort is well situated near Jekyll's beachfront and bike path and the shopping amenities of the beach village. The property boasts a resort-style pool and full-service restaurant and lounge. After a long day of play, have a poolside cocktail in the lobby courtyard or sink into the deluxe Westin signature bedding. There's also a fitness center and plenty of indoor and outdoor spaces to spread out and relax.