City: Hilton Head, SC

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (843) 785-5126, (800) 423-9897

Address: 1 South Forest Beach Dr.

Description: A view of the Atlantic Ocean from poolside is a plus at this moderately priced oceanfront hotel. This family-friendly spot also accepts pets, and kids eat free at the on-site restaurants. The contemporary decor of the inn’s 202 rooms (all of which have refrigerators and open onto interior hallways) carry out the beach motif, as do the five-story motel’s eating and drinking places—Grouper’s restaurant, which has plenty of windows and great views of the ocean; the Island Eatery, which stands on a concrete peninsula jutting into the pool and serves lunch fare and ice cream; and the poolside Tiki Hut beach bar, which offers live entertainment. There’s a banquet room with an ocean view—perfect for receptions and family reunions for up to 400 guests. The inn offers numerous recreational activities, some of them free and many intended for the younger set. A children’s program that runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day provides kids with activities such as relays on the beach, sand-dollar painting, and underwater treasure hunts. The inn also has a children’s pool, kids’ playground, and Dolly the Dolphin, a mascot who greets guests and interacts with youngsters. The hotel is near several restaurants, including Antonio’s Italian Cuisine, an island favorite!