JUMP TO Section Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.- These are the best hotels on Tybee Island, sorted by price from low to high.
- Admiral's Inn on Tybee Island
- The Georgianne Inn and Suites
- Hotel Tybee
- Desoto Beach Hotel
- The Lighthouse Inn
- Surf Song Bed and Breakfast
- Tybee Island Inn
- Beachview Inn
- FAQ: Visiting Tybee Island
- More of the best hotels in the south
When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more
- Tybee Island, known as Savannah's beach, is just a short drive from downtown Savannah, Georgia.
- Tybee Island has charming hotels, inns, and B&Bs for visitors that stay after day-trippers leave.
- We found the best Tybee Island hotels that are well-located, highly rated, and start close to $100.
Formerly known as Savannah Beach, Tybee Island is a barrier island some 18 miles east of Savannah, Georgia. With its historic lighthouse (the third oldest in the country), museums, and scenic stretches of coastline, Tybee Island is a popular destination for tourists of all stripes.
Given its proximity to downtown Savannah, many Tybee Island visitors are likely to just drive out for the day. But doing so would be a missed opportunity, especially since the local hotels show real character and feel utterly private once day-trippers leave. The prices are also sometimes cheaper than you'll find in Savannah hotels.
I've been visiting and writing about Savannah and its environs, including Tybee Island, for around a decade and the following hotels are all worth making an overnight trip of it.
Every hotel in Tybee Island on this list was selected based on the following criteria:
Browse all the best hotels below, or jump directly to a specific area:
These are the best hotels on Tybee Island, sorted by price from low to high.
Admiral's Inn on Tybee Island
Book Admiral's Inn on Tybee Island
Category: Boutique
Neighborhood: Tybee Beach
Typical starting/peak prices: $100/$280
Best for: Families
On-site amenities: Outdoor pool, business center
Pros: Great value compared to area hotels with kitchen amenities and a location that is just a short walk from the beach.
Cons: The rooms could use a few more storage options.
While most of the higher-end properties are up towards the north end of Tybee Island, there are some great value hotels to be found just a few minutes down the coast at the south end.
This contemporary, 41-room hotel may have slightly less character than some of the older converted houses, but it offers similar amenities, a good location, and is usually cheaper.
The hotel is located one block back from the beach, close to Tybee Beach Pier, which is a popular local spot for fishing. Although the place looks like a nondescript chain from the outside, the rooms are surprisingly well-appointed with high-end bedding and sofas that wouldn't be out of place in a city boutique hotel.
There's also a nice pool with a covered lounging area, and the hotel offers guests the use of a modern exercise room. The entire property feels fresh following its renovation in 2018, and the rooms include fridges and microwaves, ideal for families.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
The Georgianne Inn and Suites
Book The Georgianne Inn and Suites
Category: Budget
Neighborhood: Tybee Beach
Typical starting/peak prices: $130/$180
Best for: Small groups, families
On-site amenities: Outdoor pool, grilling station
Pros: Spacious suites that are very close to the beach.
Cons: There's no food served on-site, though again, it is close to most of the island's restaurants.
This cute, canary-yellow seaside cottage has stood here since 1910 and has been welcoming guests as an inn since 1921, making it one of the oldest hotels in the region. The current owners took over in 2017 and gradually renovated the property to its current pristine state.
The inn is located a half-block from the beach, making days around Tybee easy. All eight suites are spacious and sleep at least four people, with the largest one fitting up to nine in its three bedrooms. There's a cozy feel to the rooms, with large leather sofas and full kitchens, so dining in is simple.
The recently-added, heated outdoor pool is surrounded by plush loungers and umbrellas, and most of the island's best restaurants are a short walk from the property. There are also barbecue facilities and some rooms come with private patios.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
Hotel Tybee
Book Hotel Tybee
Category: Budget
Neighborhood: Tybee Beach
Typical starting/peak prices: $132/$242
Best for: Couples, families
On-site amenities: Outdoor pools, bar, snack bar, bicycles
Pros: The only full-service resort-style hotel in Tybee Island with great amenities and perhaps an even better great location.
Cons: Sadly, the on-site restaurant has permanently closed, so guests must go off-site to dine beyond snacks.
This is technically the only true full-service property on Tybee Island. Most of the hotel's 208 rooms have good views of the ocean and many enjoy private balconies. The decor is contemporary, with neutral earth tones and the suites are generously proportioned with living areas and their own wet bars.
The two-minute walk to the beach is a great bonus and the hotel also has two outdoor pool areas giving guests plenty of options for relaxation and sunbathing with ample space. The poolside bar is great for picking up a cold drink or cocktail, and there's also a small, pantry-style store for snacks. The prime beachside location and proximity to Tybee Island's restaurants and bars are a real boon, though the hotel also offers bikes for rent if guests want to explore further.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
Desoto Beach Hotel
Book Desoto Beach hotel
Category: Boutique
Neighborhood: Mid Beach
Typical starting/peak prices: $146/$262
Best for: Couples
On-site amenities: Outdoor pool, game room, beach access, breakfast buffet, gift shop, grilling station
Pros: The only hotel on the island with actual direct beach access.
Cons: On-site dining is restricted to the continental breakfast service.
Tybee Island had a real heyday in the middle of the 20th century and the aesthetics here feel like a throwback to the 1950s. The hotel itself dates back to 1939 when it served as the height of luxury and sophistication and was an exclusive annex to the Desoto Hotel in Savannah.
Although there are no longer lobby staff in tuxedos, the hotel still enjoys a plum location, direct beach access, and a low-key, relaxed vibe. It feels almost quaint in its simplicity, with 37 cabin-like rooms that feature modern wooden paneling, views of the sand dunes, and the ocean beyond poking through the windows. They're modest though, so don't expect high luxury.
There's a serviceable continental breakfast and coffee to start the day, and some of the island's best restaurants are close by for heartier fare. The bijoux outdoor heated pool area overlooks the sands flanked by some pristine but vintage-looking loungers.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
The Lighthouse Inn
Book The Lighthouse Inn
Category: Bed and Breakfast
Neighborhood: North Beach
Typical starting/peak prices: $176/$267
Best for: Couples, solo travelers
On-site amenities: Complimentary breakfast, pool
Pros: The small size of the property makes for a wonderfully personal, intimate stay.
Cons: Couples only, the rooms are not big enough for families.
This outstanding property is another Tybee Island inn that's over 100 years old. Located in the Fort Screven historic district, this former officers' accommodations has just three bedrooms, meaning there's a real feel of privacy and exclusivity.
The inn itself has been beautifully preserved and a wraparound porch provides ample opportunity to admire North Beach, and guests can bask in the tranquility with an evening cocktail.
The rooms have a traditional, romantic look that combines period furniture with modern fixtures such as wrought iron bed frames and clawfoot tubs. The maximum occupancy is two people for each, so it's a couple's retreat rather than a place for families. A hot breakfast is served every morning, and a small but lovely pool area rounds out the offerings.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
Surf Song Bed and Breakfast
Book Surf Song Bed and Breakfast
Category: Bed and Breakfast
Neighborhood: North Beach
Typical starting/peak prices: $199/$249
Best for: Couples
On-site amenities: Outdoor pool, gift shop, snack bar
Pros: The care and detail of the renovation make for a truly beautiful home and the hosts are a delight.
Cons: This is not a place where rowdy party crowds stay, but the sound insulation between rooms (or lack thereof) could bother very light sleepers.
Just two minutes from the beach, this property is one of the most beautifully restored buildings on Tybee Island. The original house dates back to 1898 but enjoyed a full and thoughtful renovation in 2013. The gardens are kept low, with just a couple of palm trees framing the dramatic silhouette of the house with its striking wraparound veranda.
The inn has five upscale rooms that reflect Victorian seaside character. The Sand Dollar room, for instance, includes a romantic canopy bed and antique dressers as well as a vintage bathtub that feels delightfully indulgent. Tin ceilings and maple wood floors elevate all of the rooms, and working fireplaces and marble surfaces provide a timelessly sophisticated ambiance. The Sunrise Suite on the third floor offers views equal to any on the island, aside from those observed from the lighthouse.
The hosts are sisters and serve up a cheery morning welcome over breakfasts of freshly-made biscuits and gravy or French toast. There's also a cute pool with loungers.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
Tybee Island Inn
Book Tybee Island Inn
Category: Bed and Breakfast
Neighborhood: North Beach
Typical starting/peak prices: $206/$239
Best for: Couples
On-site amenities: Complimentary breakfast
Pros: Near the beach and lighthouse, the location really couldn't be better.
Cons: Some of the rooms skew a little cramped if you're traveling with a lot of luggage and configurations are unconventional.
Luxuriant swathes of Spanish Moss frame this gorgeous bed and breakfast that's just a couple of minutes' walk away from the beach and the famed lighthouse. The outstandingly lush gardens bask in the shade of live oaks and a cornucopia of tropical foliage, with classical statues poking out from green corners.
The charming yellow building dates back to 1902 and was originally part of the Fort Screven hospital. Although the place has been modernized over the years, there are still tributes to its past to be seen in the beautiful pine floors and tin porch roofs. The vintage coastal chic look was inspired by the nearby ocean and permeates the seven guest rooms, from the family-sized Captain's Quarters to the quirky Aft Deck, which comes with a private courtyard. Each has been designed to make the most of the sunlight and views that come with unconventional room shapes, and there's a delightful air of whimsy to each one.
A tasty, creative breakfast is included in the rate, and a highlight is enjoying a coffee or glass of wine in the elegant gazebo.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
Beachview Inn
Book Beachview Inn
Category: Luxury
Neighborhood: Tybee Beach
Typical starting/peak prices: $259/$329
Best for: Couples
On-site amenities: Outdoor pool, complimentary breakfast, spa treatments, gift shop, grilling station
Pros: Impressively high-end design and ambiance, and the top-tier suite even has its own pool.
Cons: The property is not located on the beach, but given the size of the island, it's only a few minutes away.
This 10-room inn promises so much pampering that it suggests guests don't need to bring much more than their bathing suits. The house looks modern but dates back to 1915 and the property has been painstakingly restored. Surrounding lush gardens and brick columns give the place a stately air.
The rooms are seaside-inspired, with aquamarine, yellow, and pastel hues making up the color palette, complemented by nautical decor such as seascapes, charming shell-themed accessories, and beautifully restored wooden floors. Most of the suites also have free-standing bathtubs, while the separate cottage, The Love Shack, comes with a private pool.
A la carte, farm-to-table style breakfasts are served at the restaurant next door, and guests can grab snacks and glasses of punch throughout the day. The inn also provides bikes for guests, and the beach is just a couple of minutes away.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
FAQ: Visiting Tybee Island
Where is Tybee Island?
Tybee Island, an Atlantic coast barrier island, lies about 20 minutes from downtown Savannah, Georgia. To the north is Hilton Head, to the south is Ossobaw Island.
Where should I stay on Tybee Island?
Tybee Island is a fairly compact destination at just over three square miles. Almost the entirety of the east coast is beach, and hotels are clustered around three main neighborhoods: North Beach (to the north), Mid Beach, and Tybee Beach (to the south). Tybee Beach is slightly more developed and has more stores and restaurants.
How much does it cost to stay at a hotel on Tybee Island?
The cost of a hotel room in Tybee Island will vary according to its location, amenities, the time of year, and the day of the week you plan to visit. There are budget and mid-range options that start at around $100 per night, but the more luxurious, boutique properties will start closer to $200 per night. For a multi-day or weekend stay, budget for at least $450 off-peak, or closer to $750 for a peak time stay in a high-end property.
When should I visit Tybee Island?
For the best deals, as well as increased availability, visit in shoulder seasons like fall or winter when the weather is still quite pleasant and there are fewer crowds and less competition for rooms. There will still be plenty of small-town charm, even if the beaches are more fit for strolling rather than sunbathing.
If you're set on a summer trip to Tybee Island, plan to increase your budget or consider only staying midweek for lower rates.
What is there to do on Tybee Island?
The beach is the main draw for Tybee, and there are great spots all along the east coast of the island. If you're feeling energetic, there are also bike trails that take in the coastal views and the saltwater marshes. Paddleboarding and dolphin spotting tours are popular as well.
Lots of people climb to the top of Tybee Light Station and Museum, the island's famous historic lighthouse. Visitors may also visit the turtles at Tybee Island Marine Science Center and there are various local shops and boutiques in the town center.
Is it safe to travel during COVID?
The CDC currently says that fully vaccinated people can safely travel in the US. Of course, there are still risks and we recommend following CDC guidelines, practicing social distancing, double masking, and washing hands frequently.
More of the best hotels in the south
- The best hotels in Savannah
- The best hotels in Myrtle Beach
- The best hotels in Hilton Head Island
- The best hotels in New Orleans
- The best hotels in Miami
- The best hotels in Fort Lauderdale
- The best hotels in Key West
- The best hotels in Destin
Paul Oswell Freelance Reporter, Insider Reviews Paul Oswell is a British freelance journalist based in New Orleans. He's been published in dozens of newspapers and magazines, including The Guardian, Conde Nast Traveler, and Travel & Leisure. His specialist region is the Deep South, but he love exploring all of his adopted home country of the United States. Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here. Read more Read lessncG1vNJzZmivp6x7o8HSoqWeq6Oeu7S1w56pZ5ufonyowcidnKxnpKeut7HLaJmeq6RitbDAxKWqZqypl7Kmeciso5qmlA%3D%3D