The best hotels in Tybee Island

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 much 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 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 visiting families.

Trip Advisor ranking: 4 out of 8 hotels in Tybee Island

Booking.com ranking: 8.8 out of 10

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.

COVID policies: The hotel is open and accepting reservations with policies in place that include:

• Housekeeping uses masks and gloves to clean and replace items in the rooms and there are heightened disinfection procedures in place.
• Breakfast service has been suspended but guests are directed to breakfast places close by and can bring food back to the inn.

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 have 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 of the 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 self-catering 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 of the rooms come with private patios.

Trip Advisor ranking: 5 of 8 B&Bs/inns in Tybee Island

Booking.com ranking: 8.3 out of 10

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.

COVID policies: The hotel is open, accepting reservations, and remains in close touch with the state and city department of health. In terms of sanitation, they are adhering to guidelines from the CDC and the World Health Organization.

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.

Trip Advisor ranking: 2 out of 8 hotels in Tybee Island

Booking.com ranking: 8.2 out of 10

Pros: The only hotel on the island with actual direct beach access.

Cons: On-site dining is restricted to the continental breakfast service.

COVID policies: The hotel is open and accepting reservations with policies in place that include:

• The hotel is collaborating and remains in close touch with the State and City Department of Health. In terms of sanitation. They are adhering to CDC guidelines and the World Health Organization.

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 cottage 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.

Trip Advisor ranking: 6 out of 8 B&Bs/inns in Tybee Island

Booking.com ranking: 9.9 out of 10

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.

COVID policies: The inn is temporarily closed, pending reopening as COVID restrictions are lifted.

Just two minutes from the beach, this property is one of the most beautifully-restored buildings in 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 boasts 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 perhaps 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.

Trip Advisor ranking: 1 out of 8 B&Bs/inns in Tybee Island

Booking.com ranking: 9.7 out of 10

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.

COVID policies: The hotel is open and accepting reservations with policies in place that include:

• More stringent cleaning policies, including disinfecting rooms, especially high-touch areas such as light switches and door handles.
• Two breakfast servings daily, instead of one, so that social distancing can be maintained.

Although there are other hotels, 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.

Trip Advisor ranking: 1 out of 8 hotels in Tybee Island

Booking.com ranking: 8 out of 10

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.

COVID policies: The hotel is open and accepting reservations with policies in place that include:

• Frequent routine sanitation schedules with thorough cleaning and disinfecting of public spaces.
• Removal of all high touch equipment.
• Elevated pool sanitation procedures.
• Hand sanitizers are readily available and staff will be wearing face coverings and other personal protective equipment in public areas and maintaining social distancing guidelines.

Luxuriant swathes of Spanish Moss frame this gorgeous bed and breakfast that's just a couple 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.

Trip Advisor ranking: 4 out of 8 B&Bs/inns in Tybee Island

Booking.com ranking: 8.9 out of 10

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.

COVID policies: The hotel is open and accepting reservations with policies in place that include:

• Heightened risk assessment plus cleaning and disinfecting procedures with virucidal products.
• Sanitizer dispensers in public areas and social distancing rules followed.
• Breakfast is no longer self serve. Plates are served at the table and groups are forbidden to congregate in public spaces.

This 10-room bed and breakfast 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 and 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.

Trip Advisor ranking: 2 of 8 B&Bs/inns in Tybee Island

Booking.com ranking: 9.6 out of 10

Pros: Impressively high-end design and ambiance, and the top-tier suite includes 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.

COVID policies: The hotel is open and accepting reservations with policies in place that include:

• Very high standards of cleanliness, with thorough cleaning regimens from ceiling fans to baseboards between guests.
• Bathrooms are thoroughly bleached, and the staff is held to high standards of hygiene and regular hand washing, as per CDC guidelines.