For most travelers, the allure of a trip to the beach is being off the hook from doing anything other than relaxing in a lounge chair and taking a dip in the ocean. The South is full of standout resorts where you can do just that.
And if you do feel like venturing off the sand, the properties below also offer amenities like spas, golf and nature tours. That way, everyone in your group can spend their vacation exactly how they want to — which is really the beauty of a beach resort.
Alabama
The Grand Hotel Resort & Spa, Point Clear
Though it is technically on Mobile Bay and not the beach, this award-winning resort lives up to its name in terms of its history and offerings. Established in 1847, The Grand is one of Alabama’s most storied stays. The resort’s 550 acres includes two 18-hole championship golf courses, a spacious spa, tennis and pickleball courts, nine dining and drinking options, two pools and a marina. But one of the most popular spots on the property is the expansive Bucky’s Lawn facing the bay with fire pits, lounge chairs and one of the best views in town.
Perdido Beach Resort, Orange Beach
This resort is more family-friendly than luxurious, but it puts you in the heart of Orange Beach and offers more privacy and amenities than area hotels — plus fantastic views of the ocean and the bay. In addition to a large pool and dedicated stretch of beachfront, there are three on-site dining options, a coffee bar and a lounge.
Florida
Omni Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach
Located on a barrier island in charming Fernandina Beach, this resort is known for its massive pool deck (said to be the largest in Northwest Florida), 10 dining options ranging from coastal Italian to poolside tacos, award-winning golf courses, and nature tours by bike, paddle board, Segway or kayak.
The Ritz-Carlton, Naples
There are two Ritz-Carlton resorts within a few miles of each other in Naples. The Ritz-Carlton Tiburón has two championship golf courses and a water park that kids will love, but if stepping directly out onto the sand is the top priority, The Ritz-Carlton, Naples has direct access to Vanderbilt Beach. (Guests at either property have access to both resorts.) You’ll find all the expected amenities — a full-service spa, pools, elegant rooms, multiple restaurants —plus Ritz-Carlton’s largest Club Lounge in North America.
The Breakers Palm Beach
From the towering floral arrangements, to the ornate, hand-painted ceilings, to the manicured courtyards, The Breakers offers guests a visual feast. Founded in 1896, this grand dame hotel has retained its vintage glamor while adding modern additions over the decades, like a tennis center, upgraded rooms and suites, oceanfront dining and boutique shops.
The Don CeSar, St. Pete Beach
Nicknamed the “Pink Palace,” this rosy-hued, castle-like hotel on the shores of St. Pete Beach has an elegant, Art Deco look harkening back to its early days in the 1920s. Enjoy views of the Gulf from your room, the comfortable pool deck or the nearby DonCesar Beach House Suites, which give families and larger parties more space to spread out as well as everything available at the resort.
St. Regis Longboat Key
An inviting pool (or three) is to be expected at a resort, but not many properties can also offer an on-site saltwater lagoon where you can snorkel and commune with giant tortoises. Add to that a lazy river and cabanas, and you might not even step foot on the sand. The rest of the resort is just as impressive with well-appointed rooms and suites with butler service and a spa with ocean views.
Aqualina Resort and Residences on the Beach, Sunny Isles Beach
The Miami-Fort Lauderdale area has a high-end resort for every type of traveler, from families to couples on a romantic getaway. The Mediterranean-inspired Aqualina Resort is more fit for the latter, with luxurious rooms and suites with spacious balconies to soak in views of the Atlantic. Add to that a lush pool deck that opens right up onto the sand.
The Boca Raton
Celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, this iconic resort just keeps getting better, especially after a major renovation in 2025. The hotel’s light and airy look compliments the main building, Cloister, originally designed by famed architect Addison Mizner. Now, in addition to the main hotel, guests have many lodging options across the entire property: two-bedroom bungalows; Tower, a pink high-rise with rooms, suites and a swanky bar and restaurant; the adults-only Yacht Club; and the oceanfront Beach Club.
Georgia
The Cloister and The Lodge at Sea Island
There is privacy, and then there is staying on a private island. Since 1928, Sea Island has been a storied getaway for vacationers who want to get away from it all without sacrificing luxury. Indulge in pampering at the spa, take your pick from three championship golf courses or cruise around the ocean in a yacht. Located off the southeastern coast of Georgia, the property includes five different lodging options set against a stunning backdrop of the coastline, tidal marshes and ancient trees.
Jekyll Island Club Resort
Since its inception in 1888, this legendary resort with its turretted, Queen Anne-style main building has lived many lives, and even fell into disrepair in the 1970s. But a full-scale renovation in 2024 breathed new life into this gem while honoring its rich past. Lodging is divided into the Island Club (more historic, rooms and suites) and the Ocean Club (closer to the beach, suites only), both of which have their own activities and restaurants.
North Carolina
The Sanderling, Duck
The only full-service resort in the Outer Banks, The Sanderling has been a go-to destination for visitors since 1985. Located right on the ocean between the Atlantic and Currituck Sound, the breezy property has guest rooms, suites and residences and a fresh look after a 2025 renovation. Theodosia, a new restaurant helmed by chef Vivian Howard, was a new addition as well.
Trailborn Surf & Sound, Wrightsville Beach
Stylish but laid-back, this resort is an ode to the area’s surf culture. While it isn’t a sprawling property like many of the others mentioned, it has everything you need for a fun getaway: a beachside pool with a lively bar, comfortable rooms and an Italian-inspired restaurant and bar. And the location can’t be beat—with water on either side of the hotel, you get access to the beach and the sound.
South Carolina
The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort
Kiawah Island
Can a resort be both grand and intimate? That’s what it feels like at this four-story property decorated in a traditional Southern style that feels like stepping into someone’s home. Although the setting is lovely, golf is one of the biggest draws for guests (there are five championship courses), but so is tennis: The Roy Barth Tennis Center has 19 clay and three hard courts. When it’s time to unwind, hit the spa or walk right out onto the beach—there’s 10 miles of it to explore.