Best Spa Hotels in South Carolina

Some see Bluffton, South Carolina, as the gateway into Hilton Head Island, which is just 8 miles farther east. But this quaint town is also rife with opportunities to explore the South Carolina low country. And for recent visitors, there's no better place to make your home base than the alluring Montage Palmetto Bluff. You don't even need to leave the resort premises to enjoy the culture – the property's screened-in shabby-chic porches are a prime setting to enjoy a Carolina sunset. You can dine on the area's freshest seafood at the inn's Canoe Club and experience some of the South's trademark charm from the ever-present and accommodating staff members. Guests can choose to stay in a room within the main house, or within a private cottage. There's also a Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course on-site, as well as alligator-spotting excursions, day trips to Daufuskie Island and marshland kayaking in the surrounding area. (Though the resort also charges a $40 daily amenities fee.) The Montage Palmetto Bluff sits on Village Park Square, right along the May River (about 95 miles south of Charleston and around 20 miles northeast of Savannah).

If you want a quiet, stress-free getaway, The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort might be just the place. Sitting right on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, this hotel is a destination unto itself. Sun-seekers will feel right at home here with five championship golf courses and plenty of outdoor recreational activities, while on-site amenities like the spa will make your stay on Kiawah Island rejuvenating. When it's time to sleep, rooms include Italian linens and robes, marble walk-in showers and a balcony with ocean or dune views. Recent guests recommended splurging on an ocean-view room to fully appreciate the hotel's idyllic setting. But if you're hoping to explore Charleston, be warned this hotel is located approximately 25 miles south of the city. Keep in mind that members of the I Prefer Hotel Rewards program can earn and redeem points by choosing to stay here.

The City Market sits right outside the lobby and attractions like the Old Slave Mart Museum, numerous art galleries and the Nathaniel Russell House are just a stone's throw away. So in other words, Charleston Place makes a great home base for sightseers visiting this city for the first time. Plus, the hotel's decor – complete with exquisitely carved furniture, sweeping staircases and bright, cheerful colors – add a taste of Southern comfort. Inside the rooms, guests will find minifridges, marble bathrooms with walk-in showers or soaker tubs, and Belmond Charleston Place toiletries. Along with the hotel's furnishings, Charleston Place also boasts a spa and an infinity-edge, saltwater indoor/outdoor swimming pool (the glass roof retracts). But what keeps customers coming back is the excellent quality of Charleston Place's customer service.

This Westin rides the middle – it's not so luxurious that it out-prices visitors, nor is it in any way a downgrade from the other island resorts. It's not flooded with children like some of its competitors, but there are still plenty of kid-friendly amenities to make young families feel at home. And guests say the service they received was ideal, and that the restaurants all offer tasty fare. When it comes to rest and relaxation, the Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa has three swimming pools and a whirlpool, plus the brand's Heavenly Spa. For youngsters, the hotel hosts movie nights and offers a kids club day camp and excursions the whole family can participate in. The resort is located on the northeastern tip of Hilton Head. And because this hotel is part of the Marriott hotel family, Marriott Bonvoy members can earn and use points here.

The sprawling Myrtle Beach Marriott Resort & Spa at Grande Dunes sits about 6 miles northeast along the coast from downtown Myrtle Beach. The resort is fresh off a $14 million renovation, completed in 2017, which brought renovated guest rooms, meeting space and other amenities. Guests have access to numerous pools (indoor and outdoor, heated and unheated) and the beach –basically everything you and your brood could need for a relaxing week by the sea. When you're not lounging in the sun, rooms offer a comfortable respite, with pillow-top mattresses, marble bathrooms and Bath & Body Works toiletries. The hotel receives accolades for service and cleanliness as well. Recent guests recommended requesting an oceanfront room to fully take advantage of the hotel's prime location. The only downside here, according to some recent guests, was that the service was inconsistent. Thanks to the property's Marriott ties, Marriott Bonvoy members can earn or redeem points here.

The Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort has 28 luxury and oceanfront suites with extra large balconies, but recent guests say that the 295 basic rooms are jumbo enough and thankfully cheaper. These rooms, which got a new look after a $17 million renovation, feature kitchenettes and private balconies. The staff needed no renovation, however – travelers unanimously praise their attentiveness. As this hotel's name implies, you're right on the waterfront, but you also have access to adult, family and wading pools and a fitness center. The grounds also host a well-received day spa. And for golf or tennis, lodgers have access to the Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort, where you'll find Hilton Head's most-coveted golf courses and tennis courts. Plus, members of the Omni Select Guest program can enjoy complimentary perks by choosing to stay here.

Sitting pretty on a 7.5-acre island (tucked between the Atlantic Ocean and White Point Squash North Beach Plantation), this Myrtle Beach retreat attracts visitors with its impressive ocean views. But according to recent guests, that's not all North Beach Plantation has going for it. Guests laud the luxury villas and oceanfront condominiums; one-bedroom condos boast spacious balconies, furnished kitchens, flat-screen TVs and Jacuzzi tubs. When you and your crew aren't unwinding in your roomy digs, seek solace at Cinzia Spa, which offers nourishing body treatments and couples massages. Craving more activity? Swim a few laps in one of the resort's pools or arrange a tee time through the resort's golf department for one of the nearby golf courses. When dinnertime rolls around, refuel at 21 Main Prime Steak House, which offers an extensive wine selection, sizzling sirloins and a sushi and sashimi bar. You'll find North Beach Plantation about 10 miles northeast of downtown Myrtle Beach.

According to recent guests, this Marriott is one of the premier hotels to book for a Hilton Head vacation. For one thing, there's delicious local cuisine served steaming in one of the resort's best restaurants, Blue. For another, the hotel has a whopping 513 rooms and suites, many of which have balconies that look out on the Atlantic Ocean. But before you reserve your room, know that that the Hilton Head Marriott Resort & Spa is usually crawling with kids – which could be good or bad for you, depending on whether you're planning on bringing your own. This property sits on a sandy strip on Hilton Head's east-central coast and if you're a Marriott Bonvoy member you can accrue or cash in points by choosing to stay here.

Located about 15 miles northeast of Charleston on the Isle of Palms, the Wild Dunes Resort doesn't offer much in the way of sightseeing but it does boast two golf courses and wide range of spa and wellness services. Wild Dunes is also an enjoyable family spot. Kids can take tennis and golf lessons and partake in arts and crafts projects. Lodgers are also invited to board a vessel bound for Capers Island, with sightings of marsh wildlife along the way. When you're not out and about, retreat to your accomodations at either the Boardwalk Inn or the Village at Wild Dunes, which all feature coffee makers, flat-screen TVs and close proximity to the beach. Past guests had mostly praise for Wild Dunes Resort, citing everything from the comfortable rooms to the tasty on-site food as reasons for a return visit. Some travelers, however, said they encountered difficult front desk members and noted that staff as a whole could use some additional training.

Guests rave about Wentworth Mansion, applauding its long-standing commitment to the building's history and its ability to deliver on contemporary luxury. Constructed in the late 1800s, the Wentworth Mansion exudes old-world charm, meaning it's also the perfect Charleston home base for history buffs. Lodgers particularly praise the elegant decor, fantastic customer service, on-site spa, evening brandies and sherries, and complimentary hors d'oeuvres. Rooms include spacious bathrooms with whirlpool tubs, fireplaces or outside porches and, in some suites, sunrooms. Though guests say the rooms and overall atmosphere are relaxing, they note that the luxury doesn't come cheap. However, its location is another feather in its cap; The Battery is nearby, as is the South Carolina Aquarium. Also, keep in mind that this hotel is a part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, which means that members of the INVITED rewards program can earn and redeem points here.

Spreading out across 11 acres on Hilton Head Island's east coast, the Sonesta Resort Hilton Head invites visitors to take advantage of its prime location and top-notch amenities. Thanks to a $30 million facelift in 2013, the resort now features a heated lagoon swimming pool and the full-service Arum Spa. After you're feeling replenished, retire to your digs and admire views of the ocean, gardens or Shipyard Plantation grounds from your private balcony or patio. Each room also comes appointed with an iHome docking station, a coffee maker and a small refrigerator. When your stomach starts to rumble, recent guests recommend sampling the delectable low country fare served at Heyward's Restaurant. If you'd prefer to dine outdoors, you can enjoy lighter fare and creative cocktails at Seacrest Terrace and Patio, or venture to Bayley's Bar and Terrace for a quick bite. Ordering a la carte meals at Sweet Cane Bar and Grille is another dining option. Apart from the tasty cuisine, previous visitors highlight the hotel staff's genuine Southern hospitality as a compelling reason to plan a future stay.

Just 5 miles south of Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport, the Greenville Marriott serves as a convenient retreat for both business and leisure travelers. Working guests can take advantage of the hotel's complimentary airport shuttle service, the on-site business center and 15 meeting rooms. Meanwhile, those traveling for pleasure can explore nearby attractions like the Greenville Zoo, or arrange a tee time at one of the area's four golf courses (all situated within 15 miles of the property). Those who would rather linger on the property grounds can claim a chair at the outdoor pool or indulge in a relaxing treatment at MG's Grand Day Spa. Afterward, you can fill up on contemporary Southern fare at Artisan Restaurant & Bar, which recent patrons applaud for its tasty entrees and excellent service. When you're ready to hit the hay, you'll find spacious accommodations appointed with bright orange accents, minifridges, coffee makers and cozy feather pillows. If you participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program, you can earn or redeem points here.