201 Arnold Rd, Saint Simons Island, Georgia, United States | (888) 635-3814
Stately, comfortable property that dates to 1935
Large variety of room configurations, many with fantastic views of ocean
White sands beach next to property
Several pools, including one with adjacent hot tub
Fitness center with variety of machines
On-site tennis courts
Guided tours and fitness activities available for families and teens
Beach rentals include chairs, umbrellas, and kayaks
Spa with varied treatment options
On-site restaurant ECHO receives positive reviews
Meeting rooms for business and special events
Some villas are privately owned and rented out
Some rooms may feel dated
Restaurant cited as pricey by a number of guests
This three-and-a-half pearl seaside vacation resort is popular
particularly with families and retirees and offers a variety of room options,
including villas. A number of the 195 guest units have stunning views of the
sea and the hotel maintains a historic charm, particularly in its main building
and lobby. Amenities include pools for each grouping of villas, immediate beach
access, and a fitness center. The few complaints made about the property have
generally been about units that haven’t been updated, some featuring older furniture and appliances.
Scene
Stately, sprawling property set with palm trees and swimming pools
Originally built as a dance club in 1935,
the hotel is on the National Register of Historic Places and has received
several additions over the last century, with most of the common areas having
been updated. A grand lobby filled with easy chairs has high-beamed ceilings,
wrought iron chandeliers, a stone fireplace, Doric columns, and a large atrium
that floods the area with light. Rooms are spread out, with the grounds hosting
hacienda-style two-, three-, and four-story buildings with terracotta tile roofs.
Families and couples on vacation favor this beachfront resort where well-tended
walkways and palm trees abound.
Location
In an otherwise residential neighborhood on the southern tip of St. Simon’s Island
The hotel is located in a residential area situated
directly on the Atlantic, with about half of the rooms close enough to the
ocean to enjoy spectacular views. The road leading to the property is small,
with a few businesses within a few blocks. There’s also a cluster of
restaurants and shops about two miles away that are best accessed by car, with
nearby venues like Beachcomber BBQ Grill and Boulevard Cafe quickly accessible by foot. The city of Brunswick sits about 15 minutes west by car, while
the airport is about a half hour northwest. St. Simon’s Island Lighthouse Museum
is a mile down the beach.
Rooms
A variety of room configurations, all fairly large, some dated
There are a variety of room types here,
including ocean-view hotel style rooms, suites, villas, and condo style units.
The latter two categories may not be updated, and ditto for some of the rooms
in the "historic" part of the resort. Villas are sizable with separate
kitchens, dining areas, and bathrooms as well as tiled floors, washer/dryers,
outdoor patios, and glass sliding doors letting in lots of light. The overall
style here tends toward slightly tasteless suburban decor, with heavy black
leather couches, decorative feather arrangements, and multiple mirrored
surfaces in otherwise white rooms. Rooms in the historic building are much plainer,
with cherry poster beds, French round back chairs, and armoires. All guest
units have Gilchrist & Soames toiletries, mini-fridges, coffeemakers, and
safes. Past guests advise to carefully inspect one’s room details before booking, as styles vary widely depending on unit type.
Features
On-site fitness center, tennis courts, and several pools, along with easy beach acccess
The resort’s golf course is about a
half-hour drive away, while directly on-site there’s a modest fitness center
with a handful of exercise machines and some free weights. Other amenities include
tennis courts, a gift shop that sells outerwear and sunscreen, a business
center with a few computers and a printer, a golf pro shop, and a spa that
draws positive reviews from guests for its treatments (though the venue is somewhat
lacking in its decor). Of the several pool areas spread throughout
the property, one has two separate shallow pools suitable for
children. Another area has an adjacent hot tub. A large swath of beach
sits next to the property and the resort offers various beach-oriented rentals,
including umbrellas, chairs, and water-sports gear. The resort also provides both restaurant and in-room dining options as well as a number of spaces for business meetings and/or special events.