The Georgia and South Carolina region is diverse both geographically and culturally, between Atlanta and Athens inland and the coastal cities of Savannah, Charleston, and Myrtle Beach. This diversity is also reflected in the kinds of accommodations available.
Hotels in Georgia and South Carolina
Atlanta contains many five-star and luxury hotels, mostly concentrated around Buckhead, Midtown, and Downtown. The Buckhead area is particularly upscale, with many newly-built hotels including the Intercontinental and the Ritz Carlton. Downtown is home to the 73-story-tall Westin Peachtree Plaza.
The barrier islands off the coast, especially St. Simons and Jekyll Island, and Hilton Head, also host many fine hotels. The Lodge at Sea Island, a luxury golf and beach resort on St. Simons, is an amazing five-star facility that will absolutely awe you. Service is fantastic - you even get your own butler! The restaurant serves eight-course meals with fine wine pairings at every turn; upon entering your room, a bath has been drawn with rose petals covering the surface; the spa is one of the country's best.
Of course, at all these resort locations, you'll also find economy lodging with access to many of the same attractions as the resorts themselves. Hampton Inn, on St. Simons just the same as the Lodge, is a charming motor inn, while Comfort Inn on Hilton Head is more than adequate for lots of folks.
Savannah and Charleston also have their fair share of hotels, generally concentrated near their historic districts. Places like Savannah's Mulberry Inn, or Charleston's Wentworth Mansion, can equal a larger-city equivalent any day.
Less-expensive hotels can be found near the interstates - I-95, I-75, I-20, and I-85 - and many national chain hotels are concentrated near Atlanta's Hartsfield Airport (ATL). If you're looking to stay at the resort areas like the Golden Isles or Hilton Head, and want to save money, you're best bet is to find a room in a nearby larger city. Near the Golden Isles is the city of Brunswick, and there are in this locale a good amount of motels along I-95.
Bed and Breakfasts in Georgia and South Carolina
Bed and breakfasts (B&Bs) are prevalent throughout the region, especially along the coast. In cities with Historic Districts, like Charleston and Savannah, you'll find the best B&Bs, with the most authentic amenities and the highest standards of service. Prices vary dramatically depending on the size of the room and the proximity of the establishment to the nearby historic district. Venture out of these larger cities, and you'll meet with smaller and less pretentious B&Bs. The charm is still there, but you might not find the antique mahogany and brass bedroom set.
The region's B&Bs draw on the region's affluent history, as they are housed in Victorian and Queen Anne mansions originating from throughout the 19th century. Of course, sometimes the real gem is located in a small city, so you've got to be thorough in searching for the perfect place to stay. Check out the Antebellum Inn in Milledgeville, Georgia. It's a stunning Greek Revival mansion from the late 19th century; the rooms are large, the beds are the ultimate of comfort, and as for the hospitality, you'd think you were in a five-star hotel. Of course, the prices will convince you otherwise.
Motels in Georgia and South Carolina
While all the bigger cities in the region have their fair share of motels spread throughout, when traveling from Atlanta to the coast, motels may be your only option. Because of the lower tourist interest in the more rural areas of the region, high-end hotels off of I-16 are hard to come by. Outside of major population centers, affordably-priced motels are your best bet, and often your only one.
Hostels in Georgia and South Carolina
Hostels are not very common in the South, but there are a few hostels spread out through the region. Atlanta and Savannah both contain hostels run by Hostelling International. There are also independent hostels in Myrtle Beach, Charleston, and Athens.
The best hostel in this region is located on the mainland across from the Golden Isles in Brunswick, Georgia. The Hostel in the Forest is lost in time among the live oaks and Spanish moss, and most people come for a night and stay for a week because of the unique atmosphere surrounding this hostel. The rooms at this unique accommodation are literally in the trees; this must be one of the few hostels in the world where guests stay in actual tree houses (don't worry; they're far better built than the ones your remember building as a kid). A spirit of communal living pervades, from community dinners to partially-open showers.
Camping in Georgia and South Carolina
If you've got an RV, there are plenty of campgrounds in the region, some with shower or Laundromat services and some without. In Georgia, the grounds are mostly near lakes, such as Carter Lake, Lake Lanier, or others, while in South Carolina you'll find campgrounds at Buck Hall Recreation Area, north of Charleston.
Hotels, Motels and Resorts in Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head, Charleston, South Carolina, Atlanta, Savannah, Georgia
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