Hilton Head’s Oceanfront Resorts Compared
Omni vs Westin vs Sonesta vs Hilton: Hilton Head’s four big oceanfront resorts side by side. Two are in Palmetto Dunes, one in Shipyard and one in Port Royal, and the Westin is closed for renovation until spring 2027.
Hilton Head Oceanfront Resorts Compared
| Omni | Westin | Sonesta | Hilton Beachfront | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Where | Palmetto Dunes, 23 Ocean Lane | Port Royal, north end, 2 Grasslawn Ave | Shipyard, south end, 130 Shipyard Dr | Palmetto Dunes, One Hotel Circle |
| Rooms | Rooms and suites, many with balconies and kitchenettes | Rooms and suites | 340 rooms and suites | 513 rooms and suites |
| Pools | Three, with an adult pool, a splash pad and two hot tubs | Three outdoor pools | An adults-focused pool and a heated zero-entry family pool | Several, including a heated indoor pool |
| Dining | HH Prime, Buoy Bar and a market | The Carolina Room, View 32, Splash and a coffee bar | Five restaurants, bars and cafés, led by Seacrest | Several restaurants and bars |
| Spa | A spa | Heavenly Spa by Westin | A spa | A full-service spa |
| Pets | Allowed | Allowed | Dogs up to 40 pounds | No pets |
| Brand | Omni | Marriott Bonvoy | Sonesta | Hilton, since March 2024 |
| Open now? | Yes | Closed for renovation until spring 2027 at the earliest | Yes | Yes |
Palmetto Dunes. Three ocean-view pools, suites with kitchenettes, HH Prime and a beachfront wedding lawn.
Port Royal, north end. Three pools and Heavenly Spa. Closed for renovation until spring 2027 at the earliest.
Shipyard, south end. 340 rooms, two new pools, five places to eat and a kids’ club; dogs up to 40 pounds.
Palmetto Dunes. The biggest, with 513 rooms, a full-service spa and a heated indoor pool. No pets.
All four sit right on the beach with their own access to the sand, and all check in at 4 p.m. and out at 11 a.m. The differences are where on the island you are, how big the resort is and who it suits. Each resort’s own page has its rooms, restaurants and current details.
Omni vs Westin Hilton Head
The Omni is mid-island in Palmetto Dunes, with the community’s three golf courses, its tennis center and Shelter Cove a short ride away. Many of its rooms have kitchenettes and balconies, which suits families and longer stays. The Westin is on the quieter north end in the Port Royal resort area, with Heavenly Spa, a ballroom and a big wedding business. Until the Westin reopens, the comparison is academic: for a 2026 or early 2027 stay, the Omni is the one you can book.
Omni vs Sonesta Hilton Head
Both are oceanfront and family-friendly. The Omni is in Palmetto Dunes, mid-island; the Sonesta is inside the gated Shipyard community on the south end, closer to Coligny Plaza, with golf and the Van der Meer tennis center next door. The Sonesta is the bigger of the two, with 340 rooms, five places to eat and drink and Sonesta Kids Crew for ages 5 to 12. Pick the Omni for kitchenettes and the Palmetto Dunes setting, the Sonesta for the south end and a kids’ club.
Pets, Resort Fees and Parking
Bringing a dog? The Omni and the Westin allow pets. The Sonesta takes dogs up to 40 pounds, two per room, in first-floor rooms, for $100 a night and up to $300 a stay. The Hilton Beachfront does not allow pets. See dog-friendly hotels for more.
Expect a nightly fee on top of the rate. The Omni adds a $45 resort services charge per room per night, covering parking, Wi-Fi, beach access and more; the Sonesta charges a nightly resort fee that covers parking for one car, Wi-Fi, the pools and beach access. At the Hilton Beachfront, self-parking is $20 a day and valet $30.
The Westin Renovation
The Westin closed on November 2, 2026, for a renovation expected to take at least five months, so it reopens in spring 2027 at the earliest, with its restaurants and Heavenly Spa. Check its page before you plan around it. For other choices, see oceanfront hotels on Hilton Head and luxury resorts, or compare the areas on where to stay on Hilton Head.
Frequently Asked Questions
Updated
Which is better, the Omni or the Westin on Hilton Head?
They suit different trips: the Omni is mid-island in Palmetto Dunes with kitchenettes in many rooms; the Westin is on the quieter north end with Heavenly Spa. The Westin is closed for renovation until spring 2027 at the earliest, so for now the Omni is the one you can book.
Omni or Sonesta: which is better for families?
Both work. The Sonesta has Sonesta Kids Crew for ages 5 to 12 and a heated zero-entry family pool; the Omni has a family pool with a splash pad and suites with kitchenettes.
Which Hilton Head oceanfront resort is the biggest?
The Hilton Head Beachfront Resort & Spa in Palmetto Dunes, with 513 rooms and suites. The Sonesta has 340.
Which oceanfront resorts on Hilton Head allow dogs?
The Omni and the Westin allow pets, and the Sonesta takes dogs up to 40 pounds. The Hilton Beachfront does not allow pets.
Is the Westin Hilton Head open?
No. It closed for renovation on November 2, 2026, and reopens in spring 2027 at the earliest.
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