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Jekyll Island Lodging
Jekyll Island lodging options vary from grand hotels to popular campgrounds. The most famous Jekyll Island hotel, however, is the historic Jekyll Island Club Hotel – where history, luxury, and southern elegance meld to make your vacation unforgettable!
The Jekyll Island Club Hotel is a landmark as well as a luxury resort. Completed in 1888, the Victorian-style building with its famed turret has seen the likes of early 20th century notables including Vanderbilts, Pulitzers, Carnagies, and Rockefellers. It also hosted a 'secret' meeting in 1910 which led, some claim, to the creation of the Federal Reserve (chronicled in the novel, "The Creature from Jekyll Island" by G. Edward Griffin).
The Jekyll Island Club Hotel is now an elegant resort for visitors looking to bask in the Island's history and refinement while enjoying the beautiful beach or a round of golf. The draw of this hotel is the stunning architecture and fascinating history. The rooms are beautiful, though I found the washroom in need of updating. Also, if you plan to walk around the grounds or sit on the veranda, bring bugspray! Nevertheless, this hotel is my recommendation for where to stay on Jekyll Island to experience the essence of the Island.
» TIP: To really take a step back in time, enjoy high tea in the Riverview Lounge off the Grand Dining Room, served daily from 4-5pm. Snack on a variety of teas, scones, French pastries, and tea sandwiches.
While the Jekyll Island Club Hotel is the most notable resort on the island, a few other Jekyll Island lodging options have popped up over the years. One larger villa-style resort is the:
Villas by the Sea Resort & Conference Center: This resort consists of a number of condo-style, pet-friendly villas which are individually owned (and decorated) and then rented through the resort. The resort is located right on the beach and surrounded by 17 acres of landscaping with the added convenience of its own pool and fitness center.
» TIP: Given the individual ownership of the condos, if you wind up in one you dislike or find outdated, ask the management for a different villa. There's no reason to pay the same price for an outdated villa as you would for one with newer furnishings and appliances.
You'll find a few other hotels in Jekyll Island, but be sure to check online reviews, like TripAdvisor.com, before you go. A number of the other Jekyll Island hotels have received mixed reviews from visitors.
» TIP: If you don't say at the Jekyll Island Club Hotel, or opt not to stay at one of the other hotels, you can look into a Jekyll Island vacation rental. You can also consider staying on nearby St. Simons Island and visiting Jekyll Island from there. St. Simons has a larger number of affordable hotel options.
Jekyll Island Rentals
A few companies and private owners offer Jekyll Island rentals where you can stay in your own cottage during your vacation. You won't have access to the amenities of a resort, such as a pool (unless your cottage comes with it), but you'll enjoy a relaxed, private, island getaway.
For Jekyll Island vacation rentals, check out:
Jekyll Realty: Fully furnished 1 to 5-bedroom homes, apartments, and villas. Rentals by the week, month, and shorter periods when available. All units have central heat and air conditioning, color cable TV, telephone, and fully equipped kitchens with microwaves. Tel: 1-888-333-5055.
Parker-Kaufman Realtors: 1 to 6 bedroom cottage/condos. Rates based on location, size and amenities. Approximately 100 different units available. Monthly rental and shorter stays available. Tel: 1-888-453-5955.
Private Jekyll Island rentals from home owners are available online through listing sites such as HomeAway.com or VRBO.com (Vacation Rentals by Owner).
Jekyll Island Campground
Those looking for a more rustic vacation have another option - the Jekyll Island Campground. The campground offers 206 camping sites on 18 wooded acres on the Island's north end available for tents as well as RVs and campers with full hook-ups, electricity, cable, water, sewage and even wi-fi. A general store provides supplies and groceries. Jekyll Island camping is a fun way to get up close and personal with natural environment of the Island.
Jekyll Island hotels and accommodations offer a variety of options – from the luxury and history of the Jekyll Island Club Hotel to the adventure of camping. Find the right spot for you and your family to enjoy while you relax and explore beautiful Jekyll Island.
Return to the Jekyll Island main page to discover where to dine and play during your stay at one of these Jekyll Island lodging options.

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