Property also recognized in past year for first-class golf, lodging, dining and workplace culture
HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. – The Sea Pines Resort has again been named among the Top 20 properties in the South in the 39th annual Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards. It is the third time in four years the resort has been singled out in the awards, widely considered among travel’s most prestigious recognitions.
Nearly 800,000 survey responses were received from readers in the competition that has long represented acknowledgement of excellence within the travel sector.
“We’re honored to once again be recognized by Condé Nast Traveler readers, whose votes reflect the experiences we strive to create for every guest,” said Steve Birdwell, President, The Sea Pines Resort. “This ranking is truly a tribute to our entire team. Their dedication to genuine Lowcountry hospitality is what makes The Sea Pines Resort a destination travelers look forward to visiting often.”
This has been a banner 12 months for The Sea Pines Resort as it has earned other awards and honors for exceptional golf, lodging, dining and workplace culture, including:
- Golf: Ranked No. 5 Best Golf Resort in the 2026 USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards; named Best Golf Destination in Global Traveler’s 14th annual Leisure Lifestyle Awards; and earned a place on GOLF Magazine’s list of the Top 100 Resorts in the World for 2026.
- Lodging: Earned a No. 6 ranking among the Top 25 Hotels in the South for The Inn & Club at Harbour Town in the 2025 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards; a 2026 Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Award for the Inn & Club, the 17th consecutive year; and a 2026 Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award for the resort.
- Food and beverage: Received 2026 DiRōNA (Distinguished Restaurants of North America) Awards of Excellence for Coast, Oceanfront Dining; Links, an American Grill; and Quarterdeck. Also ranked Links No. 2 Best Golf Course Restaurant in the 2026 USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards; Coast among the Top 10 Beach Bars in the South in Southern Living’s 2025 “The South’s Best Beach Bars”; and Quarterdeck No. 18 among Casual Dining Restaurants in Tripadvisor’s 2025 Travelers’ Choice Awards.
- Workplace culture: Received 2026–27 Great Place To Work® Certification™, with 85 percent of employees saying the resort is a great place to work, 28 percentage points higher than the average U.S. company.
To learn more about the property’s awards, visit www.seapines.com/awards-accolades.
The 2026 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards can be viewed at www.cntraveler.com and will be showcased in the magazine’s November issue.
About The Sea Pines Resort
Situated on the southernmost tip of Hilton Head Island, the legendary Lowcountry destination features five miles of unspoiled beaches, 20 clay tennis courts, 14 miles of bike and walking trails, horseback riding, Eco-Adventures, water sports, and the 605-acre Sea Pines Forest Preserve filled with wildflowers, wetlands, and more than 130 species of birds. Guests choose from an array of accommodations, including 300 villas, 100 rental homes, and the luxurious 60-room Inn & Club at Harbour Town, a Forbes Four-Star boutique hotel and Preferred Hotel Group member. Additionally, the resort’s collection of seven dining venues includes award-winning waterfront restaurants, festive taverns, and casual cafés. Forbes has recognized the resort among the top 10 employers in the state of South Carolina. The resort’s best-in-class collection of golf courses, amenities, meeting facilities, and accommodations makes The Sea Pines Resort one of the most sought-after leisure and group destinations in America. www.seapines.com and @seapinesresort.
