Three RTJ courses, one gate
Barony, Robber’s Row, and Planter’s Row — three Robert Trent Jones Sr. designs inside the same plantation. Quietest tee sheets on the island most weeks.
Dispatch № 12Hilton Head IslandSpring 2026
Neighborhood · Hilton Head Island
Port Royal: the north end Hilton Head keeps to itself.
A 1,400-acre gated plantation on the island’s quiet north end. Three Robert Trent Jones Sr. courses, a single resort anchor (the Westin), and an oceanfront beach where you’ll walk a mile without seeing a chair rental.
Port Royal · Hilton Head
№ 01Why Port Royal
Four reasons we book here often.
The Westin as your one anchor
No competing resorts diluting the experience. The Westin’s 2024 lobby refresh, three pools, and the only oceanfront spa on the north end. Heavenly Bed for the hard sleepers.
Beach you can actually find solitude on
Port Royal’s mile of Atlantic shoreline gets a fraction of Coligny’s foot traffic. Bring a chair, walk five minutes, and you’ll have your own stretch of sand.
Closest to the airport
12 minutes from HHH (Savannah/Hilton Head Airport) and 35 from SAV. If you’re flying in for a Friday-to-Sunday golf trip, you’re tee-off-ready before lunch.
A few frames
Port Royal in mood.
Best for
- Golfers booking 36-hole days
- Repeat visitors who’ve done Sea Pines
- Travelers who want quiet over scene
- Short-haul flyers (HHH-friendly)
The honest tradeoffs
The dining inside the plantation is limited — you’ll drive 10 to 18 minutes to the island’s best dinners. Atlantic water on the north end runs a few degrees cooler with more current; better for shelling than for swimming with toddlers. And the Westin sets the tone: if a single big resort isn’t your speed, Sea Pines or Shelter Cove will fit better.
№ 02Where we book you
Properties we've vetted in person.
The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa
Oceanfront, three pools, only resort inside the gate
Port Royal villa rentals (private)
Single-family homes on the courses, 3 to 6 BR
Beach Villas at Port Royal
Mid-priced 2-3BR, short walk to the sand
Barony Beach Club
Marriott Vacation Club inventory; oceanfront 2BR
Ready to plan a Port Royal trip?
Tell us your dates and group. We come back with villa picks, a dining plan, and a quote in one business day.
Other neighborhoods to consider
Port Royal is one of 6 distinct communities on Hilton Head Island. Compare the alternatives to find the right fit for your trip.
