You know that feeling when you walk into a place and it just feels... heavy? Not heavy in a bad way, but heavy with history. That is the King and Prince St. Simons in a nutshell. It’s been sitting on that stretch of Georgia sand since 1935, and honestly, if those Mediterranean-style walls could talk, they’d probably tell you to order another round of shrimp and grits and settle in.
Most people think of St. Simons Island as just another beach town. They’re wrong. It’s an ecosystem of moss-draped oaks and high-tide logistics. And at the center of it all is this resort. It’s survived hurricanes, the Great Depression, and even a stint as a World War II radar station. Seriously. During the war, the Navy took it over because it was the perfect spot to watch for German U-boats lurking off the coast of the Atlantic.
If you're planning a trip to the Golden Isles, you’ve probably seen the photos of the yellow umbrellas and the oceanfront pool. But there's a lot more to the King and Prince St. Simons than just a pretty view and a place to sleep. It’s a weirdly perfect mix of high-end luxury and "I just walked off the beach with sand in my shoes" casual.
The Weird, Wonderful History of the King and Prince St. Simons
It started as a private dance club. Imagine that. In 1935, Frank Horn and Morgan Tye opened it up because they wanted a place to party. It wasn't even a hotel yet. Then, fires happened. Twice. It’s kinda incredible the place is still standing given how many times it’s had to rebuild.
By 1941, it officially opened as a hotel, but the timing was terrible. Pearl Harbor happened shortly after, and the military basically moved in. Soldiers were patrolling the beach where you now see kids building sandcastles. They used the bar as a mess hall. When you walk through the lobby today, you’re literally walking over the same floors where young pilots were training to defend the coast. It gives the place a soul that most modern Marriotts or Hiltons just can't replicate.
The architecture is another story. It’s got this Mediterranean Revival vibe—stucco, barrel tile roofs, arches. It feels like it belongs in Spain, but the salt air and the humidity are pure Georgia.
Why the Location Is Actually the Secret Sauce
Geography matters. St. Simons Island is part of the Golden Isles, but the King and Prince St. Simons occupies the only stretch of beach on the island that doesn't completely disappear at high tide. Well, mostly. The Georgia coast has massive tidal swings, sometimes up to 8 or 9 feet.
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If you stay further down the island, you might walk out to the beach at 2:00 PM and find... no beach. Just water hitting a sea wall. Because of how the resort is positioned, you almost always have a slice of sand to claim.
- The Arnold Palmer Connection: If you’re a golfer, you know the name. The resort’s golf course, which is actually a short drive away on the northern end of the island, was carved out of an old cotton plantation. It’s called the King and Prince Golf Course at Hampton Club.
- The Tidal Effect: You have to time your walks. If you don't, you'll end up wading through knee-deep water to get back to the resort steps.
- Massive Live Oaks: The island is famous for them. The resort is surrounded by trees that are hundreds of years old, dripping with Spanish moss.
Eating Your Way Through the Resort
Let’s talk about ECHO. It’s the main restaurant at the King and Prince St. Simons. The name "ECHO" is actually a nod to that WWII radar history I mentioned. Clever, right?
Honestly, the food is better than it has any right to be for a hotel restaurant. Usually, hotel food is "fine." ECHO is actually a destination. They do this low-country boil that is basically a rite of passage if you’re visiting the South. It’s messy, it’s salty, and it’s perfect.
But here’s the thing people miss: the breakfast.
Most people skip hotel breakfasts because they’re overpriced buffets. But sitting on that patio with a coffee while the sun comes up over the Atlantic is probably the best $25 you’ll spend on the island. The shrimp and grits here aren't the fancy, deconstructed kind you find in Atlanta. They’re heavy, buttery, and loaded with local Georgia white shrimp.
The Room Situation: Where to Actually Stay
Not all rooms are created equal. This is where people get tripped up. The King and Prince St. Simons is a sprawling complex.
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You’ve got the historic building. These rooms are cool because they feel "old world," but they can be a bit smaller. Then you’ve got the villas and the beach houses. If you’re bringing a family, do not cram everyone into a standard hotel room. Rent one of the multi-bedroom villas. They have full kitchens, which is a lifesaver when you realize that every restaurant on the island has a two-hour wait on a Saturday night.
- Oceanfront vs. Ocean View: Be careful. "Ocean view" sometimes means you have to crane your neck 45 degrees to see a sliver of blue. "Oceanfront" means the waves are basically your soundtrack.
- The North and South Villas: These are great for longer stays. They feel more like condos than hotel rooms.
- The Tabby House: A few blocks away, they have guest houses that are built with "tabby"—a traditional Southern building material made of crushed oyster shells, lime, and sand. It’s very St. Simons.
What Most People Get Wrong About St. Simons
People hear "resort" and they think of the Cloister on Sea Island nearby. Look, Sea Island is stunning, but it’s also "tucked-in-shirt" and "don't-touch-the-art" expensive. The King and Prince St. Simons is much more approachable. It’s the kind of place where you can wear flip-flops in the lobby and nobody looks at you funny.
A big misconception is that the beach is the only thing to do. If you stay at the resort and never leave the pool deck, you’re failing. You need to get a bike. The island is incredibly flat and covered in bike paths.
You can ride from the resort down to the Pier Village in about ten minutes. Go see the lighthouse. It’s one of only five light towers left in Georgia. If you’re feeling ambitious, climb the 129 steps. The view of the sound is worth the leg burn.
The Realities of Georgia Weather
Let's be real for a second. If you go in July, you will sweat. A lot. The humidity in Georgia is not a joke; it’s a physical weight. The King and Prince St. Simons has great air conditioning, but the transition from the beach to the lobby can feel like stepping into a freezer.
The "Secret Season" is actually October and November. The water is still warm enough to dip your toes in, but the air is crisp, and the bugs have finally calmed down. If you’re looking for a deal, that’s when you book.
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Actionable Advice for Your Trip
If you're actually going to do this, don't just wing it. St. Simons has become incredibly popular in the last few years, and it's not the sleepy little secret it used to be.
- Book ECHO reservations weeks in advance. Even if you're staying at the resort, they prioritize reservations, and the sunset slot fills up fast.
- Check the tide charts. Seriously. Download a tide app. If you want to go for a long run on the beach, you need to know when low tide is, or you'll be running in soft, calf-burning sand the whole time.
- Visit the Tree Spirits. Around the island, artists have carved faces into the live oaks. There are several within biking distance of the resort. It’s a fun, free scavenger hunt.
- The Shrimp Boat Fleet. Head over to the docks near the bridge to see the local fleet. This is where your dinner comes from. It’s a good reminder that this isn't just a tourist trap; it’s a working coastal town.
Next Steps for Planning
Start by deciding what kind of experience you want. If you're looking for a romantic getaway, stick to the historic main building of the King and Prince St. Simons and request a room with a balcony. If it's a family reunion, look at the North and South Villas early, as those book up six months out for the summer season.
Check the resort's event calendar before you book. They often have live music on the patio or special dinners that coincide with local festivals like the Sunshine Festival or the Food & Spirits Festival.
Finally, pack more sunscreen than you think you need. The Georgia sun reflecting off that white sand is deceptive, especially with the ocean breeze masking the heat. Once you've got your room and your dinner reservations sorted, the only thing left to do is figure out which cocktail you're starting with at the oceanfront bar. Usually, the "St. Simons Slammer" is the way to go.
Go for the history, stay for the sunset, and don't forget to shake the sand out of your shoes before you get in the car.
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