St. Simons Island has a specific rhythm. It’s slow, thick with the smell of salt marsh, and draped in more Spanish moss than you can reasonably process in one sitting. If you’ve spent any time researching Georgia's Golden Isles, you’ve definitely bumped into The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort. It’s the big name. The "pink hotel" on the beach. But honestly, most people get the wrong idea about it before they even pull into the driveway. They expect a stuffy, velvet-rope kind of vibe because of the name "King and Prince."
It isn't that. Not even close.
The reality is way more interesting. It’s a weird, beautiful mix of 1930s Mediterranean architecture, World War II history, and a very "come as you are" coastal attitude. It’s been sitting on that stretch of sand since 1935, and it has seen a lot. During the war, it wasn't even a resort; it was a naval training facility and a radar station. Think about that for a second. You’re sipping a cocktail in the ECHO oceanfront restaurant where, eighty years ago, sailors were scanning the Atlantic for U-boats. That layer of history gives the place a weight that modern glass-and-steel resorts just can’t replicate.
The Beach Situation (and why the tides actually matter)
If you're heading to The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort, you need to understand the Georgia coast. This isn't the Gulf of Mexico. The tides here are aggressive. We’re talking a six to nine-foot rise and fall twice a day. At high tide, the ocean comes right up to the rock revetment. At low tide, the beach becomes a massive, hard-packed sandy playground that stretches out forever.
You’ll see people making the classic mistake: they lug all their gear down at 10:00 AM only to realize the water is chasing them back to the sea wall within an hour. Check the tide charts. Seriously. The locals do. If you time it right, the beach in front of the resort is one of the best walking beaches in the country. You can bike on it. You can run on it. The sand is packed so tight it feels like a sidewalk.
The resort itself occupies a prime piece of real estate on the south end of the island. While other hotels are tucked away in the trees or sit miles from the water, this one is right there. You wake up, you see the Atlantic. It’s that simple.
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Accommodation Chaos: Picking the Right Room
One thing that trips people up is the sheer variety of places to sleep here. This isn't a cookie-cutter Marriott where every room is a mirror image of the one next to it. You have the historic main building, which feels very "Old Florida" or Mediterranean. Then you have the oceanfront North and South villas. These are basically condos. They have kitchens. They have multiple bedrooms. If you’re traveling with kids who eat their weight in chicken nuggets every four hours, you want a villa.
If you're on a romantic trip, stay in the main building. The rooms are a bit more unique.
There are also guest houses and even the "Tabby House," which is built from that classic coastal mix of oyster shells, lime, and sand. It’s super tactile. You can literally see the history in the walls. Don't just book the cheapest rate you see on a travel site; look at the map of the property. A "resort view" might mean you’re looking at a parking lot or a beautiful garden, while "oceanfront" is exactly what it says on the tin.
The Golf Factor: It’s Not Actually at the Resort
Here is the part that surprises most people. The golf course—the award-winning, stunningly beautiful King and Prince Golf Course—isn't at the hotel. It’s about 12 miles north on the tip of the island.
It’s called the Home on the Hampton.
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The drive there is actually part of the experience. You go through these "canopy roads" where the live oaks meet over the pavement. When you get to the course, it’s a different world. Joe Lee designed it originally, and then Billy Fuller came in and did a massive renovation later. The back nine is what everyone talks about. There are four holes that are basically islands in the salt marsh. You’re hitting over waving marsh grass and tidal creeks.
Is it hard? Yeah, it can be, especially when the wind picks up off the sound. But even if you’re a terrible golfer, the views of the marshes of Glynn (which the poet Sidney Lanier made famous) are worth the greens fee. Just bring extra balls. You will lose them to the crabs.
Food, Echo, and the "Shrimp and Grits" Debate
You can’t talk about this place without talking about the food. The main restaurant is ECHO. It’s the only true oceanfront dining on St. Simons. Most restaurants on the island are tucked away in the Pier Village or along the main roads.
The name ECHO is a nod to that WWII radar history I mentioned. The vibe is "elevated coastal." You’ll see guys in flip-flops sitting next to couples in semi-formal wear. That’s just how the island works.
The Wild Georgia Shrimp is the star here. If you haven't had Georgia shrimp, you're in for a shock. They’re sweeter than the stuff you get from overseas because of the nutrient-rich marshes. ECHO does a shrimp and grits that usually wins awards, but the menu changes. Sometimes they lean into the Southern comfort side, other times it’s more refined. Honestly, just get the fried shrimp. It sounds basic, but when the product is this fresh, you don't need to hide it under a pile of sauce.
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The "Secret" Spots Most Guests Miss
Most people stay by the main pool. It’s a great pool. There’s a fireplace nearby for chilly nights. But the resort has these little pocket gardens and courtyards that feel incredibly private.
- The Solarium: It’s this glass-walled room that looks out over the ocean. It’s quiet. It’s perfect for reading a book when the afternoon sun is too much.
- The Delegal Room: Look for the stained-glass windows. They depict the history of the island. It feels like a tiny museum hidden inside a hotel.
- The Stained Glass in the Lobby: It isn't just decoration; it tells a chronological story of the island's many "flags"—from the Native Americans to the Spanish, French, and British.
What Most People Get Wrong About St. Simons
People often confuse St. Simons with Sea Island or Jekyll Island.
Sea Island is the ultra-wealthy, gated neighbor. It’s world-class, but it’s very structured. Jekyll Island is state-owned and has a very rustic, "frozen in time" feel. St. Simons is the "lived-in" island. It has a real community. People live here year-round. There are grocery stores and local hardware shops.
Staying at The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort puts you in the middle of that local energy. You aren't isolated in a resort bubble. You’re a quick bike ride away from the Pier Village, where you can watch the massive cargo ships navigate the channel into Brunswick. It’s a surreal sight—these skyscrapers made of steel gliding past a tiny fishing pier.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
If you’re actually planning to go, don't just wing it.
- Rent a bike immediately. The resort has them, or there are shops nearby. St. Simons is a bike island. The trail system is massive, and it’s the only way to really see the "Spirit Tree" carvings hidden in the oaks around town.
- Book ECHO reservations for sunset. Even if you aren't staying at the resort, you can eat there. The light hitting the water at dusk is the best free show on the island.
- Low tide is your window. If you want to walk for miles, check the tide app. If the tide is high, go hit the golf course or visit Christ Church, Frederica.
- Do the Lighthouse climb. It’s just down the road. 129 steps. If you have any knee issues, skip it, but the view of the resort from the top gives you a great perspective of how the property sits on the coastline.
- Pack for "Coastal Casual." You don't need a suit. You don't even really need a tie. A decent polo and some khakis will get you into the nicest places on the island.
The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort isn't trying to be the most modern hotel in the world. It’s not a shiny Vegas-style tower. It’s a place that smells like old wood and sea salt. It’s a place where the floorboards might creak in the historic wing, and that’s exactly why people keep coming back for decades. It feels like a beach house that grew up and got a golf course.
If you want a sterile, predictable vacation, go to a chain hotel on a different beach. If you want a place that actually feels like the Georgia coast—muddy marshes, historic ghosts, and all—this is where you end up. Just remember to watch the tides. They wait for no one, not even a prince.