Disney Hilton Head Island Resort

Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort is a family resort in the mid-island zone, on the beach and beside a golf course, at 22 Harbourside Lane. It has 123 rooms, and they are mostly suites in the broad sense of the word: a Deluxe Studio that sleeps four with a queen bed and a queen Murphy bed, a One Bedroom Villa that sleeps five and a Two Bedroom Villa that sleeps nine, with a king bed, two queens and two Murphy beds between them. That range is why the resort works for multi-generational trips and for two couples sharing a stay. Every room has air conditioning, a laptop-friendly workspace, free WiFi and a safe, and some rooms add balconies, microwaves and free infant beds. The resort lays on a good deal for children without becoming overwhelming. There is an outdoor pool and a separate children's pool, a game room with arcade machines, a playground, a gym and a hot tub, and bike rentals and an outdoor tennis court for those with more energy. Supervised childcare is available for a surcharge, which is a real benefit for parents who want an evening to themselves. Three on-site restaurants serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a cooked-to-order breakfast for an extra charge, and a poolside bar covers the grown-ups. The beach is the headline: a free beach shuttle runs there, and sun loungers are provided.

Think about what you are paying for. The room count is small by resort standards, so the atmosphere is closer to a large, well-organized family compound than a big hotel. Free self parking and free in-room WiFi take some of the sting out of the nightly rate, and a 24-hour front desk, a gift shop and laundry and dry-cleaning services handle the practical details of a week-long stay. Check-in starts at 4 in the afternoon and check-out is at 11. Pets are not allowed, which may matter to some families.

Use the location. The resort is within easy reach of the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, the Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn, Fort Howell, Harbour Town Lighthouse and Pirate's Island Adventure Golf, which means a rainy afternoon or a quiet morning has several options within a short drive. Water sports, including parasailing, sailing and water skiing, are available nearby, and fishing, body boarding and canoeing are available on site or close by. For families who prefer to cover the island by bicycle, the mid-island pathways make that easy.

Choose your room by group size. The studio is the most economical and fits a family of four; the one-bedroom villa suits a couple with children who want a bedroom door to close; the two-bedroom villa is the one for grandparents, cousins and anyone who wants room to spread out. Book early for school holidays and the summer months, when family resorts fill first.

Visit in spring or autumn if you want quieter pools and more space on the beach, and check which of the dining outlets and the pool bar are open in the cooler months before you arrive. For a relaxed, family-centered base in the middle of the island, it is a strong choice.