Where to stay on Tybee Island, Georgia

Accommodations best suited for the following traveler types (in bold italics):

Mermaid Cottages

Best for: Active

If you’re a guest of one of these funky rental cottages and want to do more than lounge on the beach all day, you’re in luck. Join local cottage owners (“Mermaids and Mermen”) as they volunteer around the island. Beach Sweep Day, a trash pick-up outing, is just one example of the cottages’ voluntourism offerings. mermaidcottages.com; 912-313-0784

DeSoto Beach Hotel

Best for: Family

Parents of small children will appreciate this historic hotel’s direct private beach access — there’s no need to dart across the road to get to the sand. The heated pool is a popular spot for children, as is the Shipwatch Game Room. The large deluxe suites sleep four and offers side views of the ocean. desotobeachhotel.com; 912-786-4542

Admiral’s Inn

Best for: Family

Pool? Check. Complimentary continental breakfast? Check. Trolley pickup for a historic bus tour? Check. This 41-room Howard Johnson hotel is perfect for parents and kids alike. tybeehowardjohnson.com; 912-786-0700

Surf Song Bed Breakfast

Best for: Romance

This newly renovated BB, which used to be the residence for senior officers at nearby Fort Screven, courts couples with its Honeymoon Package. Stay in the sunrise suite and enjoy a gift basket with champagne, two flutes and chocolates. In the morning, wake up to a gourmet breakfast in bed, then walk one block to spend the day on the beach.tybeesurfsong.com; 912-472-1040

Beachview Bed Breakfast

Best for: Romance

At this charming eight-bedroom home, couples should select the Hunter’s Nest room, which occupies the entire third floor for ultimate privacy. In the morning, enjoy a gourmet breakfast, then ride complimentary bicycles to the shore (don’t forget to pack the inn’s free beach chairs and towels, too). beachviewbbtybee.com; 912-786-5500

DeSoto Beach Bed Breakfast

Best for: Romance

The sister property to the famed DeSoto Beach Hotel, this newly renovated 1936 lodging features a sprawling honeymoon suite with stunning ocean views. Enjoy wine and cheese every afternoon in the parlor, then relax on rocking chairs on the porch. It’s coastal Georgia at its finest — and most romantic. desotobeachbandb.com; 912-786-4542

— Allison Entrekin is an award-winning travel writer and editor living in Atlanta. View her work on www.allisonweissentrekin.com and follow her @aweissentrekin.