Hodges Ward Elliott is pleased to present the opportunity to acquire the 155-room Holiday Inn Resort Jekyll Island, an oceanfront hotel located within one of the highest-barrier-to-entry leisure markets in the South. The Hotel is situated within Georgia's greater Golden Isles region, recently named the No. 1 Beach Destination in the South by Southern Living in 2026. Positioned on more than eight acres with over 1,200 linear feet of unobstructed beachfront, the Holiday Inn Resort occupies an irreplaceable coastal position on Jekyll Island, directly fronting the Atlantic Ocean with virtually no prospect of comparable new supply. This combination of a premier physical location, a highly constrained market, and numerous upside opportunities makes the Holiday Inn Resort Jekyll Island a truly compelling acquisition opportunity.
Property Overview
| ADDRESS: | |
| YEAR OPENED: | 1959/1970 - Gut renovated in 2015 |
| KEYS: | 155 |
| STORIES: | 3 |
| GROSS BUILDING AREA: | 94,644 SF |
| LAND AREA: | 8.159 Acres |
| BEACHFRONT: | 1,200 Linear Feet |
| MEETING SPACE: | 2,272 SF |
| F&B: |
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| AMENITIES: |
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| PARKING: | Complimentary On-Site, 157 Surface Spaces |
| RESORT FEE: | $30/Night |
| INTEREST CONVEYED: | Leasehold* (expires in 2089 - max term available on the island) |
| MANAGEMENT: | Unencumbered |
| LABOR: | Non-Union |
| * All land on Jekyll Island is owned by the State of Georgia. All properties are subject to a ground lease with the Jekyll Island Authority. | |
INVESTMENT HIGHLIGHTS
OCEANFRONT RESORT WITH SIGNIFICANT UPSIDE POTENTIAL
The Property spans over eight oceanfront acres on Jekyll Island, featuring 1,200 linear feet of unobstructed beachfront and private beach access. Nearly all guest rooms offer direct ocean views, including a strong mix of oceanfront suites, with the Hotel boasting among the largest guest rooms on the island.
The Resort offers multiple value creation opportunities, including guest room renovations to unlock ADR growth, the continued ramp-up of 24 Coastal Grill, strategic amenity additions across its 8+ acre beachfront campus, and sustained demand growth in Jekyll Island's thriving drive-to leisure market. These initiatives are supported by one of the nation's most supply-constrained coastal lodging markets.
GUT-RENOVATED ASSET IN EXCELLENT PHYSICAL CONDITION
In 2015, the prior owner completed a ~16-month, $19.6 million ($120,000+/key) renovation, converting the hotel from the Oceanside Inn & Suites to a Holiday Inn Resort. Since the conversion, ~$5.7 million has been invested in capital improvements, highlighted by the ground-up construction of 24 Coastal Grill, complete replacement of the roof, public area updates, property-wide RFID lock upgrades, a PTAC replacement program, and a full refinishing of all three pool bodies. Combined with the prior owner’s renovation, the property has benefited from over $25.3 million ($160,000+/key) in total capital investment.
ONE OF THE NATION’S HIGHEST BARRIER-TO-ENTRY MARKETS
Jekyll Island is overseen by the Jekyll Island Authority as a state park and protected conservation area, with stringent restrictions on future development. Current legislation mandates that no more than 35% of the available land on Jekyll Island may be developed. Today, only 60 untouched acres remain eligible for development, and 40 of those are reserved for public facilities involving health, safety, or recreation.
HIGHLY AMENITIZED RESORT HOTEL
The Holiday Inn Resort Jekyll Island offers a true resort experience on an expansive oceanfront campus featuring an oceanfront pool with cabanas and fire pits, 1,200 linear feet of private beachfront, North Shore Coffee, bike rentals, a fitness center, and the standout 24 Coastal Grill. Opened in July 2024 following a $2+ million investment, the oceanfront restaurant has quickly become one of Jekyll Island's top-rated dining destinations. This exceptional amenity package supports a $30 daily resort fee and reinforces the Property's positioning as a premier coastal resort.
ONE OF JEKYLL ISLAND’S MOST FAVORABLE GROUND LEASES
All hotels on Jekyll Island are subject to long-term ground leases with the Jekyll Island Authority. Among them, the Resort benefits from one of the most favorable lease structures, extending through 2089, the longest remaining lease term on the island. Combined with a straightforward rent structure of just 3% of gross revenue (as the Hotel's revenues are well above the base rent threshold), the lease provides exceptional long-term control, cost certainty, and a meaningful competitive advantage relative to other island hotels.
Jekyll Island Overview
DYNAMIC JEKYLL ISLAND MARKET - GOLDEN ISLES NO. 1 BEACH DESTINATION IN THE SOUTH
Jekyll Island benefits from its position within the greater Golden Isles region, named the South's No. 1 Beach Destination in 2026 by Southern Living. The island continues to gain momentum through approximately $400 million in major public and private investment, including a roughly $20 million renovation of its golf facilities highlighted by the transformation of the historic Great Dunes course, which reopened in November 2025. Jekyll Island has also introduced new retail and gathering spaces through the revitalized District Shops and other Historic District enhancements, further elevating the visitor experience. Together, these improvements continue to strengthen Jekyll Island's appeal as one of the Southeast's premier coastal destinations.
Accessibility
Located off I-95 along the Georgia coastline, Jekyll Island is 60 minutes from Jacksonville International Airport (JAX), 90 minutes from Savannah International Airport (SAV) and just 10 miles from Brunswick Golden Isles Airport (BQK).
Conventions
Jekyll Island has solidified itself as a key destination for both leisure and business travel with the construction of the 128,000-square-foot Jekyll Island Convention Center in 2012. This facility is the only oceanfront convention center on the East Coast south of New Jersey and is set to host over 75 conventions in the upcoming twelve months.
GOlf
Jekyll Island offers 63 stunning holes of world-class golf across four acclaimed courses. The island is Georgia’s largest public golf resort and its courses have been designed by golf legends including Donald Ross, Walter Travis, and Joe Lee. The course recently underwent a ~$20 million renovation and reopened in November 2025.
Beaches
Home to 10 miles of unique beaches, Jekyll Island is home to some of the best beaches in the nation. Jekyll’s beaches , which face both the marshland and the ocean, are home to various activities including shopping, dining, boardwalks, birdwatching, swimming, and picnic areas. Jekyll’s most recognizable feature is Driftwood Beach, named the #1 Beach in the U.S. by Lonely Planet in 2024.
Georgia Sea Turtle Center
Situated in the heart of Jekyll Island, the Georgia Sea Turtle Center is Georgia's only sea turtle education and rehabilitation facility. It features interactive exhibits to educate the public and demonstrate turtle rehabilitation. Open year-round, the Center provides advanced care for sick and injured turtles.
Summer Waves Water Park
The water park has numerous attractions including a half-mile lazy river, a five-story tube slide, a massive four-slide thrill complex, and a 500,000-gallon wave pool.
