The Southeast is the most underrated vacation region in America, and I say that as someone who has strong opinions about vacation regions. Where else can you get mountain cabins, Gulf Coast beaches, world-class BBQ, and people who call you "sweetie" at gas stations — all within a day's drive? Here are 15 vacation deals that prove the South does hospitality and affordability better than anywhere else. Check our destination page for the full list.
1. Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort, Gatlinburg — $89/Night for 4 Nights
The cornerstone of Southeast mountain vacations. Full cabins with fireplaces, hot tubs, and views that make you forget the internet exists. The waterpark is a bonus, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park — the most visited national park in America — is literally at the doorstep. Dollywood is a short drive. Gatlinburg's strip is walkable. This deal has everything.
2. Wyndham Panama City Beach — $89/Night for 4 Nights
The Emerald Coast lives up to its name. Panama City Beach has sugar-white sand and emerald water that looks Caribbean but is actually the Gulf of Mexico. This Wyndham property has beachfront suites with full kitchens. The area has cleaned up its spring break image and is now genuinly family-friendly. Shell Island, a short boat ride away, is paradise.
3. Marriott's Barony Beach Club, Hilton Head — $139/Night for 4 Nights
Hilton Head is the Southeast's most sophisticated beach destination. Barony Beach has oceanfront villas, biking trails, and proximity to championship golf courses. The island is car-optional if you rent bikes. The restaurants range from lowcountry shrimp shacks to high-end dining, and everything in between is excellent.
4. Bluegreen Vacations at Paradise Point, Branson — $79/Night for 4 Nights
Branson, Missouri technically counts as Southeast-adjacent, and at $79 a night I'm including it. This lakeside resort has beautiful units with views of Table Rock Lake. Branson has live shows, Silver Dollar City, and some of the friendliest people you'll ever meet. It's the Nashville of the Ozarks, minus the bachelorette parties.
5. Wyndham Myrtle Beach Oceanfront — $99/Night for 5 Nights
Myrtle Beach is the people's beach. Affordable, fun, and packed with things to do. This Wyndham property is right on the ocean with a pool complex and lazy river. Five nights at $99 means a week at the beach for under $500. The seafood buffets alone are worth the drive, and Broadway at the Beach has enough entertainment for a month.
6. Orange Lake Resort, Kissimmee — $89/Night for 4 Nights
Central Florida counts as Southeast, and Orange Lake is one of the best family deals anywhere. Four pool areas, water slides, an 18-hole golf course, and proximity to everything Orlando. At $89 a night, the resort alone provides enough entertainment that you could skip the theme parks entirely. My kids voted for the waterslides over Disney. True story.
7. Wyndham Savannah — $109/Night for 3 Nights
Savannah is dripping with charm — Spanish moss, cobblestone streets, and more squares than a geometry textbook. This Wyndham property puts you near the historic district where you can walk with a cocktail (it's legal here!) and explore some of the most beautiful architecture in America. Tybee Island beach is 20 minutes east.
8. Holiday Inn Club at Lake Lanier, Georgia — $89/Night for 3 Nights
An hour north of Atlanta, Lake Lanier is Georgia's outdoor playground. This resort has lakefront activities, pools, and a water park. The surrounding area has wineries, hiking trails, and outlets for shopping. It's a perfect weekend escape from Atlanta or a base for exploring North Georgia's mountains and waterfalls.
9. Westgate Cocoa Beach Resort — $89/Night for 3 Nights
Cocoa Beach on Florida's Space Coast. Oceanfront suites with balconies, a pool, and rocket launches visible from the beach. Kennedy Space Center is close enough to hear the countdown. The beach is wide, the crowds are thin compared to South Florida, and the surf is some of the best on Florida's east coast.
10. Bluegreen Vacations at Shenandoah — $89/Night for 4 Nights
Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains with mountain-view cabins, fireplaces, and access to Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway. The wineries in the area rival Napa in quality if not in fame. The fall foliage here is spectacular — reds, oranges, and golds that photography can't do justice. You just have to see it.
11. Wyndham Destin — $109/Night for 4 Nights
Destin's beaches have the whitest sand and clearest water on the Gulf Coast. This Wyndham property is close to the harbor where you can book deep-sea fishing trips, and the resort has a nice pool area. The seafood here is some of the freshest in the South — the fishing fleet comes in daily and restaurants serve what was caught that morning.
12. Marriott's Heritage Club, Hilton Head — $129/Night for 4 Nights
A slightly more affordable Hilton Head option. Heritage Club is inside Shipyard Plantation with golf, tennis, and beach access. The villas have full kitchens and are nestled among live oaks draped in Spanish moss. It's the kind of setting that makes you want to write a novel. Or at least read one on the porch with sweet tea.
13. Massanutten Resort, Virginia — $99/Night for 4 Nights
Shenandoah Valley four-season resort with skiing, a waterpark, golf, and hiking. Two-bedroom condos with mountain views. It's 2 hours from DC, making it a popular escape for political types who need to remember that trees exist. The indoor waterpark is a rainy-day lifesaver for families.
14. Bluegreen Fountains Resort, Orlando — $79/Night for 4 Nights
The budget pick for Orlando. On International Drive with one-bedroom suites, a pool, and breakfast included before your presentation. At $79, this is less than most motels in the Orlando area. I-Drive restaurants and attractions are walking distance, and the theme parks are all within 15-20 minutes.
15. Wyndham Charleston — $119/Night for 3 Nights
Charleston was voted "Best City in America" approximately 47 years in a row, and the food scene alone justifies the trip. This Wyndham property puts you close to the historic district, Rainbow Row, and the battery. Charleston's beaches (Folly Beach, Sullivan's Island) are 20 minutes away. The shrimp and grits will change your life permenantly.
| Resort | Location | Price/Night | Nights | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bluegreen Fountains | Orlando | $79 | 4 | Budget Orlando |
| Paradise Point | Branson | $79 | 4 | Family lakeside |
| Westgate Smoky Mtn | Gatlinburg | $89 | 4 | Mountain escape |
| Panama City Beach | PCB, FL | $89 | 4 | Gulf beach |
| Barony Beach | Hilton Head | $139 | 4 | Upscale beach |
| Wyndham Charleston | Charleston | $119 | 3 | City & food |
The Southeast has sweet tea, sweeter deals, and the sweetest hospitality in the country. From Smoky Mountain cabins to Gulf Coast sand, there's a vacation deal for every type of Southern adventure. Y'all come back now, hear?