While staying at the Ocean Plaza, you can discover Tybee Island's rich history. By visiting local museums, monuments and historic sites, you will learn how Tybee Island was first discovered in 1520 by Francisco Fordillo, a Spanish explorer. You can learn why Spain fought a bloody war with France over sassafras plants; why historians believe that Tybee Island is really the place where Blackbeard the Pirate buried his treasure; how a decisive Civil War battle between Confederate and Union forces was fought at nearby Fort Pulaski; how Fort Screven, located on the north end of the island, was a training camp for thousands of American soldiers during World Wars I and II, and how that fort witnessed the tragedies of war when Nazi submarines sank ships as they left the Savannah harbor during World War II. One interesting historical fact is that since Tybee Island's discovery in 1520, seven different flags have flown over Tybee Island. These flags were those of the Spanish, French, British, Pirate, Confederate States of America, United States of America and the State of Georgia.

120 Years of Hospitality

The History of Our Hotel Property

Hotel Tybee Website

There has been a beach resort hotel on our property for more than 120 years. The original Hotel Tybee was built on this site by the Central Georgia Railroad in 1885. That charming, all wooden, Victorian structure burned down in 1908 as did so many other landmark hotels of that era. The second, all brick Hotel Tybee opened on this same site in June of 1911 and featured casino gambling and a private club. Today, our recently renovated, full service conference center is the last remaining section of the legendary Hotel Tybee.