While much of the world is still shaking off winter, spring in the Golden Isles is a breath of fresh air, particularly in April and May. Late spring is what some may call our ‘sweet spot’, when azaleas are bursting with color, the weather is incredible, and the crowds are blissfully light—particularly during weekdays. So, if you’ve been scouting the best time to visit the Golden Isles, we’re here to tell you, it’s April and May, and here’s why!
Incredible Weather
With a mild, inviting climate that makes every outdoor moment a delight, spring is truly one of our favorite times in the Golden Isles. You can expect daytime highs to climb comfortably from the mid-70s in April to the low 80s by late May, while nighttime lows hover between 55 and 65, just perfect for an evening stroll.
Some of our favorite spring activities include kayaking through the salt marshes, biking the 20+ miles of paved trails on Jekyll Island, or enjoying a round of world-class golf before the summer sun reaches its peak. Because the coastal breezes remain gentle and the Atlantic starts to warm up, it’s also a fantastic season for horseback riding on the beach or hunting for seashells along the serene shoreline.
Fewer Crowds
While the Golden Isles are full of energy during the peak summer months, April and May are a little quieter. You can often walk into your favorite St. Simons Island restaurants, no waiting involved, or snag a seat on a trolley tour and hear stories of the island’s history with a more intimate group. Whether you’re exploring the shops at Pier Village or wandering along Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island, lighter crowds let you take things at your own pace and enjoy the charm of the people in our beautiful island communities.
Affordable Rates
You can also enjoy world-class luxury without the peak season price tag! With April and May falling just before the busy summer months, it’s easier to snag more affordable lodging rates and lower airfare into nearby airports like Brunswick Golden Isles (BQK) or Jacksonville (JAX).
Plus, seasonal specials and mid-week prices mean you can take those savings and put them right back into your vacation. Whether you use the money on a private excursion or a day trip, treat the family to a night out at a nice restaurant, or simply extend your stay to catch another beautiful sunset, it’s totally your call!
Epic Outdoor Adventures
The mild spring weather creates the perfect conditions for epic outdoor adventures that might feel a little intense during the warmer summer months. Spend your morning climbing the steps of the historic St. Simons Lighthouse for panoramic coastal views or hit the World War II Home Front Museum and learn about the area’s fascinating maritime history. Rent a bike and explore miles of paved biking trails winding through ancient live oak forests and scenic marshes. Of course, if you’d prefer to get out on the water, the calm breezes are ideal for kayaking or taking a guided boat tour to spot dolphins and local bird life!
April and May Events
One of the best ways to soak up the local culture (and sunshine) is by attending one of the many Golden Isles spring events that dot the calendar in April and May. Celebrate the region’s diverse heritage at the Golden Isles CultureFest in mid-April in Brunswick, or browse one-of-a-kind treasures at the Art in the Park festival under the live oaks on St. Simons. A true seasonal highlight is the historic Blessing of the Fleet in Brunswick, held each May, honoring the local shrimp industry with a colorful parade of decorated boats and plenty of fresh-caught seafood.
Book Your Spring Break Getaway with Hodnett Cooper
There’s never been a better time to turn those coastal daydreams into a reality! Whether you’re planning a romantic retreat for two or a long-awaited family reunion, we’ve got accommodations for groups of all sizes. Plus, many of our vacation homes and condos come with thoughtful amenities like private pools, fully equipped kitchens, and breezy porches so you can soak up every bit of that spring air!
Book your spring break getaway today with Hodnett Cooper!
In today’s fast paced online world there seems to be an abundance of options for consumers, and property management companies are no different. Filtering through each of them can be overwhelming and knowing exactly which one is best for you is even tougher! Hodnett Cooper Vacation Rentals has been in the real estate and property management business for over 30 years so we know a thing or two about vacation rentals. Here are a few tips from our pros on how to determine the best property management group to successfully manage your vacation rental.
#1 – More Traffic = More Guests
The key to any business is traffic. The more traffic and visibility your vacation rental gets, the more bookings you will have! When researching vacation rental management companies, ask about their booking history, how they market properties, and how they market to potential guests. Where do they rank in Google searches, how do they increase their search visibility, how do they use social media platforms, etc. All of these search factors go into how well your property will be marketed and in turn how often it will be rented.
#2 – The Local Advantage
When in doubt, go local. Local companies are typically involved in their local government, community events, and are more accessible if an emergency arises. Local management teams are better equipped to check on your property regularly and have better contacts with maintenance organizations. In general, companies who are local, are better equipped to help your guests and help you as well! Finding experts in your area will create better relationships and provide local expertise.
#3 – Guest Feedback and Customer Service
What are guests saying? One of the best ways to know how well a property management company handles its customer service is to look at reviews. There will always be positives and negatives about individual properties, but the way the company responds says a lot about how they will treat their owners too. Do they respond quickly and are they able to answer a guests concerns in a timely manner? Is it easy for guests and owners to contact them? Customer service is a key player in determining if a guest will return, and keeping owners worry-free.
#4 – Review Property Management Services Offered
Services for homeowners range from in-house maintenance all the way to marketing your home. In other words, what will the management company do to ensure your property is taken care of before, during, and after a guest stay? Do they offer regular inspections or will they help with updates in your home? Do they have in-house maintenance or do they depend on another company? What will your property management group do to make sure your vacation property is successfully booked? Understanding each service that will be provided will allow you to make the best decision in choosing which vacation rental management company is best for you.
#5 – What Are the Management Costs?
There’s a reason some products cost more than others…and the same goes with vacation property management. You want your property to be well maintained and for it to be taken care of by qualified professionals, and that may cost you a percent or two. The property management company you choose could be the single reason your property is or isn’t making money so make sure to analyze your options and not pick a company based solely on their commission.
Interested in Learning More About Vacation Management Services?
If you want to learn more about St. Simons Island property management, contact Hodnett Cooper today! We would be happy to answer any homeowner questions you have. Check out our services provided to learn more.
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Roy Hodnett was recently awarded the Alfred W. Jones, Sr. Award for dedicated leadership and outstanding service to Brunswick and the Golden Isles by the Brunswick-Golden Isles Chamber of Commerce. Those of us who work with him every day can go on and on about what a wonderful leader and person he is. The award introduction speech nicely sums up his lifetime of dedication.
Let’s start back over 80 years ago when a young boy at the age of 11 started working to help support his family. He delivered papers and then groceries all over town on his bike and continued helping his family through high school. Following his high school graduation, he worked in virtually every aspect of the food retail business, which he loved. In 1940, he went to work for a large company called Dupont, but before he was there even a full year, the war broke out. He enlisted in the army at the young age of 20 and spent the next five years of his life serving his country because he loved and believed in what his country stood for: freedom.
Before he left to fight in France, he met and married the love of his life. He will tell you that she helped make him the man he is today. After being wounded in the Battle of the Bulge and coming dangerously close to losing his leg, he came home a hero with numerous honors, including the Purple Heart and the Silver Star.
He came home to heal, see his newborn son, and begin building a life and future with his family. Starting his own cookie distributing company from scratch, he proved quickly that hard work, determination and a good woman beside him was all he needed. He and his family soon moved out of their $900 government house and built a beautiful home where they raised their three children, Mike, Pat and Kelly. It was a good life.
Flash forward to 1968 when he and his wife were vacationing on a little Island in Georgia called Jekyll. They decided to drive over to the next island for dinner and when they crossed the causeway leading to St. Simons, he said, “Honey, I think we have just discovered a little slice of heaven.” They both fell in love with the Island and purchased a home that weekend, making the decision that they would continue building their life in our beautiful community. He sold his distributing company and went into the cookie brokerage business. They packed up their family, moved to Georgia and never looked back.
Always believing that the more a person gives, the more he gets back, he began to make his mark. Embracing their new life in Georgia, he and his family joined the St. Simons United Methodist Church, many clubs and organizations and strived to become part of their new community. Growing tired of traveling with his brokerage company, he retired from selling cookies at the age of 62, deciding to enjoy his days playing golf, enjoying his family and perhaps, sell a little real estate. A few days after retiring, his wife—realizing he would quickly grow bored in retirement—told him, “I married you for better or worse, but not for lunch. Now, go find a job!”
Again, with a lot of determination, hard work, and quite a few risks, he and his partner, built one of the most successful small businesses in Glynn County.
Over the years, he has guided, led, listened, mentored, advised, supported and encouraged so many people, young and old alike. He has a soft spot for anything that has to do with children or young people because he knows they are our future. Each year The Gathering Place stops by his office with a group of students to say “thank you” and he always enjoys this annual visit. He takes the time to share his story and hear about their hopes and plans for the future, all the while encouraging them. As one man told me recently, “He just has that way of making you feel special and that you can do anything if you believe you can.” Always with a smile and a warm handshake or hug, he continues preaching the value of work ethic, kindness and respect for all. He has never strayed from these principles and continues to touch the heart and soul of everyone he meets. He will tell you his family, his country, his community, and his God are the most important things in his life
If you ask him what his secret is to having such a successful and happy life, he will tell you it is having a wife of 68 years who stood beside him and often behind him pushing and believing in him. He will also tell you it is having the right ATTITUDE. There is a quote on the wall in his office that says “The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than failures, than successes, than appearances, than skills, than what other people think or say or do. It will make or break a company, a church, a home. What’s remarkable is that we have a choice every day we wake up regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you.“
At 91, his work ethic still has him going to his office every day with his door always open for the next person to walk in for him to encourage, mentor, and push along. And of course, talk about attitude.
How lucky Glynn County was that day over 44 years ago that Roy and Anne Hodnett decided to pack up their children and their lives and move from that small Virginia town to their little slice of heaven.
Roy, we would like to honor and thank you for everything you have done, and continue to do, for our community as this year’s recipient of the Alfred W. Jones Award.
Congratulations Roy, from all of us at Hodnett Cooper!
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