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Find the Perfect Place to Stay in Myrtle Beach to Make Your Vacation Memorable

Libby Wiersema Libby Wiersema
Libby Wiersema lived in California and Alabama before settling in South Carolina 38 years ago, where she's covered the state's best culinary offerings and tells the stories behind the food.
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Fulfilling your Myrtle Beach vacation dream begins with choosing where you'll lay your head at night. There are as many lodging options as there are attractions and activities, which means you can tailor your choice to perfectly suit your budget and style. Plan ahead so your room is what you expect. Whether you desire a romantic luxury experience, a roomy home away from home for the whole family, a quiet vintage beach cottage, a motel room in the bustling heart of the Myrtle Beach strip, a modest budget-friendly room or a place to park your RV, a comfy night's sleep awaits you on the Grand Strand.

 

Resorts

Pick a resort that caters to kids for family fun. Many have waterparks and lazy rivers to float in.

Grand Strand resorts tower like sentinels along the coast, each offering an array of amenities to entertain and pamper guests. If you're aiming for an intimate interlude with your honey, a waterfront property is the way to go. Nothing spells romance like watching an ocean sunrise from a private balcony or during an early morning beach walk. Also, look for poolside bars and multiple hot tubs, which signal opportunities for adult relaxation. For added couple fun, an onsite spa with massage service is an indulgence that will make your twosome time even more memorable. North Beach Resort & Villas in North Myrtle Beach is one such luxury property that offers spa services and more on 7½ beachfront acres. Other resorts make vacation budgeting a breeze by offering all-inclusive packages - pay one price and enjoy multiple amenities for the duration of your stay.

For a family vacation, choose a resort that has a mix of amenities to appeal to adults and children. You'll definitely want a property with indoor pools to head off any cold or rainy day disappointment. Outdoor pools offer respite from the sand and surf, as do onsite waterparks, typically equipped with lazy rivers, slides and splash pads. During the summer season, many resorts, such as Compass Cove in Myrtle Beach, have structured children's programs filled with supervised activities to engage the little ones and free you up for a bit of adult time. Onsite casual dining can be a lifesaver, particularly if you've got a hungry, wet, sandy brood to feed. Order up a pizza, and dine in instead - no spiffing up needed.

 

Condos and Houses

Beach house rentals make sense if you want more privacy or have a large group.

The Myrtle Beach area is abundant with condos and beach houses available for rent. While most are privately owned, many are managed by area realty firms that deliver expert service for vacationers and often offer special perks. For example, vacationers booking through Thomas Beach Vacations in North Myrtle Beach enjoy exclusive discounts at several Grand Strand restaurants, attractions and retail businesses.

No matter which area of the Grand Strand you wish to stay in, a little research should help you find the right property. A condo or house is a particularly good choice for larger families and multiple families vacationing together. Choose the number of bedrooms and bathrooms to comfortably accommodate your group, but expect to pay a bit more for oceanfront units and those with swimming pools. Bring your own groceries and prepare your favorite meals in fully equipped kitchens, a feature of all properties offered by Surfside Realty in Surfside Beach. Better yet, buy fresh seafood in-season from Little River or Murrells Inlet, and have a family feast in the comfort of your own beach condo or house. Be aware that during the summer season, most of these properties require a seven-day stay. In the off-season, many are available by the night or weekend.

 

Motels

More than 9,000 rooms are available on the Grand Strand, offering visitors a variety of accommodations, from high-rise condos to retro motels.

Of the more than 90,000 rooms available along the Grand Strand, motels enjoy a strong presence and continue to be a favorite choice for many Myrtle Beach vacationers. For a retro experience, stay overnight in old-school style at the beachfront Mermaid Inn on North Ocean Boulevard, a renovated motel that will brighten your day with its beachy colors and ocean views. 

The sights and sounds of the great Atlantic are just a short walk away from many motels. If you like being in the midst of beach activity, a stay along Ocean Boulevard will afford you the convenience of walking to small eateries, arcades and souvenir shops. You will also have a vantage spot that permits you to indulge in a time-honored tradition: watching the nighttime parade of vehicles from your motel balcony as beach-goers "cruise the boulevard." It's a noisy, riveting display you won't soon forget.

 

Camping

Ocean Lakes Family Campground is the largest oceanfront campground in Myrtle Beach with 893 campsites, 2,560 annual lease sites and a wide array of amenities offered on 310 acres.

Take your outdoor beach adventures to a new level with a stay at a Grand Strand campground. With more than 7,000 campsites, camping options abound in the Myrtle Beach area, which boasts two state parks and a dozen or more campgrounds, most of which welcome vacationers year-round.

Both Myrtle Beach State Park and Huntington Beach State Park draw tent and RV campers, as do many of the commercial campgrounds. Choose an oceanfront campground, such as Ocean Lakes Family Campground, Lakewood or Pirateland if you want quick beach access. While sitting under the stars by the campfire is the most treasured amenity, onsite markets, roomy bath houses and golf cart rentals are common features you'll appreciate.

Camping in one of the area's larger family campgrounds may also afford you access to onsite dining, waterparks, fishing ponds, and indoor and outdoor pools. Bike rentals and family activities, such as corn hole, ceramics, fitness classes, mini-golf and movie nights, are other activities and programs that might be on the campground menu. Whether you're "glamping" or "roughing it," a Grand Strand camping adventure holds all the stuff that great vacation dreams are made of.

Libby Wiersema
Libby Wiersema lived in California and Alabama before settling in South Carolina 38 years ago, where she's covered the state's best culinary offerings and tells the stories behind the food.