Myrtle Beach on a budget

[Promomx2]

You might want to check out groupon getaways. I received a email a few days ago and they had a special for a place in Myrtle Beach but I don't remember the hotel name.

 

[smcabee]

Dayton House Resort is my favorite resort in MB.

 

[wishing4PA]

Any suggestions of a place to stay that would be on the beach with free parking that you would give 4-5 stars? I have read that North Myrtle Beach is the best place to stay.

4-5 stars is limited in the MB area. DH loves MB, so we've gone there an average of 1-2 times a year for the past decade. So far I've never stayed anywhere I considered even a 4 star, but that doesn't mean I can't recommend decent places to stay, just not 4-5 stars IMHO.

Myrtle Beach can be a little sketchy. I also recommend the North Myrtle Beach area. For families with children, I always recommend Dunes Village Resort. It is clean and has indoor waterslides, hot tubs and 2 outdoor pools and a lazy river.

Some friends recently stayed at Marriott Grande Dunes and said it was lovely.

We love Dunes Village. It's our "go to" resort when we can afford it. In October, prices should be reasonable. Marriott was never in our budget, but it looks like it would be nice and probably meet your star criteria.

Avista was HORRIBLE for us, there were several loud teens well in to the wee morning hours that kept us awake!

October is a great time for that area bc rates are typically lower This is a great website to see decent reputable hotels in both Myrtle and North Myrtle: http://www.visitmyrtlebeach.com/STAY/
Here are a couple suggestions..
The Camelot
Hotel Blue is fairly new
Coral Beach
Island Vista Resort (a little pricey at times)
Sandy Beach Resort (also fairly new)

Hope some of these are helpful

Have not stayed in Avista - keep hearing good and bad about it.
Island Vista looks like it would be nice, I have priced it out several times, but value for money-wise it never worked for us.

We did stay at the Sandy Beach Resort. The nice part about it was it is near the new boardwalk and you can walk to the Family Kingdom. Not sure if FK is open in October? We were there in summer, so it was fun. But there are not as many water activities within the resort. Also we learned that one section has safes (I believe the older rooms) but the newer ones (condos) do not because "the owners saw no need for them." At least that was the case when we went (2011?)

We like the Marriott Grande Dunes on the beach:

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/myrgd-myrtle-beach-marriott-resort-and-spa-at-grande-dunes/

We also like the Marina Inn at Grande Dunes, but it is not on the beach. It is lovely, though, and they have beach access either with a shuttle or with self-parking:

http://www.marinainnatgrandedunes.com/

Both properties are AAA four diamond resorts. I'm not sure what your budget is, but October is off-season and rates are lower.

Sounds good if within OP's budget.

Yes, the original post mentions "budget trip" and then everyone recommends the high dollar $1200-1500 places to stay. There are a ton of very nice places to stay that you can get 2 room ocean front with bedroom, kitchen, and living room overlooking the beach for $600-700 a week.

Dayton House, we loved it.

I would rank my favorites of where I have stayed:
Dunes Village (best)
Caribbean Resort (we like these this and DV because of the water slides and other pool/lazy river stuff and decent, for MB, service)
Dayton House (pleasant, and the zero entry pool was nice with a toddler)
Sandy Beach (no real complaints)

Also, we have visited, but not stayed at the Ocean Reef. I got to peek into their "Parlor" corner rooms. I would LOVE to stay in one of those someday, without small children (when we visited, the balcony rails seemed widely spaced at Ocean Reef, and we had a toddler.) Look at the room layout online and you will see what makes the rooms appealing.

Caribbean Resort is nice, but I recommend not staying in Jamaican building. It was smelly whenever we walked near it, and seemed kind of scary at night. So unless they have done some extreme renovations there, I'd opt for a different building. Also be aware the Chelsea condos are across the street. The other 2 buildings at this resort are fine (Dominican and Cayman.)

Have fun at the beach! October is a nice time to go. We just can't anymore, due to school schedules.

Almost forgot, my parents stayed at Towers on the Grove in NMB, and enjoyed it, but again, I don't think there were as many pools, etc. They felt it was rather isolated, but it was brand new and upscale.

 

[LadyBeBop]

Also, there is a good and cheap burger place called Ron Jon's. I believe it's off 501, if I remember correctly. When we lived there you could get a burger during happy hour for like $2....and they were big burgers! They also deliver. There's also a place called Beach Bummz. It's small, but a fun place to eat ON the beach.

Any other place you'd recommend for a good meal? We arrive Saturday for a week at MB.

Thanks in advance.

 

[smcabee]

BUmmz is a cool place to eat. Every time I shoot over for a day or 2 we also like Biminis oyster bar and the noizy oyster and Rossi(Italian and a bit pricey) Sea Captains house is also very good but some think a bit pricey as well. If your a breakfast person I cannot recommend Mammys kitchen enough. If you like pizza Dinos is my favorite followed by California pizza.

 

[wishing4PA]

Any other place you'd recommend for a good meal? We arrive Saturday for a week at MB.

Thanks in advance.

Sea Captain's House. Oceanfront next door to the Caribbean Beach Resort. Oops, I see smcabee already mentioned it. I agree with that assessment.
There are plenty of places to eat. Many of the usual chains, of course, and some small ethnic restaurants, none of which I can remember by name.

There are also several touristy seafood buffet restaurants, which I did not find worth the money for the atmosphere and food quality. Locals might know when/where to go and have access to better coupons to make them more reasonable for what they are. From what I've heard, if you're really in a seafood mood, you should drive on down to Murrell's Inlet.

 

[jerseygirl81]

The caravelle resort, we have stayed here several times and would go back! Linda

 

[minushka72]

We stay at Coral Beach. Plenty of free parking, right on the beach, has a small arcade and bowling alley. Nice buffet breakfast in the hotel (not free but reasonably priced). Management is so nice and the property is well cared for. Rooms are nice sized. We get a suite usually so it has 2 queen size beds in the bedroom, a small kithen, and then a separate living room with a double sized murphy bed or pull out couch! Close to so many places. Broadway at the beach is fun! In October, the Family Kingdom Amusement Park will be closed but there are plenty of other attractions open and we have a great time at the small kiddie rides at Broadway at the Beach!

Just check rates for 10/18-10/23 and you can currently book a suite for around $400 or a regular room for under $300! that includes the weekend. Rates in October are pretty good for at Coral Beach, especially considering this is oceanfront and and the rooms are really nice. While the kitchens are small they are full kitchens so you can cook in the room to stay on budget.

 

[LadyBeBop]

Thanks for all of the food replies. (Now, I'm getting hungry.)

Haven't been to Myrtle Beach in nearly 25 years. Last time I went, I remember going up to Calabash, NC for their seafood buffets. Do they still have the buffets there, and is it worth it going up there?

Oh, and if it means anything, it will be me, DH, and DGD 3 for the entire trip. My MIL and FIL will be with us for most of the trip, and DD25 will be with us for about half the trip.

One other questions. Will all the outdoor attractions be open after Monday (Labor Day)? Will I go from an extremely busy season to a dead season overnight?

 

[Bribrittmom]

We've been very happy with a suite at the Long Bay resort.It's in the northern part of Myrtle Beach proper.Also the Embassy Suites at kingston Plantation will be be reasonable in Oct. and it includes a hot breakfast daily and an evening manager's recepti9on w/ cocktails.

 

[#1Yepod]

Any other place you'd recommend for a good meal? We arrive Saturday for a week at MB.

Thanks in advance.

My opinions on places to eat:

Best local burger place is River City Cafe, there are several locations around the Grand Strand.

Best place in Murrells Inlet for lunch is Dead Dog Saloon. Hush puppies and honey butter are great. Seafood, chicken and beef dishes.

Russells in Murrells Inlet is really good for seafood dinner, but a little pricey. Worth the price, but still pricey.

Really you can't go too far wrong, food is everywhere and plentiful. Most all of the chains are here, pancake houses are on every corner and pizza and sandwich shops galore.

A new Jimmy Buffet Landshark Bar and Grill just opened on the Boardwalk in downtown MB, we already have Margaritaville and Cheeseburger in Paradise.

You won't starve, that's for sure.

 

[dumbocutie]

Land's End Beach Resort right next to a wildlife sanctuary. Nice quiet far end of the beach. All different types of condos. Lovely place. Parking free.