MYRTLE BEACH, SC Vacation Help

[lisaross]

Good Morning!!

You guys always know the most so help me!

Thinking of planning a vacation for next summer to Myrtle Beach, SC. It will be about a 12 hour drive for us i think....

The boys will be 14 and 12 at the time. I would like to be on the beach or within walking distance. Would love to have a hotel with lazy river/waterpark if not too expensive!

Thinking maybe 4 or 5 nights.....

Any suggestions/must do's etc.

Also would like to be able to park car and walk many places - breakfast in hotel would be a plus

 

[bigmamimia]

I don't know about hotels because we visit my sister when we head down to SC. We go to the Charleston area. I could tell you some nice places to go in that area.

 

[trewin]

I am following this thread! I am looking for a nicer place to stay. Our condo we stay in has been the same since I was 12! our family is finally too big to stay there! I'd love to find somewhere affordable w/ a lazy river and hot tub.

We are from southwestern pa, it takes us abt 12 hours as well with stops!

We actually stay in North Myrtle, we find it to be a little slower paced for the kids.

As for things to do, we usually go out to eat abt 4x a week, goto barefoot landing once. We do that Alligator Adventure and goto Ripley's Aquarium sometimes. We always have a "cook out" at condo too! Our kids are younger so it isn't so easy to go out, especially if it includes waiting. We stay away from the "Pavilion" area after a few bad experiences. Lol.

We never go out of our way to find too much to do, since we are on vacation- it's nice to relax!!

 

[Lucky'sMom]

I have been reading up on this topic, as I was hoping to go there this summer. As you can see, I have a kids ranging from 12-20, and the most recommended resorts so far have been the Caribbean Resort and Dunes Village. I booked at the Caribbean, but honestly, for a 3 bedroom, it is $400/night. ouch. Last summer, we stayed in a BEAUTIFUL 5 bedrm/5bath house in Reunion Resort (Orlando) for $149/night. I am having trouble stomaching the prices at the beach! I may go back to Orlando. The beachfront resorts are just SO expensive!

 

[lisaross]

OUCH !!! i will not pay 400 a night....i was looking to spend about 200 a night! Am i being unrealistic?

Maybe i don't need the waterpark included but i would definitly like to be able to walk to the beach - rather have it out my back door even if that means staying at a smaller hotel - i don't even mind a motel - if its on the beach - nice pool - hot tub and Great Location!

I have been reading up on this topic, as I was hoping to go there this summer. As you can see, I have a kids ranging from 12-20, and the most recommended resorts so far have been the Caribbean Resort and Dunes Village. I booked at the Caribbean, but honestly, for a 3 bedroom, it is $400/night. ouch. Last summer, we stayed in a BEAUTIFUL 5 bedrm/5bath house in Reunion Resort (Orlando) for $149/night. I am having trouble stomaching the prices at the beach! I may go back to Orlando. The beachfront resorts are just SO expensive!

 

[ssawka]

I can't recommend a hotel, but having been to both Myrtle and Hilton Head, I would say look for a place in Hilton Head, unless you want to do the touristy stuff. HHI has a much nicer beach, but doesn't have as much touristy stuff (them restaurants, shows, etc.)

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Some of the nicer hotels in Myrtle Beach are

Marina Inn Grande Dunes - not oceanfront, but they have private beach access by shuttle or you can drive and park there. It is a AAA 4 diamond property.

Marriott Grande Dunes - oceanfront with nice pool. Also a 4 diamond property.

Embassy Suites at Kingston Plantation - I think this has a small water park. We haven't stayed here, but we know people who have and they have liked it. Includes breakfast.

There is a Hilton at/near Kingston Plantation. Don't know anything about it, but I have seen it and it is oceanfront.

Kingston Plantation also has condos to rent.

Hampton Inn and Suites gets/used to get good reviews on Trip Advisor. We stayed here once for a night and moved to the Marriott Grande Dunes, but we had booked a regular room and it seems that most positive reviews were for the suites.

We have stayed a few times at Dunes Village, most recently in January. I think your kids are probably too old to appreciate the water park for more than an hour or two. My kids are 13 and 10 - the 13 year old went down a couple of slides and was done. The 10 year old lasted about an hour but actually preferred the outdoor lazy river (in January ). Dunes Village is like a much, much smaller Great Wolf Lodge with slides and small pools divided between two buildings. Dunes does have a nice oceanfront location.

Some of our friends recommended the Breakers the next time we go to MB and want a hotel with a water park. We have not been there personally.

I find most of the MB hotels to be a bit rundown, but we like the Marriott and the Marina Inn a lot. It just depends what you are looking for.

Be sure to visit Wonderworks if you have not been to the Orlando one (or another one). The kids and adults in our family love it!

 

[ssawka]

I am following this thread! I am looking for a nicer place to stay. Our condo we stay in has been the same since I was 12! our family is finally too big to stay there! I'd love to find somewhere affordable w/ a lazy river and hot tub.

We are from southwestern pa, it takes us abt 12 hours as well with stops!

We actually stay in North Myrtle, we find it to be a little slower paced for the kids.

As for things to do, we usually go out to eat abt 4x a week, goto barefoot landing once. We do that Alligator Adventure and goto Ripley's Aquarium sometimes. We always have a "cook out" at condo too! Our kids are younger so it isn't so easy to go out, especially if it includes waiting. We stay away from the "Pavilion" area after a few bad experiences. Lol.

We never go out of our way to find too much to do, since we are on vacation- it's nice to relax!!

Have you considered the Outer Banks, NC? You can probably get house with a pool for your larger family at a decent price.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

I can't recommend a hotel, but having been to both Myrtle and Hilton Head, I would say look for a place in Hilton Head, unless you want to do the touristy stuff. HHI has a much nicer beach, but doesn't have as much touristy stuff (them restaurants, shows, etc.)

I agree that Hilton Head has a nicer beach and a calmer vibe. But it is also about 3-4 hours past MB for you, OP. It is better for nature activities (kayaking, etc.), but as the PP said, there are fewer touristy things. There is a DVC property in Hilton Head.

If you can find a property you like in MB, you will not run out of things to keep the kids busy.

 

[rdevine10]

We have been a couple times and we were plannning going back this summer, until DH won tickets to Disney at work So, we are going back to Disney instead!

But that being said, the Grand Strand is 60 miles of beach in SC. It starts North of Myrtle Beach and ends South of it. There are many things to do, but it will be difficult to walk to a lot of attractions, you will need to get in your car.

The "strip" area of Myrtle is closer to where the Pavilion was (is no longer). I find that area to be a bit too much for me to take. The south end of the strip does have some abandoned and not nicely kept properties, so it pays to do your research.

We have stayed at Compass Cove (which we thought was nice- lots of pools), although closer to that not so great area. And, also at Dunes Village. I do agree with what the poster above stated- your kids might be more bored with the water features there.

I would look at the Caribbean (still in the strip area, but the last hotel), the Breakers. I also looked at the Avista (more north), Sea Watch (more north), the Prince Resort (I believe in North Myrtle). There are literally a ton of places to choose from. Go on the forums at tripadvisor for Myrtle Beach and start reading. They are not as active as the disboards, but helpful for plannning. Also, look at homeway.com, vrbo, etc. Sometimes you can rent from an owner for a much better rate (but compare cleaning costs, linens, etc) when comparing booking directly from the hotel.

Lastly, enjoy! I will miss Myrtle this summer, but we will go to the beach in FL instead!

 

[lisaross]

Hilton Head sounds nice and relaxing but would not want to add on another few hours of driving..

How many days do u need at MB? would 4 or 5 nights be good? We are not into driving far, so would probably stop 1/2 way in both directions and stay at a motel for the night.

 

[ssawka]

I agree that Hilton Head has a nicer beach and a calmer vibe. But it is also about 3-4 hours past MB for you, OP. It is better for nature activities (kayaking, etc.), but as the PP said, there are fewer touristy things. There is a DVC property in Hilton Head.

If you can find a property you like in MB, you will not run out of things to keep the kids busy.

Actually, it's only 1-2 hours further to HHI then to Myrtle Beach. IMO, it's totally worth the extra drive. If the OP is looking to Myrtle solely for the beach, I personally don't think it is worth a 12 hr drive to get basically what you could get at the Jersey shore. Granted, I did like Myrtle much better than Jersey, but not 12 hrs better.

To Myrtle Beach:

I-95 S to US-501 S
11 hrs 41 mins / 684.65 miles

US-301 S to I-95 S
12 hrs 21 mins / 683.27 miles

I-95 S
12 hrs 32 mins / 697.03 miles​

To Hilton Head Island:

New Jersey Turnpike S to I-95 S
13 hrs 31 mins / 821.06 miles

US-301 S to I-95 S
14 hrs 27 mins / 836.83 miles​

 

[mom2t]

Compass Cove is a dump. I would never stay there. Long Bay is great. They even have small kitchens in some rooms. The restaurant there is fabulous for breakfast and dinner.

 

[aaarcher86]

Another big fan of Long Bay.


We've also rented through condo-world and enjoyed it.

 

[smcabee]

Dont have any hotel recommendations but check out

http://funbeaches.com/forum/

Its a Myrtle beach forum populated by a lot of locals. They have some good ideas and info when it comes to Myrtle Beach.

 

[minushka72]

We stay at Coral Beach Resort when we go. It is walking distance to Family Kingdom Amusement Park and their water park is right across the street from the amusement park! The resort has an 8 lane bowling alley, indoor pool and spas, outdoor pools and water park, and lazy river. Right on the beach also. About a 1 mile walk (maybe less) to the new boardwalk are with the Sky Wheel and all Ripleys Believe it or Not. It is a beautiful resort. It has a breakfast buffet restaurant which is reasonably priced. We usually get an Oceanfront Family Suite which for mid July is looking to be around $217 per night. Their website is www.gotomyrtle.com. We have also stayed at their sister property Sea Crest Resort which is nice too.

 

[mickeygirl14]

Being from the Charleston area and having just been to Myrtle recently, I can tell you that unless you're just really set on Myrtle, there are SOOO many nicer beaches to visit that you'd probably get better deals at...Hilton Head, Charleston, Isle of Palms, Atlantic Beach, Outer Banks. There is a lot to do at Myrtle, but it's very commercialized. If it's Myrtle you want though, North Myrtle is a great and will probably have some better deals.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Being from the Charleston area and having just been to Myrtle recently, I can tell you that unless you're just really set on Myrtle, there are SOOO many nicer beaches to visit that you'd probably get better deals at...Hilton Head, Charleston, Isle of Palms, Atlantic Beach, Outer Banks. There is a lot to do at Myrtle, but it's very commercialized. If it's Myrtle you want though, North Myrtle is a great and will probably have some better deals.

I agree - I think it just depends why the OP has picked Myrtle Beach. For us, MB is a fun weekend with lots of things for the kids to do - the aquarium, Wonderworks, mini golf, etc. There are restaurants and stores that we don't have at home. The beach is fun, but it is secondary for us as we live near a beach (an hour and a half north of MB, so our beach is pretty similar to MB).

We go to Charleston for history and great restaurants, the Outer Banks for a sit on the beach type vacation, and Myrtle Beach for lots of activities for the kids. We are usually not sit on the beach people on vacation because we can go to the beach any day, so MB offers us activities that we don't have at home.

 

[ssawka]

I agree - I think it just depends why the OP has picked Myrtle Beach. For us, MB is a fun weekend with lots of things for the kids to do - the aquarium, Wonderworks, mini golf, etc. There are restaurants and stores that we don't have at home. The beach is fun, but it is secondary for us as we live near a beach (an hour and a half north of MB, so our beach is pretty similar to MB).

We go to Charleston for history and great restaurants, the Outer Banks for a sit on the beach type vacation, and Myrtle Beach for lots of activities for the kids. We are usually not sit on the beach people on vacation because we can go to the beach any day, so MB offers us activities that we don't have at home.

I agree with this, but the question for the OP is, "is it worth a 12 hour drive?" IMHO, no. You can find all of the activities you mentioned much closer to NYC. I mentioned HHI, because it is also pretty commercial, but because of the ordinances there, you never get the feeling you're in a cheezy beach town. I also think HHI offers a lot more "family friendly" activities.

 

[lisaross]

OP here....

I am thinking of MB because i hear so many great things about it. I've been to the outerbanks, NC and it was nice...a bit quiet i thought but we have family there so it was fun to see them. I didn't like the beaches though thought the water was really rough!

We love to try new places...Jersey Shore we do for the day never stayed over

thanks for all the feedback - will think about it