OT~ Myrtle Beach hotels

[dancin Disney style]

I've been to MB a bunch of times but not in the last 6-7 years. We are going in July for my DD's national dance finals. I know from past trips that there are a TON of hotels along the beach. I don't want to stay at the Sheraton Convention centre where the event takes place because 1...I never stay where the event is because there are 50 million kids making noise until all hours and 2...we want to be on the beach since this is also our summer vacation. I've researched a few places that look promising. Has anyone heard of these or recommend a place?

Here's what I'm considering....
Camelot by the Sea
Best Western Carolinian
Ocean Reef Resort
The Seacrest
The Patricia Grand

They all get great to excellent reviews on Tripadvisor and I can get fair rates for these places. I am totally open to renting a condo as well but it must be on the beach and we are looking to keep the price to around $1200 for the 8 nights that we are staying but less would be better.

 

[Diamondintheruff]

Since my kids dance competitively I know what you mean about staying on site. We've only ever gone for the weekend though so I've just put up with it to be close to the action.

We go to Myrtle almost every spring break (as a family not for a dance competition). Our resort emails us special rates almost weekly. I know they are hurting for business down there and I can't believe that $1200 is the best you can get for 8 nights. I'd keep looking around.

 

[dancin Disney style]

Where do you stay?

It's super expensive in the summer months. We went once before in July and rooms that go for $40 per night in the fall and winter are $250 + in the summer. To be honest I hated going there in the summer but that was for nationals too so it's out of my hands. I'm just glad they didn't decide to go to Vegas.

In the summer it's wall to wall people. The traffic all day long is like rush hour on the 401. We discovered that if you were going out to dinner you needed to be in the restaurant and seated by 5:30 or else you would wait over an hour for a table. The decent hotels are all sold out. The last time we went online booking was just really starting to become popular (this was around 2000) and I had booked online so I got an amazing deal. I think we were paying around $70 per night and when we were at the desk checking in a guy came in and asked if they had any rooms and what the rate was. They quoted him $175. When I heard that I asked to re-confirm the rate I had booked. The clerk looked at the reservation and told me $70 then he did something behind the counter and gave us our keys. I'm pretty sure that they were not happy about the rate I was getting and switched our room.

 

[Cruiser1969]

Another dance parent here!!

Just wanted to say "Hi"

 

[Diamondintheruff]

We stay at the Long Bay Resort. There's a big group of us that go so I really haven't haven't researched anywhere else. When we've booked early with them and their price has gone down they have always given us the cheaper the price. Their parent company owns many hotels/condos in MB. Try giving them a call.

We're heading to Disney for nationals in July.

 

[jsweeks@cogeco.ca]

What is the weather like at spring break? Can you swim in the ocean? We went last July for the first time and stayed at the sea mist, it was okay. The beds were really old. But loved the location, it was about a 10 minute walk to the Family amusement park. For 4 nights it was $430.00. Good Luck at the competition My daughter is in cheerleading and they are talking about going their for a competition

 

[Diamondintheruff]

The weather can be "iffy" at march break. We can usually count on at least a couple days over 70 degrees and anything over 74 degrees is considered a "beach day". The place we stay has an indoor lazy river, pool and hot tubs so it keeps the kids busy no matter what the weather. We really go to spend time with our all friends. I keep wishing everyone would go a little further south.

 

[formill]

There are 2 campgrounds on the beach that have rental units-mobile home type- Lakewood is one and Ocean Lakes the other. We have stayed in a 3 bedroom unit at Ocean Lakes- it was a far walk from the ocean that place is huge.
There is also Myrtle Beach Resort which is all condos- we stayed in the "tower" had a nice studio unit-my parents stay there every year right on the ocean in a one bedroom condo- there is a lazy river,pools and easy access to beach. We were pretty high up think 11th floor in the tower building- the elevator got to be a nuisance but the view from balcony was great-my parents building is only 3 floors so you can walk up and down easily. There are several buildings there with condos but all are within easy walking distance to the ocean and many are ocean front.

 

[dancin Disney style]

We're heading to Disney for nationals in July.

We've been to nationals a few times at Disney. The last time was in 2008 and my DD's group brought home the top title. Needless to say we were shocked. The competitions usually offer deeply discounted park passes so watch for those. Talk to your studio about it and if they aren't interested in organizing it get a few moms together and do it yourself. The one we went to last offered almost 50% off the passes.

Between my 2 DD's I've had a kid in competitive dance for 16 straight years. This will be our 9th trip to nationals and all but 2 have been in the US.