South of the Border

[slyjly]

We are staying at the South of the Border Motel in SC --just because it look like a fun place to stay for the nite on our way to WDW. Has anyone else stayed and is it as kitchy as it looks?

 

[AshAlytwins]

South of the Border......we have passed there many times and once we stopped...for about 10 minutes and got the heck out of there. It was dirty and the people around were scary!!!!! If I were you I would rethink my staying there!!!

 

[disneynutt1225]

We stayed there almost 20 years ago, and it was skeevy then. I can only imagine what it's like now. Make sure you take some disinfectant.

 

[AshAlytwins]

We stayed there almost 20 years ago, and it was skeevy then. I can only imagine what it's like now. Make sure you take some disinfectant.

 

[slyjly]

Hummm, maybe we better rethink this

 

[Mkaz]

Umm.... RUN AWAY FAST! It's been a while since I was there, but the place was filthy. It's nothing but a tourist trap w/ cheesy souvenirs.

 

[investgirlmd]

I have to agree with the other posters. I would re-think it seriously.... I stayed there about 5 years ago and left after checking in cause the room was so dirty and gross. I would never ever stay there again.

Sorry..... its more hype than its worth. Really!!

 

[AshAlytwins]

Hummm, maybe we better rethink this

Please do rethink it!!!
Disers would not lie to you!!!
There are plenty of nicer places to stop for the night!!!
Post a thread and ask for advice about a place to stop along your route!!!

 

[RichieGraciemom]

Please do rethink it!!!
Disers would not lie to you!!!
There are plenty of nicer places to stop for the night!!!
Post a thread and ask for advice about a place to stop along your route!!!

Get out of Dodge when you can, stopped on our drive home and was fun to look around, but then left. years ago had lunch there with my parents, and over thirty years ago stayed but dont remember because I was a baby. fun tourist place, but listen to the crowds. Good luck

 

[keishashadow]

I finally caved to my youngest DS & we stayed 1 night last June before heading to Myrtle Beach...no regrets @ all.

We had a "deluxe" room booked on the side by the lobby. It had a car port, 2 dbl beds, mini fridge, micro & jacuzzi bath. Think we paid $50 for it LOL.

It was, by far, the absolutely cleanest room we've ever stayed in on the I-95 corrider between Virginia & SC.

Surprisingly, very quiet & lots of patrolling security through out the grounds.

We didn't use the indoor pool/jacuzzi area - very crowded. There were a few outdoor pools too.

They have a white tablecloth steak house that served a passable meal. Looks can be very deceiving.

Good luck.

 

[AshAlytwins]

Perhaps I stand corrected!!!

 

[disneynutt1225]

Perhaps I stand corrected!!!

Maybe. However, I wouldn't ever go down there again and spend the night even if it was completely comped. I stand by my original opinion of the place. It was a dive back then and it's a dive now. YMMV.

 

[slyjly]

DD and I have been online all evening trying to book another room. Problem in, on the way home DD & family are going to the Nascar race in Darlington. Everything seems to be book up. But DH & I will probably go on to Charlotte and stay with DH's DS

 

[Sleepy]

I lived in Florence for many years. I can guarantee that if there is a race in Darlington, you will not find a room anywhere around that area unless someone cancels.

 

[MarylandFamily]

As someone who grew up in the area (Dillon) and actually worked at South of the Border during the summer while I was in high school, I would suggest that you look at South of the Border for what it really is: a large truck stop/rest area. In fact, it is ranked number 10 on the Travel Channels world's best truck stop list.

There are other hotels/motels at the next exit in South Carolina (Hampton Inn, Comfort Inn, Ramada Limited), but remember you get what you pay for. Rates at these hotels/motels and South of the Border are cheap for a reason. This is a small southern town. It is rural and agricultural.

Florence, SC does offer some better options. I would suggest staying somewhere with Marriot in the name. As for the room, you will know what you are getting.

Lumberton, NC may offer a few better options than Dillon. It's about 20 miles before South of the Border and it's a little bigger than the Dillon area, but not as big as Florence. Fayetteville, NC is about 40 miles before South of the Border and I would say is your best option for staying in that area.

As Sleepy posted, if it's a race weekend, forget about finding a room anywhere in the area.

 

[keishashadow]

Based on our experience Fayetteville is alot nicer than Lumberton hotel area, albeit further north off I-95.

Lumberton has 2 exits, the most northern one has really old, creepy looking motels. We made a mistake in staying in one a few years ago (AAA rated no less!) and our neighbors were turning tricks in the rooms (military bases nearby). Their kids were riding bikes in the parking lot. Kept knocking on our door to ask for a drink of water/use the bathroom, etc. When I complained to the desk clerk, he shrugged his shoulders! Never, ever again will we stop @ that exit. Felt so bad for the kids.

SOB is a honky-tonk, all neon & kitsch but, we felt safe staying there & we think Pedro's home is a hoot. At least it doesn't pretend to be something it isn't.

 

[slyjly]

We have solved one prob.--we are staying in a Quality Inn& Suiets in Santee, SC on our way home. It is matbe 1.5 hr to Darlington. Since it is a nite race DD & fam. will have plenty of time to get there the next day. We will have only a 3 hr drive ti DSIL in Charlotte. We are planning to drive as far as we can get to FL on the way down, stop for the nite then go on to WDW in the morning. My big prob. now is that I tripped over the dog bed yest. and fractured me rt. wrist. Of course i am rt handed! The cast will be puy on tomorrow and will have to have 6-8 wks.