Talk to me about Myrtle Beach About This Page:

[Melissa1214]

I hope this is the right forum and I'm assuming it's ok to ask about somewhere other than Disney.
When we had to cancel our September trip dh suggested that we take a long weekend and go somehwere, but left the details up to me. We'll be driving and since it will only be for 3-4 nights it needs to be within 12 hours. We've been to Hilton Head several times and, while we love it, I want something different. I've been researching Myrtle Beach, but I really don't know enough to actually book a place. We used to go to Myrtle Beach when I was a kid, but that was so long ago and so much has changed. I found a place called Compass Cove that looks wonderful, and it's pretty inexpensive, but I'm not sure. Has anyone been to Myrtle Beach? Can you recommed a place to stay? We want to be right on the beach and the hotel/condo/whatever needs to have a pool. There will be 4 of us, dh, myself, Lauren (5) and Ashley (4). I don't want to spend a ton of money. I'm thinking less than $200/night.
Thanks for any input!

[sparks74]

We go to Myrtle at least 2 times each year and love to stay at Compass Cove. Myrtle is great for everyone because it has stuff for kids and adults. Another hotel to look at would be the Sand Dunes/Ocean Dunes it is a great resort with a water park for kids. The Breakers is great too, they have fun stuff for kids as well.

If you can't go to Disney then Myrtle is a GREAT second choice.

[Rainbowy]

Melissa, I am so glad I checked new posts today. We went to Compass Cove year before last, and will probably go back next year. I chose it after some research, and because is a little way away from the main drag. Its on the same beachfront road as everything else, just further south. So it is a little quieter. The beach is awsome of course, that's why Myrtle is so popular. But I loved Compass Cove. They have like 7 pools, and yet it does not seem like a huge resort. They have one indoor pool with a lazy river, which is great for when it rains in the afternoon or early evening. Ask for an Oceanfront room right by the outdoor lazy river. I went to get my scrapbook just now to tell you the correct info. . . Ok The Schooner building is awsome. We were in room 330. We were on the third floor right above the lazy river, looking out on the beach. It was awesome. They have a great breakfast buffet, but we ate in the room. Each room has fridge, and small kitchen area. With utensils too. So we bought food and packed our lunch in the big cooler each day. Then we went inside and got ready for dinner about 4pm. This is important since after 5 you will wait forever for a table at a decsent restaraunt. Anyway, if you have 4 or fewer in your party the schooner room I mentioned is great with a seperate bedroom, and then a murphy bed in the main room. The balconies are excellent with chairs and table. Since you are driving, I highly recomend taking your own beach chairs and unbrella if you can. We paid 45 dollars to rent our two chairs and umbrella from the beach patrol for 3 days. They are great chairs and all and it is nice to have your own "spot" right in front, but a little expensive. If you have a larger group, they also have larger suites in the high rise section. I prefer the schooner though myself. They have kids activities every afternoon with crafts etc, but my kids love the ocean too much. Also, they have several really nice gas grills right by the lazy river, with table and chairs so any guests can have a grill out if they want! We plan to do that next time.

Aslo if you like seafood, the very best place is "Drunken Jacks" it sounds weird but the food is soooooo gooood. They have their own fishing fleet and you can go and check the crab traps out back on the pier. It is a ways from the hotel, further south, and does not get so many of the folks from the strip. But I was tipped off on it by a guy in my neighborhood who spends a month down there in a rental house each year.
Well, sorry to go on and on. Just let me know if you have other questions. I have lots of photos too, if I can figure out how to post them!

[TKHmom]

I can't make any suggestions regarding Compass Cove, but I can tell you that there is so much stuff to do in Myrtle Beach. Just be prepared for the crowds. Everytime we have been, and we have been many times, it is very crowded. Besides that it is a really fun time. We especially loved the Pavilion and the go cart tracks.

[Melissa1214]

Thank you so much for sharing. I'm glad to know that someone has personal experience with Compass Cove. I kept looking at the price thinking that there had to be a catch. It's nice to know that it really is as nice as it looks. We're probably looking at the week after Labor day and we'll probably stay for the 4 nights. I'm really excited and I know my kids will have a blast.

[Rainbowy]

That is the perfect time to go! We went in late August and due to the timing and also due to the fact the like I said compass cove is further south than the main drag, we didn't notice any big crowds. In fact on our end of the beach it was very peacefull. Lots of kids running and playing, but not too many folks walking in front of you. We did not go to the main amusement park though, that might get crowded. I know the main shopping area on the strip does get crowded at night. But we were back at the hotel by then.

Your kids will love it.

[minushka72]

We are going in October and staying at The Sea Crest Oceanfront Resort. Relatives who live in the area recommended it. Great prices and right on the beach. Website id www.gotomyrtle.com. Early booking discounts too. My sister adn Dad saw the Carolina opry show and loved it. If you like variety shows this is supposed to be really good. no first hand experience but I trust my Dad and sister's taste so I know I will like it. There is also the new hard Rock amusement park. We have an oceanfront efficiency booked for 6 nights for $360.00. 2 dbl beds, small kitchen, balcony. Looks really nice.

[sparks74]

The Carolina Opry is great! A guy I went to school with used to play in the Opry and loved it.

The Pavilion was torn down a couple of years ago when they started building the Hard Rock Park.

There is one other amusement park called Family Kingdom it is great for little kids. There are lot of things to ride and games.

The strip is not crowded is September as school has started back and the majority of people there are adults or families with small children.

Have Fun!!

[Tinkerbelly]

Samantha Brown:Great Weekends..has a special on at 10:30 tonight..which is like 6 mins..but it was very interesting! Don't know if this helps..but I tried!

[Disney_Scarlett]

We go to North Myrtle Beach several times a year - we're a little less than 3 hours away, and my best friend's parents have a condo there and that's where we stay. While I prefer somewhere a little quieter, I still really like staying in North Myrtle/Myrtle because there is a lot to do. If you're into shopping, there are some fantastic outlets, as well as a really neat shopping center called Broadway at the Beach (it has mini-golf, bars, and restaurants too). One of my favorite restaurants there is Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville - the food is great, and the atmosphere unbeatable (they have several of these around the world, so you may have eaten at one before - but each one is different). One of my all-time favorite places to eat is Rossi's - it's in North Myrtle, off of Hwy 17 - you should probably make a reservation, but it's so worth it! Get the grouper My friend's condo is in the Sands Beach Club, just a building down from Ocean Annie's, a really cool beach-front bar/restaurant - we love to go there because we can walk back and forth.

I haven't ventured down to South Myrtle in a few years, but there is a lot going on, and I've heard the new Hard Rock park is neat.

[Disney Franatic]

My DD and her family are there right now. They just love it. My 6yo DGD said after the first night there that she wants to come back again and again.

[Tiggerbelle]

We like to go south of Myrtle to avoid all the chaos and noise. We usually end up in Litchfield or Pawleys Island. One great place we stayed was called Litchfield Retreat -- it had a pool right in the complex and the beach was just across the (very uncrowded) street. Peaceful, quiet, yet just a short drive to all the fun of Myrtle!

[stellajack]

I am heading down to North Myrtle next week with several family members. We always stay at a family friend's condo. Whether you are in North Myrtle or Greater Myrtle Beach, you will love it. You can find beach front condos for approximately the figure you have in mind, but you should probably go on line to a few realtors in the area to view what is available. We LOVE to stay on the beach all day and it is a perfect place to do just that. If you don't want to go out each night, then look for a place with a kitchen (most condos are kitchen equipped). There are long waits starting about 6 p.m. at the restaurants, so plan ahead. The 'Carolina Opry' is a great show, as well as 'Legends'. Oh, I can't wait!

[scdisneyfan]

We live about three hours from myrtle beach....we've been there many times over the years. I will say that i will have to agree magaritaville is great. That shopping center that is around that resturant is really nice and there's the aquarium there to. I have stayed a sea crest and camelot recently. They were both really nice. I will have to say that i keep getting all these alerts for price reductions for september for myrtle beach and i'm thinking when we went in september it was low crowds...but in the summer the traffic is unreal. There is so much to do though minature golf, shopping and site seeing...never a dull moment...