Myrtle Beach, SC ??? (Travel Questions)

[Inspire]

Hello,

So my family wants to take a trip down to Myrtle Beach, SC. We prefer 3 separate bedrooms, and we would like a kitchen and a family room so we can have "family time".

We found a hotel... www.paradiseresortmb.com but it seems really really pricey for what I think we're getting.

Anyone have any advice on finding a good rental down there? For a week the total for just the room comes to about $3500 and I think that's WAY too much for what it is and what we get. (They don't even offer free continental breakfast FFS)

I'm thinking for $3500 we could easily rent a house or at least a nice condo on/near the beach but if anyone has any websites, or rental places we could check out I would really appreciate it.

[radamanthys]

Hello,

So my family wants to take a trip down to Myrtle Beach, SC. We prefer 3 separate bedrooms, and we would like a kitchen and a family room so we can have "family time".



What does "family time" mean, and why is it in quotes?

[thefarmer]

Incest

[radamanthys]

Incest

A game the whole family can play! And everybody wins.

[Inspire]

A game the whole family can play! And everybody wins.

Incest is best, or so I hear!

But seriously...

"family time" (in quotes) to me means spending time talking, or playing a board game, or cards or something like that. Not everyone sitting in front of a TV, or lost on their computer, or tuned out to their ipod.

I personally think if you go on a family vacation you need to spend time together as a family, not vegg'd out in front a tv/pc.

[radamanthys]

Oh, agreed. I'm just being an ass. My family was actually really tight. Lots of families hate each other. We hate everyone else.

I have no experience with Myrtle Beach. Been to Hilton Head, though. Wouldn't spend money to go there.

[Mikalmas]

I'd personally recommend Isle of Palms instead of Myrtle Beach, but that's just me :)


Isle of Palms tends to be a little less crowded, depending on what time of year you go of course (if you go in the middle of Summer any beach is going to be crowded), but there's several places on IOP that have a private pier for guests (including some condos directly across from the beach). They also rent some houses reasonably. Yeah, for 3500 you can get a 3 BR beachfront house/condo on IOP.

Every time we've stayed there, we've used: www.islandrealty.com

IOP is also very close to Charleston, so if you're into all the history stuff Charleston is gorgeous (Be sure to visit Fort Sumter and take a couple of the carriage rides). Basically IOP allows you to have two vacations in one. You have the historic districts of Charleston and surrounding areas (including lots of planations: I recommend Drayton Hall for a plantation, simply because a) its one of the oldest and still original (not "restored" but rather preserved), unfurnished, so its more "real" than the other plantations. Its also one of the oldest remaining original plantation houses. There's also a pretty good lecture on slave life in Charleston during the period. Magnolia Plantation is close by as well (same family), but I was less than impressed with it because the house was pretty new (late 1800s or early 1900s I think?) and one of those furnished houses that just wasn't impressive to me. I'd go to Drayton Hall again, but probably not Magnolia. There's Boone Hall pretty close as well. If you want a period-restored "re-enactment" type plantation, Boone Hall is hands down better than Magnolia (they even had a small re-enactment play on the front steps of Boone Hall last time I was there).

After Historic Charleston, you still have the beach area at Isle of Palms, of course, if that's your thing as well! There's a small amount of typical shopping type stuff at IOP, mainly touristy gift shops and expensive boutique shops. There's several nice restaurants on the Isle, too.

[Drakefang]

Myrtle Beach is very nice. If you are going for major fun with lots to keep you occupied and lots to spend money on, it's fantastic! The beach is huge, plenty of people to hang out with...god for the kids. Hell yes, you can find a house/condo to rent for that price. I couldn't tell you if that'd get you on the beach there or not since it has been a good while since I've gone there. My brother used to work at the House of Blues there.

However, if you really want to have some "family time" I wouldn't go there. There are too many distractions.

I've always preferred the Outer Banks of NC, as it is more relaxed and more about enjoying family and friends over being bombarded with water slides, put puts and 50k things to do there. Nags Head, Kitty Hawk and Kill Devil Hills are all great and I have no preferences. Duck is to the north and is pricier but also the homes are larger and it's generally an upgrade.

For $3500, you can get a ridiculously nice home to stay in, on the beach and probably still have a few hundred of that left over to spend on dinners out...they have some hidden gems of restaurants if you are willing to explore and find them. Outer Banks Brewing Station, Collington Cafe (pricey but my fave by far), and Black Pelican and Owen's (both pricey and somewhat crowded but generally worth it).

There's just enough to do for entertainment, but it is not a priority for the Outer Banks like it is for Myrtle Beach. Oh and the art galleries down there are fantastic to visit.

[elcidcannon]

I'd personally recommend Isle of Palms instead of Myrtle Beach, but that's just me :)


Isle of Palms tends to be a little less crowded, depending on what time of year you go of course (if you go in the middle of Summer any beach is going to be crowded), but there's several places on IOP that have a private pier for guests (including some condos directly across from the beach). They also rent some houses reasonably. Yeah, for 3500 you can get a 3 BR beachfront house/condo on IOP.

Every time we've stayed there, we've used: www.islandrealty.com

IOP is also very close to Charleston, so if you're into all the history stuff Charleston is gorgeous (Be sure to visit Fort Sumter and take a couple of the carriage rides). Basically IOP allows you to have two vacations in one. You have the historic districts of Charleston and surrounding areas (including lots of planations: I recommend Drayton Hall for a plantation, simply because a) its one of the oldest and still original (not "restored" but rather preserved), unfurnished, so its more "real" than the other plantations. Its also one of the oldest remaining original plantation houses. There's also a pretty good lecture on slave life in Charleston during the period. Magnolia Plantation is close by as well (same family), but I was less than impressed with it because the house was pretty new (late 1800s or early 1900s I think?) and one of those furnished houses that just wasn't impressive to me. I'd go to Drayton Hall again, but probably not Magnolia. There's Boone Hall pretty close as well. If you want a period-restored "re-enactment" type plantation, Boone Hall is hands down better than Magnolia (they even had a small re-enactment play on the front steps of Boone Hall last time I was there).

After Historic Charleston, you still have the beach area at Isle of Palms, of course, if that's your thing as well! There's a small amount of typical shopping type stuff at IOP, mainly touristy gift shops and expensive boutique shops. There's several nice restaurants on the Isle, too.


Don't forget a drive around The Citadel's campus. I went to school there and its gorgeous.