Best Myrtle Beach Hotels

Planning a beach vacation? The good news is that it’s possible to stay right in Myrtle Beach on a tight budget. Where you stay will be primarily determined by how much you’re willing to spend on a room and how long you’ll be in the area. If you’re headed down for just a weekend, a hotel or condo company is likely the way to go, as most home rentals require a minimum of seven days. In prime season, most Myrtle Beach hotels also require a two or three night minimum. As one would expect, you’ll be paying more to be actually on the beach … but it’s definitely worth the splurge as it’s where you’ll want to hang your beach towel and parking is expensive and available only in limited quantities. As a general rule, North Myrtle and Surfside beach are the most budget-friendly of the locales, with heavy quantities of spring breakers and co-eds during graduation “Beach Weeks,” and families at other times of the year. Prime real estate along Ocean Drive in the area’s Downtown section also is expensive—you’ll pay for proximity to attractions and “walk-to-it” access. Pawleys Island is the area’s most ritzy location, with a feel that’s more Hilton Head than party central, while outlying towns like Murrells Inlet, Conway and Georgetown are more day trip locations. Due to the sheer number of rooms, (more than 89,000) specials are often available, particularly during winter months when travel is down. Temperate climates and a nearly year-round golf season do keep most businesses open 365, however, if you’re interested in the beach the best time to visit is late spring through early fall.