Where to Stay in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina: The Best Hotels & Areas

Looking for where to stay in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina? With its endless accommodation options, finding the perfect area and hotel can be difficult in this popular coastal city.

For the best hotels in Myrtle Beach, the top areas to stay for travelers include Downtown and Broadway at the Beach. But, if you’re looking beyond the major tourist attractions, other interesting neighborhoods & districts dot the city. The Dunes area offers elegant and luxurious stays on the water. North Myrtle Beach and South Beach, on the other hand, are quieter options. If you want to be away from the urban hustle & bustle, they’re excellent family-friendly alternatives.

Ready to score the perfect Myrtle Beach hotel? Get your accommodations search started with this complete guide to the best places to stay in Myrtle Beach, SC!

Best places to stay in Myrtle Beach, SC

As one of the most popular destinations in South Carolina, Myrtle Beach has a huge variety of lodging options for every style of traveler. Most visitors narrow their accommodation search to Downtown Myrtle Beach or Broadway at the Beach. These two central areas offer access to the city’s top attractions and nightlife—all within walking distance.

Boardwalk

Traveling with the kids? Many of the top family-friendly accommodation options lie in North Myrtle Beach and South Beach. Staying here, you’ll be close to fun-filled family activities such as amusement parks, water parks, and miniature golf courses.

Love to travel in style? Book your stay at The Dunes. Located northeast of Downtown, this small neighborhood is home to some of the best luxury hotels in Myrtle Beach and is perfect for a luxury stay in the city.

The best areas to stay in Myrtle Beach, SC, are:

Downtown Myrtle Beach

✓ Best area to stay in Myrtle Beach for first-time travelers

Never been to South Carolina’s most popular beach city? Start your search in Downtown Myrtle Beach. Staying in this central neighborhood you’ll have access to many of the city’s top attractions and a wide range of accommodations options to suit every budget.

SkyWheel

Staying Downtown, you’ll be steps away from some of the top tourist attractions in Myrtle Beach, including the Myrtle Beach SkyWheel. Most of the top-rated lodging options are close to North Ocean Blvd. The stretch is the perfect place to go shopping, grab a bite to eat, or sit and have a drink with friends. 

Myrtle Beach Boardwalk is another must-see in the downtown area. It’s 1.2 miles long and loaded with endless entertainment options. For families, all the Ripley’s attractions are located within walking distance of the Boardwalk. It’s also the perfect place to end the day with amazing Atlantic Ocean sunset views.

South Bay Inn & Suites

South Bay Inn & Suites

For a stay on the Boardwalk, book your room at South Bay Inn & Suites. This popular oceanfront accommodation sits in the heart of downtown. The hotel charms families with its water park, featuring a lazy river. You’ll also enjoy access to an outdoor pool, an indoor pool, and an on-site restaurant on-site that’s open for every meal.

Sheraton Myrtle Beach

Sheraton Myrtle Beach

Centrally located to the Myrtle Beach Convention Center and the Boardwalk, Sheraton Myrtle Beach sits a few steps away from the ocean. Everything you need is just minutes away from this beachfront location. The restaurant serves traditional South Carolina cuisine if you’re interested in sampling local eats.

Ocean Enclave by Hilton Vacation

Ocean Enclave by Hilton Vacations

With incredible Atlantic Ocean views, Ocean Enclave by Hilton Vacations is just a few blocks away from the main parts of the city. Walk four blocks to the SkyWheel or two blocks to visit the Boardwalk. The hotel features two outdoor pools, a kiddie pool, and spacious accommodations that are perfect for the entire family. 

Broadway at the Beach

✓ Best place to stay in Myrtle Beach for shopping & family fun

Traveling to Myrtle Beach with small children? You’ll find plenty to keep the kids busy at Broadway at the Beach. Even for parents, the shopping and entertainment complex offers plenty of reasons to stick around.

Broadway at the Beach

Broadway at the Beach is a great place to do some shopping to escape the mid-summer heat. There’s also plenty of nightlife in the area if you want a break from the kids for a night.

Make sure to check out Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach to dazzle at its amazing marine life. Diving tours are also available to get even closer to the animals.

For families, nearby Pavilion Park is a great place to end a beach day. The classic amusement park offers tons of rides and arcade games for the kids.

La Quinta by Wyndham Myrtle Beach Broadway at the Beach

La Quinta by Wyndham Myrtle Beach Broadway at the Beach

For a basic hotel with free breakfast and a great fitness center, book a suite at this La Quinta. Located near the boardwalk, the hotel also offers guests access to several luscious golf courses. Pet-friendly rooms are available if you plan to bring the family pooch along on your beach vacation. Many of the rooms have private balconies where you can soak up amazing views of the ocean and city.

Hampton Inn Myrtle Beach Broadway at the Beach

Hampton Inn Broadway at the Beach

With WiFi, continental breakfast, and indoor heated pools, the Hampton Inn has everything you need for a great stay. If you’re traveling with kids or extended family, book one of its spacious suites. Only a 6-minute drive to the airport, Hampton Inn Broadway at the Beach is perfect for a short vacation.

Holiday Sands at South Beach

Sheraton Broadway Plantation Resort Villas

For excellent amenities and premium vacation rentals, start your stay in Myrtle Beach at Sheraton Broadway Plantation Resort Villas. It’s close to all the main family attractions, including Family Kingdom Amusement Park and Myrtle Beach Boardwalk. Make sure to spend plenty of time outside at this resort by taking a lazy river ride, drinking at the Poolside Bar & Grill, or playing mini-golf at the Splash Cove.

The Market Common & South Beach

✓ Best neighborhood to stay in Myrtle Beach for a quieter beach vacation

If you’re traveling alone or as a couple, staying in the Market Common & South Beach neighborhood will give you the quiet atmosphere you crave. In the area, you can spend plenty of time relaxing and enjoying the sunshine.

Most of the best lodging options in Market Common & South Beach are located along South Ocean Blvd. Here, you can tackle all your favorite beach activities as well as indulge at some poppin’ oceanfront restaurants and bars. 

Market Common & South Beach

Myrtle Beach State Park is also close by and offers an amazing retreat from the city and sand. A lush green oasis, the state park has several nature hiking trails, fishing piers, and stunning sunset views over the ocean.

The Market Common shopping center is a great place to blow off some steam and see a movie or go bowling. You can even rent a bike from the downstairs shop to take a self-guided bike tour through the coastal city.

Holiday Sands at South Beach

Holiday Sands at South Beach

For a great basic hotel with all the amenities you need, Holiday Sands is a go-to place for simple beach vacations. Their average price is a bit lower than the surrounding hotels in the area. Still, you’ll enjoy easy access to the top South Myrtle Beach attractions. The hotel sits directly on the ocean and includes easy beach access. Feel free to enjoy the outdoor pool and the indoor lazy river when you’re not lazing at the beach. 

Holiday Inn Club Vacations South Beach Resort

Holiday Inn Club Vacations South Beach Resort

With affordable rates and an excellent location, Holiday Inn Club Vacations South Beach Resort is a top pick for people that want to be a little further inland and away from the beach crowds. The hotel is still right across the street from the beach, with many room options for ocean-facing balconies. The lagoon pool is refreshing after a day of immersing in the saltwater. For an adrenaline rush, cruise down one of its many waterslides. 

 Residence Inn by Marriott Myrtle Beach Oceanfront

Residence Inn by Marriott Myrtle Beach Oceanfront

Looking for spacious suite options and amazing ocean views? Look no further than Residence Inn by Marriott Myrtle Beach Oceanfront. The full-service on-site restaurant and bar are perfect for those who want to be in the ocean all day, grab a bite to eat, and then head back to the water without wasting time. The pull-out beds and full kitchens are perfect for stays with the whole family.

The Dunes

✓ Top area in Myrtle Beach for luxury travelers

If you’re craving elegance and luxury on your vacation, scroll through the accommodation options at The Dunes. Most of the hotels around The Dune feature golf courses where you can play a round with your friends and family. 

The Dunes

If you want the ultimate luxury package, check into the Dunes Golf & Beach Club. The spa is great for relaxing and getting facials and massages. It’s the perfect way to end a long day in the sun. For a family activity, you can go to the Pirates Voyage & Dinner Show. Filled with action and fun, you can be sure it’s an adventure. 

The Dunes sits on the Atlantic Ocean and offers excellent amenities for guests of all ages. It’s also close to top family hotspots like Broadway at the Beach, Barefoot Landing, and the Myrtle Waves Water Park. Wherever you stay in the area, an epic beach vacation awaits. 

Dunes Village

Dunes Village

The oceanfront Dunes Village offers all the amenities you need to make the most out of your stay. If you’re traveling with the whole family or a group of friends, the suites here can accommodate up to 16 guests. Make sure to spend a few hours at the pool and get drink service from the Cabana Tiki Bar.

Marina Inn at Grande Dunes

Marina Inn at Grande Dunes

For a stay between North Myrtle Beach and South Myrtle Beach, reserve your room at the Marina Inn at Grande Dunes. The hotel offers some of the best amenities in the city, including a full breakfast at the fine dining restaurant and a free shuttle to the beach anytime you want. Tucked away from the busy parts of the city, Marina Inn offers guests plenty of peace and quiet.

Marriott Myrtle Beach Resort & Spa at Grande Dunes

Marriott Myrtle Beach Resort & Spa at Grande Dunes

Need a little pampering? Marriott Myrtle Beach Resort & Spa is one of the top luxury hotels in the city. The hotel’s on-site spa offers relaxing massages, wraps, and full skin treatments. The guest rooms have resort-view balconies and oceanview options. The fitness center is open 24 hours a day. You’ll also enjoy both an indoor pool and an outdoor pool.

North Myrtle Beach

✓ Top-rated neighborhood for families

Although Myrtle Beach is a top destination for families, some parts of the city are better than others if you’re traveling with the tots. North Myrtle Beach is one of the area’s best places to stay for families.

North Myrtle Beach

Located thirty minutes from downtown, this separate city offers a grand selection of activities for the whole family to enjoy. You’ll also find a superb selection of family-friendly hotels and lodgings around this top-notch choice for where to stay in Myrtle Beach.

Kids will love checking out the area’s top attractions, Alligator Farm and the O.D. Pavilion Park. They’ll have plenty of fun checking out the farm’s live animals and skating or playing at the park. If you’re traveling with smaller children, be sure to hit up the playground and soft sand of nearby Crescent Beach.

The area is also the perfect launching point for popular Myrtle Beach day trips to the north, including crossing over the North Carolina border to historic destinations like Wilmington, NC.

Avista Resort

Avista Resort

Searching for a North Myrtle Beach hotel with a pool? Avista Resort has a sparkling outdoor pool that’s perfect for swimming with the entire family. The indoor pool and lazy river are likewise great places to relax with the kids. The resort is close to a nature preserve where you can go boating and fishing.

Seaside Resort

Seaside Resort

With an oceanfront pool and amazing soft sand just below, Seaside Resort is the perfect spot to soak up the summer sun and enjoy the city’s top attractions. The condominium accommodation lets you have more space to spread out with your family. You’ll even get a full kitchen for cooking if you don’t want to spend money on dining.

Courtyard by Marriott Myrtle Beach Barefoot Landing

Courtyard by Marriott Barefoot Landing

Looking for the most central hotel in North Myrtle Beach? Book your room at Courtyard by Marriott. The hotel is modern and retro with comfortable beds. Enjoy free breakfast in the morning with freshly brewed Starbucks coffee. Shopping at Barefoot Landing is just around the corner if you want to spend some time out of the heat.

Treksplorer

Ryan O'Rourke is a seasoned traveler and the founder & editor of Treksplorer, a fiercely independent guide to mid-range luxury travel for busy people. With over 20 years of extensive travel experience, Ryan has journeyed through over 50 countries, uncovering hidden gems and sharing firsthand, unsponsored insights on what to see & do and where to eat, drink & stay. Backed by his travel experience and in-depth research, Ryan’s travel advice and writing has been featured in publications like the Huffington Post and Matador Network. You can connect with Ryan on Twitter/X at @rtorourke.

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