Myrtle Beach Hotels Blog

Select any of the oceanfront resorts with smoking rooms in Myrtle Beach to make yourself at home in a fabulous suite with grand hotel amenities. Many area resorts feature designated smoking areas for guests on the grounds, but there are only a few beachfront hotels in Myrtle Beach with smoking rooms. These resorts offer suites with all the comforts you’re used to plus world-class amenities throughout. 

Many visitors assume smoking is allowed on the balcony of any oceanfront unit, but in Myrtle Beach, only certain hotels allow smoking on guest terraces. The outdoor pool decks and tanning lawns are also smoke-free unless otherwise stated. Littering cigarette butts on public beaches in Myrtle Beach is illegal, so those who smoke may find it more convenient to book a smoking room rather than trying to seek out designated disposal areas.

Whether you want a Myrtle Beach hotel with a golf package or a balcony suite at a waterfront resort, you’ll find smoking rooms for any getaway. Consult this list of properties to begin your search for hotels with smoking rooms in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina:

Public parking in Myrtle Beach can be a pain to navigate if you aren’t a local or lifelong Grand Strand visitor. Every summer half a million people flock to the Grand Strand, limiting access to convenient parking. We have the expert advice you need to find a spot and avoid steep fines.

During the busy season, public parking in Myrtle Beach is closely monitored by meters and lot attendants. While there is free beach parking in Myrtle Beach, those spaces are limited and fill up quickly, leaving monitored lots or metered spaces the other options. Residents of Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach can avoid meter fees with a two-year parking pass. To apply for a Myrtle Beach parking pass, you must have a valid ID and proof that you’re a local resident. Myrtle Beach parking passes aren’t available for visitors, so we recommend setting aside funds in your vacation budget for parking accommodations. Pay-to-park rates in Myrtle Beach are affordable, ranging in price from $2 to $15 depending on the length of time you’re in the spot. 

Parking in Myrtle Beach might be difficult at times, but it can be easy if you know the right tips and tricks. Check out our top five tips for parking in Myrtle Beach:

1 | Park Outside of Peak Hours

Parking options in Myrtle Beach start dwindling by 10 a.m. Come noon, you’ll be circling the lot to find a space. Head out bright and early for the best parking spots along the Grand Strand. Schedule your dinner reservation for a time after rush hour traffic for more parking availability. This method pays off in more ways than one. While there are no free parking hours in Myrtle Beach proper, surrounding cities offer that luxury. Drive to the north end of the Golden Mile and take advantage of free North Myrtle Beach parking before 9 a.m. and after 5 p.m. all year. 

Parking outside of peak hours doesn’t include overnight. Beyond paid private lots and free parking for hotel guests, overnight parking in Myrtle Beach is not permitted.

2 | Use a Parking Meter

There are more than 1,500 metered parking spaces in Myrtle Beach. Most drivers prefer to use parking lots or the Myrtle Beach parking garages, leaving metered spaces wide open. Some city meters offer convenient all-day parking access for $15. The parking meters on Myrtle Beach city streets cost $2 per hour, while beach access and street end meters cost $3 per hour. 

3 | Download ParkMobile, Myrtle Beach’s Parking App

ParkMobile is Myrtle Beach’s app for parking. Available for Apple and Android users, ParkMobile makes planning your commute a breeze. This handy app allows you to pre-pay for parking, find available spaces, and reserve a spot in a garage, all from your smartphone. 

4 | Park a Few Blocks Away From Downtown Myrtle Beach

If you don’t mind walking, we recommend parking outside of the downtown area. Most people opt for proximity when choosing a parking spot. The farther you drive away from the city’s center, the more available parking you’ll find in private lots ranging in price from $5 to $20 per day.

5 | Find Alternative Forms of Transportation

If you want to avoid Myrtle Beach parking altogether, check out the bikes and scooters for rent around the Grand Strand. From mopeds to taxis, there are plenty of ways to navigate the streets of Myrtle Beach without getting behind the wheel.

Comparing South Myrtle Beach hotels and attractions to North Myrtle Beach’s offerings can help you zero in on where to stay for your next getaway. Downtown Myrtle Beach can come with plenty of hoopla and busyness, so many vacationers choose to stay just north or south for a lower-key experience. You’ll find excellent attractions, dining, and accommodations in either direction you choose.

What Is the Difference Between North Myrtle Beach and South Myrtle Beach?

The main difference between North Myrtle Beach and South Myrtle Beach lies in the atmosphere: The northern resorts are interspersed with expansive, serene beaches, and the southern properties fit tightly together, offering a shoreline with pool decks teeming with activity. 

Which Is Better South or North Myrtle Beach?

Deciding whether North Myrtle Beach or South Myrtle Beach is better depends on your personal preferences, but generally, the northern area is attractive to vacationers who desire easygoing beach days and quiet afternoons by the pool, and the southern district appeals to visitors wishing for an active getaway. While North Myrtle Beach may be statistically safer than South Myrtle Beach, families, couples, and solo travelers can enjoy carefree and comfortable outings at the resort pools, on the beaches, and while exploring tourist areas in either location.

South Myrtle Beach Hotels vs. North Myrtle Beach Hotels

Both South Myrtle Beach hotels and North Myrtle Beach hotels offer a variety of accommodations for any budget. Every area includes condos and suites for large families, and you’ll find plenty of romantic rooms for two. The expansive oceanfront affords an endless selection of hotels in Myrtle Beach with ocean views, so you can watch the waves from any resort.

South Myrtle Beach hotels are known for towering water slides, splash pads packed with kids, and live music and poolside entertainment. Parents are off the hook when it comes to entertaining children at these resorts. Most of these kid-friendly Myrtle Beach hotels include numerous amenities for children, like kids’ clubs, an arcade, a snack bar and ice cream shop, and even a hotel bowling alley.

Heading north doesn’t mean your vacation will be a snooze, though. North Myrtle Beach hotels let their oceanfront pools and beach accesses do most of the entertaining, and there’s nothing boring about taking a dip in the refreshing blue waters of the pool or the ocean. If you have kids along, you can still stay north of the Boardwalk in a water park resort or at a Myrtle Beach hotel with a lazy river. And thanks to all the affordable hotels in the city of North Myrtle Beach, any budget-conscious traveler can stray a few miles farther for an even cheaper stay.

Attractions in South Myrtle Beach vs. North Myrtle Beach

If you can peel yourselves away from the hotel pools and beach, getting out to the attractions in Myrtle Beach provides many fun experiences. Broadway at the Beach is only a few miles from the resorts along the north end and features family-friendly attractions and interesting stores, and the restaurants at Broadway satisfy any appetite. North Myrtle Beach doesn’t have a boardwalk like downtown Myrtle, but the city is home to Barefoot Landing, a walkable entertainment district with stores, attractions, bars, restaurants, and even places to go wine tasting.

Resorts on the southern end of Myrtle Beach offer easy access to excellent attractions in Myrtle Beach. The Market Common neighborhood features stores, restaurants, and modern conveniences like a movie theater and escape room. You’ll also find many standalone attractions near hotels in South Myrtle Beach, like 810 Billiards and Bowling, DinoLand Café, and Fun Warehouse. Staying south of the hotels on the Myrtle Beach strip puts you only a short drive away from Brookgreen Gardens, the largest sculpture garden on the East Coast.The choice is yours! Whether you select a hotel in North Myrtle Beach, a resort on the northern end of the Myrtle Beach strip, or a suite on the southern side of the city, you’re in for a special getaway you won’t forget.

You’ve probably heard January is the cheapest month in Myrtle Beach, but that’s not the only time you can enjoy a budget-friendly trip to the Grand Strand. The off-season lasts from November through February in Myrtle Beach, and any of these months has proven to be the cheapest time of year to vacation in this coastal oasis. The winter also affords quieter beaches, emptier pool decks, and no-wait dining at the best restaurants in Myrtle Beach. With daytime temperatures hovering between 50 and 70 degrees, Myrtle Beach is far from freezing in the winter, so you can still soak in the oceanfront hot tubs and heated pools.

Planning a Cheap Trip to Myrtle Beach

Timing your arrival for the off-season allows you to enjoy the cheapest weekend in Myrtle Beach, without feeling short-changed on fun. But knowing the best days to book a hotel in Myrtle Beach—weeknights, for example—can help you avoid high-priced hotel rates, even in the summer. Once you’re here, take advantage of free festivals and inexpensive things to do in Myrtle Beach to easily fill a three-day itinerary. And don’t ignore the freebies offered at your resort: A Myrtle Beach hotel with a bowling alley or a sports court provides instant entertainment, and these kid-friendly resorts offer room discounts all year.

Myrtle Beach weather is best from June to August, and if you’re chasing the endless sunshine and hot beach days, you can enjoy an affordable trip even during the peak season. Myrtle Beach is only as expensive as you make it: Visiting the beach is free, there are loads of budget-friendly restaurants, and when you shop around for lodging, you’ll find some of the best hotel deals right on the oceanfront

Making smart transportation decisions can also reduce trip expenses. Driving versus flying to the Grand Strand may take an extra day but it saves a lot of cash, and selecting the cheapest car rental the Myrtle Beach airport offers can often save you up to $20 per day. Many Myrtle Beach resorts offer free parking so you can arrive by car without paying to keep your vehicle on-site. Shopping around to find cheap flights to and from Myrtle Beach or shifting your travel dates to weekdays can help stretch your vacation budget, too.

Finding Cheap Hotels in Myrtle Beach

When people see gorgeous oceanfront pools and amenity-loaded resorts, they assume the cost of a hotel room in Myrtle Beach is well out of reach. But that’s not so. When comparing a vacation in Myrtle Beach versus Daytona Beach, you’ll quickly find that Myrtle Beach is cheaper than Florida because the Grand Strand offers better lodging deals and more hotels with low or no deposits, no matter which month you arrive. Economy-style lodging is often lackluster at best, but the hotels for cheap in Myrtle Beach feature clean, comfortable rooms with views and excellent resort amenities.

Go ahead and plan your dream vacation for the winter to enjoy the absolute cheapest rates of the year, or vacation here in a warmer month and still enjoy a fabulous getaway that’s cheaper than you might think.

Explore the best hotel deals for Myrtle Beach Bike Week 2024 and take advantage of the impressive savings offered for motorcycle enthusiasts. Each year, more and more bikers join the ranks of attendees at Myrtle Beach Bike Week, so it’s important to reserve accommodations early. 

Myrtle Beach Bike Week’s Spring Rally will take place May 10–19 and the Fall Rally is set for October 2–8. This revved-up event will be held at Murrells Inlet, just south of Myrtle Beach proper. Spend the day looking at Harleys, and then catch up with your bike buddies at the restaurants in Murrells Inlet Marshwalk.

Several properties along the Grand Strand offer Myrtle Beach Bike Week hotel discounts. The most common hotel deals for Myrtle Beach Bike Week feature extended-stay rates, lowering the cost for three- to five-day reservations. Most hotels offer group discounts for Myrtle Beach Bike Week upon request. The Caravelle Resort offers up to 41 percent off of special group reservations. Only a 20-minute drive from Murrells Inlet, Crown Reef Resort & Waterpark is the closest hotel to Myrtle Beach Bike Week events and that offers deals. The best resort for Myrtle Beach Bike Week attendees is hotel BLUE, thanks to its impressive discounts and close proximity to Murrells Inlet and downtown Myrtle Beach.

Before you polish the chopper for an exciting Myrtle Beach Bike Week, lock down your lodging at an affordable rate. Check out our top picks for the best Myrtle Beach Bike Week 2024 hotels: 

Note: some properties do not allow trailers or may charge extra for trailers. Vehicle passes are limited at some properties. Contact the hotel you are interested in for information on vehicle accommodations and availability.

Myrtle Beach beaches have attracted seaside vacationers for decades with their stunning sunrise views, clean shorelines, and family-friendly atmospheres. While the city has plenty of attractions for guests to enjoy, it’s the beaches near Myrtle Beach that draw visitors back to the Grand Strand year after year. 

Myrtle Beach Beaches

Myrtle Beach beaches come together to create one of the most popular destinations in South Carolina known as the Grand Strand. This 60-mile stretch of sandy shoreline starts in the north end at Little River and reaches all the way to Pawleys Island in the south. The main public beaches in Myrtle Beach include:

  • Myrtle Beach State Park
  • North Myrtle Beach
  • Huntington Beach State Park
  • Surfside Beach
  • Litchfield Beach
  • Pawleys Island
  • Garden City
  • Ocean Drive Beach
  • Atlantic Beach
  • Cherry Grove Beach
  • Crescent Beach
  • Little River
  • Windy Hill Beach

Even if you aren’t staying at an oceanfront hotel in Myrtle Beach, you’ll still have access to the coast. Enjoy easy access to popular Myrtle Beach beaches using one of the 114 public beach access points across the Grand Strand. You won’t likely be able to experience all 60 miles of Myrtle Beach beaches on your vacation, so it’s important to choose the right destinations for your trip. 

The Best Beaches in Myrtle Beach

Visitors and locals agree that Cherry Grove is the best beach in Myrtle Beach for its relaxed, quiet ambiance.  Garden City, Pawleys Island, and Cherry Grove offer a reprieve from tourist hubs as the least crowded beaches in Myrtle Beach. The Golden Mile is considered the most prestigious stretch of beach on the Grand Strand, and its clean shore and peaceful environment make the Golden Mile ideal for a romantic getaway in Myrtle Beach

Family-Friendly Beaches in Myrtle Beach 

Myrtle Beach consistently ranks as the most family-friendly beach in South Carolina. The public beaches in Myrtle Beach welcome visitors of all ages, but some stretches of beach are better for kids than others. A good rule of thumb when planning your trip is, the more central the beach to downtown Myrtle Beach, the more family-friendly it will be. The most popular family-friendly hotels in Myrtle Beach are located close to downtown. The best beaches near Myrtle Beach for families include Litchfield Beach and Pawley’s Island. Start your child’s shell collection at Myrtle Beach State Park or Huntington Beach State Park, the best Myrtle Beach beaches for shelling. Make priceless memories with your children at Surfside, the most kid-friendly beach in Myrtle Beach. Even your four-legged family members are welcome to splash along with the kids at Surfside, one of the dog-friendly beaches in Myrtle Beach.