Myrtle Beach Hotels Blog

Myrtle Beach boat rentals give you access to hidden islands, waterway restaurants, and incredibly scenic areas along the Grand Strand’s rivers and inlets. Getting out on the water to explore the Intracoastal Waterway and Waccamaw River will be an unforgettable experience. The large pontoon boats can easily accommodate your family or a group of friends, and they’re conveniently located at area marinas, not far from Myrtle Beach hotels

Whether you want to spend a leisurely day on the water fishing, floating, or relaxing, or you want to transform your pontoon into a party barge for the day, the choice is yours when you’re the captain. Check out these watersports companies near Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, and Murrells Inlet for great boat rental options:

  • Action Water Sportz
  • Express Watersports

Your pontoon will be equipped with the necessary floatation devices and lifejackets to make sure your day on the water is safe and enjoyable. Some rentals even include extras like coolers and chairs, and others allow you to bring your own supplies; just be sure to inquire before you arrive. Before heading out, grab a map or ask for advice about where to go to make the most of your time on the water.

Exploring the Myrtle Beach area by boat to see uninhabited places inaccessible by car is an enriching experience for everyone. Whether you’re voyaging out to Bird Island or Waites Island, heading to a quieter beach, or simply tooling around the waterways checking out the scenery, you won’t run out of things to do. Cruising the Intracoastal Waterway is a social activity for boaters and offers endless places to dock and dine or enjoy live music, and if your boat rental is in Murrells Inlet, dining on the MarshWalk is a popular option, too. Those with a pontoon boat rental in North Myrtle Beach can take a detour to Barefoot Landing, an area filled with stores, eateries, and ice cream shops—and the daytime docking is free!

Here are our favorite watersports companies offering boat rentals in the Myrtle Beach area:

Knowing which hotels have the best beds in Myrtle Beach is essential information for any traveler looking for a restful, relaxing vacation in a comfy room. While it’s easy to let the oceanfront views, nearby restaurants, and the impressive pools and waterparks distract you when browsing hotels, don’t overlook the importance of a good night’s rest in a plush, cozy bed. 

This list of hotels includes properties that have it all, from fabulous amenities and sprawling pool decks to rooms with the best hotel beds:

  • Roxanne Towers
  • Compass Cove Resort
  • The Breakers Resort Myrtle Beach
  • Dunes Village Resort
  • Sandy Beach Resort
  • Landmark Resort
  • Crown Reef Beach Resort & Waterpark
  • Holiday Sands North
  • Bay View Resort
  • Monterey Bay Suites 

Amenities, a good deal, and a convenient location are important, but there’s also the place that you’ll rely on for shut-eye and restoration—the almighty hotel bed. For some, the mattress and pillows are an afterthought, and that’s fair enough. But if you’re one of those vacationers who require a bed worthy of a queen or king, finding out which hotel has the most comfortable beds should be your top priority when planning your vacation. 

We’ve done the homework for you and compiled this list of the hotels with the most comfortable, cushy beds in Myrtle Beach. Whether you want an oceanfront pool, a room with a view, or you prefer a resort near many things to do, these properties offer plenty of perks, plus they’re frequently complimented for having the best beds.

Restaurants open late in Myrtle Beach offer tasty, indulgent eats to cap off the night or keep the party going, and these 24/7 dining spots are local faves. While there are seemingly limitless lunch and dinner options in Myrtle Beach, finding restaurants that are open late can take a little more sleuthing, but don’t worry—we’ve done the work for you. 

If you’re looking for restaurants open after 8 p.m. in Myrtle Beach, you’re in luck: Every place on this list of late-night eateries is open past 8 p.m. Whether you’re looking for something quick and delicious or a sit-down meal with great cocktails, the restaurants at Broadway at the Beach, Barefoot Landing, and those on Restaurant Row are open into the evenings for diners to enjoy before or after a show or concert.

For vacationers whose nights out in the Grand Strand stretch well after sundown, restaurants open after midnight in Myrtle Beach include pizzerias, burger joints, and fast food spots serving all the best late-night foods. Dine in, take your midnight meal to go, or opt for delivery to your hotel. Most restaurants open late are located near Ocean Boulevard in Myrtle Beach or in other popular areas, so it’s easy to pop in for something quick and delicious en route to your oceanfront hotel at the end of the night. 

Whether you want breakfast after midnight or pizza delivered to your hotel at 2 a.m., check out these 24-hour restaurants and places open late in Myrtle Beach.

The Best 24-Hour Restaurants in Myrtle Beach

If your whirlwind vacation leaves little time for eating between hitting the beach and heading to the bars, then finding 24-hour food in Myrtle Beach is a must. While there are a limited number of places open 24/7, night owls will still find many eateries serving midnight snacks and breakfast items after hours. Club hoppers, concertgoers, and festival attendees can round out a great evening or extend the fun a while longer at these restaurants open late in Myrtle Beach:

Steak ’n Shake

1100 Jetport Rd., Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

When you’re looking for restaurants open 24 hours in Myrtle Beach, this classic burger joint is one that will hit the spot. The franchise was founded in 1934 and still boasts many restaurants in locations across the country, including right here in Myrtle Beach. Steak ’n Shake serves breakfast biscuits and hash browns (until 10:30 a.m.), plus their famous steakburgers, franks, fries, and shakes, which are available anytime. This restaurant is open 24/7 to satisfy any late-night or early-morning craving. 

810 Billiards and Bowling

1220 Moser Drive, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

Find something for everyone during almost any hour at this late-night restaurant in Myrtle Beach. The shareable apps include nachos, wings, and tons of fancy fries, and there are pizzas and burgers, too. Whether you came to bowl and play darts or you’re stopping by after an evening out on the town, this place will keep the party going until midnight on weekdays and 1 a.m. on weekends. Food service ends 45 minutes before closing.

Hungry Howie’s Pizza

1601 S Kings Hwy, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

This pizza place is open late in Myrtle Beach and serves fresh, hot pies with all kinds of toppings, along with wings and subs. They also offer a variety of bread topped with asiago, cinnamon, and cajun flavors, plus stuffed options. Order for curbside pickup or have the food delivered to your hotel for lunch or for a late-night bite. The store is open from 10:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, and open until 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Melt 

1320 Celebrity Circle Unit 189, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

This locally owned and operated restaurant stays open late in Myrtle Beach to serve your pre-show or after-bar hunger. Melt offers a nice variety of artisan sandwiches and wood-fired pizzas. Select any of their specialty combinations, like the Pulled Pork Melt or Buffalo Chicken Pizza, or build your own pie with all your favorite toppings. This late-night fast-casual spot is open from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily.

Dave & Buster’s 

1322 Celebrity Circle, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

This is a great spot for late-night food and entertainment in Myrtle Beach. The restaurant and arcade are open until midnight Sunday through Tuesday and until 1 a.m. Wednesday through Saturday. The menu is available from open to close and serves delicious burgers, wings, nachos, and other appetizers.

8th Ave Tiki Bar & Grill 

706 N Ocean Blvd, Myrtle Beach, SC 29572

This is a favorite spot to stop during the day or at night, as the extensive craft beer selection, premium cocktails, hand-crafted pizzas, burgers, and sandwiches really hit the spot after a long afternoon or evening exploring Myrtle Beach. The tiki bar is open daily from noon to midnight and is open late—until 1:30 a.m.—on the weekends.

While many cities and towns throughout the United States and Europe share names, there is only one “Myrtle Beach,” and it’s located in beautiful South Carolina. This begs the question: How did Myrtle Beach get its name? 

Where Did Myrtle Beach Get Its Name?

Because the Myrtle Beach area is home to an abundance of crepe myrtle trees, many locals and visitors alike understandably—but incorrectly—assume that Myrtle Beach is named after crepe myrtles. 

Rather, the Myrtle Beach name comes from the wax myrtle, a type of evergreen shrub or small tree that is native to the area. The wax myrtle has fragrant leaves and small berries Native Americans used for medicinal purposes. Early settlers also found the wax from the tree useful for making candles and soap.

In the 1700s, the Withers family owned quite a large amount of property in the area and thus it was referred to as “Withers.” But in the late 1800s, the Burroughs and Collins Company of Conway purchased a significant amount of the Withers’ land, leading to a city-naming contest in the year 1900.

The winning submission came from Addie Burroughs, widow of Franklin G. Burroughs from the Burroughs and Collins Company. She came up with the name Myrtle Beach, inspired by the area’s native wax myrtle bushes.

The name Myrtle Beach has stuck since then. Myrtle Beach officially became a town in 1938, quickly growing to become a city in 1957. To this day, Myrtle Beach is constantly expanding, with a large influx of vacationers visiting our city each year, and more and more people deciding to make this beautiful place their new home.

What Do the Locals Call Myrtle Beach?

The Myrtle Beach area has numerous nicknames used by locals and frequent visitors. Locals often refer to Myrtle Beach as “The Grand Strand.” The term “strand” refers to a stretch of beach, and “grand” is meant to convey the area’s size and popularity as a tourist destination. The name “Grand Strand” has been in use since the 1940s and is now widely recognized as the nickname for the Myrtle Beach area.

You may have heard “Dirty Myrtle” as a nickname for Myrtle Beach, but it is not a commonly used or official nickname. The origins of the nickname are unclear, but it is thought to have originated from the perception of the area as a rowdy party destination. While Myrtle Beach does have a reputation for being a lively vacation spot, it is also known for its family-friendly attractions and natural beauty. As such, many locals and visitors prefer to use the more positive nickname, “The Grand Strand,” to refer to the area.

The locals in Myrtle Beach also refer to the city simply as “Myrtle,” and sometimes as “The Beach.” They might also refer to specific areas within Myrtle Beach, such as “North Myrtle Beach” or “South Myrtle Beach.” Additionally, there are many smaller communities within the Myrtle Beach area, such as Conway and Surfside Beach, that locals might also refer to by name.

History of Myrtle Beach

The history of Myrtle Beach dates back thousands of years when the area was inhabited by various Native American tribes. The region was primarily used for hunting and fishing until the arrival of European settlers in the late 1600s.

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Myrtle Beach—then referred to as “Long Bay” or “New Town”—began to attract tourists who were drawn to its natural beauty, warm climate, and pristine beaches. The first hotel was built in 1901, and by the 1920s, Myrtle Beach had become a popular vacation destination for people from across the United States.

During World War II, Myrtle Beach was used as a training ground for military personnel; after the war, the area experienced a boom in development and population growth. In the decades that followed, Myrtle Beach continued to grow and expand to cater to the millions of tourists who visited the area each year.

Today, Myrtle Beach is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the United States, known for its beautiful beaches, unique hotels and resorts, wide range of attractions and activities, and friendly Southern hospitality. The area continues to evolve and change, with new developments and attractions being added all the time to keep visitors coming back year after year.

Treats from ice cream shops in Myrtle Beach hit the spot after a day in the sun, and these 10 spots offer some of the best flavors with endless toppings. Out of all the towns in the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach is the city with the best ice cream because the shops here serve everything from traditional flavors to super creative sundaes and non-dairy frozen treats, to satisfy any sweet tooth. 

The Myrtle Beach ice cream scene offers no shortage of great places to find delicious frozen treats. Whether you’re taking a day trip out of town or walking down the beach for dessert, these ice cream shops are some of the best in the Grand Strand:

  • Ben & Jerry’s
  • Bruster’s Real Ice Cream
  • Calabash Creamery
  • Cold Stone Creamery
  • Kirk’s: 1980 Ice Cream Parlor
  • Mad Myrtle’s Ice Creamery
  • The Crafty Cow
  • Original Painter’s Homemade Ice Cream
  • Sweet Molly’s Creamery

If you’re in town during a birthday or for a special occasion, buy an ice cream cake at Ben & Jerry’s, Calabash Creamery, or Cold Stone Creamery to celebrate. Each ice cream shop offers custom cakes or pre-made frozen treats for any party.

Ice cream aficionados will be delighted by all the places in Myrtle Beach serving hand-churned frozen treats. Some of the best homemade ice cream in Myrtle Beach can be found right at Broadway at the Beach, where shops make their own smooth, creamy ice cream in-house. You won’t be disappointed by any of the exciting gourmet flavors, like lemon cream and watermelon taffy. And if you’re looking for a bit of nostalgia in your hand-churned sweets, discover the parlor-style ice cream shops not far from Myrtle Beach hotels

Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle Beach is another area known for its excellent ice cream shops. These places are scooping tons of tasty flavors and creating inventive combinations with all kinds of mix-ins. Since they’re located in one of the best shopping and dining destinations, you can grab a cup, cone, or bowl for a cool snack or frozen dessert anytime. 

The next time you’re craving sweet, creamy ice cream, head to any of these Myrtle Beach shops:

The 2021 Carolina Country Music Festival in Myrtle Beach is scheduled for June. 10-13, 2021.

Stay at hotels near Carolina Country Music Festival to kick back, relax, and enjoy three days of unforgettable concerts and endless sunshine. These convenient Myrtle Beach Boardwalk hotels offer all the extras, like beachfront pools, tiki bars, and things to do between shows to make the most of your weekend. The area is home to many attractions, bars, and restaurants, and the hotels near this country music festival in Myrtle Beach are at the heart of it all. 

The summer’s biggest bash is happening from June 8th to the 11th, so start planning your vacation now to catch all your favorite musicians. The 2023 country music festival lineup includes Morgan Wallen, Miranda Lambert, Brooks & Dunn, HARDY, and many more must-see artists. Skip the expense of parking passes and the hassle of rideshares by selecting from the hotels near the Carolina Country Music Fest within walking distance of the grounds.

Check out this list of places to stay in Myrtle Beach near all the festival fun and get ready for a weekend of great tunes and good times: