Dunes Village Resort is the Myrtle Beach hotel children lobby for, and the reason is under its roof: a 30,000-square-foot indoor water park, built in two phases, that keeps the slides running every day of the year. Inside you will find adult-sized speed slides that teenagers love, a river ride of more than 250 feet, a teen pool with water volleyball and basketball, and for little ones the Silly Submarine play area, dumping buckets and a kiddie play pool with its own small slides. Outside, there is an oceanfront pool and deck facing the beach. What makes it stand out among the many family resorts on the Strand is the programming: the Dunes Village Kids Club runs all year with daily activities such as face painting, tie-dye and temporary tattoos, most free and some with a small supply fee, and the grounds add a basketball court, tennis courts, mini golf, shuffleboard and table games. Rooms are oceanfront studios and suites with kitchens, up to large three- and four-bedroom condos for reunions and team trips, so you can cook meals and save money. The resort has won repeated family awards, including recognition as a top hotel for families on Tripadvisor. Its reliability in bad weather is the main selling point: when rain or a cold snap empties the beach, the indoor water park simply becomes the destination.
Who should book: families with children from toddlers to teens, especially for spring break, fall weekends and winter holidays, when outdoor pools elsewhere are closed or too cool. The indoor park is open year-round, which makes Dunes Village one of the best off-season choices in town; a November or February weekend here can be as much fun for children as a July week, at a fraction of the price.
Choosing a room: oceanfront studios suit couples or a small family on a short break, while the multi-bedroom condos with full kitchens suit larger groups and longer stays. Ask for a higher floor for better views, and check which rooms are closest to the water park if you have young children. The front desk keeps a schedule of resort events and kids club activities, so pick one up when you check in.
Location and logistics: the resort is on the oceanfront along Ocean Boulevard, with the beach directly outside and the main attractions, Broadway at the Beach, the boardwalk and the SkyWheel, a short drive away. With the water park, kitchens and kids club, many families find they barely need to leave, which keeps a trip simple and affordable.
Why stay here
- ✓30,000 sq ft indoor water park
- ✓250-plus-foot river ride
- ✓Adult-sized speed slides
- ✓Year-round kids club
- ✓Oceanfront outdoor pool and deck
- ✓Rooms and condos with kitchens
- ✓Mini golf, tennis and basketball
- ✓Kiddie play pool and splash area
Good questions
Is the indoor water park open all year?+
Yes. The 30,000-square-foot indoor water park is designed for year-round use, with slides, a river ride and kids areas.
Is there a kids club?+
Yes. The Dunes Village Kids Club runs all year with daily activities; most are free and some have a small supply fee.
Do rooms have kitchens?+
Many do. The resort offers oceanfront studios and suites with kitchens up to three- and four-bedroom condos.
