The Marriott Myrtle Beach Resort and Spa at Grande Dunes is the hotel to choose when you want Myrtle Beach without the boardwalk bustle: a large, full-service oceanfront resort at 8400 Costa Verde Drive, inside Grande Dunes, the planned, upscale community at the north end of the city where the Intracoastal Waterway and the ocean squeeze close together. It feels more like a classic beach resort than a condo tower. Many rooms have private balconies facing the Atlantic, and the grounds are built around the beach, with an outdoor pool, an indoor pool for cooler months, a whirlpool and a water slide, all complimentary, plus poolside cabanas to rent. Hibiscus Spa handles treatments, and the fitness center is free to guests. Dining runs to five outlets: Ocean's on 82nd for breakfast and dinner, Ocean Blu Restaurant and Lounge, The Cove, a seasonal poolside spot for lunch, Rooted Grounds Coffee Company in the lobby, and the Greatroom for cocktails. Golfers are in the right place: Grande Dunes is known for its championship courses, and the wider area has more than 80 to choose from. The resort also has extensive event space, which makes it popular for oceanfront weddings and conferences. Practical notes: self-parking is charged daily (valet costs more), the minimum check-in age is 21, pets are not allowed, and there is no shuttle, so you will want a car for sightseeing.
Who it suits: couples and families who want a proper hotel rather than a condo, with service, restaurants and a spa on site, and golfers who want to stay where they play. The Grande Dunes setting is quieter and more residential than central Myrtle Beach, with good restaurants in the Grande Dunes area and the Embassy Suites and Hilton at Kingston a short drive north. The trade-off is distance from the classic attractions: the boardwalk and SkyWheel are about 15 minutes south, and Broadway at the Beach a similar drive.
Room strategy: book an oceanfront room for the balcony view, since that is the point of staying here, and ask for a higher floor. The indoor pool keeps the water program going from November to March, when the outdoor pools are cool, and the spa makes the resort a good off-season escape. Winter rates are far below summer prices.
Practicalities: check-in is at 4 p.m. and check-out at 11 a.m. Parking fees apply for self-parking and valet; factor them into the comparison with condo resorts that include parking. Myrtle Beach International Airport is about 10 miles away. For the holiday season, The Carolina Opry and Pirates Voyage on North Kings Highway are close, which makes the Marriott an excellent base for a show-focused December trip.
Why stay here
- ✓Oceanfront rooms with balconies
- ✓Indoor and outdoor pools
- ✓Water slide and whirlpool
- ✓Hibiscus Spa
- ✓Five restaurants and lounges
- ✓Poolside cabanas for rent
- ✓Free fitness center
- ✓Championship golf nearby
Good questions
Where is the Marriott at Grande Dunes?+
At 8400 Costa Verde Drive in Grande Dunes, at the north end of Myrtle Beach, about 15 minutes north of the boardwalk.
Is there an indoor pool?+
Yes. The resort has indoor and outdoor pools, a whirlpool and a water slide, all complimentary, plus rentable cabanas.
Are there extra fees?+
Self-parking and valet are charged daily. The minimum check-in age is 21, and pets are not allowed.
