The 9 Best Oceanfront Myrtle Beach Hotels of 2023

Scenic View Of Beach And Buildings Against Sky Myrtle Beach — Hollie Davenport / EyeEm / Getty Images

Nestled at the center of a 60-mile stretch of beach known as ‘The Grand Strand,’ Myrtle Beach is one of the premier waterfront destinations on the Atlantic coast. With soft sandy beaches, inviting blue waters and a warm, sub-tropical climate, travelers flock to this rapidly growing, family-friendly oasis. In Myrtle Beach, soaring hotel skyscrapers look out over wide beaches, bustling shopping strips feature upscale designer boutiques, and world-class restaurants serve fresh local seafood, contemporary fusion cuisine, and classic American bistro fare.

The area surrounding Myrtle Beach is renowned for its numerous golf courses that provide challenging links and fairways interspersed between green forests and deep blue lakes. Amusement parks, aquariums, and water sports provide ways to keep the family entertained, and peace and nature can be discovered at the nearby Myrtle Beach State Park. With the beautiful beaches being the major drawcard for Myrtle Beach, oceanfront hotels have become the most desirable lodging in town.

Best Overall: Marriott Myrtle Beach Resort & Spa at Grande Dunes

Set among lush green woodland and tranquil waterways, the soft pink hues of the Marriott Myrtle Beach Resort and Spa at Grande Dunes lend a warm, Mediterranean ambiance to the hotel complex. Modern rooms are simply styled in soft whites and greys, with plush duvets, porcelain bathrooms and large windows opening onto scenic balconies. Several swimming options include an elegant free-form pool great for families, a relaxed oceanfront pool with softly padded sun lounges, and a smaller, shallow children’s pool. A few golf courses, including the Grande Dunes championship links, are easily accessible from the hotel premises. Dining options include classic American cuisine at the oceanfront Cove where guests can enjoy peaceful vistas from the shaded alfresco terrace. The poolside Ocean Blu serves delicious snacks and casual dinners, and the hotel bar offers classic spirits and flashy cocktails paired with plush maroon couches and set atop ornate rugs and hardwood floors.

Best Budget: Anderson Ocean Club & Spa

With an enviable beachfront location in the heart of downtown Myrtle Beach, the Anderson Ocean Club & Spa offers superb value with all the services and amenities of an upscale resort for a fraction of the price. Swaying palms and bright flowers line the entrance to the hotel complex. Comfortable rooms feature muted but cheerful pastel color schemes, marble vanity counters and furnished balconies. Guests can partake in Swedish and hot stone massages, Dead Sea mud wraps, and bath soaks at the soothing Awakening spa. The oceanfront pool courtyard features lounges, a river circuit and a small lap pool, and a heated indoor pool offers submerged seating ledges and an adjacent hot tub. Guests also receive free admission to nearby water parks and mini-golf courses. The B-Bar on the pool deck offers refreshing cocktails and a bar menu stocked with tasty bites while guests view the poolside action or listen to the surf crashing onto the soft beach sands.

Best Boutique: The Cottages at North Beach Plantation

Set within the luxurious North Beach Resort & Villa property, The Cottages offers homey accommodations in a secluded beachside community. Each cottage features a unique design based on a vintage 70s beach theme, with design elements like kitschy floral duvet covers, wicker chairs and pastel hues. Bathrooms come equipped with both walk-in showers and large bathtubs. Outside porches come with dining tables for social alfresco dinners and entertainment, and some of the more luxurious houses are kitted out with private pools and two-car garages. At the neighboring hotel complex, guests can indulge in massages at the Cinzai Spa, enjoy the pool and hot tub facilities and dine at the celebrated 21 Main Prime Steakhouse. Hotel staff can also assist in arranging amusement park tickets, water sports excursions and golf packages.

Best for Families: Coral Beach Resort & Suites

Coral Beach Resort & Suites, Myrtle Beach — Courtesy of Coral Beach, Myrtle Beach

The variety of fun family activities available at the Coral Beach Resort & Suites sets it apart from other beachfront resort in the Myrtle Beach strip. Although within close proximity to golf courses, amusement parks and shopping strips, guests can be fully entertained without leaving the premises. Amenities include a colorful eight-lane bowling alley and a recreation room filled with pool tables, air hockey and arcade games, with tasty burgers, sizzling hot dogs and cool ice-creams available from the Chill & Grill Zone. Other refreshment options include the poolside Splash Oceanfront Bar & Grill, stylish Oceans 6 Bar & Lounge, and the relaxed Atlantis restaurant. Spacious guest suites feature modern décor, full kitchens and private balconies. Outside, numerous pool options include a lazy river ride, a children’s water park, dedicated kids pools and spa jacuzzis while inside a large heated indoor pool complex offers relaxed bathing options with tiled pillars and mermaid artwork.

Best for Romance: Island Vista Resort

Being the only oceanfront hotel for a mile in either direction, the Island Vista Resort offers a sense of seclusion and privacy that is a rarity in the heavily developed Myrtle Beach area. Vast stone arches in the heated indoor pool complex create the impression of bathing in a historic subterranean grotto, while the elegant pool courtyard is reminiscent of a colonial villa and is filled with shady palms, sun lounges and hot tubs. Massage services include Swedish, traditional Hawaiian and deep tissue treatments and can be enjoyed on poolside lounges or in the privacy of your suite. The soft cream palette and polished wood accents in the inviting suites make for a warm, homey atmosphere, with notable amenities including deep granite bathtubs and private balconies. The sophisticated Cypress Room offers filet of beef, grilled salmon, and local seafood dishes in a classy, intimate space. In the evenings, guests are entertained by live acoustic music and Hawaiian fire shows while enjoying sunset cocktails from the tropical thatch-hut Tiki Bar.

Best for Luxury: North Beach Plantation Myrtle Beach

The graceful, sweeping lines of the majestic North Beach Resort and Villas instantly convey the sense of style, elegance and luxury that is to be found within this upscale beachside resort. Richly-appointed guest suites come with leather couches, mahogany cabinets and scenic balconies. The expansive oceanfront courtyard is filled with beautiful water features, including lazy rivers, spacious hot tubs, private poolside cabanas and a large pool with a laid-back swim-up bar — the largest in Myrtle Beach. The opulent Cinzia Spa offers a full range of massage, health and vitality services, with relaxing hot tubs set in stone courtyards filled with fountains, flowers and candles. The award-winning 21 Main Prime Steakhouse — housed in a lavish Southern-mansion style building with white stone columns and alfresco dining balcony —offers sizzling steak cuts and fresh sushi coupled with modern cocktails and an extensive wine selection.

Best for Singles: Avista Resort

Located in the center of North Myrtle Beach, the Avista Resort is perfectly situated to provide easy access to both beautiful sandy beaches and shopping and nightlife options, with plentiful restaurants, bars and cocktail lounges in the surrounding area. The lively pool courtyard features lazy river rides and hot tubs, while a large indoor pool area provides a more relaxed and soothing bathing option. The Sip n Dip pool bar keeps guests refreshed while lazing in the sunshine, and the Tree Top Lounge offers a hip, social space in a stylish Art Deco venue with music, pool tables and spectacular views. Modern guest rooms offer fully equipped kitchens, floor-to-ceiling windows and private balconies with ocean views. For guests wanting to explore nearby attractions, the hotel can help arrange golf packages, water sports activities and scuba diving excursions.

Best for Business: Compass Cove Oceanfront Resort

Located just five minutes from Myrtle Beach International Airport and the Whispering Pines golf course, Compass Cove Oceanfront Resort is an excellent venue to host business conferences, conduct team building seminars or simply provide a peaceful place to stay and welcome partners and clients. A variety of meeting spaces can host small boardroom conferences to large events of up to 120 people and come equipped with modern audio-visual equipment, projectors and event planners to help facilitate a smooth and efficient event. Large, comfortable rooms provide writing desks, soothing blue and cream color schemes and large oceanfront balconies. Indoor pool complexes, sunny outdoor terraces and beachside sun lounges are great for relaxing after the day's business is concluded and dinner and drinks can be shared with colleagues and clients around a generous firepit on the ocean view terrace of the Crow’s Nest restaurant.

Best Villa: Marriott's OceanWatch Villas at Grande Dunes

Set in the exclusive, master-planned community of Grande Dunes, Marriott's OceanWatch Villas provide all the benefits of staying at a large hotel resort while still allowing guests to enjoy the privacy and home comforts of a luxury villa. The cozy two-bedroom villas feature a smooth modern design, with soft greys and creams featuring in the comfortable and functional furnishings. Master bedrooms have king beds, comfortable window couches and oversized soaking tubs. The furnished balconies allow guests to enjoy ocean views while dining on meals prepared in the small but fully-equipped kitchen. Guests at the villas have full access to all hotel amenities, including indoor and outdoor pools, the saunas and hot tubs in the indulgent Hibiscus Spa, and the spacious gym and fitness area. Children will enjoy playing in the giant playground area, on pool waterslides and in the kids club and activity center.