The Strand Hotel in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is an oceanfront boutique resort. The beachfront high rise formerly known as The Breakers Myrtle Beach is centrally located and caters to beachgoers seeking a boutique hotel experience. I traveled there for a mother and son spring break getaway and after spending a couple of nights at The Strand, here’s my take on this beach property.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Arrival at The Strand Hotel
Our first impression is a positive one. The tall stucco-style building is the embodiment of oceanfront elegance. Pretty tropical flowers and ubiquitous Carolina Palmetto trees adorn the building front. The sliding glass doors part revealing a light, airy all be it an intimate lobby.
We’re greeted by a friendly employee at the desk who checks us in while providing us with details regarding our room and the resort. A cursory scan indicates this is chic yet user-friendly facility. The weight room and restaurant are mere footsteps away from the lobby. More importantly, access to the pool and beach is adjacent to the lobby as well.
With key cards in hand, we commence unloading the car. There’s 15-minute parking out front to permit easy unloading however, it’s rather tight so you’ll want to move quickly.
The Rooms
The Strand offers several room choices starting with the basic Strand Ocean View Room (A) all the way to the Strand Oceanfront Efficiency (CE). There are nine room choices in all that can accommodate up to a maximum of six people in a room. There’s a variety of room configurations and features meeting a range of needs and budgets. All rooms have a balcony.
Being frugal, we opted for the least expensive, Ocean View Room (A). Our room was comfortable for the two of us but I will say, had my husband been along, we may have found it a tad snug. The beds were extremely comfortable and the shower despite the fact it’s not very spacious was clean and we had plenty of hot water. It’s a step in shower with a curtain so if a tub is important, be advised. Additionally, essentials such as shampoo, lotion, hairdryer, and iron are provided.
Overall, the Strand Ocean View Room (A) was a pleasant choice. Although the room isn’t what they call “oceanfront” the views at sunrise were spectacular. That being said, the balcony is my favorite feature. Each morning with the in-room coffee provided, I’d sit on the balcony enjoying stunning Myrtle Beach sunrises.
The Amenities
The Strand Hotel offers a variety of amenities. There’s a business center, pool, hot tub, bar, and free hot continental breakfast served daily. We took advantage of the free hot breakfast which is a huge plus permitting us to make the most of our mornings. Furthermore, The Strand has direct access to the beach and a convenient shower to rinse off feet, gear, and bodies upon completing time on the sand.
An added bonus is the onsite concierge to provide assistance with finding tours, tickets, and other advice to make the stay more enjoyable. My son was interested in fishing and they were extremely helpful in providing information with regard to the rules and regulations pertaining to angling in Myrtle Beach.
Pull Over Pro Tip - Myrtle Beach has a Thong Bikini Ban; Swimwear revealing any portion of the buttocks is prohibited and violators may be arrested, jailed or fined.
Nearby Dining
There’s an abundance of choices when it comes to dining in Myrtle Beach. As a matter of fact, there are in excess of 1,500 restaurants to choose from. However, I wanted to walk from The Strand Hotel which limited our options.
Surprisingly, there are relatively few eateries and bistros within a short walking distance of The Strand. While the hotel restaurant offers light lunch and dinner menus along with refreshing cocktails and beverages, we were looking for an authentic seafood dinner. We found this about three blocks north at the Sea Captain’s House.
For over fifty years the Sea Captain’s House has been a tradition for seafood in Myrtle Beach. Although a bit pricy, the food, atmosphere, and ocean views make this a worthwhile splurge. Moreover, it’s an easy walk from The Strand.
Myrtle Beach Attractions
One of the biggest perks The Strand offers is its location. It’s minutes from the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, Myrtle Beach SkyWheel, and Broadway at the Beach shopping and entertainment complex.
A short distance to the north is Duplin Winery, Barefoot Landing, House of Blues, Alabama Theater, and family entertainment including Medieval Times and Pirates Voyage dinner shows. We spent a delightful evening at the ballpark watching minor league baseball. The Myrtle Beach Pelicans park is about a five-minute drive from The Strand and is a memorable family-friendly outing.
Not sure what to do?
Stop by and say hello to the concierge in the lobby. The concierge is there to help guests find their vacation amusement beyond the resort.
Making Reservations
I found a bargain using Dunhill Travel. Dunhill is an aggregate that scours the Internet in search of the top deals and promotions across multiple platforms. As an affiliate, I wanted to put it to the test and that’s how I found a great deal during spring break.
It was easy to use. Dunhill let me enter my search criteria and based on the results, connected me directly to the hotel’s site where I completed the reservations process. (I’ll be doing a full review of Dunhill Travel Deals in a future post)
Pros About My Stay at The Strand
I asked my 14-year old what he liked most about The Strand. Without hesitation, he said, “it’s close to everything.”
I agree. The location is outstanding. There are other pros that stand out as well.
- Great shoulder season pricing
- Oceanfront location
- Oceanfront pool
- Beach access
- Cocktail bar and restaurant
- Comfortable rooms
- Onsite Concierge
- Excellent Golf Vacation Packages
- A DVD player in the room with rentals in the lobby
- WiFi
- Lounge chairs under the palmettos
- Parking garage
- Free hot continental breakfast
- Friendly staff
- Dunhill deal
The Cons
While the cons aren’t significant enough to spoil the stay, there are a few things I’d call noticeable or sort of irksome.
- Our room had an odd double door entry making maneuvering our beach gear and the luggage cart at check-in and departure awkward
- Our room didn’t have a refrigerator
- Not a lot of extra space in the room for our beach gear
- The parking garage is across the street and while it’s great to have parking, it felt very tight to me. Height clearance is 6’6″ and there are lots of support beams. Judging by the skid marks on the walls, miscalculations are frequent.
- The small lobby and entry made moving luggage carts and loading cars challenging at check-out time
Would I Stay Again?
Would I stay again?
Sure!
The Strand Hotel suited our needs, was a convenient locale and gave us a mother and son beach getaway we’ll remember for years to come. Added to that, the accommodations, beach access, and amenities for the price were excellent. That being said, I think next time I’ll upgrade to a slightly larger room especially if my husband joins us. I’ll also request a refrigerator.
My son and I give The Strand Hotel in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina two thumbs-up.
The Strand a Boutique Resort
2700 N. Ocean Blvd.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 29577
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