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As domestic travel slowly opens up following the COVID-19 pandemic, many US travelers are considering summer escapes. For those looking to hit the road and travel domestically, many will seek to get out of the house and return to familiar destinations such as Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
The city is named for its natural abundance of crape myrtle trees, though these days, nature has taken a back seat as its become one of the most developed spots along this length of coast, known as the Grand Strand. Myrtle Beach is very much a casual, family-focused resort town, with 60 miles of brown sand framed by amusement and water parks, shopping malls, family attractions, golf courses, and of course, lots of hotels. Main attractions center around families and golfing, with theme parks including the Family Kingdom Amusement Park, Myrtle Waves Water Park, and the NASCAR Speed Park. Ripley's Aquarium and the SkyWheel are also huge draws.
Visitors will find Myrtle Beach relaxed and unpretentious, though the north end is generally held to be more contemporary, with the south end feeling a little more dated and run down. The dominant chain restaurant scene will appeal to families over foodies.
If you're considering making a trip to Myrtle Beach but are wondering if it's safe to travel and stay in hotels, it's important to understand that without a vaccine, there is no firm guarantee. Follow guidelines from organizations such as the CDC and WHO, wear a mask, wash your hands, and maintain social distancing, to minimize risks. Additionally, be sure to check current state travel restrictions before booking as new COVID-19 outbreaks may cause policy changes.
And while Myrtle Beach is one of the higher-volume destinations in the region, new protocols are being established, and social distancing rules enforced in public spaces. Buffets and other higher-risk amenities are closed down, and hotels are implementing stringent new guidelines for both staff and guests.
If done correctly, these measures should mean guests can enjoy more personal space than they otherwise might, as well as access to good self-catering facilities, to manage their own risk assessment. Our top Myrtle Beach hotels have all updated their sanitization procedures and COVID protocols, listed within each hotel's description below.
I've been visiting the region for over a decade, and have seen the developments in and around Myrtle Beach. To highlight the best hotels, I selected those that range in price from $69 to $239 per night to start, depending on the season. I've highlighted those that are proven to be well-located, with excellent amenities, and are well-reviewed by past guests on trusted traveler sites such as Trip Advisor and Booking.com.
To learn about other safe vacation ideas during COVID that are close to home, click on a link below to jump directly to more coverage:These are the best hotels in Myrtle Beach, sorted by price from low to high.