When I tell people, I am going to Myrtle Beach I usually get a couple of reactions. First, ugh why, and then secondly…it must be North Myrtle Beach. I said last year in my post, that I, contrary to popular opinion, like Myrtle Beach (and not just the Northern part). That is to say, I like it for what it is, a place to relax, see the ocean, and drink fruity drinks. One of the next things people ask me is do you know where to stay in Myrtle Beach? I have been to three spots on this beach, but the one I will continue to return to is the Island Vista Resort.
We visited this hotel twice, both times we went we had an excellent and relaxing stay. Even our last trip, when the weekend was a total washout, it was great to just chill in the room. Is this hotel a 5-star resort, with free back rubs, and mints on your pillow… no! This is still Myrtle Beach, but the Island Vista Resort is the closest thing to luxury to be found in the area…
To Read TripAdvisor Reviews of the Island Vista Resort, Click the Attached Link
The Great About the Island Vista Resort: The Room
My standards aren’t high in Myrtle Beach when it comes to a room, but the Island Vista Resort exceeded them. I wasn’t sure if the thought I was Prince Akeem from Coming to America, but the room was gigantic and felt almost royal. Yes, the second time we had a suite, but both rooms felt larger than most hotel lobbies. The suite was only about $40/night more a night, so it was well worth the cost. There were two bathrooms, a giant dining room table, a master bedroom (bigger than some of my former apartments) and a great kitchen. The kitchen is stocked with a full-size fridge, dishwasher, even plates and silverware. They must realize that 90% of the food in Myrtle Beach is inedible (possibly poisonous) so they make it easier for you to cook.
The best part of the room is the view. I am not 100% sure, but I am fairly certain all the rooms face the ocean (call to ask). Our balcony was so big it had two separate entrances to it. The torrential downpour of the weekend didn’t bother us too much, we can still watch the ocean from our room. Who needs the outside world when you have bottles of rum, a fridge full of juice and chair facing the water? I have been to a lot of rooms around the world, in terms of sheer size and amenities this was one of the best bangs for our buck..
The Great About the Island Vista Resort in Myrtle Beach: The Pool (and Amenities)
I will use Myrtle Beach standards, because it makes no sense to compare this hotel to one in Santorini. Having said this, I will say I really enjoy the pool area, specifically, I love the lazy river. Few things melt my stress away than five or six daiquiris, a tube, and randomly drifting in and out of fake caves. I have been all over the world and very few things match this kind of relaxation. In the 8 minutes it takes to get all the way around, you can forget your troubles. It is further enhanced by the lack of crowds in the pool. Almost every time I went in I can sail without being bothered. We did go the week before Memorial Day, so take this with a grain of salt…
Besides the lazy river, there are two pools, one indoor, one outside and a couple of large pools. The pool area itself was always comfortable, not too crowded, and well kept. One of the best aspects of the area is the Tiki Bar, which will keep you well supplied with top notch banana daiquiris (when they are open). Opening at 12, they also have daily specials to help ease you into a nice day drinking buzz. The entire area feels tropical, with palm trees, a relaxed environment. After enough rum you can fool yourself into thinking you are in the Caribbean…
Value and Service
If you know me, you know I like to save money. The Island Vista Resort was cheaper than some meals I have had. I mean that in the literal sense, the hotel for two nights with a giant suite, was less than $300. I stayed in a shoe box in New York, where If I needed to stretch my feet out I had to open a window. That hotel was about $300/night! I know you can’t compare Myrtle Beach to New York or Charleston, but this cost can factor into your decisions when deciding which location to choose. Once again, I went a week before “peak” season, so prices may vary.
As for service, I have no complaints, the people at the hotel are always nice. The staff at the front desk are fast and accommodating, and the rest of the workers were pleasant. There aren’t too many bells and whistles (don’t expect a bottle of complimentary champagne), but overall, I have nothing but positive things to say about the staff.
The Bad about the Island Vista Resort: Food and Drink Options
My one complaint I have about the hotel is the food and drink options (or lack thereof). On vacation, I feel the only thing better than day drinking is morning drinking. Unfortunately, neither of these options were available on my last trip. They do have the previously mentioned Tiki Bar with some quick basic food and drink options, so weather permitting you can grab a drink at noon. It seems the Tiki Bar food was created to be the most average and unforgettable food available. It wasn’t bad, it was just as if the flavor was magically removed from the plate. Lastly, the drink prices in the Tiki Bar were much higher than other areas (although the drinks are better).
The also have the Cypress Room, which offers a good dinner and a decent happy hour, but even that has changed for the worse, the drink specials were not the same as the prior year. The Cypress also removed some of the better food options, (the charcuterie plate). Well, it wasn’t removed from the menu, only the kitchen, apparently, they need to hit Kinkos..
Rain Options
If there is a hint of rain, like during my last trip, the Tiki Bar will be closed. This can create an uncomfortable situation where you have to scavenge for food and drink. The hotel had no options until 4PM, which is weird for a resort. The closest restaurant was about a 15 minute walk away.. Do you know what an 12:00 PM humidity does to a ice rum drink? It wasn’t pretty…
The hotel gave us a great kitchen, your best bet is to keep it stocked in case of rain, given the food in Myrtle Beach is so bad anyway, please heed this advice.
Where to Stay in Myrtle Beach: The Island Vista Resort
If you want to know where to stay in Myrtle Beach, you can’t go wrong with the Island Vista Resort. The room was excellent, the value was good, and it offered a relaxing time. In between continent hopping and looking for the next old temple or Roman monument, we like to relax at Myrtle Beach and this hotel is a personal favorite…
