Where to Stay

Find your perfect spot along sixty miles of beautiful coastline.

Where to Stay in Myrtle Beach: A Neighborhood-by-Neighborhood Guide

Myrtle Beach isn't one beach — it's a 60-mile stretch of coastline with a dozen distinct areas, and picking the wrong one is the #1 regret first-time visitors mention. This guide breaks down where to stay based on who you're traveling with and what you want your trip to look like.

Quick Picks

First time visiting? Stay in the Myrtle Beach city center, near the Boardwalk.
Traveling with young kids? North Myrtle Beach — calmer water, quieter beaches.
Golf trip? Look at stay-and-play packages in the Carolina Forest or North Myrtle areas.
Want peace and quiet? Surfside Beach or Litchfield, south of the main strip.
On a budget? Inland hotels off Highway 17, a short drive from the sand.

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Myrtle Beach (City Center) — Best for First-Timers

This is the Myrtle Beach most people picture: the Boardwalk, the SkyWheel, Broadway at the Beach a short drive away, and a huge concentration of oceanfront hotels and resorts. It's walkable, lively, and puts everything within reach — which also means it's busier and louder than other stretches of coast.

Good for: first-time visitors, groups who want nightlife and boardwalk access, anyone without a car who wants to walk to dinner and the beach

Consider elsewhere if: you want a quiet, slow-paced trip

[See oceanfront hotels in this area →]

North Myrtle Beach — Best for Families

North Myrtle Beach (which includes Cherry Grove, Ocean Drive, Windy Hill, and Crescent Beach) has a small-town, laid-back feel compared to the main strip. The beaches are wider and less crowded, and there's a strong concentration of condo and vacation rental units, which tend to work better for families than a single hotel room.

Good for: families with young kids, longer stays, groups who want a kitchen and more space than a hotel room

Consider elsewhere if: you want to be in the middle of the action every night

[See condo & vacation rentals in North Myrtle →]

Little River — Best for a Small-Town, Waterfront Feel

Just north of North Myrtle Beach, Little River isn't a beach town so much as a historic fishing village on the waterway — think docks, seafood restaurants, and a slower pace than anywhere else on this list. It's not oceanfront, but it's a short drive to the sand and makes a great home base if you want charm over resort amenities.

Little River is best known for two waterfront festivals that draw crowds from across the Grand Strand:

World Famous Blue Crab Festival — held the weekend after Mother's Day <cite index="12-1,13-1">(May 16–17, 2026, marking its 44th year, celebrating the fishing village's coastal heritage with fresh local seafood, live music, and hundreds of craft and food vendors along the historic waterfront).</cite> <cite index="13-1">It's been recognized as the Best Festival on the Grand Strand for 12 consecutive years,</cite> so it's worth timing a trip around if you're a seafood lover.
Little River ShrimpFest — held in October <cite index="16-1">(October 10–11, 2026, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Historic Little River Waterfront),</cite> <cite index="10-1">featuring a children's area, live music on two stages, and roughly 150 vendors selling art, crafts, and fresh local seafood.</cite>

Both festivals happen right on the waterfront, so staying in Little River (or nearby North Myrtle) during either weekend means you can walk or take a short golf cart ride instead of hunting for festival parking.

Good for: seafood lovers, couples who want small-town charm, anyone visiting during the Blue Crab Festival or ShrimpFest, boat/waterway access

Consider elsewhere if: you want to walk out your door onto the beach — Little River is on the Intracoastal Waterway, not the ocean

[See stays near Little River & North Myrtle Beach →]

Surfside Beach & Garden City — Best for a Quiet Trip

South of the main strip, Surfside Beach bills itself as "The Family Beach" and it earns it — fewer high-rises, a slower pace, and a more residential feel. Garden City, just south of that, adds a pier and a bit more going on without losing the quiet.

Good for: couples, retirees, anyone who wants beach mornings and quiet evenings

Consider elsewhere if: you want walkable nightlife or a big resort pool scene

[See stays in Surfside & Garden City →]

Carolina Forest & Inland Areas — Best for Golf Trips & Budget Stays

A few miles inland, Carolina Forest and the Highway 17 corridor aren't beachfront, but they're where you'll find the best golf-stay bundles and the most budget-friendly hotel rates. You trade ocean views for lower prices and easy access to courses.

Good for: golf trips, budget travelers, anyone prioritizing price over an oceanfront view

Consider elsewhere if: waking up and walking straight onto sand matters to you

[See golf packages & inland hotel deals →]

Pawleys Island & Litchfield — Best for Getting Away From It All

The southernmost option on this list, and the quietest by far. Pawleys Island has resisted high-rise development, so it feels more like an old beach town than a resort destination. It's a longer drive to the main Myrtle Beach attractions, which is exactly the point for the travelers who choose it.

Good for: honeymoons, anniversary trips, anyone who's "done" the busy version of Myrtle Beach before

Consider elsewhere if: you want to be close to the boardwalk, arcades, and family attractions

[See stays in Pawleys Island & Litchfield →]

How to Choose: 3 Questions to Ask Yourself

Do I have a car? If not, stay near the Boardwalk. Everywhere else assumes you're driving.
What's my group's pace? Nightlife and energy → city center. Quiet mornings → Surfside or Pawleys.
What's the trip actually for? Golf → Carolina Forest packages. Family reunion → North Myrtle condos with space. Romantic getaway → Pawleys or Litchfield.

Comparing prices across hotels, condos, and vacation rentals? [Search current rates and availability →]