This 200-room hotel is tucked away in a tranquil spot of the 2,200-acre Grande Dunes Resort. The adjacent marina can be viewed from some guest rooms, all of which have private terraces. Rooms are large, but cheesy touches like shell-shaped lamps make the decor seem dated. This upscale property features several stylish dining spots, a free-form pool complex with Jacuzzis, and a small, 24-hour fitness center with indoor pool. Free shuttle service is provided to a beach club, but those who want to lounge on the sand all day might want to consider hotels closer to the ocean.

This 405-room Marriott resort is one of the few four-pearl properties in Myrtle Beach, and it's a good deal more elegant than the typical run-down chains you'll find in the area. With two lovely outdoor pools as well as an indoor one, a nice spa, two solid restaurants, and direct access to a wonderful beach, this property is a solid pick. Rooms have somewhat generic decor, but are comfy and spacious, and have large windows, most with at least partial ocean views. Plus, there's plenty to keep kids entertained, including a fun waterslide, a basketball court, a ping pong table, and a kids' club with lots of activities.

The 171-room Island Vista is a solid mid-range property located directly on the beach. Suites seem a bit outdated, with tube TVs and peachy floral bedspreads, but they are spacious and offer some great ocean views. In addition to a wide, clean beach, the resort features an attractive indoor/outdoor pool complex with Jacuzzis, a lazy river, and meandering pools.

This upper-middle-range property is located inside a planned urban village on the site of a former air force base, within walking distance of many shops and eateries. It has 81 spacious one- and two-bedroom suites and studios with contemporary decor, fully equipped kitchens, washer/dryer combos, and balconies. But there is no maid service and the property lacks a fitness center and pool. Also, you’ll have to drive to the beach and to any major attractions.

Located on the main drag of Ocean Boulevard in Downtown Myrtle Beach, Camelot by the Sea is a slight step above some of the chain hotels nearby -- there is free in-room Wi-Fi, all rooms have balconies, kitchens, and flat-screen TVs, and the fitness center is small but nice (though machines lack individual TVs). Kids will love the multiple pools, but thin walls mean some may have trouble sleeping. Other downsides: kitchens are dated, the comforters aren't high-quality, and there are signs of slight wear and tear (the bathrooms, for example, need new caulking).

This mid-range property has a convenient location on the waterfront, with direct access to a great beach, and proximity to shopping, several golf courses, and downtown Myrtle Beach. The hotel itself is nothing special, with aging rooms and dated decor, several pools, and an adequate fitness center. But it is very convenient for families traveling with kids: it has a lazy river, an 18-hole mini-golf course, a kid’s program, and full kitchens in every unit. However, there are better, more modern resorts nearby.

The family-friendly, 90-room Atlantic Breeze Ocean Resort has mid-range condo-style rooms featuring full kitchens, which are conveniently stocked with plenty of plates, glasses, and utensils, as well as dish soap and dishwasher detergent. Its beachfront location and large pools (half in the shade, half in the sun) are the main draw, and its location in North Myrtle Beach makes it a bit less crowded (if a bit farther from some tourist attractions) than Downtown Myrtle Beach hotels.

The 540-room Caravelle Resort is like many hotels in Myrtle Beach -- it's right on the beach, there are numerous pools, and it's always crowded. The bedroom decor is a bit more up-to-date than at some nearby hotels, but several of the kitchens showed wear and tear and the elevators move slowly, especially considering the hoards of people in line to use them. Overall, the hotel is a good value -- with freebies like free Wi-Fi and free parking -- but it doesn't offer much more than you would expect in Myrtle Beach (although the fitness center is on the ground level with floor-to-ceiling windows, unlike the many basement fitness centers in the area).

Bay Watch Resort & Conference Center's 356 large rooms are basic and functional, but could use a fresh coat paint and multiple updates, especially to the dressers and bedspreads. While the on-site amenities, like the gym and numerous large pools, are convenient, they also need some TLC (particularly the mildew on the ceiling in the gym). There isn't a resort on the south side of the hotel, which helps keep the beach (relatively speaking) rather quiet. All in all all, it's a so-so family-friendly option in less-crowded North Myrtle Beach.

This beachfront complex of two towers, one inn, and a cluster of condos caters to families, with its two pools, two lazy rivers, a kiddy pool, a kids' club, and a game room. While the Jamaica Inn features single rooms that are less up-to-date than those in the other buildings, rooms in the towers and condos all feature modern kitchens and free Wi-Fi. The property also has a popular seafood restaurant and a fitness center -- though the fitness center is small considering the vastness of the resort.