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 Suites seem a bit outdated, with tube TVs and peachy floral bedspreads, but they are spacious and offer some great ocean views.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 inland property looks a bit more updated than most of Myrtle Beach's other mid-range hotels, but its out-of-the-way location is a major nuisance if you're in town to hit the beach. It offers spacious rooms and suites with contemporary -- albeit generic -- decor, fully stocked kitchenettes, spotless bathrooms, and free W-Fi. There is a small pool and a basketball court, but all in all, the property is better suited for business travelers than families.

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).

Typically used by business travelers (or those who missed their flights), the 112-room Hilton Garden Inn is all about convenience, with a business center, a 24-hour mini-mart, a small fitness center, laundry facilities, and a location close to the airport. The room decor is fairly generic, but the plaid curtains and white comforters lend a homey, clean feel, and the microwaves, mini-fridges, and large flat-screen TVs are nice additions. Families vacationing in Myrtle Beach may prefer to stay in an oceanfront hotel, but this property does feature a small indoor pool and tiny outdoor pool with adjacent Jacuzzi.

The Prince Resort is a solid mid-range pick in North Myrtle Beach. It offers 175 one-, two- and three-bedroom condos with full kitchens, floor-to-ceiling windows, private balconies and sleeper sofas, in two towers right on the beach. The resort features several pools --including a lazy river and a kiddy pool -- a decent oceanfront restaurant, a small fitness center, and miles and miles of beach. But decor is dated and rooms are showing a lot of tear and wear. The property has certainly seen better days, but it still offers good value to families and large groups.

The 378-room Avista Resort offers guests lots of options on the activities front, like convenient beach access, multiple indoor and outdoor pools and lazy rivers, and a large fitness center with various cardio machines. Oceanside, higher-level rooms have killer views, but all rooms have tacky decor, like uncomfortable, bright bedspreads and an overabundance of ruffled towels. Its location in North Myrtle Beach is a bit farther away from Downtown's touristy attractions, but it gives guests a bit of a break from the crowds and hustle.

The 275-room Sea Watch Resort is located in a lower-key area a 20-minute drive from Downtown Myrtle Beach. Its studios and apartments all have full kitchens, as well as separate sleeping and living areas, but the decor is slightly dated, and bathrooms are nothing special. The main draw here is the wonderful beach to which the hotel has direct access, and the six pools (and ten Jacuzzis). The many kid-friendly perks, like the two lazy rivers, the game room, and the children’s activities program, make it a solid pick for families.

Captain's Quarters Resort is like many hotels along Ocean Boulevard -- rooms are a bit worn, and the highlights are the beachfront location and the numerous pools (particularly the outdoor children's pool, complete with a pirate ship). The Ikea-esque light wood, bright aqua accent walls, and flat-screen TVs in the rooms add a little modern flair, but the comforters are low-quality, and in the suites, the kitchenettes are dated. The Downtown Myrtle Beach location is convenient, but don't expect tranquility -- the pool area gets packed with kids and partiers.