Dunes Village Resort

This spacious oceanfront property has two cream-colored residential towers with blue and orange accents, connected by a third, smaller tower in the middle. The lobby has a cozy sitting area with a sofa and armchairs (decor throughout the hotel is average and could use an update). There's a Perk's Up Coffee Shop in the lobby.

Perfect for families who don’t want to leave the resort, Dunes Village Resort has tons of on-site amenities for kids including the beach, multiple pools, water slides, and games. However, the location is farther away from the main action of Myrtle Beach than other resorts. There are several restaurants within three blocks of the resort, but little else. Pine Lakes Country Club, a 27-hole golf course, is just under a mile from the resort. Popular shopping and dining areas, such as Broadway at the Beach, Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and Promenade, and Barefoot Landing are three to eight miles from the resort. For guests that want to use the kitchens in the rooms, the nearest grocery store is about 12 blocks away.

Dunes Village Resort offers studios, one-bedroom suites, and two-, three-, or four-bedroom condos -- all have full or partial ocean views. Each room is different as far as size, location, and furnishings, so it's important to look closely at photos and ask questions ahead of time. Some rooms are small with somewhat outdated furnishings and appliances, while others have completely renovated kitchens. Studios have a kitchenette (full-size refrigerator, microwave, and stovetop), while suites and condos have a separate dining area, full kitchen (refrigerator, microwave, stovetop, dishwasher, and oven) and washer/dryer combo. Decor in the bathrooms is plain and simple, with nothing too impressive. Oceanfront rooms have great views, but also overlook the pool and children’s playground, which can be noisy.

With two indoor water parks and a location right on the beach, Dunes Village Resort is equipped for both sunny and rainy days. There’s an indoor lazy river, indoor and outdoor pools, whirlpools, plenty of lounge chairs, and a poolside bar and restaurant. The Admiral’s Room serves a daily breakfast buffet for a fee and the Captain’s Cafe serves lunch and dinner. For children, the resort has indoor and outdoor splash zones, a pirate ship-shaped playground, and two indoor waterparks (one in each tower), with a total of four water slides. Games include giant checkers and chess sets, video games, ping pong tables, billiards, and foosball. There’s also outdoor basketball and tennis courts, though these may go unnoticed because they are located across the street and behind the resort’s parking garage. The resort’s on-site spa, Lost at Sea, provides massages and other spa treatments. There’s a fee for renting beach tents and a resort fee is included on all reservations, but there’s free Wi-Fi available throughout the hotel.