MB Trip report October 22 - October 28

This will be a short Myrtle Beach Trip report for from October 22 thru October 28.

Overall this was a great time to be there (off season), although, because of a cold front that hit, it was too cool to go into the Ocean or the Outdoor Pool. But there were no crowds and no traffic anywhere. Make sure that you stop at the ‘OFFICIAL’ Myrtle Beach visitor’s center to stock up on the shelves of Coupons and booklets. The MONSTER Coupon booklet was by far the best of the bunch. Don’t be fooled into stopping at the first ‘visitors center’ coming in on 501. It really is a timeshare presentation.

We stayed at The Monterey Bay Resort in a King Suite Ocean Front, which was at one end of the Building. This resort was completely refurbished just before we arrived, so everything was brand new and clean. This Suite had a bedroom off the doorway with a comfortable King bed end tables and a TV.

Next was a large hallway with the Kitchen (Oven, Refrigerator, Sink and Microwave, and assorted appliances). Across from it was the Bathroom, which was separated into two separate sections (Sink %26amp; vanity, and the Bathroom with a Tub/Shower assembly.

Finally there was a good sized Living area with a glass dining table, which we played games at, another TV, Comfortable seat in front of a Murphy Bed. There was also a sofa with another end table and a coffee table in front of it. Next was the sliding door to our large Balcony with 2 chairs. Because we were on the 8th floor, the views were very special. We watched people walking and playing on the beach every day. Because it was off season, there were no elevator waits to speak of, as there are 3 elevators to pick from.

Breakfast (7:00 – 9:00) came with the room and it was rather good. Everyday, they would have Scrambled eggs, potatoes, toast, cereal, coffee, or hot water, and Orange Juice or Apple Juice. Included in some daily variations, was a selection of grits, waffles, pancakes, sausages (links %26amp; patty’s). There always seemed to be enough food.

At 8:00 at night (except Sundays) they put out a selection of free desserts (1 per person). They included Apple or Cherry cobblers, assorted cakes, and one night a Pumpkin Pie. They were O.K., but I would not expect them replace a regular sized restaurant dessert.

Amenities were of course an Outdoor Pool, Outdoor Jacuzzi (we tried this one day because the indoor Jacuzzi was broken. That was fixed the next night. Indoor, they had large pool, Jacuzzi and a small, but nice lazy river.

As mentioned in other reviews, the Parking garage was rather tight if you had a van or a large car, but if you watched your comings and goings, there should be no problem. You just have to pay attention. The Lobby is on the second floor of the garage, and it was congested with people unloading the day we got there, but I did not notice any other problems the rest of the week. This resort comes with my highest Recommendation.

Restaurants –

Original Benjamin’s – This was the largest Seafood buffet we have ever seen. Anything you could want was there and tasted really good. The buffet bins were always kept full for our enjoyment. Highly Recommended.

K %26amp; W Cafeteria – This is where the locals go. We were there 10 minutes before it opened and we were already about 10th in line. The food is better than average cafeteria food.

Spring House – Very pretty inside with many plants and even squawking birds inside. The early bird menu was quite reasonable and the food was pretty good. This is a nice change from the horse feeds we had some other days. Recommended for a day when you don’t want to have a Buffet.

River City Café – Rustic decorations, but had the Bacon-Cheeseburger and thought is was very good. Not too expensive for being right at the beach. Highly recommended.

Great American Steak %26amp; Buffet – Very inexpensive for a Myrtle Beach Buffet. Had a nice variety, but could not find the Steak station. Asked about it when we left and the cashier told us that our waiter should have explained the setup when we were seated. He did not. Better to ask before leaving. Recommended.

Captain George’s – Seafood Buffet that we left until the last night there and it was worth it. It was actually a few dollars less that Benjamin’s with the special MONSTER coupon. Very upscale in décor and the Buffet tables were very clean and the whole experience was wonderful. Thanks to everyone that recommended it. I give it my highest recommendation.

Attractions –

Mount Atlanticus Miniature Golf – Ranked as the best course in Myrtle and you can add my voice to that choir. Wonderful, but make sure you hit the MINOTAUR course and not the CONCH course. The Minotaur course is the better. Highly Recommended.

Dixie Stampede – Our only show in Myrtle and it was well worth the cost. Highly recommended. Get there early and get a good table at the Pre-Show. The night we were there, we saw a very good juggler. Kept us entertained until the call went for us to go upstairs to the Main Showroom, where you were seated on the ‘North’ or ‘South’ side of the arena. The rest of the night was spent cheering for your side and enjoying the meal. The Main show was exceptional with a lot of trick riding (both Horses and Ostriches). There were a lot of Audience Participation acts during the night The show was very American and made you proud to be an American by the time it was over. Finally about the meal. Waiters dressed in the Blue or Gray Uniforms, and consisted of Soup and Biscuit, a whole Fried Cornish Hen, a slice of what I think was turkey, Corn on the Cob, and a Potato. For desert there was a puff pastry, which topped off the meal quite nicely. Everything was sloshed down by all the Pepsi products you could drink. One last thing, there were no utensils. Everything was eaten by hand. Made it more enjoyable. My highest recommendation.

All in all even though the weather was colder than we were expecting, we were able to enjoy our vacation immensely and would recommend the Resort, Attractions and Restaurants to anyone.

MB Trip report October 22 - October 28

Very good. detailed report.. Thanks for sharing...

I have been to MBeach several times.. fellow Pennsylvanian here..

:)

We have never been to Capt..George%26#39;s.. maybe next year..

and sounds like we would enjoy the Dixie Stampede..

MB Trip report October 22 - October 28

Great report! Good to hear that even tho the weather didnt cooperate you still had a wonderful time! Was waiting to hear from someone about the newly renovated Monteray Bay.....I think its a good value along the oceanfront in that area!

:)

Hi MBC -

I would have no problem saying that it is an exceptional value for an O/F suite.

Hello to you MOM4 -

Dixie Stampede is not cheap, but the main show is worth every penny. GREAT.

Thanks for a very informative %26amp; helpful trip report. This is the kind of info %26amp; format that should be in a trip report, not what time you got up or what you cooked yourself for dinner.

I will second that Monterey Bay Suites, based on the room layouts and amenities, is an exceptional value in the north end.

JIMDSB, you should cut %26amp; paste your report into the reviews under their hotel listing.

RE: Great American Steak %26amp; Buffet: With all respect, I can%26#39;t imagine not being able to find the grilling area, nor can I imagine waiting until you were ready to leave before asking to be directed to it, but that%26#39;s a novel way to keep your cholesterol levels down, LOL!

I was curious to know which route you took to Myrtle Beach and if you did it in two days or drove straight through? We%26#39;re from Saxonburg, PA and we%26#39;ll be heading there in July and August of 2007.

Thanks,

Ron

Saxonburg, PA

Hi shark;

Saturday, we always drive down I-79 to RT-19 to Sutton West Virginia (this year we had to stay on I-79 to Charleston then I-77 down to Beckley because of Gauley Bridge being shut down for %26#39;Bridge Day%26#39;, but would rather not). At Beckley got on I-77 and usually take south around Wytheville Virginia, to Charlotte for the night. If you don%26#39;t want to go as far as Charlotte, Statesville is about an hour less on Saturday, but that means that you have to make up that hour on Sunday.

Sunday, we took I-77 south to an exit about 25 miles before Columbia that cuts the corner off (watch out on this road because there are speed traps). We get on either I-20 or I-26 at the town of Lugoff and take I-2? to I-95 which we take North a few exits to bypass Florence From then on we take the road to Aynor and then the Bypass road to Myrtle Beach.

This year the road, especially in West Virfginia and Virginia was gorgeous because of the fall colors.

Hey daddio are you related to %26#39; The Daddio on the Raddio%26#39;. We used to have a famous DJ over here with that moniker.

Response to your query concerning missing the %26#39;Steak%26#39; on the Steak portion of the buffet. We were not the only ones that missed the grill located behind the carvery counter, but there was a lot of other stuff on the buffet to savor, including steak tips. Trust me, we did not leave hungry, and my oil was fully topped off.

Next time you are down there , try it and see what you think. It is up around 75th Street North and Business 17.