TonyMik/MBConcierge

Hi,

In your post, you offered some help, and I would love some help as I am designated group travel coordinator. I think we%26#39;ve decided on N. Myrtle Beach. There will be between 5-8 of us so I%26#39;m thinking that we will need to rent a house. Is there a particular area that we should shoot for? Any websites that are better for booking houses?

I appreciate your help in advance.

Thanks!

Kt

TonyMik/MBConcierge

What made you decide on North Myrtle Beach?I do know that the area of North Myrtle near Barefoot Landing but accross the road from the beach has houses to rent and is a real nice area.

But with that said I believe the northern section of Myrtle Beach which runs between 50th and 79th is the section both MBConcierge and I prefer although I really dont want to speak for her.Some great hotels in this section like Southwind,Dunes Village and Sea Island which are top of the line.There%26#39;s also Long Bay ,Forest Dunes, and Grande Shores which are a step below but probably cheaper.

There are a lot of houses right on the ocean in this section that I have seen rental signs on, and MBConcierge could probably tell you how to go about contacting them.

So you have some homework to do as to what might better suit your group.Two 3 bedroom condos might fit the bill more so than a house.Do you want to be on the ocean as opposed to a block or two in from the ocean?I myself have never rented a house so I really can%26#39;t be too helpful with that choice

Some plus factors with a hotel would be the amenities like a pool,lazy-river,bar,restaurant and daily maid service.

Some of the hotel condo,s have balconies with great views and its really nice to sit on them,have a drink or two and gaze for miles down the beach.

So if I were you I would first get a real good feel from the group as to what they would prefer and keep in mind you can%26#39;t please everyone.Do you research after that and narrow it down to 3 choices,show the group what each choice offers and for what cost and have them vote on it.

If you do decide on a hotel I could probably help you more with the group decision but not having gone the house route I wouldn%26#39;t be of much help there.

If you have specific questions on some of the hotels I mentioned feel free to ask.

Im looking at your post again (5-8 people) and thinking one 3- bedroom condo or combine a 1-bed and a 3-bed condo and that could also work.

Good luck,

Tony

TonyMik/MBConcierge

Like Tony says. There%26#39;s a difference between the north end of Myrtle beach and the city North Myrtle Beach. Be sure you know which one you%26#39;re referring to when you make reservations.

Most of your NMB houses will be up in the northern end of NMB in the Cherry Grove and Ocean Drive beach sections.

If you%26#39;re planning on spending your evenings hitting clubs, bars and pubs or hanging around Broadway At The Beach, then the area Tony is referring to would be your best bet.

If you%26#39;re figuring on a few beers at dinner and then back to house for an evening of poker, there wouldn%26#39;t be any problem with NMB.

Can%26#39;t remember. Isn%26#39;t this a golf trip? If it is you should research and see what coarses you%26#39;re playing and pick the more convenient area. Even then the driving times and distances are debatable. Cherry Grove is about as far north as you would

want to go. But you%26#39;re five minutes from Rt 31 and then it%26#39;s 65mph to most areas of the Grand Strand

Most houses are set up for groups of ten to twenty. One plus with a house would be each of you could have your own room and bed. If oceanfront isn%26#39;t an issue you might save some by renting a channel house in Cherry Grove. Some of those come with games rooms and pool tables.

Here are two NMB rental companies.

northmyrtlebeachtravel.com/book/query.html

http://www.century21thomas.com/sitemap.htm

Hi,

Actually, I think I%26#39;ve changed my mind from NMB to south of Myrtle Beach...Garden City/Surfside area.

I think we%26#39;ll probably spend most of our time drinking beers at the house, bbqing %26amp; hanging out. We%26#39;ll probably go into Myrtle a little bit, but I%26#39;m not sure we want to be in the middle of all that craziness...we%26#39;re planning on going in july....

Oh, and we won%26#39;t be golfing. My ideal trip is laying on the beach during the day and then bbqing %26amp; drinking some beers at night.

kt

If you don%26#39;t want to be near the ';combat zone'; then GC/Surfside would be a good choice. This will also put you near the dining %26amp; happy-hour mecca of Murrell%26#39;s Inlet.

There are plenty of homes/condos for rent in this area. I personally like dealing direct with the owners and use vrbo.com or similar websites to find a rental. The rates are usually a little lower than going through a realtor.

The advantage to using an agency would be a larger selection (many owners only rent through an agency).

Maybe try both approaches %26amp; see what you can find.

If you are looking to have a house on the beach, Cherry Grove has much bigger selection...try searching on Elliott Realty. Garden City/Surfside is nice, but more townhomes and condos.

If you are coming in July, TRAFFIC, TRAFFIC, did I say TRAFFIC. If it was me, I am assuming you are driving. 95-501 (however you get to 501) then take I-22 outside of AYNOR to I-31 North to Little River (Hwy 9) you will be about 5 miles from Cherry Grove. The traffic will be ten times better than going to Surfside/Garden City-if you are coming in on a Saturday, its almost impossible to get South without a major traffic headache. Lots of good restaurants and you are close to Calabash NC with good seafood.

Ok...here are my thougts...if you are just going to hang out on the beach, cookout, and enjoy the ocean the Garden City/Surfside beach area or even a bit farther south in the Litchfield/Pawleys Island area. A number of really nice beach houses and still a number of the TRUE beach houses....that low country style with those huge wrap around porches. Being in this area you do have a number of great places to eat (both Murrells Inlet and Pawleys have some great restaurants) and you arent that far from MB if you need an entertainment fix. But as MagicKat said, traffic at certain times of year and certain times of day can be pretty horrific...so do keep that in mind.

One website that is really popular on this forum (and some of the rates cant be beat) is www.vrbo.com These are condos and houses that are for rent by the owner. You might also try www.thelitchfieldcompany.com for places in the Pawleys/Litchfield area.

The area that TonyMK refered to does have a few beach houses and contrary to popular belief isnt located in the ';mass craziness'; of MB....heaven forbid...I live in this area...we call it the Avenues and it is VERY residential and one of the prettiest beaches around, IMO of course. You can find 2 or three of those houses on www.vrbo the others are leased thru www.booereality.com.

Good luck in your search! You have ALOT of options!

:)

Thanks for all the info! I%26#39;ll be sure to come back and let you know what I%26#39;ve decided!!

kt

Hello, all.

I have similar questions regarding ';family-oriented'; lodging that I am posting over on terapap%26#39;s ';Best Family -oriented Oceanfront Suite????'; thread that I hope you ';locals'; and folks who spend annual vacations at MB and/or NMB will be able to help me with.......