There are a lot of places to sleep beside the Atlantic Ocean in Myrtle Beach; the harder part is finding one that checks all the boxes. What’s important to you? A bowling alley for the kids? A spot near the Boardwalk? Direct beach access? No matter the priority, we’ve got a location for you!

The beachfront resort you choose can set the rhythm for your whole trip. Here is an insider checklist of things that are genuinely worth paying attention to before you hit the booking link!

1. Make Sure You Choose a True Oceanfront Room

One thing you should know right off the bat: in Myrtle Beach, oceanfront and ocean view are not interchangeable, although both can sound equally tempting when you’re booking from your couch.

What’s the difference? An oceanfront room typically faces directly toward the Atlantic, while an ocean view room is typically located on the side of the building with a side ocean view. And maybe that’s all you need!

Before you book, check the description and name of the specific room or condo, not just the resort, to make sure you know which view type you are booking.

Beach Cove Resort is an excellent option and has all genuine oceanfront view rooms to choose from!

2. Look for Real Family-Friendly Amenities

You’ll hear ‘family friendly’ being tossed around a lot in Myrtle Beach, but if you’ve traveled with a group of young kids, you know it’s going to take more than a few complimentary pool toys.

If you’re traveling with kids, look beyond a basic swimming pool. Some of the best resorts have full blown water parks that include lazy rivers, splash areas, kiddie pools, waterslides, arcades, and seasonal entertainment that can buy you hours of easy breezy fun without ever getting in the car. Indoor pools are also a handy backup if you’re visiting during the milder months.

Also consider the less exciting amenities that can go a long way – larger condos, full kitchens, on-site laundry, casual places to grab kid friendly food, and easy beach access.

If you want both practical and fun, Crown Reef Beach Resort and Waterpark is a great option with a year-round waterpark, lazy river, arcade, on-site dining, and room and suite options that give families a little more breathing room.

3. Does it Truly Have Direct Beach Access?

You may assume an oceanfront resort automatically means direct beach access. To avoid having to cross a road with the whole family and bags of beach gear before you really get to the beach, double check before booking!

Ideally, you want to be able to leave the pool deck and do a barefoot stroll onto the sand without crossing Ocean Boulevard, trekking through another property, or loading everyone into the car.

Beach Cove Resort is a North Myrtle Beach resort that sits directly along the ocean, so you can move easily between the beach and their oceanfront pool. Other great options with direct beach access are:

• Beach Colony Resort 
• Captain’s Quarters Resort
• The Caravelle Resort
• Crown Reef Beach Resort 
• Ocean Creek Resort

4. The Balcony Situation

You’re choosing an oceanfront resort, so you may as well also choose a spot with an excellent balcony to take in the view! A private oceanfront balcony is well worth the splurge in Myrtle Beach.

Myrtle Beach sunrises are spectacular. Nothing beats watching Myrtle Beach wake up from your own balcony in pajamas with coffee in hand.

Check the specific room type before booking, though. Just because a resort has balconies doesn’t mean every balcony faces the Atlantic. Oceanfront, ocean view, angled ocean view, and resort view can all mean very different things once you open the curtains.

Sea Watch Resort has great private balconies with its oceanfront condo options. You’ll have a front-row seat to the Atlantic!

5. On-Site Food Is More Valuable Than You Think

Loading up the family early in the morning or after a long day out and about can be a task in itself. If you want to skip who gets the front seat and stay on property for some of your meals, look for accommodations with a view and on site dining.

From on-site restaurants and poolside bars and grills to coffee shops, or even a grab-and-go market, these amenities are worth their weight in gold when you want to truly relax and keep dining easy.

Crown Reef Beach Resort and Waterpark is a good choice if this is high on the priority list, with Loco Gecko for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, a Grab ‘n Go for coffee and quick bites, Swirl Ice Cream, and a seasonal pool bar, so you can quite happily spend the day without hunting down the car keys.

6. Pick a Pool With an Ocean View

Not every pool is created equally. In our opinion, the ones that allow you to stare off into the ocean’s horizon with an unimpeded view are just a little better.

An oceanfront pool deck gives you the best of both worlds: a place to cool off without giving up the view you came all this way for. It’s also wonderfully convenient for families who inevitably split into two camps, with half wanting the pool and the other half lobbying for the beach.

hotel BLUE has great amenities which include an excellent oceanfront pool that sits right along the beach, and it also has South Carolina’s first swim-up pool bar (open seasonally), which is a rather convincing argument for enjoying the view a little longer.

7. Beach Amenities

Direct access to the sand is great, but the right beach amenities can save you from hauling half your household down to the ocean every morning.

Look for chair and umbrella rentals (often available for a fee in season from beach services that operate in front of many resorts). Showers or rinse stations are also a nice touch for comfort (and for avoiding sandy kids in the room!).

If you tend to spend entire days on the beach, also look for extras like oceanfront sundecks, cabanas, or shaded areas where you can retreat without going all the way back to your room.

The Caravelle Resort makes beach days a little easier by providing pool towels for guests and direct access to the sand. Beach chairs and umbrellas are also available to rent along the beach in season, so you can set yourself up for the day comfortably.

8. Proximity to Attractions

The ocean may be the main attraction, but chances are you won’t spend your entire vacation at your accommodations. Before booking, pull up a map and see where the resort sits in relation to all the fun things on your itinerary. If you’ve already got a few must-dos in mind, staying nearby can save you precious time.

If being close to the action is important, Ocean Escape Boardwalk comes with the oceanfront location and also puts you right on the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, within walking distance of the SkyWheel, restaurants, shops, and so much entertainment. This is the spot for a ‘walkable’ vacation.

Find the Perfect Oceanfront Resort For Your Myrtle Beach Trip

Location, location, location! Oceanfront is the way to go for a Myrtle Beach getaway. The Atlantic never disappoints. Myrtle Beach oceanfront resorts are not all created the same – choose one that ticks all of your amenity list, whether it’s being close to the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk or having direct beach access, or being within walking distance of other attractions on the Grand Strand.

Vacation Myrtle Beach offers a wide range of vacation rentals throughout Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach, with everything from hotel rooms and efficiencies to multi-bedroom spacious condos.

After that, there’s really only one important decision left: beach or pool first?