Hilton Myrtle Beach Resort

The Hilton Myrtle Beach Resort is housed in a beach-facing tower with exterior balconies. Inside, the enormous lobby looks much more updated than the hotel's exterior. The vast space is sectioned with individual white structures hung with fabric, that divide up modern seating spaces and create a bit of warmth and visual interest. Huge paintings of connecting circles are hung on the inner atrium that's dotted with potted plants. The lobby partially shares space with The Shores Marketplace, which also has some simple wooden seating with blue cushions and ocean views. Guests are a mix of business travelers, Hilton loyalists, and (especially in the summer months) families on a beach vacation. Overall, this is a quiet and refined property. 

The hotel occupies a prime beachfront location in North Myrtle Beach. It neighbors the Kingston Resorts complex, a group of properties situated within Kingston Plantation. Due to this, there's not much in the immediate area beyond the other hotels and condos. There are several golf courses within a short drive of the property, including the Arcadian Shores Golf Club (three-minute drive), the Dunes Golf and Beach Club (nine-minute drive), and the Grande Dunes Golf Club (13-minute drive). For shopping, Tanger Outlet is a five-minute drive from the hotel. Central Myrtle Beach and all of its attractions, such as the Boardwalk and Promenade, Broadway at the Beach, and the Family Kingdom Amusement Park, are about a 25-minute drive from the Hilton. Myrtle Beach International Airport is also about a 25-minute drive. 

Layouts and furnishings are mostly the same throughout the 385 rooms and suites. The most expensive units have direct ocean views, while cheaper rooms have partial ocean views -- though every room has a furnished balcony. Decor is contemporary, but beginning to look dated. Expect a mostly neutral color scheme, with beige walls, tan carpet with a small diamond pattern, and muted abstract art on the walls. Beds consist of wooden headboards and are made up with white linens and floral bed skirts. Standard features include flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, air-conditioning, coffeemakers, and electronic safes. Wi-Fi costs extra. Granite vanities in the bathrooms look dated, as do shower/tub combos. Toiletries and hairdryers are provided. Past guests have occasionally complained about maintenance and housekeeping issues, but this is hardly surprising considering how big and popular the hotel is. 

Hilton Myrtle Beach Resort offers everything tourists and business travelers need for a complete stay. In the summer, the most popular feature is the beach location on North Myrtle Beach. There are also two large outdoor pools (one is beachfront) and a kiddie pool, plus a whirlpool. For dining and drinking, there are five options -- though a few of them are seasonal. Oceanfront Cafe Amalfi serves upscale American fare for all three meals, plus room service during limited hours. The Shores Marketplace sells Starbucks coffee and treats along with t-shirts and souvenirs. Verandah Bar is the contemporary indoor bar with ocean views. In the summer, Beachcombers poolside restaurant is popular for bucket cocktails and casual fare like chicken wings and loaded fries. Wet Whistle Bar hosts live music and has a substantial drink selection. For business travelers, the resort is adjacent to the Hilton Myrtle Beach Convention Center, which offers a massive 14,000 square foot ballroom that can be divided into nine sections to accommodate all sorts of events. There's also a dedicated business area with computers and printers. The on-site fitness center holds Life Fitness cardio equipment and offers extras like ear buds and water. Unfortunately, there's a daily resort fee plus additional charges for Wi-Fi, breakfast, valet parking, and self-parking. Guests can also pay for access to the neighboring water park, spa, fitness center, and indoor pool at Kingston Plantation.