New hotels. Major renovations for existing ones. Some of the best golf in the U.S. And a renewed emphasis on local food and fine culinary options.
Myrtle Beach has been drawing Canadians for decades, offering sun and sand, as well as family fun and plenty of outdoor adventure. But there’s a growing sophistication to this beachy South Carolina destination, and that means new reasons for Canadian travellers to mosey on south.
Open Jaw recently sat down with top officials from Visit Myrtle Beach to hear more about what’s happening in the region. Diane Charno, VP, Brand and Communications for Visit Myrtle Beach, and her team were in Toronto on a trade mission to talk with partners and meet with the media.
NEW AND RENOVATED HOTELS
Charno said more than 80 hotel operators are renovating and upgrading their properties all along the Grand Strand, which has some 100 km’s of beach.
The DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Myrtle Beach has had one of its towers transformed into The Ellie Beach Resort, a multi-million dollar facelift that gives the beachfront property a boutique vibe and new look.
The Marriott Myrtle Beach Resort & Spa at Grande Dunes also has been newly renovated and features the Hibiscus Spa and both indoor and outdoor swimming pools.
One of the new projects coming into what Charno calls “The Beach” is a brand new Compass Hotel by Margaritaville in North Myrtle Beach. It’s also got more of a boutique feel, as well as lovely rooms and plenty of fun, beachy touches for a town that Jimmy Buffett loved to come play in.
Visit Myrtle Beach PR Manager Denielle Van Dyke told Open Jaw she loves the Cinzia Spa at North Beach Resort and Villas.
If you’re not into the spa thing (what, really?), there’s a swim-up bar, a lazy river a Caribbean-themed pool and a New York-style pizza place.
Charno said Myrtle Beach hotels and resorts recovered faster from COVID than any hotels in any other area of the U.S.
“The flags and brands are taking notice and really investing,” she said.
Renting villas and beach houses is another great way to enjoy the area, especially for families. Former New England Patriots star Rob Gronkowski and his family often rent a beachfront villa for great getaways in Myrtle Beach, Charno said.
NEW AIRLIFT?
There haven’t been any direct flights from Canada to Myrtle Beach since the pandemic but Charno said she’s actively working on the issue, showing Canadian airlines the data, and the popularity of The Beach. Porter Airlines used to fly directly to Myrtle Beach from YTZ and is one angle she’s working on.
As it is, The Beach is only about two hours from Charlotte Airport, which is easily reached from several Canadian airports, including YYZ.
Charno said she doesn’t have exact Canadian visitation numbers, but that Canadians make up 2-3% of the more than 17 million visitors that made the trek to Myrtle Beach last year.
“We’re a great destination for Canadians looking for that vitamin D in winter or spring,” she said with a smile.
Sana Keller from Pulse Communications, who represents Visit Myrtle Beach in Canada, said Quebec is a growing market for the destination.
FANTASTIC FOOD
Myrtle Beach is making a big push on the culinary tourism front. There are more than 2,000 restaurants in the Grand Strand area, and you can find everything from Asian to Italian, and of course, tons of fresh, local seafood.
One fun option is to try a local delicacy called “Chicken Bog,” a one-pot meal with rice, chicken, sausage and local spices. It’s believed to have originated on local plantations and that it was a dish perfected by slaves in the region.
Visit Myrtle Beach had a cooking demonstration recently in New York City, bringing in several top chefs to show their skills and demonstrate regional cooking and specialty dishes. Charno called it “a celebration of Carolina Coastal Cuisine.”
The Myrtle Beach area has a rich Black history and is part of the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor, she said. Atlantic Beach is a community near North Myrtle Beach that’s almost entirely Black-owned.
TOP NOTCH GOLF
Myrtle Beach is known as one of the hot-beds of golf in the United States, with top courses such as Caledonia Golf and Fish Club (a personal fave) and TPC Myrtle Beach.
Another top layout is The Dunes Beach and Golf Club, which this year hosted the Myrtle Beach Classic on the PGA Tour. It will do so again next year, with the tourney running from 08MAY to 11MAY.
Charno said the community came out in droves to volunteer for this year’s event.
“It was a phenomenal success,” she said.
Pine Lakes Country Club, a lovely course where the idea for Sports Illustrated magazine was dreamed up years ago, will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2027.
Myrtle Beach also has a mini-golf or “putt-putt” golf trail, with more than 30 courses. Yours truly sampled a few of them on my last visit and had a great time navigating courses with pirates and exploding volcanoes.
Charno said a slightly different product is Pop Stroke, which is like miniature or putt-putt golf but with real grass and sand traps. They’re great for all ages and it’s real golf. Even better for some, you can order food and drinks to be brought to you as you play.
CAN-AM DAYS AND MORE ATTRACTIONS
Can-Am Days are a regular feature in Myrtle Beach, with great discounts for Canadian visitors. Next year’s event (the 64th year it’s been running) is scheduled for 08MAR to 16MAR and includes a “Run to the Sun” Car Show, the Surfside Beach BBQ Festival, and much more.
Your Open Jaw correspondent has been to Myrtle Beach several times. I love the green space, fountains and flowers at Brookgreen Gardens, and I highly recommend a visit to the casual boardwalk at Murrells Inlet, where you’ll find lively seaside bars with live music and upscale restaurants like Wicked Tuna. You also can take boat tours or try a stand-up paddleboard.
I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Belle Amie Vineyards a few years ago, and had a great kayaking trip on the Black River. Right around the corner from Ellie Beach Resort is the fine Myrtle Beach Art Museum, which has terrific exhibits.
I'm not much of a shopper, but The Hammock Shops have lovely boutiques in a casual garden setting I really enjoyed on my last visit.
