Hotel at a Glance: Beach Cove Resort

At Beach Cove Resort, you can kick off your vacation with a margarita by the beach at the seasonal Breeze’s Beach Bar and Grill. From here, you can easily reach the three oceanfront hot tubs or the three seasonally heated pools surrounded by an expansive tropical deck.

• Private oceanfront balconies: Watch the Atlantic waves crash in. Inside, condos are outfitted with efficiency kitchens, blackout drapes, and Wi-Fi and coffee.
• Distance from boardwalk: 12 miles
• The Town Center at Beach Cove offers a fun and exciting hub for guests of all ages. Featuring a card-operated arcade, oceanfront bar and dining, the Town Center is the place for families to unwind after a day at the beach or enjoy the cool air-conditioned fun zone.

North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina: Sandy Beaches, Fresh Seafood, and Classic Amusement-Park Rides

North Myrtle Beach is at the tip of South Carolina's Grand Strand, a 60-mile stretch of white, sandy beaches along the Atlantic seaboard that draws surfers, fishers, and kayakers. The town's Cherry Grove Pier bustles with activity during the fishing season, and you can rent a rod nearby to take your place alongside veteran anglers. Nearby restaurants serve up fresh, cooked-to-order seafood including crab and shrimp.

About a half-hour southwest of North Myrtle Beach is Myrtle Beach proper, which USA Today named one of the best family vacation spots in the United States. That was in part because of its wooden boardwalk, which stretches for more than 1 mile. Hop into one of the SkyWheel's gondolas, surrounded by more than a million LED lights, for a panoramic view of the city.