Four-Star Resort with Championship Golf Course

Situated along the Intracoastal Waterway, the Marina Inn at Grande Dunes presents a fountain-and-palm-tree façade typical of Myrtle Beach's many resorts. But beyond the exterior, you’ll find a homey experience, beginning in the lobby, where you’ll check in at one of two old-fashioned wooden desks. A concierge is on hand to book tee times at the onsite championship golf courses or give tips on the family-friendly activities close to the inn, from shopping along the boardwalk to attending a live music show.

Spacious guest rooms feature private balconies, large bathrooms, and free WiFi access. Take advantage of year-round golfing by hitting the links at the resort's onsite course. The Grande Dunes Resort Club was named National Course of the Year in 2009 by the National Golf Course Owners Association.

At WaterScapes restaurant, Chef Corbett Rourk selects fresh-caught seafood for entrees ranging from Maryland-style crab cakes to shrimp and grits. The upscale eatery offers a wine list with dozens of options to choose from, so diners can find the perfect pairing for their meal.

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina: Sandy Beaches, Golf Courses, and Classic Amusement-Park Rides

Myrtle Beach is the crown jewel of South Carolina's Grand Strand, a 60-mile stretch of white-sand beaches along the Atlantic seaboard that draws surfers, fishers, and kayakers. The city was named one of the best vacation spots in the United States for a family by USA Today, in part because of its wooden boardwalk, which stretches for more than a mile and buzzes with carnival games and amusement-park rides. Hop into the SkyWheel Ferris wheel’s gondolas, surrounded by more than a million LED lights, for a panoramic view of the city below.

Less than 20 miles south of Myrtle Beach, the tiny fishing village of Murrells Inlet provides a tranquil contrast to the boardwalk's hustle and bustle. At Brookgreen Gardens, more than 2,000 sculptures stand amid sprawling floral gardens and massive, moss-covered oak trees that have been around for centuries. Murrells Inlet is also home to the Tom Fazio–designed TPC Myrtle Beach golf course, 1 of nearly 100 courses in the area that helped Myrtle Beach earn its title as the seaside golf capital of the world.