In my bio, Katja wrote that I have a slight hotel obsession. She's starting to know her luxury travel editor well. Since she said that, I thought it would be only fitting for me to share my recent visit to the Myrtle Beach Marriott Resort and Spa at Grande Dunes, located on South Carolina's beautiful Grand Strand, with you. 

I sent my two kids to the beach with Will.



I hurriedly left my mom's beach house, Surf Chalet, in North Myrtle Beach, and hightailed it 20 minutes south. 




Truthfully, I think the conversation went with my husband like this, "Here are their swimsuits, sunscreen, and I may be gone all day. Bye!" I think I let the back door hit me in the behind because I got out of there so quickly. 

My day was planned. A tour of Myrtle Beach's only Four Diamond oceanfront resort, lunch at Ocean's on 82nd, and a luxurious massage in the Hibiscus Spa. Since my family owns Surf Chalet, I never get to see luxury hotels when I visit the Myrtle Beach area.  This was a royal treat, and this oceanfront resort reminds me of paradise. 




There are two outdoor pools, an indoor pool, and two outdoor restaurants. 




The beach is just steps away, too. 




I dined in the hotel's more formal restaurant, Ocean's on 82nd, by the sea. My entree, the Cobb Lobster Salad, was fantastic. 



But, the true crown jewel came with this key lime pie. 



I honestly don't remember having a key lime pie this good since I ate a slice of pie in Key West,  Florida in 1997. This was fantastic. I may have to go back to Myrtle to get another slice the next time I visit. 



Somehow I managed to roll myself downstairs to the Hibiscus Spa for my spa appointment with Christine.  The Hibiscus Spa is a peaceful sanctuary without ocean views, but your time here will truly make your vacation relaxing.  Relaxation areas are cozy, and serene. 

I was happy to trade my Jack Rogers wedges for spa slippers. 




I visited the Myrtle Beach Marriott Resort and Spa at Grande Dunes during their busiest time so I was not able to see a room on this visit. They were booked. Room rates start at $339 during the summer.  It's also important for parents to note that the hotel has a very active Kid's Club, too. 




I think these two would approve of the Myrtle Beach Marriott Resort and Spa at Grande Dunes just like their mama does.  I did not lie to my husband.  I was pretty much gone all day on my outing. But, it's hard to pry yourself away from a place that looks like this. 




Want to Go:
Myrtle Beach Marriott Resort and Spa at Grande Dunes
8400 Costa Verda Drive
Myrtle Beach, SC

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Truthfully, we did not have enough time down here to do all that we wanted to do on this trip. You could spend an entire month here, and still just scratch the surface on the things to do in the area. North Myrtle Beach to Pawley's Island, is a lot of miles to cover, but with great highways in the area, the grand strand is your world to discover while on vacation.

My new discovery on this trip was the restaurant: Flying Fish Public Market and Grill at Barefoot Landing.

I had the chopped BBQ chicken salad.  It was divine. The Flying Fish Public Market and Grill is a locally-owned restaurant which I always try to seek out on my travels.  I also like Liberty Steakhouse and Brewery at Broadway at the Beach in the heart of the Grand Strand, but we didn't make it there this time.  The TBonz restaurant group also  added an Italian restaurant at Broadway shopping area,  too.  I'll put that on my list for my next visit. 

But truthfully, we spent a lot of time being lazy at my mom's cottage. This is the view from the front porch.  The cottage is across the street from the ocean, and you can be on the beach within minutes.  It's in an area with few high-rises so the beach is rarely crowded.

With four bedrooms, three baths, and a room with a sleeper sofa in it, the cottage is perfect for fall shopping or golf trips.