Myrtle Beach's BEST Kept Secret: Landmark Resort Revealed!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into the (sometimes sandy) world of Myrtle Beach's "BEST Kept Secret": Landmark Resort Revealed! SEO be damned, we're going for real here. I'm talking honest opinions, scattered thoughts, and the kind of messy review that actually helps you decide if this place is the right fit for you. Because let's be honest, perfect hotels are a myth.
First Impressions (and the Drive In):
The drive to the Landmark is…well, it’s Myrtle Beach. You know the drill. Traffic. T-shirt shops. Miniature golf courses that look more tempting than they probably are. But hey, that’s part of the charm, right? You're there!
As for the Landmark itself, it's…big. Like, really big. A sprawling complex that feels a little like a self-contained vacation city. Good? Bad? We'll get there.
Accessibility: Getting Around (and Not Getting Lost):
Okay, let's rip the Band-Aid off. Accessibility is a HUGE deal, and I want to be upfront. The Landmark does have facilities for disabled guests, including elevators and accessible rooms. (Facilities for disabled guests, Elevator, Accessible Rooms) That's vital. I saw ramps, and heard they have accessible rooms. And that's fantastic, right? It's a big plus for those who need it. But… and there's always a "but," isn't there? The sheer size of the place can make navigating it a bit of a trek. (Getting around) The hallways are long, and you might find yourself wandering a bit until you get your bearings. But hey, that's part of the adventure! (Or, you know, a small frustration.) They do have (Car Park [free of charge], Car park [on-site]) free parking nearby, too, a blessing with that many people. Though depending on the time of year, you might have to hunt for a spot. They offer (Car power charging station) which is a great touch.
The Room: A Cave (But a Clean One!)
Let's talk about the heart of the matter: the rooms. Our experience? Let's just say my husband and I are very different. He's tidy. Me? Not so much.
- The Good: The (Available in all rooms, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathtub, Bathroom phone, Blackout curtains, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Hair dryer, In-room safe box, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens) stuff was there! The air conditioning worked like a charm (essential in Myrtle Beach).The (Free bottled water) water was lovely and cool. The bathroom had a bathtub, my husband’s favorite. (I would have preferred a bigger walk in shower!) The (Daily housekeeping) was a godsend because…well, see above. The (Non-smoking) rooms are a must these days, of course, and the coffee/tea maker was a lifesaver. The beds were…okay. Not the kind that makes you want to cry and write poetry, but comfortable enough.
- The…less good It did smell a bit sterile. Not super exciting, but I love clean. And sometimes hotel rooms need a little, you know, personality. I'm a sucker for personality.
Cleanliness and Safety: Not a Germaphobe's Nightmare (Mostly!)
Alright, let’s talk about the elephant in the room (pun intended): post-pandemic cleaning. (Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment) The Landmark definitely seemed to be taking it seriously. We saw hand sanitizer stations everywhere. I saw staff cleaning pretty regularly, and honestly, I felt safe. They even have (Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit) if anything goes wrong.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Feast for the Eyes…Sometimes
This is where the Landmark really shines. It’s like a mini-Vegas for food!
(A la carte in restaurant, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant) The food options are plentiful, but sometimes they're a little overwhelming.
The Highlight: The breakfast buffet! Chef's Kiss. I'm a sucker for a good buffet. I love it. They had everything; the hot foods, the pastries, the fruit. Good. Great. Even the coffee was surprisingly delicious. One small criticism? I think everything was a little bit… bland. The coffee was great, but what about the flavour? The other restaurants offered a good range of (Asian cuisine in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, Western cuisine in restaurant) options, but the main focus should always be good food. The (Desserts in restaurant) were a highlight, even if I could have easily skipped a few. But for the sheer variety and the ability to stuff yourself silly? (Breakfast buffet) A+!
The Quirks: The poolside bar was… well, a poolside bar. Loud. Busy. Filled with families. The food was… passable. The cocktails? Strong. Too strong. They also have (Room service [24-hour]) which is great in theory, but the delivery time sometimes leaves something to be desired.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Splash, Spa, and (Maybe) Nap
Okay, guys, this is where the Landmark tries to be everything to everyone. They've got everything from (Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor], Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Gym/fitness, Fitness center, Massage, Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath) to more!
- The Pools: The pools are amazing. There are a ton of them. Indoor, outdoor, lazy rivers, wave pools. Perfect for a lazy afternoon. And seriously, the wave pool is addictive.
- The Spa: The spa… well, I’m not a “spa” person. But my husband, he’s a spa guy. He raved about his massage. (Massage) He looked so zen afterwards; I almost didn't recognize him. The (Sauna, Steamroom) offerings seemed to be good too.
For the Kids (and the Young at Heart):
- (Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal) The Landmark is definitely family-friendly. Kids were everywhere. There are splash areas, kiddie pools, and even a kids' club. If you're going with kids? You're golden. If you're not going with kids? Bring noise-canceling headphones. Just sayin'.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
The Landmark has a ton of services to offer. (Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center) So many.
- The Good: The concierge was helpful. The gift shop was overpriced but convenient. The (Daily housekeeping) was a blessing. The (Elevator) was a must. They even offer (Contactless check-in/out), which is great for minimizing contact!
- The…not so good: The (Laundry service) was a little slow to respond.
Internet: The Wi-Fi Saga
(Internet, Wi-Fi in public areas, Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!, Internet [LAN], Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Internet services, Wi-Fi for special events). The Wifi worked! It wasn't always blazing fast, but it was there. And hey, free Wi-Fi!
Escape to Paradise: Margaret's Stunning 4BR Marysville Home!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we're about to embark on a whirlwind tour of… Landmark Resort in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Prepare for sun, sand, potential sunburns, and a whole lotta me rambling. This ain't your sterile, perfect itinerary, folks. This is real life, with all its glorious chaos.
Day 1: Arrival &… Mild Panic (Welcome to Paradise, Sort Of)
- 1:00 PM: Arrive at Landmark Resort. Okay, first impressions? The lobby smells like chlorine and hopeful retirees. It’s… a lot. Check-in, which I thought would be smooth sailing, turned into a comedy of errors. Apparently, my confirmation email and the front desk agent's understanding of "oceanfront view" are, shall we say, vastly different. Cue me, staring at a parking lot and wondering if I've accidentally time-traveled back to the 1980s.
- 2:00 PM: After a tense negotiation (with a manager who clearly wasn't thrilled to see me), we finally got a room with a glimpse of the ocean. Victory! Unpack. Try to decipher the ancient remote control. Fail. Embrace the mess of luggage, snacks, and the lingering scent of my travel anxiety.
- 3:00 PM: Beach time! This is what it's all about, right? Sun, sand, the glorious roar of the ocean. Except… the sand is scalding lava, and I discovered within seconds that SPF 50 only works if you apply it…correctly. Oh, and some random kid kicked sand in my face. Yep, vacation is officially underway.
- 5:00 PM: Pool time! I’m not usually a pool person. Okay, I'm definitely not a pool person. But the ocean was still a bit too…challenging, and I'm pretty sure I saw a jellyfish. The pool bar, however, is speaking my language. Order a ridiculously fruity cocktail (because why not?) and people-watch: A family trying to put up their umbrella by the pool, a group of tanned retirees playing a very intense game of Marco Polo, and a toddler who looked like he might start a riot if his mom didn't get him ice cream soon.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at Gazebo Restaurant - Honestly, I'm not sure if it's the quality of food that's made me so hungry, or if the sheer exhaustion of Day 1 makes me crave anything. Either way, the buffet is calling my name. I load up a plate and realize my stomach is bigger than my eyeballs - I overdid it, of course.
Day 2: High Tide & Low Expectations (Embracing the Mess)
- 8:00 AM: Wake up. This is a lie. I was awake at 6 AM, thanks to the sun blasting through the curtains. Curse the over-eager sunrise. Drag myself out of bed for coffee and contemplate the ethical implications of stealing all the mini-shampoos in the bathroom.
- 9:00 AM: Beach Round 2. Armed with a hat this time, and a new sunscreen. It's quieter this morning, the air less thick with the buzz of humans. The waves sound soothing. Actually feel like I'm relaxing… for like, five minutes.
- 10:00 AM: The real chaos begins. The kids find some sand crabs, and now have a whole family of them living in a bucket. A huge brawl erupts over who gets to name the biggest one. Oh, and the wind picked up so now sand is everywhere. I mean everywhere.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch at the hotel's ice cream shack because the kids threatened to "never speak to me again" if I don't. The ice cream is mediocre, but the smiles on their faces? Worth it.
- 2:00 PM: "Water Park Time". Sigh. I'm not a water park person, either, but the kids are determined. I spend 20 minutes just trying to get a tube. The line is an eternity. I end up spending more time in line than actual water ride.
- 5:00 PM: Back to the room. A nap is in order. This vacation is exhausting.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at a seafood restaurant down the road. This place feels like a tourist trap. I had the fried shrimp platter and felt like falling asleep in my plate.
Day 3: A Sea Change and Surprising Clarity (Maybe I Like This?)
- 9:00 AM: Actually sleep in! The sun is hiding behind the clouds (thank God). Enjoy the quiet morning and a cup of coffee on our little balcony, despite the parking lot view.
- 10:00 AM: Decide to try something new. Rent bikes. Cycle along the beach. It's surprisingly fun. The kids are thrilled, and I find myself actually enjoying the fresh air and the slower pace.
- 12:00 PM: Picnic lunch on the beach. Okay, maybe I am a beach person. Or maybe it's just the sheer joy of eating sandwiches with sand between my toes.
- 2:00 PM: The kids want to go to the arcade. I grudgingly agree. But the arcade… is strangely charming. The flashing lights, the cheesy music, the sheer ridiculousness of it all… I actually have fun. I spend way too much money on the claw machine and feel a surge of joy when I win a giant stuffed animal.
- 5:00 PM: Head back to the beach. I decide to ditch the sunscreen and just enjoy the sunset. The sky is painted with glorious colors as the kids build sandcastles. This… this is the vacation moment, the moment that makes all the chaos, the meltdowns, the questionable food, all worthwhile.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at the hotel restaurant. This time, I'm actually hungry. They have a live singer who is belting out the classics. My family and I all sing along, drunk on mediocre food and happy memories.
Day 4: Departure and a Hint of Nostalgia (Goodbye, Landmark? Maybe Not.)
- 8:00 AM: Pack. Dread the fact that I have to go back into the real world.
- 9:00 AM: One last swim. One last gaze at the ocean. One final, delicious, slightly overpriced breakfast.
- 11:00 AM: Check out. The front desk agent is actually helpful this time? Maybe I've become a better traveler, or maybe she feels sorry for me. Either way, I'll take it.
- 12:00 PM: Depart.
Final Thoughts:
Landmark Resort? It's not perfect. It's a bit rough around the edges, a bit crowded, a bit…well, let's just say it's got character. But amidst the chaos, the sunburn, the questionable food choices, and the sand in everything, there were moments of pure joy. The kids, the ocean, the sunset, the even just those few smiles in the arcade.
Would I go back? Maybe. Probably. Definitely. Because even with all the imperfections, the memories made here…those are worth the price of admission. And let's be honest, I might need another vacation just to recover from this one.
Escape to Paradise: Pi Boutique Hotel, Dalat's Hidden Gem
Okay, honesty time. "Good" is a loaded word. Landmark is…an *experience*. It's like that friend who's always late, spills their drink, and tells the *longest* stories, but you still love them. It's got its issues. Dated rooms? Check. Pool crowding that rivals a sardine can on a Saturday? Double check. But it also has a certain…charm. A chaotic, slightly worn-around-the-edges charm. For the price, and the sheer *amount* of stuff they cram in there, it's often a steal, especially if you're flexible and not a high-maintenance traveler. Look, I've seen some *things* there (like…a rogue water balloon incident that involved a chihuahua and a very unfortunate sunburn. Don't ask.) but I keep going back. That says something, I think. It's a bit of a love/hate relationship, but ultimately, I have a soft spot for the place.
Prepare yourself. Landmark has more water features than a *water park*. Seriously. Indoor pools, outdoor pools, kiddie pools, lazy rivers…basically, if it holds water, Landmark probably has it. The sheer volume is impressive, even if some of them look like they've seen better days, okay? My personal favorite? The indoor pool with the jacuzzi. Perfect for a rainy day or when you need to escape the screaming kids (no judgment, been there, especially in the late afternoon). The number? I stopped counting. Seriously, after the… seventh? pool, I just gave up. Let's just say, you'll have options. *Too many* options, maybe. Some days it feels like you're just a droplet in a giant watery maze. But hey, that's part of the fun, right?
The rooms are…varied. Let's be honest, it's a total crapshoot. Some are recently renovated and *actually* quite nice. Sleek, modern, the whole shebang. Others…well, let's just say they haven't seen a fresh coat of paint since, like, the *Clinton* administration. It's a gamble. You might end up with a stunning oceanfront view that takes your breath away. Or you might end up with a view of the parking lot and a mysterious stain on the carpet that looks like it could tell stories. (Seriously, I swear I've seen things in Landmark rooms that would make a hazmat team blush. I'm not even kidding.) My advice? Read reviews *carefully*. Scour them. Focus on the recent ones. Look for telltale signs like "smells musty" or "worn furniture." Maybe pack some Lysol wipes. And, if possible, request a higher floor. The higher you go, the better your chances of escaping the…ahem…less-than-perfect elements, the party noise, and those errant seagulls that can be shockingly aggressive.
Okay, let's be real: Gourmet dining is *NOT* Landmark's strong suit. Think beach-vacation-food. The on-site restaurants are…functional. The buffet can be a decent deal, especially for the kids, who, let's face it, are probably only going to eat chicken nuggets and french fries anyway. There are also some fast-casual options for a quick bite. My advice? Don't go expecting Michelin stars. You'll be sorely disappointed. But hey, you’re at the beach! Pack some snacks (Goldfish, am I right?), explore the local seafood shacks (oh, the joy of fried oysters!), and you'll be golden. Oh, and bring coffee. PLEASE bring coffee. The in-room stuff is…well, let's just say it won't win any awards and will probably leave you craving a real cup within the hour. Also, the ice cream shop. Go there. Don't ask questions, just go. Maybe grab a waffle cone and escape the chaos for a blissful ten minutes.
Oh, you betcha. Landmark is practically a giant toddler-magnet. It's a daycare with ocean views! The pools, the waterBook Hotels Now
Post a Comment for "Myrtle Beach's BEST Kept Secret: Landmark Resort Revealed!"