I am a college student graduating in December 2008. I am trying to plan a vacation to Myrtle Beach, SC for May 2009. I've been searching the net for hotels and I have narrowed my search down to of course hotels on the beach or very close to the water. I want to book the Avista Resort and I wanted to know if this was a good hotel. There is also this hotel that has a pier set off of it and I can not remember the name of it. I wanted to rent that one first so if anyone can give me the name of it I would greatly appreciate it.

I highly recommend a condo rental through VRBO or CRS. They are often cheaper than hotels, you can buy and cook some or all of your own food and they are sometimes in hotels.

We always rent directly on the beach and have never had a bad experience.

You could also look at North MB, Surfside, Garden City, etc.

What do you consider a reasonable price?

I live in North Carolina, so between gas and hotel I want to spend under 1,000 dollars for about three or four days. Hopefully I'll have a better job by then but now I am just working at a retail store so I need cheap but nice.

ok, I was just wondering because as they say "one man's castle is another mans shack".
Have you ever been to MB?

No I've never been. I at first wanted to take a trip to the Bahamas(I've been b4 but not my fiance) but that was too expensive. So then I decided to take a trip to Miami (I've been but not him) and that was too expensive so I thought a trip closer to home where I've never been would be just as good. I just want to get away from it all. What is VRBO and CRS? I'm pretty new to this site. I don't know all the lingo yet.

VRBO.com is vacation rentals by owner. They have rental homes and condos everywhere. CRS.com has MB rentals.

My parents love this place:

http://www.grandeshores.com/

I'm still looking at hotels and prices and I've narrowed it down to a few and I want you all to tell me how you feel about them:

1.Anderson Ocean Club
2.Boardwalk Beach Resort
3.M Grand Resort and Spa
4.Sea Watch Resort
5.Newport Beachside Hotel and Resort

I live in N. Myrtle Beach and not familiar with the ones you have listed. When you mentioned the Avista in Ocean Drive I was thinking if that is affordable for you that would be a great one. Right on the beach and you can walk from there to the streets of OD where there are restaurants and shops.
You may be thinking of the Prince Resort where there is a pier connected and a restaurant. It is a new hotel and is very popular. It would also be a good place to stay right on the beach.

Mary anne:

I am traveling to MB the end of October. Still shorts and swimsuit weather ?

thanks

About shorts and swimsuits at the end of Oct. Probably shorts,but I am not sure how warm the ocean or outside swimmingpools might be at that time. It depends on what kind of weather you are accustomed to how cool it might feel to you. Expect the 70ies daytime and 50-60 at night.
I would definitely bring shorts and swimsuit,but then also be prepared if it turns colder. Weather as we all know is so unpredictable. I find that it can change on the beach almost hour to hour depending on how strong the wind is.

Thanks Maryanne. I'm from Wisconsin so I am sure the temps will feel like shorts and flipflop weather to me !!

To Moo Moo
You mentioned coming in May. What I would avoid is the Memorial Day weekend in May-Too many bikers.
Also week of Mother's Day(May 10th week) another biker week. The best time would probably be the 1st week in May or the 3rd week in May. If you read the news from here you know MB is trying to put up noise restrictions on motorcycles at that time. Those of us who live here try to be out of town if possible during those times of May.

Thank you to everyone who have been very helpful to me. If and when I take this trip I will make sure I will post which hotel I went to so it can help future travelers. Thanks again!!