The boys had so much fun exploring Myrtle Beach attractions. We finally were able to check out WonderWorks, an indoor amusement park for the mind with 50,000 square feet of “edu-tainment”. The attraction combines education and entertainment with more than 100 hands on exhibits that challenge the mind and spark the imagination.
And my adventurous boys absolutely loved the Soar + Explore Ropes Course
I think Drew would have stayed up there for several hours if I’d let him!
We played putt putt (there are SO many putt putt courses in Myrtle Beach it’s fun just trying to choose one) and visited Ripley’s Believe it or Not and Ripley’s Haunted Adventure. We kept busy on our four night stay – and would have done more except three of us came down with a 24-hour stomach bug on Easter Sunday. So that hampered some of our planned activities (such as going on any kind of spinny rides!). Oh well, I know we'll be back!Next week I’ll write more about the attractions we visited. However if you want to take a look now and see all that Myrtle Beach has to offer, visit VacationMyrtleBeach.com and/or VisitMyrtleBeach.com for all kinds of useful information.
So back to the Crown Reef…
We were invited to visit the Crown Reef Resort last month, which recently underwent a $7.5 million renovation – with more upgrades to come. This is a family resort hotel – the rooms aren’t fancy, but they have what you need. Best of all, the hotel is located directly on the beach, offering more than 500 oceanfront rooms. Each has a small balcony – I could sit and enjoy the view the entire stay (this is where I found Jack while we were unpacking).
Of course while my kids enjoyed the view, their biggest thrill was the on-site waterpark, featuring two 4-story water slides, including the world’s first hotel “Explosion” slide, the longest lazy river in Myrtle Beach, and Salty’s Splash House, great fun for kids under 48”. The waterpark is a year-round attraction – it is enclosed during the cooler months and open-aired when the weather gets warmer. I imagine the covers are off now!
We stayed in an Oceanfront Queen Deluxe Suite which features a bedroom with 2 queen beds, 1 sleeper sofa, 1 hideaway bed and a full kitchen. Oceanfront Queen Deluxe Suites have a maximum occupancy of 8. The suite is set up shotgun style - you open the door from outside into the main bedroom. Walk straight back into the kitchen area (the bathroom is adjacent to the kitchen) and through the kitchen to the living area, which features the oceanfront balcony, sleeper sofa, and murphy bed in the wall. It's not a condo-like setup, but it works well for a family. There's plenty of room for everyone. Furnishings are sparse - those upgrades are in the works. But you'll be spending most of your time outside the room anyway. You're not at the Crown Reef for five star accomodations - you're there for a fun family vacation experiencing all Myrtle Beach has to offer.
There is a full kitchen, however the one thing it lacks is a dishwasher. So I recommend that you bring disposable plates/silverware, as I'm not sure how housekeeping can manage the upkeep on that. And I know I really don't enjoy doing a ton of dishes by hand on my vacation.We arrived in the evening, but the boys almost immediately got into their swimsuits and ran to the beach. The water was very cold! But that didn't keep Jack out of it for even a minute. He was so happy to get his whole body in the water - and to play in the sand.
Before long they were running back to the hotel to check out the waterslides, which stay open fairly late at night (I imagine the times are seasonal). You'll get some exercise with those slides! It requires walking up four flights of stairs to get to the slide entrance. That of course is no problem for energetic kids. We'd only been at the Crown Reef a few hours when Drew proclaimed - "The Crown Reef is the best hotel ever!"
The lazy river is outdoors/uncovered. And it's surrounded by hot tubs. There were plenty people in the lazy river but it was a little chilly still. There's an indoor heated pool though in case of cold weather or rain, so that's another advantage. Of course we're talking about summer vacations now - I don't think anyone has to worry about cool weather!
It was getting late and everyone was getting VERY hungry. So we dragged the boys away from the waterslides, cleaned up and headed directly next door for dinner at Damon's Grill, right on the ocean. What a location! Damon's is know for ribs, but there is a full and varied menu that features something for everyone. For an oceanfront restaurant, the prices were extremely reasonable and the portions were plentiful. We left with full and happy bellies.
Here's a view of Damon's from the 11th floor of the Crown Reef Hotel:
The Crown Reef also has a new Town Center - Dining & Fun Zone within the hotel featuring a brightly-lit arcade, Grab 'n Go Grill & Coffee Bar (this is where the breakfast buffet is located); Swirl Ice Cream & Sweet Shop, and Loco Gecko Restaurant. There's a new fitness center as well, though it wasn't open yet when we were there.
We had dinner one evening at Loco Gecko - it's a fun place with a great view. The food is typical family fare - burgers, pizza, fried fish, etc. It's open for lunch and dinner, and the bar is there as well.
The resort is very spread out and it will take you a while to find your way around. Remember which elevator bank is yours! Also there IS a laundry room if you're like me and can't go a day without doing laundry. I was afraid it would be a problem not having a unit in our room, but we did just fine.
I highly recommend requesting a room on a high level floor - if you notice the photo of the waterslide, if you're level 4 or below (I can't remember which tower number), you'll have a view of the tubes instead of the beach.
We had a great time at the Crown Reef. If you are looking for great value and fun for the family, you can't beat the price, and your kids are sure to thank you for an awesome vacation!
Here's a summer offer from the Crown Reef:
Wet & Wild Family Fun Package
This exclusive package includes:
Nightly accommodations up 40% off
Free unlimited use of the Crown Reef Waterpark*
One Day of breakfast for two adults & up to two kids
Two $10 Game Zone Cards
Two Kids Meal Vouchers from the Grab n’ Go Grill
Souvenir Kid’s Cup with FREE soda refills during your visit
Disclosure: I was given free accommodations and attraction tickets in order to facilitate this review. Opinions, however, are entirely my own.
It was getting late and everyone was getting VERY hungry. So we dragged the boys away from the waterslides, cleaned up and headed directly next door for dinner at Damon's Grill, right on the ocean. What a location! Damon's is know for ribs, but there is a full and varied menu that features something for everyone. For an oceanfront restaurant, the prices were extremely reasonable and the portions were plentiful. We left with full and happy bellies.
Here's a view of Damon's from the 11th floor of the Crown Reef Hotel:
The Crown Reef also has a new Town Center - Dining & Fun Zone within the hotel featuring a brightly-lit arcade, Grab 'n Go Grill & Coffee Bar (this is where the breakfast buffet is located); Swirl Ice Cream & Sweet Shop, and Loco Gecko Restaurant. There's a new fitness center as well, though it wasn't open yet when we were there.
We had dinner one evening at Loco Gecko - it's a fun place with a great view. The food is typical family fare - burgers, pizza, fried fish, etc. It's open for lunch and dinner, and the bar is there as well.
The resort is very spread out and it will take you a while to find your way around. Remember which elevator bank is yours! Also there IS a laundry room if you're like me and can't go a day without doing laundry. I was afraid it would be a problem not having a unit in our room, but we did just fine.
I highly recommend requesting a room on a high level floor - if you notice the photo of the waterslide, if you're level 4 or below (I can't remember which tower number), you'll have a view of the tubes instead of the beach.
We had a great time at the Crown Reef. If you are looking for great value and fun for the family, you can't beat the price, and your kids are sure to thank you for an awesome vacation!
Here's a summer offer from the Crown Reef:
Wet & Wild Family Fun Package
This exclusive package includes:
Nightly accommodations up 40% off
Free unlimited use of the Crown Reef Waterpark*
One Day of breakfast for two adults & up to two kids
Two $10 Game Zone Cards
Two Kids Meal Vouchers from the Grab n’ Go Grill
Souvenir Kid’s Cup with FREE soda refills during your visit
Disclosure: I was given free accommodations and attraction tickets in order to facilitate this review. Opinions, however, are entirely my own.
