THE CARAVELLE RESORT, Myrtle Beach

The main resort building and oceanfront properties are directly on the beach, while buildings like St. John's Inn, Sea Mark Tower, Arbor, and Harborside are 1.5 to 2 blocks from the ocean, requiring a short walk. The resort is 3 km from Family Kingdom Amusement Park, 8 km from Tanger Outlets, and an 11-minute drive from Broadway at the Beach and the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk. Myrtle Beach International Airport is 13 km away. The surrounding area offers quiet streets for walking and running, with easy access to grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations within a short drive. Though the location is convenient for most activities, having a car is recommended for broader access to attractions and shopping.

Accommodation types include rooms, studios, efficiencies, and one- to three-bedroom condos. Bedding configurations vary: king, queen, double, twin, and Murphy/wall beds are common, with some units accommodating up to 8 people. Many condos feature full kitchens with stove, refrigerator, microwave, and dishwasher; some units have kitchenettes. Oceanfront and oceanview condos typically have private balconies. Individual units are privately owned, so finishes, cleanliness, furniture, and amenities (e.g., Jacuzzi tub, in-unit washer/dryer, TV functionality) differ significantly. Some units are renovated and modern; others are dated with worn furniture and fixtures. Hallways and common areas in the main building can feel dark and worn. Units in buildings like Sea Mark Tower and St. John's Inn are further from the ocean and tend to be more budget-oriented, while Carolina Dunes and the main building offer direct oceanfront access and more consistent quality. The indoor stairwells in the parking garage are dark and poorly maintained. Noise from renovations, nearby pool areas, and hallway traffic can affect sleep; light sleepers should consider a unit in a quieter building or away from the main pool deck. Blackout curtains are not standard across all units.

RJ's Restaurant, located on the main resort building, offers a breakfast buffet for purchase (around $15-$20 per person) with a made-to-order omelet and waffle station, available year-round. The Marco Polo Pool Bar & Grill, open seasonally weather permitting, serves sandwiches, wraps, gourmet hot dogs, daiquiris, smoothies, and other beverages, including kid-friendly mocktails. The Marco Polo Grill operates only during the warm summer months. There is also a seasonal St. Clement's Pool Bar for drinks, and Pirate's Cove offers ice cream and sandwiches. The resort gift shop sells snacks, frozen items, and pizza made with fresh basil. For dinner, the Liquid Lounge (part of the Santa Maria restaurant) offers Southern-style buffet dinners on a seasonal basis. While many units have kitchens, some lack basic cooking supplies, so bringing your own dish soap and utensils is advisable. Nearby dining options include Flamingo Seafood Grill and Starbucks within 0.5 km.

The main building's block-long poolscape includes a large outdoor heated pool, a seasonally heated lazy river, a kiddie lazy river, a seasonal Wild Water Pool with dump buckets and sprays, and several hot tubs (indoor and outdoor). The indoor pool on the 7th floor is heated year-round and offers city views via floor-to-ceiling windows, though it may be closed for renovation. Each building also has its own pool: Carolina Dunes has an oceanfront seasonal pool and kiddie pool; St. John's Inn has a large pool and hot tub on a brick deck; Sea Mark Tower has a pool with a marsh setting; Caravelle Tower has an indoor/outdoor pool; St. Clement's has an oceanfront pool; Harborside and Arbor have seasonal pools. Pool depth varies 0.0 m to 3.7 m. The fitness room on the first floor has treadmills, ellipticals, exercise bikes, and a universal gym. The Aqua petite Spa (by appointment) offers massages, facials, body scrubs, and spa packages. The game room features arcade games and air hockey. The 7th-floor sun deck offers lounge chairs and hammocks. The oceanfront lawn has picnic areas and hammocks. An on-site golf department can arrange tee times at nearby courses, including top-rated public courses. Additional activities include billiards, mini golf, and beach chairs/umbrella rentals (seasonal). While the water amenities are family-friendly, the pools can become crowded, and hot tub cleanliness has been inconsistent.

Parking costs $12 per day in the on-site garage, which has very tight spaces and low clearance; an overflow lot across the street is available but inconvenient for luggage. Free Wi-Fi is accessible in most buildings, though connectivity varies. The business center on the lobby level has free public computers. Coin-operated guest laundry is available (coins may not function-use the app), and a minimarket sells snacks and toiletries, though its hours are limited. The front desk is open 24 hours and offers express check-in/out and luggage cart assistance (though carts are scarce and may take 30 minutes). Security monitors the parking decks, and CCTV covers common areas. The property is non-smoking throughout, with smoking prohibited on balconies. Saferoom key cards sometimes require reprogramming if the system goes down. Towels and linens are included, but housekeeping is not automatic; requests must be made at the front desk. The resort has no daily maid service unless requested. Many units have in-room washer/dryers or access to laundry. The hotel is not pet-friendly, but service dogs are accepted.