I just got back from our vacation in Myrtle Beach, and I feel like I need another vacation to recover from the stress of our trip. When I was growing up, my family frequently stayed at Kingston Plantation. My memory of it is that it was a world-class resort, a paradise in the ceneter of the redneck riviera that is Myrtle Beach. I paid a premium price to stay at this hotel. From the moment I arrived, I was sorely dissappointed. First of all, the hotem is NOT EVEN PART OF KINGSTON PLANTATION as its web site advertises it is. You must enter through a what feels like a service entrance, and the actual resort is blocked off by a giant wall. We pulled up to the entrance, checked in, and then went back out front to start unloading our car. The Bellhop just stood and watched. There was no valet (We had to park our own car in a huge lot out back and walk to it each time).

The seccond we walked in the room, we could hardly contain our laughter. The decor was pathetic (some cheesy nautical theme circa 1989). When I saw the view, I was furious: I gigantic construction site for the new hotel they were building next door, noise from the cranes and all. I called the front desk to complain and ask for another room (oh, did I mention that we reserved a king, they gave us a double). They were very un-sympathetic. They told us they would get us another room, but it would not be ready for several hours, and WE COULD NOT STAY IN OUR CURRENT ROOM UNTIL IT WAS READY. We had to pack our things and check them with the bellhop until it was ready. I bit my tounge, reminded myself that I was on vacation and tried not to get upset. We checked our bags, and left to go find something to do for the next few hours. When we got back our room was ready. Although it was a king on the other side of the hotel away from the construction, our view was obsructed by another part of the hotel. We had a view of a parking lot and the area where all the servants hung out and smoked.

As for the hotel itself, the decor and atmosphere are so-so. The walls desperately needed a fresh coat of paint, the flooring was either outdated carpet or cheap tile. The elevators were tiny and innadequate (we often had to pass on several elevators before getting one that had eneough room for us).

The staff was clueless (as noted in many of the other reviews). Maids would block the hallways with their carts, once a maid barged right in front of us while we were trying to pass, without even uttering an "excuse me." We had to call twice to get our luggage delivered by the bellhop (we waited for half an hour).

My husband and I just returned from a 3-night stay at Hilton Myrtle Beach Resort July 23-26, 2005. There are pros and cons to this hotel and I will list them out - but overall, we had a great experience and a great stay.

Pros: Location is good, direct ocean-front, all rooms are ocean-view. Location is close to everything in Myrtle Beach. The rooms were very nice - big, well-appointed, nice view, very clean and the most comfy hotel bed I've ever slept in - we had a king non-smoking room on top floor. A fridge and microwave were nice amenities. Also, there are 2 robes for your use and that was nice, although they are one size and did not fit my 6'4" husband!!LOL But it was a nice touch. Crabtree & Evelyn toiletries were nice. Very pleased w/room. The lobby is beautiful. We only ate at the pool-side restaurant for lunch one day and it was good, standard lunch, beach fare at typical Myrtle Beach prices. Service there was very good. Offered towels at the pool that were pretty nice and very convenient. Pool bar was also convenient but overpriced but that's true everywhere at Myrtle.

Cons: We arrived at 2:30pm and they did not have a room ready b/c check-in was at 4pm, so that was kind of a pain, but we were able to go out by the pool and then our room was ready in 20 minutes. But the first room we got smelled very strongly of smoke - I called the front desk and they said it was a non-smoking room (what we requested) but promptly offered to move us 2 doors down and that room was much better w/no smoke smell.

Also the pool is way too small for a hotel this large. Pool area is nice but super-crowded - to get a chair you've got to get down there by 8am. Also, Weds-Sun they have a live band at the pool area - they are terrible! And way too loud for such a small area - you can even hear them on the beach. So if you're looking for quiet relaxation, do not go here. On other days they have kids' activities going on at the pool all day, which are great if you have kids, but annoying if you don't. We stayed on the beach mostly to avoid that. The beach area is crowded though. Also, the other issue we had was that housekeeping was very slow - our room was not cleaned until 4-5pm every day - by that time, we were in from a day on the beach and needed clean towels. This was very annoying. They clearly need more housekeeping help. Parking was a pain b/c there is construction going on next door and the lot is blocked off - so if you go out at night and get back later than 9-10pm, finding a space is very difficult.

Overall, it was a nice hotel but I am not sure if we'd stay there again. We normally stay in a smaller place in Cherry Grove, that's less crowded and more quiet and we just prefer that. If you want pool & bar action or lots of activities for kids 5-13, then Hilton would be a great choice. But for childless couples or couples w/very small children I'd suggest a smaller, less crowded hotel and area of Myrtle Beach.

Hotel was very clean, got fresh towels and sheets daily, balconies are kinda small but all have great views of the ocean. Pool is small but good size, plenty of chairs to sit around the pool. Can't get checked in until at least 4 or later they have no early check in but room was ready by 415.

My wife and I just returned from a 3 night stay at the Myrtle Beach Hilton Resort. We both really enjoyed it. The room was great. We chose the Bounceback Vacation deal which gave us each a breakfast buffet for a $10 increase in the daily room rate. Since the buffet normally costs $11.25 each, this was a significant savings.

The buffet in the mezzanine level restaurant was terrific (overlooked the pool and ocean). Cook to order Omelet bar with belgium waffles and a very large assortment of foods on the buffet. Turned out be be an excellent value and also very good. It also included coffee, tea, milk, juices, etc so it was all inclusive. I would highly recommend this option, which is running through year end 2005.

As far as service, we had no problems. Check -in was fast, concierge service helpful and one of the engineering staff helped me repair my watch band, which broke while I was in Myrtle Beach.

The hotel is located in northern most Myrtle Beach about 5 miles south of North Myrtle Beach. This makes it much quieter than central Myrtle Beach locations but also puts it within a very easy drive to Barefoot landing, Broadway on the Beach, and the Alabama Theater.

I had no trouble finding the hotel. If going North on 17 (Kings Highway) it's a right shortly after you pass the Carolina Opry (The Doll House on left, CVS pharmacy on right).

The Hotel has a live band outside on deck, Wed thru Sunday. The band while we were there was very good. The beach in front of the Hilton is much less crowded and actually quite pleasant because the population density where the hotel is located is much less than hotels further south.

We would definitely stay there again. I've stayed in many, many hotels and hotels in resort areas can be noisy, crowded, dirty, etc but, the Hilton was a breath of fresh air.

Try it, you'll like it.