My husband and I took my neice, who does not drive to Myrtle Beach to see a concert at the House of Blues. At first, we were just going to stay one night.

I got online and found a hotel with a fairly decent rate. (Not as good as BW's, but a chain I was familiar with.) Then I learned it was all non-smoking rooms and my husband refused to stay there. I found another one and tentatively booked it. My husband and I have not been on vacation since we got married and due to the nature of his work can seldom get away in the summer. I suggested we make a weekend of it and do something together while my neice was at the concert.

Well, we couldn't afford this hotel for two nights so I was on the search again. I was looking at BW and some others, but felt a bit more comfortable since I am familiar with Best Westerns. I got tired of reading descriptions and rates and finally just called the hotel directly to get more info. I was delighted to learn Ocean Sands was only three miles from House of Blues.

The clerk that I spoke with was very knowledgable and helpful. I had read several reviews also and took note of one person's suggestion that the oceanview was better from a floor other than the first. I told the clerk this and she put a note on my reservation. Sure enough we got a fourth floor room in what they call the annex building. I prefered that building because of fewer floors.

The room was about typical for a moderately priced hotel. We had everything we needed, though and it was clean. I saw a couple of reviews that said the rooms were filthy. Either housekeeping had a bad day or someone is a lot fussier than the average. My neice used to work for hotel housekeeping and I worked at an upscale resort in property management. BW passed our "inspection."

The staff was excellent. Very friendly and helpful. The continental breakfast was also about the usual. The blueberry muffins were good. They had cereal, sweets, toast and some fruit. There were bagels this morning, but no cream cheese. That would be a suggestion. Of course, coffee, o.j. and milk, including low-fat.

There were a few problems in our room, which I listed on the comment card provided. The switch on the mini-fridge was kind of messed up and had to be "fiddled" with. The hair dryer needs replacement as there was a frayed wire. I unplugged it. There was some kind of wire hanging in the oven. We never used it, though. I didn't go there to cook! The heating system probably needs some updating. It warmed up the room, but then made it hot and stuffy so I was turning it off and on. I thought the dishes were fairly sufficient unless you were planning on a lot of cooking or had a large group. They could use some real glasses instead of plastic.

The microwave was pretty good-small but didn't "fry" your food or leave it cold. I thought the kitchenette was kind of cute. It was a nice touch how housekeeping folded the kitchen towels and washcloths in the bathroom. A bigger coffeepot would be nice, although it was free in the mornings in the lobby. Dishwashing liquid was provided, too which I have seldom seen in hotels.

Overall, except a few maintenance problems that need to be worked on, it was a good stay. Unfortunately, for us the weather turned cool so I didn't get to spend as much time on the beach as I wanted to.

The oceanview and the sound of the waves were fabulous! Wish there had been more waves, but Mother Nature... My neice and I spent some time on the balcony as it was not as windy there. We started talking more. That is special because she is so shy and only recently came to live with us.

My highlight of the trip-the time my hubby and I spent in the pool and hottub. They could cut down on the chlorine in the hottub, but it was still great.

O.k., bottom line-this hotel is not the ritz, but it is decent and if you want an oceanfront room with a heated pool and hot tub, this is your best bet. It is a fairly quiet area, too. Sure, I would stay there again.

For the reasonable price we paid, we received adequate accomodations. The beds are comfortable with fluffy pillows. The size of the suite was adequate for 3 adults and a child. The beachfront location was worth enduring minor flaws. The kitchen was minimally equipped - no cutting boards, mixing bowls, frying pans, cover lids for pans, etc... The bathroom sink and tub did not drain well. The ceiling paint on the hallway was peeling and several paint chips fell on the floor.

I would have preferred a condo at the newer resorts but did not want to pay for separate linen packages. At least, Best Western includes the daily change of linen and housecleaning in their rates.

My husband and I stayed at this hotel for a weekend to visit family. We live only a few hours away and are familiar with hotels along Myrtle Beach. We chose this hotel because other family members chose to stay here.
First, ask for a room in the tower if price isn't an issue - we stayed in the North Annex building (small - only 3 floors) and it wasn't very plush. We booked an "oceanfront room" but ended up in a building that is perpendicular to the ocean so there is not a true ocean view unless you sit outside your room in the hallway. However, the room looked attractively decorated inside or at least clean and neat - had fridgerator and microwave. Very quiet too. Great access to the beach with a path right from the building to the sand. And no problems with catching the elevator because it only has 3 floors. Had to park across busy street though.

My parents had a better room in the tower that faces the ocean directly with a beautiful front view of the ocean. It was double the size of our room, a kitchenette, and big bathroom.

On the downside - the hotel had no parking and the tower elevator was verrrrrrrrry slow - only one to service 9 floors and the wait was ridiculous - especially in the mornings on a weekend at checkout. The "free breakfast" was a joke - a HUGE line and very small room, no place to sit, terrible coffee, and basically the food was all just a bunch of donuts and bread products. We ended up going out to eat for breakfast. The pool and lazy river had a weird dingy tinge to it and seemed unclean. We mainly stayed at the Tiki bar which is pretty cool.

We would recommend the Holiday Inn Little River - which is where we normally stay. It's not on the ocean but for the money the view is pretty overlooking the marina, the rooms are much bigger, and the food is considerably better. Plus it's only a short drive to the beach.

This was a great place to stay. We made sure to ask for an ocean front room on any floor but the first because there would have been no balcony, and were thrilled with our room. We had a king size bed, kitchenette, and sitting room and balcony. The view from the bed, simply ocean! It was wonderful to have only about 50 yards to go from the room to the beach. The beach on our end was not crowded. We did not use the pools but having the Tiki Hut for drinks was a bonus. Our room was clean and attractive. Breakfast was OK for a hotel and there was a variety of choices. We were not in the tower which would have been nice but the smaller building was fine. Parking is a challenge but were able to get a spot across the street each time we left. When I return I will probably request the tower but I definitely will return.