Overview
by Karon Warren
Originally opened as Sea Island, the property underwent renovation and expansion, reopening in 2006 as Island Vista Oceanfront Resort. Today, this 149-room condominium hotel property continues to undergo updates, such as the new carpet and flooring installed in 2015. As a result, the property always looks fresh and modern as it welcomes families year after year.
A non-smoking property, Island Vista Oceanfront Resort contains everything families could want in their beach vacation: spacious accommodations, onsite dining, swimming pools, a lazy river, and, of course, the beach. Because these units are condominiums, other than a selection of traditional-style hotel rooms, families will feel at home throughout their stay, with many of the same amenities they enjoy at home.
Our Editor Loves
- Indoor and outdoor swimming pools
- Lazy River
- Complimentary DVD rentals
Family Interests
- Beach
- Bicycling
- Golf
- Museum/Cultural
- Sailing
- Theme Park
- Water Parks
- Water Sports
Family Amenities
- Children Programs
- Cribs
- DVD
- Family Room 5+
- Free Breakfast
- Free Wi-Fi
- Kids' Pool
- Kids' Theme Meals
- Kitchenettes
- Laundry
- Meal Plan
- Onsite Dining
- Pool
- Refrigerator
Room Information
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All rooms have flat-screen TVs and Egyptian cotton pressed bed linens, and all suites are oceanfront. Suites also include large living rooms, full kitchens and tray ceilings.
Hotel Room
At 350 square feet, this room is your traditional hotel room with one king bed or two queen beds, one full bath, a microwave, a refrigerator and a balcony.
One-Bedroom Suite
Ranging from 825 to 850 square feet, this unit includes two queen beds, a murphy bed and a queen sleeper sofa, one full bath, a full kitchen, a stacked washer and dryer, and a balcony.
One-Bedroom Grand Suite
This is actually a three-bedroom unit with the two hallway bedrooms locked out, meaning there is no access to these bedrooms. The remaining space includes an oceanview master bedroom with a king bed and a bathroom with Jacuzzi tub and a walk-in shower. You'll also find a living room with a sofa sleeper, two full baths, a full kitchen, an eight-person dining room and a balcony.
Two-Bedroom Suite
At 1,000 square feet, this unit includes one bedroom with a king bed (some with oceanview windows) and a second hallway bedroom with a king bed, two queens or two double beds. There's also a living room with a sofa sleeper, two full baths, a full kitchen, a stacked washer and dryer, and a balcony.
Two-Bedroom Grand Suite
These guestrooms include one bedroom with a king bed and a second room with either a split king (two twins) or a queen bed. There's also a living room with a sofa sleeper, two full baths (one with a Jacuzzi tub), a full kitchen, eight-person dining room, washer and dryer and a balcony.
Three-Bedroom Suite
This 1,550-square-foot unit comes with two double beds in the hallway bedroom, one hallway bedroom with either a king bed or twin beds, and a bedroom with a king bed (some with an oceanview window). In the master bathroom, there is a Jacuzzi tub and a walk-in shower. In addition, there's a living room with a sofa sleeper, an eight-person dining room, three full baths, a full kitchen, a washer and dryer, and a balcony.
Three-Bedroom Corner Suite
These three-bedroom units are outfitted with one king bedroom and two bedrooms, each with two double beds; all bedrooms include an ocean view. In the living room, there's also a sofa sleeper. Plus, this suite has three full baths, a full kitchen, a 10-person dining room, a washer and dryer, and a balcony.
Four-Bedroom Suite
Ranging between 2,000 and 2,300 square feet, this unit includes two oceanview bedrooms, each with a king bed; one bedroom with a queen or split king (two twins); and one bedroom with two double beds. In the master bathroom, there is a Jacuzzi tub and a walk-in shower. You'll also find a full kitchen, an eight-person dining room, a living room with sleeper sofa, four bathrooms, a washer and dryer, and two balconies. TVs are in every bedroom, as well as the living room, and the fourth bedroom also includes a microwave and refrigerator.
Four-Bedroom Corner Suite
These four-bedroom units feature ocean views from all bedrooms. There is a two-queen bedroom, two double-bed bedrooms, and one king bedroom. In addition, there is a sleeper sofa in the living room. Also, there are four full bathrooms (one with a Jacuzzi tub), a full kitchen, a 10-person dining room, a washer and dryer, and two balconies. The fourth bedroom also has a microwave and a refrigerator.
Grand Corner Unit
Located on the 12th floor, this four-bedroom unit includes one king bedroom, one queen bedroom and two double-bed bedrooms, along with four bathrooms. In addition, there's a full kitchen, 10-person dining room, a Jacuzzi tub, a washer and dryer, and two oceanfront balconies.
Reviews
by snag1953
View from oceanfront room was great. Nice large room with full kitchen and spacious baths. Could have been a little cleaner but not bad at all. Would definitely go back. Staff was very good. Good value for the money.
by al2018305
This was one of the best stays. My friends and I had a great time. I had a personal massage by the beach but the only thing I didn't like is how they said they had a "mandatory evacuation" so we had to check out early. Our room had a balcony overlooking the beach and pool. It could've came with an extra bathroom but the extra Murphy bed was a great addition to the suite
Family Activities
During peak season, pools are open from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., and operate from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. during off-season. No alcohol, glass or coolers are permitted in any pool area. Towel service is provided; however, towels are not permitted on the beach, so pack your own beach towels. Lifeguards are not on duty at the pools.
Indoor Swimming Area
Accessed via the property's first floor, the indoor swimming area contains a swimming pool, a toddler pool/splash area, a hot tub and the lazy river. The swimming pool reaches a maximum depth of 5 feet, while the hot tub is no more than 3 feet deep. The toddler pool/splash area is just 1 foot deep. The hotel provides tubes for the lazy river, which is 3 feet deep.
Outdoor Swimming Area
The outdoor swimming area includes two swimming pools and a hot tub. The swimming pools range from 3 feet deep to 5 feet deep, with the hot tub at 3 feet deep. There are lounge chairs throughout the area, along with some side tables and umbrellas. In addition, there's a grassy area along the patio that also has lounge chairs.
Beach
The beach is accessed directly behind the hotel. Lifeguards are present on a seasonal schedule, generally between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Rental chairs and umbrellas are available through the City of Myrtle Beach; see the official on the beach to arrange a rental.
Children's Activities
From Memorial Day through Labor Day, Island Visit Oceanfront Resort offers free children's activities every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Examples of activities include making tie-dye shirts, shell painting and scavenger hunts. Some activities may include a fee for supplies. During the summer, the hotel hosts a hula show each Monday night, as well as a Reggae night every Thursday.
DVD Rentals
Guests can enjoy complimentary DVD rentals throughout their stay. Just take the DVD card you receive at check-in to the kiosk in the lobby and follow the on-screen directions.
Family Dining
Cypress Room
This onsite restaurant is open for breakfast from 7:30 to 10 a.m. and dinner from 5:30 to 9 p.m. during the summer. Hours may change in the off-season based on occupancy. If visiting for dinner, reservations are recommended because the restaurant only seats 90 in the dining room. Depending on the season, some outdoor seating is available.
Breakfast specials are available, as well as a la carte items. For guests who booked the American Plan or Golf Packages, breakfast specials No. 1 through 6 are included. Early bird breakfast specials are available and must be ordered by 8:30 a.m. A children's menu for kids 10 and younger features three different breakfast specials.
The dinner menu includes appetizers, soups and salads. Entree choices include fish, steak, chicken and pasta dishes. Vegetarian and gluten-free offerings are available. Children 12 and younger can order steak, fish, chicken fingers and pasta from the children's menu. Dessert also is offered.
Because of special billing options in the Cypress Room, an 18-percent gratuity is added to all checks.
Sandpipers Tiki Hut
This poolside eatery offers lunch items such as burgers, sandwiches, fish tacos, salads, hot dogs, chicken tenders and more, as well as bar service. A child's lunch sandwich of peanut butter and jelly or grilled cheese is available for children 7 and younger. It is open from 12 to 4 p.m. during the summer, and 12 to 3 p.m. seasonally. Hours may change based on occupancy.
Room Service
Guests may order breakfast from 7:30 to 9 a.m., lunch from 12:30 to 3 p.m. and dinner from 5:30 to 9 p.m. There is no delivery charge for room service.
Vista Pizza
The hotel offers onsite pizza delivery from the Cypress Room from 12 to 9 p.m. daily. All pizzas come with red sauce and mozzarella cheese; just select size and toppings. Regular 12-inch pizzas are $8 each with each additional topping $1.75. Large 16-inch pizzas are $11 each with each additional topping $2.25. Premium toppings are $2.50 each for regular pizzas and $3 each for large pizzas. Specialty pizzas also are available. A family meal deal featuring two large one-topping pizzas and a two-liter drink is available for $26.50. An 18-percent room service charge is added to all orders.
Planning & Tips
All About the Extras
Resort Fee
The hotel charges a resort fee of 7 percent to cover pool towels, free Wi-Fi, children's activities, live music, movies and other similar services.
Fitness Center
The fitness center is open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. with room key access. It contains cardio machines and free weights, with water and hand towels available.
Check-In/Check-Out
Check-in time is 4 p.m., with check-out at 11 a.m. Guests arriving early can access their room if it's ready. If the room is not ready, guests can pre-check in, receiving their parking pass and pool access. The front desk will call guests once their room is ready.
The Art of Smart Timing
As a beach destination, the Island Vista Oceanfront Resort is extremely busy during the summer, with high occupancy during the spring and fall. The low season at the hotel is from October through February. To get the best rates, consider visiting after Labor Day weekend, when rates drop as much as 30 percent.
Getting There
The Island Vista Oceanfront Resort is approximately 15 minutes from Myrtle Beach International Airport. Because the hotel does not provide shuttle service, a taxi or rental car is necessary to travel between the hotel and the airport.
Getting Around
Myrtle Beach is not a walkable city; therefore, a car is necessary for getting around the area. There also is a RTA bus stop right in front of the hotel. One-way fares start at $1.50 for adults, with varying fares for students, seniors and small children. Cash is not accepted; instead, riders must have prepaid passes and there are explicit rules to follow regarding presenting a fare card, especially for transfers. Complete information is available at http://coastrta.com/.
For Mom and Dad
If planning some time without the kids, parents can arrange for in-room spa services or schedule a massage in the oceanfront cabana between the hotel and the beach. Enjoy dinner at the Cypress Room before heading to the beach for a walk under the stars.