My resale contract of Ocean Boulevard just went through and as others have said I'm finding I have ARP at other Myrtle Beach Locations like Seawatch. Would love to hear from owners who have stayed at both or at least one of the two and would love your thoughts. I'm looking at booking July 4th 2020 right now.
Seawatch seems to be a lot cheaper on points and I have heard a few owners say they prefer Seawatch to Ocean Boulevard I just have a few questions.
1. Are all of Seawatch Rooms Ocean front? Would love an ocean front room and I know room bookings are specified as such for Ocean Boulevard.
2. For a family of 4 with a 9 and 11 year old boys, what location might be better?
3. How is the room quality of Seawatch Versus Ocean Boulevard?
4. Are the rooms in Tower 3 at Ocean Boulevard Ocean front (don't think it is specified on the booking website).
We are from NC and travel to NMB frequently (own at OB). We stay at OB and Towers on the Grove most often, but have also stayed at Sea Watch (and others). As is with most places, there are pros and cons at all locations. I'll try to spell out a few that we notice.
1. Overall location of resort -
OB is in easy walking distance of the beach town "Ocean Drive" Main Street. During the summer, they have a small carnival there with typical rides, etc. that your boys might enjoy. There are also some shops, restaurants (pizza, burgers, seafood), ice cream shop, and also a small pavilion with arcade games, etc. If you have any interest in "beach music" and "the shag" (a beach music dance), there are multiple "clubs" that provide the music and even dance lessons. On Thursday nights, the town sponsors live music that is open and free to the public. (I'm sure I am prejudiced, but I have been going to "Ocean Drive" since I was a youngster and LOVE the activity in this little town.)
Sea Watch is near other large resorts, a beach-front campground, golf courses, Tanger Outlet Mall, another strip mall with Walmart, Ross, Marshalls, McAllister's Deli, Chick Fil-A, etc. A car is necessary to get to any of these places.
Both are within similar driving distance to many other restaurants, miniature golf courses, more shopping, etc. etc.
2. The quality of the units is between OB and SW is similar. We like the villas at Sea Watch because the buildings are smaller/lower. The ocean view is there, but a little further away from the ocean. Most of the rooms at SW in the towers are floor 10 and higher. The 2 br presidential units at OB are all on the top floor (or maybe top 2 floors), with an angled ocean view and a direct pool view. Being there in July, I would consider getting a "lower" floor, not only to save points, but to not have to be on the elevator as long! When the resort is full, sometimes the elevators can take a long time!
Your question about Tower 3 being ocean view or ocean front... (that tower was built prior to #2 and #1 and they did not indicate differences in OF and OV on the points charts). The 2br units are numbered from "21" - "25" and "27". The units ending in "27" are full ocean front. Those ending in "21"-"25" are ocean view, with "21" being furthest back from the ocean. The units ending in "26" are 3br and are ocean front. (There will be a number in front of the "21"-"27" that indicates which floor you are on (121, 221, 321, etc.)
3. A complaint that OB often gets, is that the pools are between the towers and that they become shaded by mid-day and can even be "chilly" because the wind can create somewhat of a "draft" between the buildings. We don't have too much problem with that b/c we are usually on the beach and not sitting by the pool. However, if you choose, you can cross the street to Tower 4 and use that pool which is in a more open setting thus gets more sun and no "draft."
4. Parking is tough during the prime months. Some say more so at OB than at SW. If you want to park under the oceanfront towers, that is true. If you don't mind parking across the street or behind Tower 4, it really isn't too bad. They have a shuttle that will take you from those parking areas to the oceanfront towers, or you can just walk over without much problem. If you have groceries, hopefully you won't be alone and you can unload under the OF towers and groceries can be taken upstairs while the driver parks the car. And who knows, you might luck out and find an available space right there!
I'm sure there are other things I could address, but this seems to be getting a little long. Both resorts have planned activities that your boys could get involved in, some free and some with a nominal fee. We haven't had kids the age of yours for a long time, but I think you will find that both resorts will be fun for your boys. I personally would recommend OB for the quality of the beach and because of the little beach town, but you might prefer the nearby shopping and golf opportunities nearer to SW. Whatever you choose, you are sure to ENJOY!
