Myrtle Beach is weird. It’s this massive, glittering stretch of the Atlantic coast that oscillates between high-end luxury and neon-soaked kitsch. If you’ve ever spent an hour circling for parking near the Boardwalk, you know exactly what I mean. But tucked away on the north end of the city is the Kingston Resort complex, and at the heart of it sits the Embassy Suites Myrtle Beach. It’s huge. It’s imposing. And honestly, it’s probably one of the most misunderstood properties on the Grand Strand because people constantly confuse the "Embassy Suites" brand with a standard roadside hotel.
It isn't that.
The Reality of Staying at Embassy Suites Myrtle Beach
Let’s get the geography straight because this matters for your sanity. This isn't just a single building standing alone on a street corner. The Embassy Suites Myrtle Beach Oceanfront Resort is the crown jewel of the 157-acre Kingston Resort. If you stay here, you’re basically entering a gated ecosystem. You’ve got the Hilton right next door, a bunch of villas, and some private condos scattered around.
The first thing you’ll notice when you walk into the lobby is the light. They did a massive $50 million renovation recently—finishing up around late 2022/early 2023—and it shows. Gone are the tired, 1990s tropical prints. Now it’s all sleek woods, sandy palettes, and massive windows that actually let you see the ocean. It feels expensive.
But is it actually worth the price tag?
Most people come here for the suites. Every single room is a suite. That’s the brand’s whole thing. You get a separate living area with a sleeper sofa and a bedroom. If you’re traveling with kids, this is a lifesaver. It means you don't have to sit in the dark at 8:00 PM while the toddler sleeps. You can actually sit on the balcony, have a drink, and feel like a human being.
That Famous Free Breakfast (And the Catch)
You can't talk about an Embassy Suites without talking about the cooked-to-order breakfast. It’s legendary in the world of mid-tier travel. At the Myrtle Beach location, the breakfast is served in a massive atrium area. It’s busy. Like, "theme park at noon" busy during the peak summer months of June and July.
Here’s the deal: The omelets are great. They’re real eggs, real veggies, and they don't skimp on the cheese. But if you show up at 9:15 AM on a Saturday, you are going to wait in a line that snakes halfway to the beach.
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Pro tip: Get there at 7:00 AM. Seriously. The sun is already up over the Atlantic, the coffee is fresh, and you won't have to fight a teenager for the last piece of bacon.
The evening reception is the other big draw. Free drinks. Light snacks. It’s a nice way to decompress after a day of getting blasted by salt spray and sand. Just don't expect a full meal. It's chips, salsa, maybe some veggies, and standard-pour cocktails. It’s a "pre-game" for dinner, not the dinner itself.
Why the Pools Here are a Game Changer
Myrtle Beach has a lot of pools. Most of them are small, rectangular pits of lukewarm water. The Embassy Suites Myrtle Beach is different because of Currents Seaside Pool Village. This was a massive part of that $50 million overhaul.
They’ve got this grand pool, a heated pool for those weirdly chilly Carolina spring mornings, and two distinct waterplay areas. One is specifically for the smaller kids with a bucket that dumps water—you know the one—and the other is more for lounging.
If you’re a guest at the Embassy Suites, you also get access to the amenities at the Hilton next door. It’s a shared playground. The fitness center here, 78Fitness, is actually a legit gym. Usually, hotel gyms are a treadmill and a broken set of dumbbells. This place has indoor tennis courts, pickleball (because it’s 2026 and pickleball is mandatory now), and a sand volleyball court.
Honestly, the pickleball courts stay packed. If you want a court, you need to book it early through the concierge or the sports center desk.
The Food Situation: Black Drum Brewing
For a long time, the food at Kingston Resort was just... fine. It was "hotel food." That changed with the opening of Black Drum Brewing. It’s right on the property, and it’s actually good enough that locals drive there to eat.
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They focus on Carolina-inspired stuff. Think smoked meats and local seafood. They have 40 taps of craft beer, mostly from North and South Carolina. If you’re into IPAs or heavy stouts, you’re covered. The outdoor seating area is the real winner, though. They have these big lawn games and fire pits. It’s the kind of place where you can let the kids run around on the grass while you finish a beer.
Try the hushpuppies. They’re savory, not too sweet, and they come with this weirdly addictive honey butter.
The Locations They Don't Tell You About
One thing that trips people up is the "Oceanfront" claim. While the Embassy Suites Myrtle Beach tower is indeed right on the water, the Kingston Resort is massive. If you book a "Villa" or a "Condo" thinking you're in the main tower, you might end up a half-mile walk from the beach.
Make sure you are booking the "Embassy Suites" specifically if you want the high-rise view and the breakfast. The villas are great for space, but you'll be driving your golf cart to the lobby for those omelets.
And let’s talk about the beach itself. This section of the Grand Strand is much quieter than the downtown area. You don't have the massive crowds from the public access points because the resort takes up so much frontage. It feels more private, even though all beaches in South Carolina are technically public.
Is it actually "Luxurious"?
Let's be real. It’s a high-end family resort. It’s not a Five-Diamond Ritz Carlton where they polish your sunglasses. It’s a place where there will be sand in the elevators and kids running down the halls in towels.
But for Myrtle Beach? It’s top-tier. The renovations have elevated it significantly. The beds are comfortable (Serta Suite Dreams, if you're a mattress nerd), and the bathrooms are clean with backlit mirrors that make you look slightly less sunburned than you actually are.
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Navigating the Costs
Myrtle Beach is notorious for hidden fees. The Embassy Suites Myrtle Beach has a daily resort fee. Last time I checked, it hovered around $30-$40 per night.
What does that actually get you?
- Shuttles around the 157-acre property.
- Access to the fitness center and tennis courts.
- Basic Wi-Fi (it’s fast enough for Netflix, but don't try to host a 4K webinar).
- Beach towels (stop packing these in your suitcase; they take up too much room).
Parking is another thing. You can self-park, which is usually included or a small fee, or you can go for valet. During the summer, the parking lots get tight. If you have a massive dually truck or a Suburban with a roof rack, the parking garage might feel like a claustrophobic nightmare.
Nearby Attractions (That Aren't Traps)
You’re going to be tempted to go to Broadway at the Beach. Go ahead, it’s fun for a night. But since you’re already on the north end at the Embassy Suites Myrtle Beach, you’re closer to some better spots.
- Barefoot Landing: It’s about 10 minutes away. It’s more laid back than Broadway. Go to Duplin Winery for a tasting if you like sweet Southern wine.
- Apache Pier: It’s the longest wooden pier on the East Coast. You can walk there from the hotel along the sand. It costs a couple of bucks to walk out to the end, but the view of the coastline is worth it.
- The Hulk: If you brought mountain bikes (or want to rent them), this trail is nearby. It’s a 7-mile loop that is surprisingly hilly for a coastal town.
The Verdict on Embassy Suites Myrtle Beach
If you want a quiet, romantic getaway where you never hear a child scream, this probably isn't the spot. Go find a boutique B&B in Georgetown for that.
But if you want a reliable, upscale-ish home base where you know exactly what the breakfast tastes like and you can walk from your room to a cabana in three minutes, this is it. The Embassy Suites Myrtle Beach hits that sweet spot between a corporate hotel and a vacation rental.
It’s expensive during the summer. It’s shockingly affordable in October. And honestly, October is the best time to be in Myrtle Beach anyway. The water is still warm, the crowds are gone, and the humidity doesn't feel like a wet wool blanket over your face.
Actionable Steps for Your Trip
To get the most out of a stay at the Embassy Suites Myrtle Beach, you need to be a bit tactical. Don't just show up and wing it, or you'll spend half your vacation waiting in lines.
- Book the Oceanfront Prime: Not all "Ocean View" rooms are created equal. "Oceanfront" means you are staring directly at the Atlantic. "Ocean View" might mean you’re looking sideways over a parking lot to see a sliver of blue. Spend the extra $20 for the direct view.
- Join Hilton Honors: Even if you never stay at a Hilton again, join the loyalty program before you book. It often gets you free Wi-Fi and sometimes a slightly later checkout time (12:00 PM instead of 11:00 AM), which is huge on departure day.
- Download the App: You can use the Hilton app for digital check-in and to use your phone as a room key. This lets you skip the front desk line entirely, which can be a 30-minute ordeal during Saturday check-ins.
- Pack a Small Cooler: The suites have mini-fridges and microwaves. The resort food is good, but a $15 poolside chicken wrap adds up. Having your own drinks and snacks in the room saves you a fortune over a four-day stay.
- Check the Event Calendar: Kingston Resort hosts a lot of corporate retreats and dance competitions. If you want a quiet stay, call ahead and ask if there’s a massive convention happening during your dates. If there are 500 cheerleaders staying there at the same time as you, you’ll want to know beforehand.
Myrtle Beach changes every year, but this property has managed to stay relevant by actually investing in its infrastructure. It’s a solid choice in a city where "solid choices" can sometimes be hard to find. Keep your expectations realistic regarding the crowds, embrace the free omelets, and enjoy the fact that you’re staying in one of the few places on the Grand Strand that actually feels like a modern resort.