Unbelievable Forest Dunes Myrtle Beach: Your Dream Vacation Awaits!
Unbelievable Forest Dunes Myrtle Beach: My Dream Vacation… Kinda? (A Brutally Honest Review)
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because I just got back from a stay at Forest Dunes Myrtle Beach, and let me tell you, it was… an experience. The kind you need to unpack (literally and figuratively) with a strong coffee and a vent session. Forget those perfectly polished hotel reviews; you're getting the real scoop, warts and all.
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- Title: Unbelievable Forest Dunes Myrtle Beach: My Whirlwind Tour (and Surprisingly Honest Review!)
- Meta Description: Thinking of vacationing at Forest Dunes? Get the inside track on accessibility, amenities, cleanliness, and whether it's really a dream vacation. Warning: May contain strong opinions and occasional tangents!
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag (and a Little Bit of Frustration)
Okay, let's start with the important stuff. My Aunt Susan, bless her heart, uses a wheelchair, so accessibility is a major consideration. Forest Dunes claims to be accessible, and to a degree, they are. We had a room that was spacious enough to maneuver, which was a huge relief (thank god for the elevator!). They do have facilities for disabled guests, which, again, is a plus.
However… getting around the place wasn’t exactly smooth sailing. The exterior corridors felt a little… unloved. There were some minor bumps and uneven surfaces that made Aunt Susan’s navigation a bit challenging. Small stuff, I know, but for someone relying on a wheelchair, these things matter. The car park [on-site] was mostly decent, but navigating the distance from some spaces to the entrance could be tiring. It seemed like they were trying, but just weren’t quite hitting the mark.
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges: I didn't have time to check everything out, but the lobby and main restaurant seemed accessible.
Internet Access: Wi-Fi Everywhere… Except When You Need It!
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! – great, right? Well, yes… in theory. Actually getting a stable connection was a bit of a lottery. I found myself repeatedly yelling at my laptop, "JUST CONNECT, FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS HOLY!" The Wi-Fi in public areas was generally better, but still spotty at times. I could imagine the frustration if you needed to work remotely. My Internet was alright, if you could use it with patience. Internet access – wireless was better. I have also found Internet access – LAN in case you really need to work.
Cleanliness and Safety: Sanitized, But Does It Feel Clean?
Okay, let's talk pandemic precautions. Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer everywhere, and staff in masks – they were clearly taking things seriously. They had rooms sanitized between stays, which put me at ease. The Safe dining setup was fine, and even saw a Daily disinfection in common areas.
But… (there's always a "but," isn't there?) Despite all the visible efforts, the place didn't always feel sparking clean. Maybe it's the beach humidity, maybe it's just the sheer number of guests, but I wasn't always convinced that surfaces had been thoroughly wiped down.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: More Varied Than You'd Think (and the Occasional Disappointment)
The food situation was… surprisingly varied. The Breakfast [buffet] was a chaotic delight. Asian breakfast, Western breakfast. We had tons of options. The coffee shop, coffee/tea in restaurant, and the snack bar were fine. Desserts in restaurant and salad in restaurant were a hit with the children.
The A la carte in restaurant was a mixed bag. The Happy hour was well-executed, they had a Poolside bar, which was great. The Room service [24-hour] was a lifesaver on the hungriest days. We had a lot of Restaurants around.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax: Spa Day Dreaming & Poolside Bliss (with a Side of Maybe?)
Okay, this is where Forest Dunes almost totally redeems itself. The Fitness center was pretty decent, and if you're into that whole "working out on vacation" thing, you'll be happy.
The Swimming pool was spectacular. Absolutely mesmerizing. Pool with view was very nice, but the best part? The Swimming pool [outdoor]. It was huge and, honestly, the main reason I’d consider going back.
And then… the spa. Oh, the spa! The Spa and Spa/sauna was definitely the highlight. I had a Massage that was so good, I nearly cried. I didn't try a Body scrub or a Body wrap, but they sounded tempting. The Sauna and Steamroom were lovely. A total escape.
Services and Conveniences: The Usual Mix, But with a Few Quirks
The Concierge was helpful, although sometimes a little overwhelmed. The Daily housekeeping was efficient, but not always thorough. They have Air conditioning in public area so that's nice. Cash withdrawal was easily accessible.
But here's a weird one: the Convenience store… felt a little… conveniently overpriced. You know, the classic hotel gouge. It could be a bit of a rip-off.
Rooms: Comfortable, but… Nothing That Will Blow You Away
The rooms were, well, they were rooms. Ours had Air conditioning (thank goodness), a decent Desk, and a Coffee/tea maker. Internet access – wireless was provided. The Blackout curtains were a godsend for sleeping in, the Refrigerator mostly worked. The Bathroom was serviceable, the Shower could have been better, but was adequate. The Non-smoking was a must for us.
The bed? Comfortable enough, but nothing that would be forever etched into my memory.
For the Kids: Babysitting Service (if you trust it), and Some Other Offerings
We didn't use the Babysitting service, but it's there if you trust strangers with your offspring. Kids facilities were good, including an area to play if your kids get bored.
Getting Around: The Basics, Nothing Spectacular
Car park [free of charge] was good. Taxi service was available. The Airport transfer made it a bit easier, but be prepared for a wait. Check-in/out [express] made the whole process a lot easier.
Final Verdict: Worth It? … Maybe, With Expectations Adjusted
Forest Dunes Myrtle Beach is… complicated. It has its moments of brilliance, especially the spa and the pool. But it also has its frustrating quirks – the unreliable Wi-Fi, the slightly wonky accessibility, and the sometimes-questionable cleanliness.
Would I go back? Maybe. But I’d go armed with a healthy dose of skepticism and a strong appreciation for the things they do right. It’s not the perfect dream vacation, but it’s a decent one, and it’s better than nothing.
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Alright, buckle up buttercup, because this isn't your grandmother's itinerary. This is a Forest Dunes, Myrtle Beach, SC itinerary, experienced through the eyes of, well, me. And trust me, it's going to be a trip. Literally. And probably figuratively.
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Putting Green Debacle (or, Why I Need a Martini)
- 1:00 PM: Land at Myrtle Beach International. Ugh, the baggage claim carousel is a battleground. Remember that time I waited for two hours for my luggage in Rome? Yeah, PTSD. Thank god, it's all there. This time.
- 1:30 PM: Uber to Forest Dunes Resort. The driver, bless his heart, was blasting country music – loudly. Started my vacation with a spontaneous "Yeehaw!" Just trying to fit in, you know?
- 2:30 PM: Check-in. Sweet. Oceanfront room. My "happy place." Except, I have a terrible room with a view of an angry seagull.
- 3:00 PM: The Great Putting Green Debacle Begins. I’m a terrible golfer. Abysmal. But Forest Dunes boasts a beautiful putting green, and I decided… I decided I'd grace it with my presence. Spoiler alert: I spent an hour mostly chasing after errant balls, muttering about "the cruel mistress that is golf," and eventually walked away defeated, feeling about as graceful as a drunken penguin.
- 4:00 PM: Mandatory poolside relaxation – and coping. Ordered a ridiculously strong margarita. Feeling better. The sun is doing its work.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner at a seafood shack on the beach. The fried shrimp were… okay. The sunset, though? Breathtaking. Worth the slightly overcooked crustaceans. I'm a sucker for a sunset, even through the slightly-salty tears of my golf failure.
- 7:30 PM: Walk on the beach. This is amazing. The waves, the sand, the salty air… bliss. This is actually going to be good.
- 9:00 PM: Stargazing. I hope I can actually see the stars.
Day 2: Beach, Booze, and a Bit of Shopping (plus, more putting)
- 8:00 AM: Wake up. Ugh, I am still salty about the golf.
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast at the resort. Basic, but the coffee is decent. Important!
- 10:00 AM: Beach Time! Sunscreen, book, and blissful ignorance of all my real-world responsibilities. Digging my toes in the sand is therapy, no lie.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch at a casual restaurant. I didn't want to get dressed, the beach is great.
- 1:00 PM: More beach time. I need to take a nap, the sun is amazing.
- 3:00 PM: Retail therapy. I don't need any more swimsuits; I'm still doing this!
- 5:00 PM: Attempt #2 on the putting green. Disaster, once again. But, hey, at least I’m consistent! Decided I’m going to take lessons.
- 6:00 PM: Drinks and early dinner at a bar. Great. I love people-watching. I also love people.
- 8:00 PM: Sunset. Amazing.
- 9:00 PM: Bedtime.
Day 3: The Day I (Sort of) Became a Pro Golfer (and also ate a lot of ice cream)
- 7:00 AM: Okay, I’m getting up early to get some lessons.
- 9:00 AM: Golf lesson. Okay, the guy is amazing and patient and somehow the ball is going straight. I played for 2 hours, and it was amazing.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch time, on the golf course!
- 1:00 PM: Beach time.
- 3:00 PM: Ice Cream Run. Found this little ice cream shop down the street, and OMG, salted caramel pretzel… pure heaven. Almost makes the golfing pain worth it. Almost.
- 5:00 PM: Back to room.
- 6:00 PM: Sunset, again!
- 7:00 PM: Dinner.
- 9:00 PM: Bedtime and watching TV, and enjoying the rest of my vacation.
Day 4: Departure (and the inevitable post-vacation blues)
- 8:00 AM: Pack. Ugh. Always the worst part.
- 9:00 AM: Last breakfast… I will miss the coffee.
- 10:00 AM: One last walk on the beach. Savoring the sand between my toes. Taking deep breaths of that salty, glorious air.
- 11:00 AM: Check out. Feeling a little sad and a little sun-kissed.
- 12:00 PM: Uber to the airport. The driver’s playlist is… let’s just say, interesting.
- 1:00 PM: Security. Hoping my baggage doesn’t get lost.
- 4:00 PM: Land at home. Ready to take a shower and cry.
Post-Trip Thoughts:
Overall, this was the perfect trip. I will never be a pro golfer, but I wouldn't change a thing. Myrtle Beach, you were a delightful mess. And that’s why I love you.
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