Hilton Grand Vacations at Anderson Ocean Club

The property looked worn and run down in several places, and the surrounding area didn't feel especially safe. That wasn't what I expected from a Hilton-affiliated resort, given how the property and vacation package had been presented. What affected me most was how Hilton Grand Vacations handled a personal emergency. My dog became seriously ill during our stay, and I had to arrange a flight home right away. It was an urgent and stressful situation. I contacted Hilton Grand Vacations hoping they might show understanding or offer some flexibility. Instead, I was told there were no options and I'd still be charged $199 for the vacation package, even though I had to leave unexpectedly and had already paid extra travel costs to get to Myrtle Beach. The response felt rigid and transactional. For a brand that promotes hospitality and the guest experience, I expected more empathy and care. My colleagues have often spoken highly of Hilton, which made this all the more disappointing. A situation like this is a chance for a hospitality company to show its values. I hope Hilton reviews how emergencies like this are handled so future guests can be treated with more compassion and flexibility. This left me with a bitter impression of Hilton Grand Vacations and the way it responds to guest concerns.

It's a relaxed, quiet and clean hotel. The rooms have been updated since we last visited a few years ago, and getting to the beach is easy. There are both covered and outdoor pools.

We were there for two nights. The place was a little bigger than I expected and actually kind of nice, though somewhat dated. I requested a non-smoking room but got one that reeked of smoke. The weed smell upstairs was so strong the next morning that I thought I was in Amsterdam. Then I saw two staff members vaping inside the building while I was getting coffee, which explained the smells. Avoid.

From check-in through checkout, this was a letdown, especially as a Hilton Diamond member. We reserved two queen beds but got a king suite with a pullout sofa. The sofa collapsed inward in the middle of the night, leaving us short two nights of rest with a toddler along. The room felt old and poorly maintained, and the bathroom faucet dripped all night. The pool was crowded and underwhelming for the price. Parking cost $30 a day, required a seven-minute walk, and the garage was cramped and poorly lit, with its first two levels reserved for valet. The website promised continental breakfast, but what we found was a cafe open until 1 PM with muffins and overpriced yogurt. They wouldn't allow late checkout on Sunday despite minimal check-ins. Marriott regularly gives top-tier members 3 PM checkout, but there was no flexibility here. I got no recognition as a Diamond member at any point. If you have a choice, pick somewhere that values your loyalty.