Yachtsman Ocean Front Resort

The location and oceanfront view were the bright spots. We could walk to the beach strip, the boardwalk, and Pier 14, and the view was awesome. The room, though, felt like a dressed-up motel rather than a resort. We had no hot water the whole stay. The front desk said it was fixed, but even after letting it run for over an hour, it was still cold. Paint was peeling from the ceiling, the smoke detector was sitting on the safe, and the vent filter was filthy. The pots and pans were cheap and definitely not non-stick, and you couldn't sit on the balcony. We still had a great time in Myrtle Beach and didn't let the room spoil the vacation, but I was very disappointed.

The views were amazing, the hot tub was nice, and the staff were very friendly. There were plenty of extras in the room, including several chairs and tables, a coffee maker, a large fridge, stove, oven, microwave, and lots of dishes, pots, and pans. The rooms are dated and the fabric seats were stained, but that seemed fair for the price. They are renovating, and the mattresses had liners, with no bed bugs. Bring your own body wash and shampoo if you'd rather not use cheap bar soap. I stayed two nights and enjoyed it.

They canceled my reservation one day before check-in, even though I'd booked the room in August for June. Nobody explained why. Manny was rude and inconsiderate when I called for an answer. I got my money back, but it was a nightmare, and they said the refund could take up to 14 days. They didn't help me find another place or offer any recommendations. I don't recommend this hotel.

The location was the only positive. I paid extra for a deluxe room expecting it to be renovated, but it was dated and poorly cleaned. The toilet was dirty, there was hair in the shower, and the floor and furniture were filthy. The dining chairs were broken and unstable. The bed was the only clean, acceptable thing, and paint was peeling in several spots on the ceiling. The office was closed when I tried to complain, so I cleaned the room myself. The next day, a man at the office said they'd speak to the manager, but nobody ever got back to me. On the third night I traced the awful rotten-egg smell to the bedroom vent. I couldn't find anyone in the office, so I told security. They couldn't do anything beyond lending me a portable heater. The next morning, the office said someone would look into it, but I never heard anything more. I blamed the smell at first on my two boys, one lactose intolerant and gassy after eating ice cream. I did my best to keep this from ruining the vacation, but I couldn't afford somewhere else after the nonrefundable booking and Christmas the week before. I was also healing from foot surgery and couldn't get around well. This was my worst hotel experience. Don't stay here.