Grand Palms Resort

Five kids under 10 had a great time here, and the resort activities more than made up for being a little way from the beach. There are three pools, an arcade, daily activities, and an easy shuttle ride to the beach. The staff everywhere were pleasant and friendly. The Monday pool DJ dance party was a highlight. We had a memorable week and can't wait to return to Grand Palms. Other resorts could learn from them.

The staff handled a small maintenance issue impressively. A couple of light bulbs were out when we arrived, so I sent a quick text, and someone came within an hour to replace them, even while I was away. The villas were roomier than I expected, which made the stay comfortable. There was plenty to do around the resort, though some amenities are seasonal. The indoor pool was closed for renovations during our visit, but it looks like improvements are underway. The place was clean and well managed, and I'd stay again.

The main drawbacks were the poor Wi-Fi, which cut out every 10 to 15 minutes, and the weak cell signal. There's only a small poolside restaurant with limited hours and menu, and no full-time restaurant for guests with limited mobility. The resort does have a pool, lazy river, hot pool, and activities for kids. It's near Surfside Beach, restaurants, a golf course, shopping, and dining areas. The rooms were quiet, clean, and self-sufficient, away from noisy roads. A good option for a couples' trip, family vacation, or warm-weather break.

The room had dried urine around the toilet base, and the shower backed up. There were also some pretty aggressive geese. The place is tucked away from the main strips, restaurants, souvenir shops, and the beach, so you'll need to drive everywhere. It didn't feel much like a resort compared with others we've stayed at: not much to do besides the pool, and no restaurant, coffee, ice cream, or owner parties. You expect more when somewhere is called a resort.