Horry County’s hotel building boom isn’t slowing down. What you should know.
A burst of new hotel construction and upgrades to existing sites is sweeping across Horry County as the lodging industry continues to recover from pandemic-era travel restrictions.
The American Hotel and Lodging Association projects hotel occupancy rates to be at nearly 64% by the end of the year - up from almost 58% in 2021.
Here’s the latest on some of the big ticket projects happening now around the Grand Strand.
North Myrtle Beach’s Cherry Grove area could be adding more than a hundred new beds
The city’s planning commission last week approved a big change for Prince Resort, an oceanfront complex whose properties include The Horizon at 77th, Grande Shores and the Towers at North Myrtle Beach.
Officials in 2019 authorized an amendment to the development’s governing documents clearing the way for construction of a 127-room Hampton Inn & Suites and parking garages with space for 147 vehicles.
The project was put on hold because of economic uncertainty brought on by COVID, but it seems to be back on track following a Nov. 15 planning commission meeting where the proposal was again greenlit.
It’s not immediately clear when work will begin on the venture, which still needs final approval from the City Council.
Watch for another Holiday Inn brand to open in 2024
More than a dozen acres of undeveloped land is being built into a Holiday Inn Club Vacations resort on the south end of Myrtle Beach, across from the company’s South Beach resort.
Once complete, the new property will boast 152 villa-style rooms ranging in size from 746 square feet to 1,900 square feet.
On site amenities are expected to include a marketplace with indoor and outdoor dining, covered parking, private cabanas and a multi-level pool.
County records show the property was conveyed to Myrtle Holiday 1 LLC in February for $14.4 million, which will develop the site.
This upscale Myrtle Beach hotel has a new million-dollar look
Recently completed upgrades at hotel BLUE — known for having South Carolina’s first swim-up bar -- brought new kitchen cabinets and kitchen counters in all suites to go with flooring upgrades for many of its 224 rooms.
New furniture including headboards, dressers, chairs, cabinets were also installed. The $1 million venture was overseen by local firms e3 and Warren Hospitality.
