Myrtle Beach, SC
Pet Friendly Reviews

I received the following e-mail on Feb. 20, 2005, from L Hunt.

My husband and I and our Whippet spent 2 lovely nights (our 40th wedding anniversary treat) at the Mariner Motel. We had read an unfavorable review somewhere on the 'Net about the Mariner but had also read 2 very good reviews. I'm SO glad we chose to go with the good ones.
 
When we walked in, my first comment was "we could live here". The motel is a little older and not your Ritz or Marriott, but it's clean, very convenient to everything and oh so friendly for dogs. Our quarters consisted of 2 bedrooms with 2 double beds each, a kitchen with the same size range that's in my kitchen (36" I think), an apartment-size refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker and toaster and a table-height bar with 2 chairs but room for 4. There were 2 chairs in the "sitting room" that could also be used at the bar. There were dishes, pots and pans and silverware. The bedrooms are separate from the sitting room and kitchen, so I was able to do my normal getting up reading in the middle of the night without disturbing my husband.
 
The sitting room, mentioned above, has a TV, sofa, coffee table, end table and a bookcase. As you might have guessed, there is also a bathroom. This had a tub, commode and sink and was also very clean. The whole motel and grounds is very rustic with lots of brick, and our quarters had brick floors in some places but also carpet in the bedrooms and sitting room. Since we were there in the middle of February 2005 I can't tell you what the grounds and plantings look like in the season, but even in February I could imagine how beautiful the whole place must be in summer. Look at the picture on their website. It's taken from the front of the building, and that gorgeous pool you see is heated. It's an outdoor pool, and if the weather is cold you see the steam coming off it. It's immaculately clean and we didn't walk past it many times that there was not someone in it. I'm not a pool person and had left my bathing suit at home. But even so, if I had had the suit I would've had to try that beautiful, inviting pool.
 
If you're looking for a new, upscale, glitzy place to stay, don't come here. If you're looking for a very comfortable, clean and convenient place to stay where the other guests seem to almost become family, this is the place. We talked with one couple from Canada who had been there for about a week and were staying for 6 more weeks. We got the impression that during the off season there are more retiree-age people there who stay pretty much all winter, but one lady told me that in the season there is a mixed group of older, middle and younger age guests.
 
The only thing that will keep me from returning to the Mariner Motel is the fact that they don't take cats. The lady at the desk said they did at one time but that the cleanup if the cat messes inappropriately is just too expensive as you have to call in professionals to get the odor out. I can relate to that as I've had cats all my life, and I don't blame them one bit for not allowing cats. Thing is, our little Miss Katie can't be left alone for more than 2 nights, so we'll have to find a place that will take her. On the other hand, Miss Katie MIGHT have to learn to be boarded!! We absolutely loved the place!
 
Please, please if you go there remember to clean up behind your dog. It never ceases to amaze me that so many people think the rules don't apply to them. You are PLAINLY told at the desk at checkin that you are to clean up behind your pet, and there are containers all over the place that should remind you of this. Also, I believe there is a $25 fine in SC if you don't clean behind your pet. But I'd take Brie to the designated area and there was poop in at least one spot most of the time when I took her out there. Funny thing - it was always from small dogs. Do these people think a little isn't as bad to step in as a lot? And at night it's dark in the designated place, so take a flashlight. The staff must have cleaned up behind these animals (I'm talking about the 2-legged ones who SHOULD be cleaning it up), because on one or two occasions I went back there and there was no poop where I had seen poop before.
 
So remember to keep a plastic grocery bag or something like that in your pocket.
And enjoy your stay!

Affordable Family Resort is an Awesome place to vacation with your pet. With lots of space to walk your dog on site, and easy access to the beach, the cabins can't be beat. Plus, the owners are wonderful and make the stay a delight! I HIGHLY recommend you check it out!