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  • Laiken James

How to Plan and Prepare for the Perfect Vacation

Updated: May 27, 2023


How to plan and prepare for the perfect Myrtle Beach vacation at Grand Palms Resort formerly Plantation Resort.

In this article, we share how to plan and prepare for the best vacation with us at Grand Palms Resort. This is especially for the first time visitor, but we hope returning guests may learn something new too. It can be overwhelming planning and preparing for the perfect Myrtle Beach vacation. So we're here to help! In this article, we map out how to get here, what you need when you check in, and answer some common questions we often receive about vacationing in Myrtle Beach. Topics include (click to go to the desired section):


Plan Your Trip According to Your Vacation Type

How to plan and prepare for the perfect Myrtle Beach vacation at Grand Palms Resort formerly Plantation Resort.

You've made your reservation - now what? It's time to plan, prepare, and take care of your itinerary. So what type of vacation do you enjoy? No matter where you choose for your vacation destination, it helps to know what kind of vacationer you are. A foodie? History buff? Shopaholic? With so many vacation options to choose from, the first step to a memorable vacation is to determine which kind of vacationer you are.


See our article "What Type of Vacationer Are You?" where we list 15 different vacation types along with the best ways for each to experience the greatest time on the Grand Strand.

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Our Favorite Packing Tips

How to plan and prepare for the perfect Myrtle Beach vacation at Grand Palms Resort formerly Plantation Resort.

You’ve booked your vacation, made travel arrangements, you've determined which type of vacationer you are, and now its time to pack! Packing can be stressful, especially if you are traveling to a place you’ve never been before. There’s plenty to consider when figuring out what to take with you: the type and length of your trip, your itinerary, the weather, the size of your luggage, and your vacation destination. With so many factors to consider, it’s easy to overpack or underpack. Its time to put that anxiety to rest, with these 12 hacks, you’ll be a packing pro in time!


See our favorite packing tips in our article, Top Travel Tips: How to Pack for a Beach Vacation.

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You're Almost Here! Tips on the best way to get to Grand Palms Resort

How to plan and prepare for the perfect Myrtle Beach vacation at Grand Palms Resort formerly Plantation Resort.

When it is time to enter your destination into your smartphone or GPS, it is important to make sure you type in the correct address. Grand Palms Resort is located just south of Myrtle Beach in Surfside Beach, South Carolina. Please be sure to choose the set of directions that takes you to Surfside Beach (and not ̶M̶y̶r̶t̶l̶e̶ ̶B̶e̶a̶c̶h̶). Below, is the proper address as well as the exact latitude and longitude to help you easily find our location:



If this address doesn't work on your GPS device an alternative address may be used, 1101 Platt Blvd., Surfside Beach, SC 29575.


Keep in mind that the Resort is approximately 1 mile away from the Front Desk Building where you check-in. The Beach is approximately 2 miles away and is easily accessible via our complimentary beach shuttles. See the Resort's Welcome Magazine for shuttle stops and times.


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How to Have a Smooth Check-In Experience

How to plan and prepare for the perfect Myrtle Beach vacation at Grand Palms Resort formerly Plantation Resort.

It can be overwhelming traveling to a new place, but there are some ways to make it a relaxing experience from beginning to end. In this article, we answer some common questions we often receive about the Check-In process.


Read about how to have a smooth check-in in our article, Tips & Tricks for a Smooth Check-In at Grand Palms Resort.

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Answers to Our Most Frequently Asked Questions

How to plan and prepare for the perfect Myrtle Beach vacation at Grand Palms Resort formerly Plantation Resort.

We love talking with our owners and guests. In our conversations we’ve noticed that there are certain questions that are often asked. We hope this list of frequently asked questions (FAQ) helps you with your Grand Palms Resort vacation experience. If you have a question we’ve missed, please post them in the comments and we’ll be happy to answer them for you!


Read the answers to our most frequently asked questions in our article, FAQ-Answers to Your Most Asked Questions.

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Top Places to Visit in Myrtle Beach

How to plan and prepare for the perfect Myrtle Beach vacation at Grand Palms Resort formerly Plantation Resort.

The open road is calling and your dream beach vacation awaits! There’s plenty of places and things to do on the Grand Strand. We’ve gone ahead and listed the top places to visit during your vacation down south.


Read more about the best way to take a tour of the southern shore in our article, 9 Essential Stops Along the Grand Strand.

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I'm Here... Now What?

How to plan and prepare for the perfect Myrtle Beach vacation at Grand Palms Resort formerly Plantation Resort.

Grab a State Park Pass

You’ll find more than 10,000 state parks across the country, and we’re proud to host two, Huntington Beach State Park and Myrtle Beach State Park, that are tucked right along our coastline – and just a few minutes away from Grand Palms Resort. We offer free state park passes to all Grand Palms Resort guests, available at the Front Desk and at the Indoor Pool. There is a limited amount, so it’s first come, first served. Read more about our state parks in our article, Spend the Day at a State Park!


How to plan and prepare for the perfect Myrtle Beach vacation at Grand Palms Resort formerly Plantation Resort.

Go to the Beach

During your Grand Palms Resort vacation, there are many amenities waiting for you to enjoy. At the top of the list is our complimentary shuttle buses that will have your toes in the sand within minutes! All year round, our shuttles chauffeur you to and from beautiful Surfside Beach. During the winter months, in addition to the beach, our shuttles transport guests to shopping venues, events and more! Pro Tip: Beach chairs are available for rent at the Indoor Pool Office.


Read more about our complimentary shuttle buses in our article, Complimentary Shuttle Rides to the Beach and More.


How to plan and prepare for the perfect Myrtle Beach vacation at Grand Palms Resort formerly Plantation Resort.

See a Show

From pirates to magicians, Myrtle Beach has it all when it comes to entertainment! Enjoy one of the Grand Strand's popular shows including Legends, Pirates Voyage, Wonders Theatre, Carolina Opry, Alabama Theatre, and so much more.


Argggg you ready to read about what you can experience at Pirates Voyage? See all the treasure in our article, Embark on a Pirate's Voyage.


Read more about what you can enjoy at Wonders Theatre in our article, Wonders Theatre - Enjoy a Night Full of Magic, Dancing, Laughs and More!



How to plan and prepare for the perfect Myrtle Beach vacation at Grand Palms Resort formerly Plantation Resort.

Visit Ripley's Aquarium, WonderWorks, or Brookgreen Gardens

Ripley's Aquarium is located at Broadway at the Beach, an entertainment and dining complex that features restaurants, rides, shops and the 85,000 square-foot Ripley's Aquarium. Read more about what you can experience at Ripley's Aquarium in our article, Celebrate National Aquarium Month by Visiting Ripley’s Aquarium.


At WonderWorks, the unexplainable comes to life and the unusual is the norm in features such as a glow-in-the-dark ropes course, fast-paced Laser-Tag, and 6D Extreme Motion Ride XD Theater. Family fun awaits with more than 100 interactive exhibits! Read more about WonderWorks in our blog here.


Explore the beautiful flora and fauna of South Carolina and more at Brookgreen Gardens. Here you'll experience the most significant collection of figurative sculptures in an outdoor setting by American artists in the world. See their website for special events they are hosting. Read more about Brookgreen Gardens in our blog article here. (Click here return to the top menu.)



How to plan and prepare for the perfect Myrtle Beach vacation at Grand Palms Resort formerly Plantation Resort.

Our Digital Welcome Magazine


Our Welcome Magazine is the key to helping you on your way to a wonderful vacation with information regarding the Resort and surrounding areas. The Welcome Magazine contains resort information - hours of operation, resort map, special discounts to local businesses and attractions, activities and events held on-site, the complimentary shuttle bus schedule and so much more!

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Enjoy the Amenities and Activities at Grand Palms Resort

How to plan and prepare for the perfect Myrtle Beach vacation at Grand Palms Resort formerly Plantation Resort.

Upon check-in you receive a RFID Room Key which grants you access to all of the Resort Amenities. You have access to our Complimentary Shuttle Service, Indoor Pool, Outdoor Pool, Lazy River, Fitness Center, Hot Tubs, Activity Center and more. We also offer lots of activities and events on site at the Resort. Stay up-to-date with the latest season’s offerings with the Activity Calendar in our Welcome Magazine. *Some activities and amenities may require a nominal fee. To learn more about the amenities we offer at Grand Palms Resort read our article, Grand Palms Resort's Wide Array of Amenities.

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How to plan and prepare for the perfect Myrtle Beach vacation at Grand Palms Resort formerly Plantation Resort.

Plan Your Perfect Vacation at Your Favorite Destination

Have some additional questions or want to go ahead and make your reservation? Call one of our friendly Reservation Representatives at 888-913-4477 or email us at reservations@grandpalmsresortmb.com.



How to plan and prepare for the perfect Myrtle Beach vacation at Grand Palms Resort formerly Plantation Resort.



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