Best Dog-Friendly Hotels in Myrtle Beach 2026 Guide
A practical guide to the best dog-friendly hotels on Myrtle Beach's Grand Strand, with real pet fees, weight limits, dog-beach rules, and packing tips for 2026.
This post may contain affiliate links. Disclosure
Myrtle Beach is a solid pick for a dog vacation in 2026, with a 60-mile Grand Strand coastline for leashed walks and roughly 328 pet-friendly hotels to choose from, according to BringFido. This guide narrows that list down to five oceanfront and near-oceanfront properties with clear pet policies, breaks down the fees and weight limits you’ll actually pay, and covers the Myrtle Beach State Park dog beach, seasonal pricing, transit options, and the paw-safety basics you need before you book.
Myrtle Beach for Dog Travelers: An Overview
Myrtle Beach is a year-round vacation community built around wide beaches and warm weather, drawing millions of visitors annually. For dog owners, the appeal is the sheer volume of pet-friendly lodging along the Grand Strand’s 60 miles of coastline - enough that you can usually find a hotel that fits your dog’s size and your budget rather than settling for whatever has a vacancy.
Pricing moves with the calendar. Peak season runs from late May through early September, when hotel rates climb to their highest point of the year. The shoulder seasons - April and October - bring lower room rates and, generally, a calmer beach for a dog that isn’t used to summer crowds. The average daily hotel rate across Myrtle Beach in 2025 was $138, and pet-friendly properties typically layer on an additional $10-$20 per night in pet fees on top of that base rate, per BringFido’s market data. Budgeting for the pet fee separately from the room rate will save you from a surprise line item at checkout.
For general trip planning beyond lodging, Discover South Carolina’s Myrtle Beach page is a useful starting point for the wider Grand Strand area.
The Best Places to Stay
These five properties stand out for having clear, published pet policies rather than vague “pets welcome, call for details” language, and between them they cover every dog size and budget range.
Westgate Myrtle Beach Oceanfront Resort
Westgate sits directly on the Grand Strand with ocean-view rooms, private balconies, and a family-focused setup that includes a pool, an arcade, and nightly entertainment. The property has an on-site pet relief area and gives dogs a complimentary treat at check-in.
Area: Oceanfront / Grand Strand Price band: $68-120 per night Pet policy: 60 lb weight limit Pros: Spacious oceanfront rooms with balconies; family-friendly amenities (pool, arcade, nightly entertainment) Cons: The 60 lb cap excludes larger breeds Best for: Couples or small families traveling with a dog under 60 lb who want beachfront convenience Westgate Myrtle Beach Oceanfront Resort - Check rates
Ocean Park Resort
Located in North Myrtle Beach, Ocean Park is built for owners of bigger dogs: there’s no additional pet fee and no size restriction. Many units have private beachfront balconies, and the resort offers on-site dog-sitting and grooming for guests who need it during a longer stay.
Area: North Myrtle Beach / Oceanfront Price band: Not publicly listed - rates vary by season Pet policy: No pet fee, any size dog welcome Pros: No pet surcharge, which makes it budget-friendly for larger dogs; close to dog-friendly beach sections and walking trails Cons: No complimentary breakfast, so you’ll need to dine off-site Best for: Travelers with larger dogs who prioritize a fee-free stay and beachfront access Ocean Park Resort - Check rates
Residence Inn by Marriott Myrtle Beach Oceanfront
This Marriott-branded property welcomes two pets up to 80 lb each for a flat $150 pet fee per stay, not per night. Suites include kitchenettes and guests get free breakfast and Wi-Fi, and the hotel is within walking distance of Myrtle Beach State Park.
Area: Oceanfront / Grand Strand Price band: Varies by season Pet policy: Two pets up to 80 lb each, $150 pet fee per stay Pros: Spacious suites with kitchenettes for longer stays; close to Myrtle Beach State Park Cons: The $150 fee is charged per stay, so short trips pay the same flat amount as long ones Best for: Extended-stay travelers who need kitchen facilities and want to bring larger dogs Residence Inn by Marriott Myrtle Beach Oceanfront - Check rates
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Myrtle Beach
Near Broadway at the Beach, La Quinta is the budget option on this list: two dogs up to 25 lb each for $25 per pet per night, capped at $75 for the entire stay. Free breakfast, free parking, and a pet relief area behind the building round out the package.
Area: Broadway at the Beach / N Kings Hwy Price band: Varies by season Pet policy: Two dogs up to 25 lb each, $25 per pet per night (max $75 per stay) Pros: Budget-friendly rates with complimentary amenities; convenient location near shopping and dining Cons: The 25 lb limit restricts larger breeds Best for: Budget-conscious travelers with small dogs who want easy access to attractions La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Myrtle Beach - Check rates
DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Myrtle Beach Oceanfront
A full-service oceanfront resort, DoubleTree allows two dogs of any size for a per-pet, per-night fee. On-site amenities include a grassy pet relief area and a fenced off-leash park, plus free Wi-Fi and on-site restaurants.
Area: Oceanfront Price band: $150-250 per night Pet policy: Two dogs of any size; fee charged per pet, per night Pros: Oceanfront rooms with balcony views; grassy pet relief area and fenced off-leash park on property Cons: The pet fee isn’t a published flat rate, so confirm the exact amount before booking Best for: Travelers who want a full-service resort right on the beach with dedicated on-site pet areas DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Myrtle Beach Oceanfront - Check rates
For the exact current pet terms at DoubleTree, see BringFido’s DoubleTree pet policy page.
Pet Fees, Size Limits, and What to Expect
Fee structures differ enough between these five hotels that it’s worth comparing before you book. Some charge a flat fee for the entire stay - Residence Inn’s $150 is a one-time charge regardless of how many nights you book. Others charge per pet, per night, like La Quinta’s $25 (capped at $75) or DoubleTree’s unpublished nightly rate. Ocean Park charges nothing at all.
Weight limits vary just as widely. Westgate caps dogs at 60 lb and La Quinta at 25 lb, while Ocean Park, Residence Inn (up to 80 lb per dog), and DoubleTree accept larger breeds with no strict published ceiling. If you’re traveling with a medium-to-large dog, Ocean Park, Residence Inn, or DoubleTree are your realistic options on this list. If you have a small dog and want to minimize fees, Westgate and La Quinta both keep nightly pet costs low, though their weight caps mean they won’t work for a bigger dog.
On-site pet relief areas at these hotels are grassy and, in DoubleTree’s case, fenced - but they aren’t a substitute for a real walk or the state park’s dog beach. Confirm each hotel’s current pet policy directly before booking, since fees and limits can change; Westgate publishes its policy on its own site at the Westgate pet policy FAQ.
Myrtle Beach State Park: Dog Beach and Nature Trail
Myrtle Beach State Park, just south of the main hotel strip, is the standout dog destination in the area: it has a designated dog beach where leashed dogs can swim, plus a 2-mile nature trail for a change of scenery from sand. It’s the closest thing to a dedicated dog-recreation spot on this stretch of coast, and its proximity to the Residence Inn makes that hotel a convenient home base if the state park is a priority for your trip.
Keep your dog leashed on the state park’s beach and trail. Outside of your hotel’s own fenced pet relief area, that’s the safest default anywhere along the Grand Strand - it protects your dog around unfamiliar wildlife, other beachgoers, and traffic near parking areas, and it keeps you compliant with the park’s rules for the designated dog beach.
Practical Packing, Heat, and Hydration Tips
Summer in Myrtle Beach means hot sand and direct sun for long stretches of the day, so plan around the heat rather than around your own schedule. A few basics:
- Walk during cooler hours. Early morning and after sunset are easier on paw pads and on a dog that isn’t built for heat.
- Test the sand yourself first. Press the back of your hand to the sand for a few seconds - if it’s uncomfortable for you, it’s too hot for your dog’s paws.
- Bring paw protection for thin-padded breeds. Paw wax or booties help on hotter days, particularly for short-haired or light-colored dogs.
- Carry water at all times. Bring a portable bowl and offer water regularly, especially during and after beach time - dogs can’t tell you they’re dehydrated until they’re already there.
- Give your dog shade breaks. A beach umbrella, a shaded patio, or just a return to the hotel room every hour or two prevents overheating on the hottest days.
- Never leave your dog in a parked car, even briefly, even with the windows cracked - interior temperatures climb fast in direct sun.
Pack a leash, waste bags, a towel for sandy paws, and a copy of your dog’s vaccination records in case a hotel or the state park asks for proof at check-in.
Getting Around: Transit and Parking
The Coast RTA bus system runs routes that stop near major hotels and the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, giving you a way to get around without driving or hunting for parking - useful if you’d rather not load a dog in and out of a car multiple times a day.
If you do drive, most oceanfront hotels on this list offer on-site parking, though some enforce leash rules within the parking lot itself. La Quinta’s free parking plus its pet relief area right behind the building make it one of the more convenient setups here if quick access to your car matters. For current routes, schedules, and general visitor information, check the City of Myrtle Beach’s visitor page.
Common Mistakes Dog Owners Make in Myrtle Beach
Even experienced pet travelers trip over the same handful of details in a new beach town:
| Mistake | Why It Matters | Quick Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Assuming every hotel handles pets the same way | Fees range from $0 (Ocean Park) to a $150 flat charge (Residence Inn), and weight limits swing from 25 lb to no limit at all. | Check the specific hotel’s pet policy before booking, not just its “pet-friendly” label. |
| Skipping the pet relief area check-in | Some hotels expect you to register your dog at the front desk before using on-site relief zones. | Ask at check-in exactly where the relief area is and whether registration is required. |
| Ignoring weight limits | An over-limit dog can be turned away or hit with unexpected fees at check-in. | Confirm your dog’s weight against each hotel’s published cap - Westgate’s 60 lb and La Quinta’s 25 lb are the strictest on this list. |
| Leaving water and supplies in the car | A parked car heats up fast, and it’s an easy way to end up without water when your dog needs it most. | Carry a portable water bowl and bag with you, not stashed in the trunk. |
| Not cleaning up after your dog | It’s both a courtesy and, in most areas, a rule with real fines attached. | Carry waste bags and use designated receptacles at the beach and hotel grounds. |
For a broader list of pet-friendly lodging across the area beyond these five, BringFido’s Myrtle Beach directory is regularly updated.
FAQ
How many pet-friendly hotels are there in Myrtle Beach? Around 328, according to BringFido - the five above are a curated shortlist chosen for clear pet policies, not the full directory.
Which hotel is best for a large dog? Ocean Park Resort and DoubleTree Resort by Hilton both allow dogs of any size, and Residence Inn allows dogs up to 80 lb each. Westgate (60 lb) and La Quinta (25 lb) are not good fits for bigger breeds.
Is there a pet fee at every hotel? No. Ocean Park Resort charges no pet fee at all. The others range from a $25-per-night charge at La Quinta (capped at $75 per stay) up to a flat $150 per-stay fee at Residence Inn.
When is the cheapest time to visit with a dog? The shoulder seasons - April and October - bring lower hotel rates than the late-May-through-early-September peak season, on top of whatever pet fee the hotel charges.
Where can my dog actually swim? Myrtle Beach State Park has a designated dog beach where leashed dogs can swim, plus a 2-mile nature trail if you want a walk that isn’t on sand.
Do I need to keep my dog on a leash? Yes, on the state park’s dog beach and trail, and in general anywhere outside your hotel’s own fenced pet relief area.
Related Reading
Get the best Pawventures tips in your inbox
Weekly guides, deals, and insider tips. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.