BY: Lisa Marie Carter and Guest Writer Mylah Grace Kemp
Myrtle Beach Magic Through Mimi & Mymy’s Eyes
Every year, my granddaughter Mylah and I set aside a few days for what we call our annual “Mimi and Mymy” getaway. It’s become one of our favorite traditions—a chance to step away from schedules, chores, and responsibilities and simply enjoy being together. No distractions. No rush. Just adventure, laughter, and making memories.
This year, we packed our swimsuits, beach bags, and plenty of excitement and headed to Myrtle Beach for a stay at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Myrtle Beach Oceanfront Resort at Kingston Resorts.
From the moment we arrived, I knew we had found something special. While I was admiring the beautiful grounds and oceanfront setting, Mylah’s eyes immediately went somewhere else.
“The beach, the slides, and the mini waterpark!” she said when I asked what first made her excited about the resort.
As it turns out, she was absolutely right.
Kingston Resorts is one of those destinations that truly has something for everyone. Nestled along a beautiful stretch of Myrtle Beach coastline, the resort offers multiple pools, hot tubs, waterpark attractions, beach access, walking and running trails, restaurants, bars, activities, and plenty of space to simply relax and enjoy being together.
If Mylah could bring a friend back, she already knows exactly what she’d show them first.
“The view, the beach, and the pool.”
That pretty much sums up the experience.
One of the first things we noticed was just how much there was to do without ever leaving the property. Kingston Resorts is truly one of those places where you could check in, park your car, and never need it again until checkout.
The centerpiece of the resort is the incredible pool complex. Multiple pools, hot tubs, a splash area, and larger waterslides that adults can enjoy too create an atmosphere that’s equal parts relaxation and family fun. During our stay, a DJ kept the energy high with a mix of great 80s music while hosting games and activities throughout the day. An Italian ice stand helped guests cool off, and the poolside bar kept vacation vibes flowing for the adults.
When I asked Mylah her favorite part of the pool area, she couldn’t narrow it down. “Everything because it was so fun,” she laughed before finally deciding. “Probably the slides and the cabana.” Speaking of the cabana…
If you’re considering renting one during your stay, my advice is simple: do it. It was easily one of the best decisions we made.
Our cabana gave us a shaded retreat from the South Carolina sun and became our home base for the day. It included comfortable seating, a television, and a refrigerator stocked with bottled water. The refrigerator came in especially handy when we ordered lunch poolside and had leftovers we wanted to save safely for later.
One of my favorite amenities was the poolside food service. There’s something wonderfully indulgent about never having to leave your lounge chair while lunch is delivered right to you. We ordered wraps one afternoon and enjoyed eating without ever leaving the pool area.
While I appreciated the convenience, Mylah had her own reasons for loving our cabana.
“We could chill and not have to sit in the sun,” she explained. “There was a refrigerator to keep the drinks cold, a TV, and you could order food.”
When asked what she would name our cabana, she immediately smiled and said: “The Fun Cool Hanging Out With Family Cabana.” Honestly, I couldn’t have named it better myself.
The resort offered activities beyond swimming as well. We participated in the resort’s duck race fundraiser, with proceeds benefiting charity, and Mylah enjoyed creating a tie-dye t-shirt that quickly became one of her favorite souvenirs from the trip.
When I asked what she’d do if she could spend the entire day doing just one thing at Kingston Resorts, her answer surprised me. “Hanging out with family.” For a grandmother, there isn’t a much sweeter answer than that.
Of course, no Myrtle Beach vacation would be complete without spending time on the beach.
The ocean always seems a little different when viewed through a child’s eyes.
“The sand and the water are really refreshing and cold,” Mylah told me. “It’s beautiful to find shells and it’s pretty to look at.” We spent time walking the shoreline, swimming in the waves, and searching for seashells. Some of my favorite moments of the trip were the simplest ones—watching her run from the waves, hearing her laugh as the ocean “chased” her back toward shore, and seeing the excitement every time she discovered another shell worth adding to her collection.
When I asked about her favorite beach memory, she smiled. “Hanging out with Mimi. Swimming. Finding seashells. All of it.”
Back in our suite, we enjoyed accommodations that were ideal for families. Our room featured a separate king bedroom, a comfortable living area with a pullout sofa bed, a kitchenette, and what may have been my favorite feature—a large wraparound balcony overlooking both the resort and the ocean.
The views were spectacular. For Mylah, they were unforgettable. “The view!” she said immediately when I asked about her favorite part of the room. “Even in the back you could see the beach. You could even see the beach from the bathroom. We got a huge balcony.”
When I asked what she’d do if she woke up to that view every day, she didn’t hesitate. “I’d go on the balcony and look at the view and listen to the waves.” That sounds like a pretty perfect morning to me.
Speaking of mornings, the complimentary breakfast buffet deserves special recognition.
If you’ve ever stayed at an Embassy Suites, you know breakfast is serious business—and Kingston Resorts takes it to another level.
The buffet featured everything from fresh fruit, yogurt, pastries, eggs, bacon, grits, and breakfast meats to made-to-order omelets and a waffle station loaded with toppings. Whether you’re a light eater or someone fueling up for a full day of activities, you’ll find something to love. When I asked Mylah what she looked for first each morning, her answer was immediate. “The chocolate muffins and the eggs and bacon.”
And her dream breakfast plate? “Chocolate muffin, eggs, bacon, a waffle, and candy on it.” Specifically? “Lots of candy. Like gummy worms.” The best part? The waffle station actually had gummy worms available as toppings, which may have been one of the highlights of the entire breakfast experience from a nine-year-old’s perspective.
Another highlight of our trip was spending an evening at Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show.
I’ve attended my share of dinner attractions over the years, but Pirates Voyage manages to pack an incredible amount of entertainment into one evening. What starts as a pirate show quickly becomes so much more, with mermaids, island rituals, acrobatics, animal performers, music, and nonstop action.
My advice? Arrive early. We were so glad we did. Before the show, Mylah had her face painted like a mermaid, visited with a mermaid, and enjoyed all of the pre-show entertainment. By the time the main event began, she was fully immersed in the experience.
When I asked what she loved most, her answer surprised me. “It wasn’t really like a movie,” she explained. “It was really cool because you got to see the animals do tricks.” Her favorite star of the show? “Salty the sea lion.” She also loved the pirate battles. “The people were fighting on the pirate ship and one person got pushed off into the water. That was cool!”
If she could have been any character in the show? “The mermaids. Or Salty the sea lion.”
The meal itself was generous and delicious, and the entire evening felt magical from beginning to end.
On our final night, we decided to enjoy dinner right at the resort at Black Drum Brewing. After studying the menu longer than necessary, we finally settled on a few dishes that quickly became trip favorites. The standout was the Honeysuckle Pizza—a white pizza finished with a truffle honey drizzle that was unlike anything either of us had ever tasted. Sweet, savory, rich, and completely unforgettable.
Mylah built her own mac and cheese, adding smoked chicken and crispy fried onions, and somehow managed to create a dish that was both comfort food and gourmet.
When I asked what she would happily eat every week if she could bring one menu item home from the trip, she didn’t hesitate.
“The honey pizza.” I couldn’t agree more.
As wonderful as the pools, beach, cabana, food, activities, and attractions were, the best part of the trip wasn’t any one thing. When I asked Mylah what her favorite thing about our annual Mimi and Mymy adventures is, she answered simply: “Hanging out and doing fun stuff.”
And when I asked her favorite memory from this year’s trip? “Going to the beach in the morning, watching the sunrise, the cabana, going down the slide, and the bucket of water falling on me.” Sometimes children have a way of reminding us what matters most.
Kingston Resorts provided the perfect backdrop for another unforgettable getaway, but the real magic wasn’t found in the pools, the beach, or even the incredible pizza. It was found in sharing those experiences together.
As we packed our bags and headed home, I realized that while destinations may change from year to year, the best part of every Mimi and Mymy trip remains the same: making memories together, one adventure at a time.
Mylah’s Top 5 Things at Kingston Resorts
The Beach
The Pool
The Mini Waterpark
The Balcony View
Getting Food Delivered to the Cabana
Mimi’s Take – While this getaway was all about Mimi and Mymy time, Kingston Resorts left such an impression that I’ve already started talking with friends about planning a girls’ weekend there. Between the beachfront location, cabanas, poolside service, restaurants, hot tubs, walking paths, and beautiful accommodations, it’s just as appealing for an adults-only escape as it is for a family vacation. What makes Kingston Resorts so special is that it works equally well for families and adults. During this trip, Mylah and I enjoyed the pools, waterslides, beach, activities, and family-friendly fun. I could easily picture spending a long weekend here with friends—lounging in a cabana, enjoying poolside cocktails, taking morning walks on the beach, relaxing in the hot tubs, and ending the day with great food and ocean views.
Whether you’re planning a family vacation, a grandmother-granddaughter getaway, a couples retreat, or a girls’ weekend, Kingston Resorts delivers the perfect balance of activity and relaxation.
For more information on our adventures – click on the links below