Thursday, August 13, 2009

Freestyle Music Park Myrtle Beach is a Great Way to Experience Thrills & Tunes

Reviewed by Ashley of ReserveDirect.comA day at Freestyle Music Park Myrtle Beach provides guests an exciting environment in which rides, games and shows are all set to a soundtrack that creates a day at a park that is unlike any other you will find. When I visited the park in early August, my companions and I had one specific goal when we entered the park, through the rock-themed VIP Plaza – conquer The Time Machine. Once we arrived at Myrtle’s Beach, the area home to The Time Machine, we picked the totally tubular ‘80s as our decade of choice, and waited in line, eagerly anticipating the thrills that awaited us. Needless to say, we were not disappointed by the twist, turns, inversions and drops that we experienced, all of which were accompanied by a rockin’ soundtrack featuring songs from the ‘80s. If ‘80s music isn’t your favorite, you can choose a decade from the ‘60s to today to rock out to during your ride.

Another highlight of the park for my party was the Across the Pond area of the park. Featuring the British influence on music, Across the Pond is home to Pitmedden, a Scottish-themed bar, Penny Lane’s Café, where we ate some delicious pizza and burgers for lunch, and the Round About Ride, a ferris-wheel style coaster. Country USA, a wild west themed area, was home to The Iron Horse, a ride that careens through an abandon mill and around Country USA, all set to a classic country soundtrack.

The Kids in America section of the Myrtle Beach Freestyle Music Park is a great place for the young and young at heart to explore. The signature ride of Kids in America is Soak’d, a high-flying ride that features water guns and spigots, is a splashing good time for all. However, there are a lot of other fun rides available, including the Hang Ten coaster, Fly Like an Eagle Ride and Get Off My Cloud Balloon Ride.

If you have the extra time at Freestyle Music Park, be sure to catch the CSI: Live show, Flip 5 Live!, Country Ice Live or Adrenaline Rush.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Myrtlewood Villas are an Oasis of Comfort

Reviewed by Ashley of ReserveDirect.comMyrtlewood Villas in Myrtle Beach offer 1, 2 and 3 bedroom condominiums with an abundance of space and lush landscaping, creating an environment where one can feel right at home. Surrounded by the Myrtlewood Golf Club, and offering easy access to the beach, the Myrtlewood Villas are an exceptional place to stay while you play in Myrtle Beach.

The two bedroom unit I had the pleasure of staying in was nicely furnished, with modern yet comfortable features found throughout. The décor was tropical, with white, green, red and yellow accents. The large kitchen was fully stocked and opened nicely to the large dining and living areas. The Master Bedroom was very spacious, featured a queen bed and TV, luxury bedding and case goods, as well as a Master Bath with walk-in shower and vanity. The second bedroom was furnished with two twin beds, which have access to a bathroom that features a walk-in shower. The living area was where I spent most of my time, and found the furnishings to be extremely comfortable and inviting, which created a perfect way to spend my time after a day at the beach. A stackable washer/dryer is also furnished in the condo. Note: The décor of each unit varies, but the quality of décor remains the same throughout.

A pool/courtyard area is located at each of the Myrtle Beach Myrtlewood Villas complexes.

When you visit Myrtle Beach, treat yourself to a stay at Myrtlewood Villas.

Long Bay Resort Myrtle Beach is Fun for the Whole Family

Reviewed by Ashley of ReserveDirect.comThe Long Bay Resort in Myrtle Beach is a sprawling oceanfront property perfect for families. Their amenities offer an array of things to do for guests. From the Silly Sub kiddie pool area, equipped with fun water features, to the large arcade they offer, to the gift shop on-site (open from 9am-5pm), the Long Bay Resort definitely caters to their guests. Multiple pools, all outdoor (some with indoor enclosures for seasonal weather) are available, including a large oceanfront pool deck area, as well as a 250 foot lazy river, sauna, additional kiddie pool area, hot tub and kids club. An on-site café serves lunch daily, and a Starbucks is also available for any coffee needs you may have.

The rooms at the Myrtle Beach Long Bay Resort come in standard and suite varieties. The standard oceanfront rooms offered are decorated in a blue ocean motif, come furnished with a medium sized flat screen television, standard case goods and a small kitchenette area providing the convenience of a fridge, sink, and microwave. The large oceanfront balcony was a definite bonus and provided a great way to enjoy the scenic view of the ocean.

The oceanfront suite rooms have a different layout than the standard rooms, with the sleeping area located nearest the entrance, the kitchenette located in the middle of the room, and the living area at the end of the room, facing the beach. The sleeping area came standard with a bureau and TV, and the kitchenette is larger than the standard room, offering a full kitchen. The living area is furnished with new furniture, including a dining table, a large TV, and Murphy bed. The bathroom area is divided with the vanity separate from the bath.

When you visit Myrtle Beach, stay and play at the Long Bay Resort.

Myrtle Beach Comfort Suites Excellent Choice for Business & Leisure Travel

Reviewed by Ashley of ReserveDirect.comThe Comfort Suites in Myrtle Beach is a comfortable all suites hotel geared towards both business and leisure travelers. When I arrived at the property, I was impressed by the cleanliness and spaciousness of the rooms, as well as the level of hospitality I received. The double queen room I stayed in, which is a standard suite for the hotel, had a tropical palm décor that accented the room nicely. The oversized guest suite offered a living space with sleeper sofa, which was partially divided from the sleeping area, creating a more relaxing space for any traveler. The addition of a microwave and fridge to all rooms was a definite bonus, and the high quality condition of the case goods, as well as the bedding, made my stay a welcome respite. The bathrooms were also efficient and the implementation of a curved shower rod added more space, which is key to the rooms at the Comfort Suites – each area is spacious!

The deluxe continental breakfast at the Myrtle Beach Comfort Suites is definitely something to take advantage of during your stay. It features hot items, like eggs and sausage, which changes daily, as well as waffles, cold cereals, toast, fruit, juice and 24/7 coffee. The breakfast is available from 6am-9am. This hotel, built in 2001, offers free WI-FI, 24 hour front desk, is 100% smoke free and has a medium sized outdoor pool for soaking up the Carolina sun. A small fitness center and courtyard area with picnic tables is also available to guests.

At Comfort Suites, every guest feels right at home.

Dayton House Resort Myrtle Beach Great Place to Stay & Play

Reviewed by Ashley of ReserveDirect.comThe Dayton House Resort in Myrtle Beach is a great ocean front property offering a plethora of amenities perfect for relaxing, soaking up the Carolina sun and enjoying some quality family time. They offer four oceanfront buildings and one westward building, all with easy access to the beach. The amenities offered by the Dayton House Resort were a great bonus, as they had a sauna, an outdoor pool area that can be converted to indoor when the seasons change, a Jacuzzi, lazy river, a large outdoor pool area, a large green space between the resort and the beach, as well as an oceanfront area reserved for Dayton House Resort guests, complete with umbrellas and chairs. A small arcade, business center, fitness center and gift shop (hours 9am-8pm) are also available.

The oceanfront double queen room I had the pleasure of staying in was furnished with a small kitchenette, moderately worn case goods, a nice size balcony, a large flat screen Sanyo television and was decorated in a floral beach motif. The layout of the room featured the vanity outside of the bath area, and utilized the space of the room well. The angle ocean view rooms had virtually the same set up as the oceanfront rooms, although the balcony is smaller and the vanity area in-room is larger. All rooms have new carpet, as well as new paint and new bedding.

The Myrtle Beach Dayton House Resort is excellent choice for any Myrtle Beach visitor.

Monday, June 29, 2009

Legends in Concert Branson is a Legendary Good Time

Reviewed by Ashley of ReserveDirect.comThe Legends in Concert show in Branson is pure entertainment from start to finish. When I went to see the show the featured performers were Marilyn Monroe, Gretchen Wilson, The Blues Brothers, Elvis and The Temptations. The line-up changes four times a year, so be sure to check which performers will be on stage when you see the show!

The new venue the Legends in Concert show calls home, the Dick Clark American Bandstand Theater, is a gorgeous theater with state-of-the-art lighting and sound, creating an atmosphere where a production like Legends can really thrive. The show began with the raucous Blues Brothers, whose charismatic portrayal had me laughing and singing all at the same time. Jake Blues had the facial expressions and singing style perfected, while Elwood blues had all the dance moves down to a tee. And when the harmonica hit the microphone, watch out, because the party just got started! It was a great, energetic way to start the show. Marilyn Monroe hit the stage next and brought plenty of attractive appeal and breathy comedy to the show. Her interaction with a very willing audience participant was pure folly and had everybody laughing in their seats. The performer who embodied Marilyn did a wonderful job of embracing Marilyn’s character and mannerisms. Up next were The Temptations and boy did they have Motown down. I was singing along and swaying in my seat during their renditions of “Ain’t to Proud to Beg,” “My Girl,” and “Can’t Get Next To You.”

Gretchen Wilson and Elvis filled the second half of the show, and I was equally impressed with their performances. From the time Gretchen Wilson rolled out on her 4-Wheeler, she sang with the swagger and gusto of the “real” Gretchen Wilson. “Here for the Party,” “Redneck Woman” and “All Jacked Up” were a few of the hits she delivered during her segment. Then, the King of Rock ‘n Roll entered the building and presented an homage to Elvis’ movie hits, including “G.I. Blues,” “Shoppin’ Around,” “ Blue Hawaii” complete with a sand pit, and “Fools Rush In.” Elvis, performed by Dean Z., does an excellent job of personifying Elvis.

The Branson Legends in Concert Show is a great choice for any Branson visitor as it presents a variety of music and talented performers!

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Emerald Pointe Branson is a Gem of a Place to Stay

Reviewed by Ashley of ReserveDirect.comEmerald Pointe in Branson is an upscale lake community offering spectacular views of Table Rock Lake yet easy access to Branson entertainment. When I arrived at the gated community of Emerald Pointe I was impressed by not only their fantastic location, but their array of amenities. There is a medium size exercise room, with elliptical and treadmill machines, an indoor and outdoor pool, free mini-golf, shuffleboard, horse shoes, an activities program and a basketball court. Plus, there is a marina on site where boats can be rented and docked.

The two bedroom condo I had the pleasure of viewing was nicely appointed with new case goods and had just had new flat screen TVs installed. Emerald Pointe by Westgate is currently in the process of updating their resort, as new roofs, décor and furniture are scheduled for the upcoming weeks. However, the current style is a contemporary décor accented with floral designs. The condo has an open floor plan, which includes a nice size living room and fully equipped kitchen, as well as washer and dryer. The master bedroom was very spacious and was equipped with a comfortable bed, and had stunning scenic views. The adjoining master bath utilized its space well and came with a large whirlpool tub, walk-in shower and dual sinks. The second bedroom also came equipped with a bathroom as well.

There are two unit types at the Branson Emerald Pointe Resort – Deluxe and Standard. The Deluxe units have larger kitchens, a screened in patio and guaranteed lake view. The standard units are somewhat smaller and do not have the lake view or screened in patio.