Flanked by South Carolina’s Intracoastal Waterway and two championship golf courses, Marina Inn at Grande Dunes offers an atmosphere of privileged seclusion for groups seeking first-class accommodations, service, and meeting and oceanfront catering venues.

In 2006, the inn joined the 2,200-acre masterplanned community of Grande Dunes, which stretches from the Intracoastal Waterway to the beachfront. It brought a new level of hospitality to Myrtle Beach—a level of hospitality befitting its membership with Small Luxury Hotels of the World. Mediterranean themed architecture and decor meld Southern charm with southern European style.

Million-dollar views of the waterway and marina line the balconies of 230 luxurious rooms and suites. Two- and three-bedroom villas add fireplaces, kitchens, and spacious living areas. T-1 Internet lines augment wireless connectivity throughout the inn, while complimentary workstations at the 24-hour business center mean laptops can be left at home.

Personalized service begins at check-in, with guests seated at small tables, and extends to dedicated meeting support. A convention service manager assigned to each group and a full-time audiovisual manager ensure prompt, proactive attention to every detail.

Planners often stage their grandest functions in the Nautilus Ballroom. Or, for evening receptions and private dining, they utilize the Members Club or Ocean Club. Meeting spaces range in size from over 5,000 square feet to 490, though all offer air-wall soundproofing and the latest high-tech amenities. Even the decor contributes to efficiency and comfort. The Sand Dollar Boardroom’s domed acoustic ceiling, for instance, guarantees that every voice carries across the room, even in conversational tones.

The mild climate encourages groups to gather at the open-sided Loggia for breakfast or breaks and on the Grande Lawn for cocktails or cookouts. At Waterscapes, guests enjoy casual restaurant dining for breakfast, casually elegant lunches, and gourmet dinners accompanied by sunsets over the waterway. Anchor Café offers a pub environment, serving cocktails in the open air on the waterway.

Golfers claim preferred tee times at two golf courses on-site, which lend themselves to private tournaments managed by the resort. The inn’s relationships with several other courses nearby make other rounds easily available as well.

The free-time options include a full range of inroom spa services, tennis on ten Har-Tru courts, and visits to a fitness center with sauna, whirlpools, and indoor and outdoor pools. Frequent shuttles to the private beach make catching sun and surf between meetings a breeze.

The inn lies mere minutes from the worldfamous shopping, dining, and shows of Myrtle Beach. Yet most groups find everything needed within the privileged confines of Grande Dunes.