North Myrtle Beach sits on a salty foundation of sand and shells. Dig a little deeper, though, and you’ll find deep roots in music and dance.  In April, the area holds its annual festival that celebrates Shag, a traditional dancing style popular along the Carolina coast.

The Society of Stranders (S.O.S) will host the Spring Safari festival from April 16–25. Each year, the event draws thousands of shaggers from up and down the East Coast. They come to display their moves and kickoff the official start of Spring.

Throughout the 10-day gala of tunes, food and dance, area lounges welcome visitors with various shindigs, long ago dubbed “tea parties.” The festivities usually include performances by popular beach-music bands, as well as instructors offering classes for everyone from novice to experienced shaggers.

Grand Strand Vacations, a North Myrtle Beach property rental firm, opens its more than 350 luxury homes and condos for the rhythmic guests. This year, Grand Strand is offering the gift of two free nights during a four-night stay.

“We love shag, and the folks who share in the boardwalk memories of couples dancing the night away,” said Nancy Seddinger, owner of Grand Strand Vacations. “After getting down in the sand, we want to give our revelers a comfortable place to kick back, relax and catch up with old friends. There’s no better way to do this than at a Grand Strand property.”

When out-of-towners aren’t sipping cocktails and enjoying the ocean view from their seaside getaway, they’ll most likely be exploring the goings on at North Myrtle.

On Saturday April 25, the Spring Safari wraps up with the beloved parade down Main Street. The tradition is presented by the Association of Carolina Shag Clubs (ACSC). During the parade, floats wow spectators, competing for the most original design and best shag theme.  The street turns into a fairgrounds, with dancers and day-trippers enjoying food, entertainment and tunes.

S.O.S. started in 1980. That spring, the first festival drew roughly 5,000 people eager to compete in dance contests and listen to beach music. Over the years, the bash grew in size and events. Today, the Spring Safari marks a time for getting back to summer and reuniting with friends.

“We absolutely love this time of year,” Seddinger said. “This is a big coup for our region. We’ve become synonymous with something very special to people – beach dancing. It’s more than just the entertainment value. This is people’s memories of the past.”

Aside from free nights, Grand Strand Vacations also is offering golf packages with discounted green fees, as well as girls’ weekend deals. Pets are welcome.

Stay tan,
Grand Strand Vacations

North Myrtle Beach, SC (February 07, 2010) – With a TV commercial highlighting vacation rentals having aired in Sunday’s big game, football fans are discovering why renting vacation homes, condos, villas and cabins is a favorite choice for many versus hotels. Beyond the experiences families and friends build by staying in a home away from home in North Myrtle Beach, there are numerous benefits to choosing vacation rentals – sometimes in ways they’d least expect.

Whether trying vacation rentals for the first time or if you’re one of the nearly nine in 10 travelers who plan to rent again,* Grand Strand Vacations travel and vacation rental expert, Nancy Seddinger, Owner, offers the following planning tips and insights as a post-game update for visiting North Myrtle Beach:

·        KNOW YOUR DESTINATION: Whether you are a first-time traveler to North Myrtle Beach, SC or not, it’s recommended that you become familiar with the state’s special events, seasons and offerings. Here are some activities that guests find most enjoyable:

o   www.nmbevents.com

o   www.visitmyrtlebeach.com

·        LOOK FOR PACKAGES: During certain seasons, vacation rental packages can provide even more value, some with 2-bedrooms starting at just $45 per night, with all of the typical amenities of a resort and more. Visit www.grandstrandvacations.com to become familiar with various vacation rental types, reservation rates as well as travel specials available in North Myrtle Beach, SC.

·        AVOID AIRLINE BAGGAGE FEES: Most Grand Strand Vacations North Myrtle Beach, SC vacation rentals come equipped with washers and dryers, and Grand Strand Vacations also provides linens for rent. Travelers may choose to use these perks to pack less clothing and toiletries, avoiding commercial airlines’ baggage fees and restrictions.

·        USE SPACE TO YOUR ADVANTAGE:  Grand Strand Vacations vacation homes and condos can accommodate all types of arrangements, often costing less than a single hotel room by sleeping up to 36 guests in a house versus just a few.

·        SAVE ON DINING OUT: With full kitchens, and sometimes, outdoor grills, Grand Strand Vacations vacation rental travelers often make and store meals and snacks for less, including football favorites like homemade nachos during postseason trips. Use local ingredients and recipes for more memorable mealtimes, like Calabash Seafood. This also provides healthy travel options, cutting the amount of calories typically consumed while on vacation.

·        ASK ABOUT AFTER-HOURS SERVICE: When looking into any vacation rental accommodations, check to see if there is an accessible customer service number for emergency needs 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and for after-hour requests.

·        ENTERTAIN FOR FREE: Most of Grand Strand Vacations’ vacation homes, villa rentals and condos include amenities not found in hotels, some with private swimming pools, whirlpool spas, game rooms, fireplaces, DVD players, Internet access, game consoles and free movie and video game rentals, etc. Many are also in communities with access to fitness centers, hiking trails, parks, the beach, etc.

·        ASK ABOUT PARTNERSHIPS: Beyond the ability to live like a local in North Myrtle Beach, vacation rental guests can also take advantage of our relationships with activity providers, shops, restaurants, tour companies and more. Guests can also opt for concierge-type services, including golf tee-times, restaurant reservations and show tickets to name a few.

·        REMEMBER BIG EVENTS: Whether it’s for football championships or national Bowl games, concerts, baseball series’, basketball or other events, vacation rentals can save fans from the hassle of finding multiple hotel rooms during big events, and on the cost of multiple reservations.\

·        TRANSPORTATION: Other relationships to remember are those made between vacation rental managers and transportation providers, whether it’s rental cars, shuttle services, golf carts, bicycles or more. For example, Grand Strand Vacations can provide assistance with Golf Cart rentals, equipment rentals, strollers and wheel chairs.

To learn more about available vacation rental options in North Myrtle Beach, SC, visit www.grandstrandvacations.com as a comprehensive resource. Also visit www.nmbevents.com, which lists more ongoing events in the area.

For general answers to frequently asked questions about vacation rentals or for more information, visit http://www.DiscoverVacationHomes.com as an official category resource. Also connect with travelers and experts in the Facebook vacation rental community at http://www.facebook.com/DiscoverVacationHomes, and join the conversation on Twitter @GoVacationHomes.

Established in 1954, Grand Strand Vacations has been delighting vacationers for over 50 years. We have the experience and expertise to match you with a North Myrtle Beach vacation rental that meets or exceeds your expectations at any time of the year. Our office is staffed with friendly, experienced vacation rental specialists and sales agents. So call us today concerning our vacation rentals or Myrtle Beach golf packages and make sure you come spend some time with us in North Myrtle Beach.

Media Contact:
Grand Strand Vacations
503 Sea Mountain Hwy
North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
800-722-6278
info@grandstrandvacations.com

North Myrtle Beach accommodates brief visits from Jack Frost every now and then. However, these occasional “drop-ins” pale in comparison to the icy traveler’s extended stays farther up on the map.

With Punxsutawney Phil’s recent prediction of six more weeks of winter, the annual trend of northern travelers migrating south for warmer weather looks to continue. In fact, Grand Strand Vacations anticipates the number of winter visitors to spike twofold in the weeks ahead.

“As Valentine’s Day approaches, and with all of the wonderful weather we’ve been having; they’re coming,” said Nancy Seddinger, owner of Grand Strand Vacations. “People just need a break, and we’re in the business of helping people relax.”

Seddinger’s property rental agency usually sees a boost in popularity during this part of the shoulder season. Call it timing. Call it location. Call it good fortune. Either way, snow-weary folks flock in droves to the North Myrtle Beach area this part of the year and have done so for decades.

Many of these travelers turn to Grand Strand Vacations’ more than 350 properties for a home away from home. Over the decades, these guests have been dubbed by locals as snowbirds. They come seeking a taste of summer, even when the mercury freezes in their own backyard thermometers.

It only makes sense that people eye North Myrtle when frigid conditions take hold elsewhere. The mild winters on the South Carolina coast serve as an ideal catalyst for so many activities, from golf to shopping to Broadway-caliber shows.

Still, if hitting the links, embarking on an outlet mall bargain spree, or indulging in fine cuisine and entertainment don’t interest you, there are always miles of pristine beach. For all these reasons and more, the Myrtle Beach area makes the perfect winter territory for snowbirds wanting to escape dipping temperatures.

The area’s chamber of commerce often studies them in their natural vacationing habitat. Recent figures from the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce reveal that:

- 41 percent are first-time visitors
- 59 percent are Canadian
- 32 percent are American
- 96 percent say their primary purpose for visiting the area is a winter vacation
- 47 percent stay 1-2 months
- 21 percent stay 3-4 months
- 93 percent traveled to the Myrtle Beach area by car
- 53 percent stay in a condo
- 31 percent stay in a hotel/motel
- 80 percent are retired
- 29 percent are between 55-64 years of age
- 48 percent are between 65-74 years of age

No matter their age, where they come from or the reason for their vacation, the North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce Convention and Visitors Bureau annually shows its appreciation for the economic boost by hosting a “We Love Our Snowbirds Reception.” This year’s event will be held from 2-4 p.m. at the chamber office (270 Hwy 17 North). The reception will include door prizes, giveaways and refreshments. For more information, call 1-877-332-2662.

Grand Strand Vacations also likes to give back to these loyal snowbirds by providing monthly winter rental deals. To inquire about these rates, call 1-800-722-6278.

Stay tan,
Grand Strand Vacations

Just because you don’t live at the coast, doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a resort lifestyle in your own home. Many times, visitors who stay at a Grand Strand Vacations’ home leave with more than just bronzed skin and sun-kissed hair. They head back with a suitcase full of ideas on how to transform their house into a summer’s dream – year round!

It’s easy. You need to look no further for motivation than one of our beloved beach properties, which showcase the best in coastal décor and design. Holding more than 350 exclusive coastal homes, Grand Strand Vacations serves as the perfect breeding ground for interior and exterior style concepts.

These few examples might help put you in the sand and surf mindset: Sea Breeze on Cherry Grove Beach is a unique channel home with upper deck stairs to Ship’s Watch deck. Ibis is a luxury oceanfront home in the Tilghman Beach section of North Myrtle Beach, with six bedrooms, private pool, sundeck and private walkway to the beach.  The Bunkhouse mixes coastal and modern.

Need more inspiration? Well, a short drive over the state line is Coastal Living magazine’s 2009 Idea House. The 7,678-square-foot home is in Seawatch at Sunset Harbor, a waterfront community a little north of Grand Strand Vacations’ stomping grounds. It will be featured in the magazine’s November issue.

Tours of the home are being offered through Nov. 29. Proceeds from the $10 ticket sales benefit the Boys and Girls Home.

Started 12 years ago, Coastal Living Idea Houses aim to celebrate the best in coastal home innovation, décor and construction. The magazine builds these unique homes in communities that showcase environmental consciousness and sensitivity to shoreline preservation.

The Cape-style house sits on a bluff overlooking the tidal waters of Mercer Mill Creek and a nature preserve.

“Last year we looked at Seawatch, and it was love at first sight,” said Nicole Hendrick, Idea Home manager for Coastal Living. “They have a good vision for today and for generations to come, great architecture, a commitment to using sustainable products and to protect the environment.”

We at Grand Strand Vacations absolutely love the intrigue surrounding this gorgeous home. Like our rental properties, the 2009 Idea House epitomizes Carolina charm and elegance.

The three-story home was designed by Sam Guidry, Director of Architecture for Guidry-Coastal Architecture, and was built by Mark Saunders Luxury Homes. Both are businesses of The Coastal Companies, an award-winning development team with a quarter century of experience designing the area’s finest coastal communities. Phillip Sides of Phillip Sides Interior Design in Montgomery, Ala., was the interior designer.

“They selected this site because of the marsh,” said architect Sam Guidry in a Sun-News article about the home. “We tried to use a Southern flavor with big porches and high ceilings. It has a really nice flow to it. And we tried to design the home to capture the views.”

The Sun News recently featured the house. During an interview with the designer, he revealed his thinking when conceptualizing the stunning property.

Certainly, the views are what drove the color palette and inspired the decor, according to designer Phillip Sides.

Shades of gray, splashes of yellow, bursts of lilac and orange and green abound throughout the three-story structure, creating an ambience that is exhilarating, elegant and carefree.

“Fabrics were chosen to make the house less formal,” Sides said.

For example, the master bedroom features a yellow and gray color scheme painted on the walls in vertical stripes that were inspired by the botanically inspired fabric.

“We were inspired by the marsh grass and the trees,” Sides said. “When we first visited the site, it was winter. The color scheme was generated by the fabric. There was no magic. We knew we wanted to use that fabric.”

Another fun fabric in a coffee pot motif in tan and white inspired the design for the dining room. Cleverly, Sides covered the walls in this whimsical fabric and dressed the windows in the same fabric using custom-made drapery.

To create a transition between the dining room and kitchen, Sides lowered the ceiling and chose black cabinetry on either side of the walk-through, flanked on one side by a large walk-in pantry.

“That’s to imply that you’ve walked through a pantry to get to the kitchen,” Sides explained.

The black cabinetry extends along the base of the kitchen countertops, providing a pleasant contrast to the white upper cabinets. Sides achieved a custom feel by installing brackets beneath them and finishing them with a simple molding along the bottom edge.

“It just makes them feel like furniture as opposed to a cabinet box,” he said. “This is something anyone can do in their own kitchen to give it a custom feel.”

The focal point of the space is a cherry kitchen island that feels more like a dining table than an island. Sides chose a set of whimsical stools covered in cowhide to line one side of the table.

The upstairs offers more unexpected design ideas, such as the loft area that features a cupola ceiling and a pair of bunk beds, each featuring a pendant reading lamp hidden behind a shuttered cutout in the wall, and a sleeping porch that exudes warmth and charm.

“It was conceived as a porch that has been enclosed,” said Ron Wiese with Mark Saunders Luxury Homes. “It’s very warm and cozy.”

The sleeping porch features a planked cathedral ceiling in golden wood tones, orange, yellow and green fabrics, a fireplace, a wall of daybeds and a hanging bed.

The home’s exterior is as luxurious as its interior. There is an outdoor dining room featuring cultured stone and elegant archways. It’s accessorized with long flowing curtains, a round table and an orange outdoor rug. The space also is equipped with outdoor kitchen facilities and heated floors to allow for year-round use.

A wooden deck is situated under the trees just off the stone back porch and a pond adjacent to the deck hides an underground cistern, designed to collect rainwater for irrigation purposes. Stone, pervious pavers also were used to prevent runoff from entering the marsh nearby, all intended to be environmentally conscious elements.

Inspiration abounds throughout the house, but the key element the architect said he hoped visitors would walk away with is the homes attention to comfort.

“I want people to feel comfortable outside and inside the home,” Guidry said. “People moving into this area are retiring. This will probably be their last house. Your shelter is real important. It should be comfortable inside and out.”

For more information on the home or about taking a tour, call 1-877-732-9282 or visit www.seawatch-nc.com.

Between your Grand Strand Vacations getaway home and the 2009 Idea House, there are plenty of pointers to create your own casa-de-coast – even if you’re hundreds of miles away.

Stay tan,
Grand Strand Vacations

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