Secluded Oceanfront Hotel Minutes from Myrtle Beach

About 25 miles south of Myrtle Beach's amusement parks and bustling boardwalk, the town of Pawleys Island proudly promotes a laid-back vibe by calling itself "arrogantly shabby." Here, the Atlantic beach and its sand dunes remain untouched as quiet fishermen venture to the town creek for crabbing. The most telling symbols of the town are its rope hammocks and its shoeless locals, which reflect the area's penchant for taking it easy. Soaking in the attitude of the town, The Litchfield Inn also evokes a relaxed mood with its location next to unspoiled white-sand beaches.

Inside the inn, each individually appointed lodge room has tropical accents and a beachy color palette that evokes summer no matter the season. And no matter where you are at the inn, you’re never far from the hotel’s stretch of idyllic white-sand beach.

For an upscale dining affair, the chic Austin’s Ocean One restaurant serves seafood and hand-cut steaks alongside Atlantic Ocean views and synchronized-seagull routines. Diners can talk to the staff sommelier about the eclectic wine list before digging into a 6-ounce grilled filet mignon with shrimp or a panko-and-herb-crusted local flounder prepared by executive chef Bill Austin. For a more casual meal, grab a beer and a sandwich at the nautical-themed Austin’s Cabana Cafe, an open-air eatery also run by Bill Austin. In the morning, a continental breakfast includes make-your-own waffles, bagels, danishes, cereal, muffins, juice, coffee, and seasonal fruit.

Pawleys Island, South Carolina: Historic, Laid-Back Beach Town

Though Pawleys Island has been called "arrogantly shabby," it charms visitors coming to the South Carolina barrier island with its unpretentious barefoot style and rich history. Twelve residences in the historic district date back to the late 1700s, recalling an era when wealthy owners of nearby rice plantations inhabited Pawleys Island. Peruse an Audubon store, a candle maker’s shop, and more than 20 other specialty stores and restaurants at the Hammock Shops Village, which has been around since 1938. Surrounded by gardens teeming with moss-draped oaks and azaleas, the village provides hammocks and rockers for pausing and slipping into a siesta.

This coastal region of South Carolina is also known for year-round golfing due to its relatively temperate climate. Take advantage of the weather by heading to nearby Caledonia Golf & Fish Club, named 1 of America's 100 Greatest Public Golf Courses by Golf Digest in 2007–2008. Built on the site of a former rice plantation, the course’s antebellum-style clubhouse anchors the property, which is dotted with centuries-old live oaks.