Can you say NIGHTMARE? My brother, sister-in-law and I checked into the penthouse suite, (1652) on Friday, February 1 for the month, having driven over 700 miles from Ohio. Since making the reservation the previous fall, we had fantasized about playing on the beach and smugly writing ‘wish you were here’ postcards to friends as we whiled away Nature’s cruelest month. This idyllic vacation was not to be. We first learned of the renovation-in-progress at the Registration Desk that fateful Friday. Other guests, it seemed, had received informative phone calls prior to arrival and been given the option of canceling. For whatever reason, we were not called and were unaware of the myriad inconveniences and health hazards we would encounter over the next several weeks. Many of those who took a chance left early, after having battled the untimeliness of the 24-hour a day work schedule, falling plaster, drifting paint spray, bare, unswept, concrete floors, water and overspray from power washing machines, dust and grime everywhere not to mention a full array of odious, offensive smells. It should be noted that other hotels on the boulevard closed for renovations during the month of February. Not so Compass Cove, whose management thoughtlessly subjected every guest present to an unhealthy environment for the sake of the almighty dollar. The worst, however, was the toxic, noxious fumes emanating from the adhesives used to secure the heavy rubber carpet padding. We were assured by the desk clerk that the fumes would dissipate by the next day. To say he lied would be a gross understatement. Despite repeated requests to view the manufacturer’s safety label for the adhesive, promises were made—but labels/safety warnings never produced. That first night, sister-in-law began calling the front desk at 3 a.m. with tears streaming down her face to complain that she was unable to breathe. At 5 a.m. we were given a card to unlock the door of a room on the 7th floor, where we napped for the next couple of hours. At 9 a.m. we were asked to vacate the room since our penthouse should now be fume-free and other guests needed to be relocated to the 7th floor due to breathing problems. Over the next week the fumes remained, bringing to life an asthma problem that had been in remission since 1984. A trip to the Strand Medical Center Emergency Room the evening of February 8 required a breathing treatment, 2 prescriptions and consumed 4 hours. Back at the penthouse, the drain in the utility room clogged and flooded 4 evenings in a row, vomiting a vile sewage that covered the utility room as well as the hallway in the kitchen area. Maintenance temporarily stemmed the flooding each evening; however, a plumber finally had to be called. He arrived at 8 am Sunday morning and our problem was then abated; however, the gentleman in the room directly under the flood came up to inquire if the plumber could come to his room since our repair had caused a leak down his bedroom wall and onto his bed. The next leak, following rain, was from the roof onto the penthouse living room carpet. By now we were on a first name basis with the guys from Maintenance. They brought a carpet-drying fan to be used for the next 24 hours. Getting into an elevator almost always necessitated stepping around valet carts being used by guests as they were shuffled from room to room, just ahead of the next onslaught of workmen. There were few smiles. Once we were literally sealed in plastic most of the day while the painting crew worked in the hall. For 2 days we had to leave the apartment so an ‘ionizer’ could be used for several hours to help with the fumes, which continued to the point of my calling the EPA for advice. Folks, you are not protected. The EPA doesn’t regulate hotels in South Carolina. Before long, more floors were being renovated than not—getting ready for the ‘real’ guests to descend in March. The noise and dust levels were high. By February 11, I was confined to bedroom #2, unable to care for myself; on the 14th I was taken to Doctors Care (affiliated with Strand MC) for lab work, chest x-rays, another breathing treatment, 2 more prescriptions, an injection in the hip and the news that my asthma had now progressed to a bilateral lung infection. The antibiotic worked its magic in a few days, enabling me to flee on February 19th. Despite serious breathing problems, a trip to the Emergency Room, a subsequent Urgent Care visit, 4 prescriptions and sundry indignities to my body, did management offer an apology—or recompense for my medical bills? They did not! What they did offer was coupons for 5 **FREE!!** breakfasts at their coffee shop. My sister-in-law, with the empathy of a brick wall, accepted quite happily. I hope other guests will share their experiences during February 2008. Perhaps some good will come of it. Linda

Spent the week of July 4th, 07. Was here 2 years ago, and wanted to go back and see what they had done with the 8 million dollar refurb. The beds were different and so was the furniture. But I doubt they put in new appliances, since our fridge was all beat up and so was the microwave. The one thing I wish they would have actually done was, change out the sliding glass balcony doors. Same as the last time we stayed. Takes forever and the strength of a couple men to get it open or shut, they don’t stay on track, and so that makes it really bad. Pools were fine all were open and in working order. As well as hot tubs. Staff at the front desk was very nice, even let us do our check in stuff 3 hours early, just so long as we didn’t go into the room till 3, which wasn’t bad since at least we wouldn’t have to stand in a line at check in time. The lady who cleaned our room did a great job. Even came back or gave us extra time if we were running behind and still wanted the room cleaned. The elevators were however really slow, sometimes 20 min to just get a ride down to lobby. And very hot inside, a few times it actually felt like a steam room in them. On about 10 occasions that we saw personally, elevators were either broke down, lights out in them, and so on, took the stairs allot, 9 floors isn’t fun. As far as their "Family Fun Package" well they seem to leave out during booking the vacation that many of the attractions they offer with this take 2 tickets per person. So the 4 tickets per person, so everyone could attend 4 attractions each, isn’t accurate. For instance.... Medieval times, Dixie stampede and so on each require 2 tickets on the fun package deal. The difference in price was a little over 500 dollars, for the room with or without the fun package. So instead of having to wait on tickets threw the hotel, I suggest you just get the regular room and go buy your own tickets. Saves lots of time, and you can go when you want with no waits for the hotel to get you them. Over all my family had a good time, and no major complaints. I mean this is a family friendly resort. And being right on the beach, you’re going to have wet floors, and ocean smells and so on. Would I stay here again? Am going to check around next time we go to that area, but we probably would stay again.

August 2004 was our first trip to Compass Cove. We drove over 950 miles one way to get there. My family loved it. This was my kids first time seeing the ocean. They were 13 and 16. My daughter's 16 th birthday was Aug 13 th ( Friday the 13 th.- the day we were told to leave because Charley the hurricane was coming through ) We went somewhere else that night and back to the beach the next morning. The only complaint my family had was 'Charley'. My family was very pleased with Compass Cove. We are coming back for our yearly vacation July 12-19 and bringing 4 more with us that have never been to Myrtle Beach. They can't wait to see it, and we can't wait to come back. See you soon.

I am partially biased about this hotel because this was where my husband and I stayed on our first trip together, so we have returned a couple times for sentimental values. We have always find Compass Cove to be clean and the staff friendly. Overall, a comfortable experience. However, for those looking for a 'luxury beach front resort,' this is not it, though not necessarily in a bad way. Compass Cove has the 'usuals' that you find at most hotels across the US and it is beach front, but other than that, no 'frills.' My main complaint would be that every time we have stayed at the hotel, at least one of the pools (pools, hot tubs, lazy river, etc.) is out of order and closed. Since our visits have been during the winter, you would think that every possible effort would be made to keep all indoor facilities in working order, however, this has not been the case. Even the hot tubs that have been open have had uncomfortable levels of chlorine (to the point where your eyes are burning so badly you must leave) or the temperature is only slightly higher than room temperature...Perhaps these issues are worked out during the 'off season' in better preparation for summer. Despite these 'downsides' to Compass Cove, we would definitely stay there again and would recommend it to anyone just looking for an average room with a nice view of the ocean.

My family and I have stayed here several times and have always been happy with our stay. The facilities are always clean and the staff are very friendly. There is lots for the kids to do with so many pools. The restaurant is fair, not a 5 star, but the food is good and reasonably priced.