Dear Friends,

May days are really only moments away! It's time to break out the summer gear and enjoy the beautiful outdoors. Everything is back open to seasonal hours, and in full force, all along the Grand Strand---so bring your family and friends and make the most of that tax refund!

Until Then,

The Grande Shores Family

Grande Shores News & Happenings

Welcome, In Any Language!

Every year, Grande Shores participates in a hospitality internship program where several students from the highly regarded American Hospitality Academy come to work at the resort for the summer. In the past, young people from all over the globe have come to Myrtle Beach as part of this educational exchange. Our past students (from Korean to Brazilian) have not only learned about American culture and the art of professional hospitality, but have also, in turn, educated us about their own countries, customs and interests. The exuberance, enthusiasm and outstanding work ethic of these kids is inspiring, and also very well-noticed (and appreciated) by many of our guests---who also enjoy connecting with the students during their stay. All of Grande Shores' tenured employees have really appreciated interacting with and getting to know these courageous young adults over the years; except for when it's time to say goodbye!

More Room to Lounge

As sad as we all were to see the kid's playground taken down because of the city's mandate, we've made the most of the newly opened space by planting more soft grass, perfect for setting up a lounge chair, or blanket, and enjoying the sounds of the ocean, sans the sand. We've also planted some gorgeous, bright hibiscus and some butterfly-attracting pentas to create a lush, tropical feel. Take off your shoes & enjoy!

Market Commons is Now Open!

On April 3, 2008, one of the most highly-anticipated venues opened, officially, for business. The Market Commons, located on what's popularly referred to as "the old Air Force Base" just south of the Myrtle Beach Airport area, offers premium shopping and dining opportunities, as well as some living space above the stores themselves. Be sure to try to make it down there on your trip.

Here's a list of just SOME of the great stores and restaurants:

Anthropologie, Aveda Modern Salon & Day Spa, Banana Republic, Barnes & Noble Brooks Brothers, Carlyle & Company, Chico's, Cold Stone Creamery, Coldwater Creek, Consolidated Theatres, Copper Penny Shooz, Divine Steakhouse, Francesca's Collection, Gordon Biersch Brewery, Luxottica Collection, Orvis Sporting Traditions, P.F. Chang's China Bistro, Piggly Wiggly (supposedly the nicest one in South Carolina!), Planet Beach Tan, soma by Chico's, The Wine Room, Tommy Bahama Tropical Cafe and Emporium, White House|Black Market, & Williams-Sonoma.

Employee Spotlight

Anastassia Stoenelova, Vacation Specialist

For the last four years, guests and employees alike have been greeted at the front desk by our lovely Anastassia Stoenelova. A native of Bulgaria, this bright, friendly lady has a quiet charm that never ceases to win people over---both guest and fellow employee alike! Since working at Grande Shores, Anastassia says her favorite part of her profession is not only the feeling of a job well-done, but working with her great coworkers and hearing the nice comments guests make after she's helped them make their vacation stay better.

Anastassia shares her home with a roommate, and one very special cat named Bella. (Bella was saved from sure death by Anastassia's roommate two years ago, when the little kitten was found stranded in the median of Highway 17.) Since Bella's dubious start in life, she's now become Anastassia's beloved companion and friend.

The three words coworkers use to describe Anastassia are: Thorough, Driven & Focused.

Thanks!

To the following groups who stayed with us in April:

The Austin Green Wedding Party, Bangor Christian School, Christian Tours Group, Coats Baptist Church Group, Mynderse Baseball Team, St. James Missionary Baptist Church, Troncale Golf Group, University of Kentucky Group, Collins, Boike & Moore Law Firm, Fun Time Tours Group, Lakeland Tours Group, and the Providence Road Church of God. We hope you all had an amazing time…we loved having you here!

Area Events

5/2 Sounds of Summer Concert
7:30 - 9 pm McLean Park, North Myrtle Beach
The North Myrtle Beach Concert Band and the Stardusters will play a mix of classic, patriotic and popular tunes. More info: 843-280-5673. Free to public. Be sure to bring your lawn chairs and a snack!

5/3 Dolly Parton's 5th Annual Children's Festival Reading Celebration
10 am - 2 pm Dixie Stampede
Free family event with face painting, games, animal exhibitions, giveaways, food and entertainment. More info: 843-272-3000 or DixieStampede.com.

5/9-5/18 Myrtle Beach Harley Davidson Bike Week
More info: myrtlebeachbikeweek.com

5/7 Wednesday Warblers
8 am - 10 am Myrtle Beach State Park
Maritime forest is alive with birds of all kinds. Binoculars available for donation. Fee: $5 per person. More info: 843-238-0874, or www.myrtlebeachsp.com

5/9 House of Blues Summer Folk Festival
8 am - 9 pm. House of Blues
Free outdoor art festival celebrating folk artists from around the country. More info: 843-913-3730, or www.hob.com/myrtlebeach.

5/10 3rd Annual 5K Run
9 am. The race will start and finish along the historic Little River waterfront.
Entry fee Pre-Registration $20.00; Race Day Registration $25.00

5/10 Pawley's Pavilion Reunion
6:30 pm - 12 am. Pawley's Island Nature Park, North Causeway to the Island.
Dance under the stars to music by the Catalinas! Food & beverage available. Fee: $20 pre-purchase, or $25 on-site. More info: 800-777-7705, or www.georgetowncountychamber.com and www.waxmuseum.net.

5/10 MayFest on Main
10 am - 4 pm. Main Street, North Myrtle Beach.
Over 50 arts, crafts and food vendors will be on hand, as well as live entertainment on stage at the famous "horseshoe" at the end of Main Street. More info: 866-805-5642, or www.nmbevents.com.

5/16 Sounds of Summer Concert
7 - 9 pm McLean Park, North Myrtle Beach.
Live entertainment will play a mix of popular tunes. More info: 843-280-5673. Free to public. Be sure to bring your lawn chairs and a snack!

5/17-5/18 27th Annual Blue Crab Festival
9 am - 8 pm. Little River Historic Waterfront.
The World Famous Blue Crab Festival finally rolls back around! This is a must-attend event to enjoy delicious food, a wide-variety of arts & crafts, and some fun live music down in Little River. More info: 843-249-1682, or www.bluecrabfestival.org.

5/22-5/26 Atlantic Beach Bikefest
All day. 30th Avenue South, Atlantic Beach.
More info: 843-663-2284.

5/26-9/1 Summer Celebration
10 am - 11 pm. Broadway at the Beach.
Daily street entertainers, Tuesday night fireworks and more. More info: 843-444-3200, or www.broadwayatthebeach.com.

5/30-5/31 9th Annual Dixie Chicken Fishing Funament
6 am - 3 pm. Harbourgate Marina, North Myrtle Beach.
Multi-species fishing tournament and fundraising event that attracts fisherman from all across the country. More info: 843-249-1637, www.dixiechickenfunament.com.

I made 30 destination trips last year around the USA. In 2008, I am limiting my travel to places and people, who made my visits enjoyable, so I could make them memorable. Nowhere (except maybe the Ritz in Dearborn and Loew's in Las Vegas) compares to the location and service received at the Grande Shores Ocean Resort. I have stayed here for years (3X in 2007), but the view and service continues to improve. It's like coming home! The fact that their front desk/customer service employees are consistently service focused, well-dressed, knowledgeable and responsive to me (their customer), gives an indication of managements commitment to support, train and improve the service these employees provide. Simple, clean, well-maintained, affordable, with a view only God could design, for me to appreciate! 3 pieces to the perfect puzzle in traveling are People who provide Service, Property location and condition and Price. Grande Shores Ocean Resort fits all 3 puzzle pieces! Thank you! PJCorsi, Michigan (A TripAdvisor.com comment)

This is my third time staying at this resort. I brought three fellows with me for a week of golf; for two of them, this was their first time in Myrtle Beach. We have decided to make this an annual guy's week away! The staff is great---I appreciate the phone calls from the front desk checking on our needs. Don't recall the fellow's name working the night shift, but he was very friendly and helpful with providing directions to the various courses. Already planning next year! (Guest comment from March 2008)

Front desk and Restaurant staff were all great. Booking was easy and efficient, as always! (Guest comment from March 2008)

I wanted to tell you how impressed we were with our stay at Grande Shores. We paid extra to have the room done up in balloons for our kids' birthdays and the rooms were decorated beautifully! We could not find a single thing to complain about. The room was lovely and spotless, we had everything at our fingertips, the parking situation was wonderful with the car (parked) close to the room. I can assure you that when we return to Myrtle Beach-and we will!-we will look to stay at Grande Shores. Its location and amenities, and the staff's courtesy and attention to detail made certain we'll be repeat customers. Guest J. Pellegrini

The service and attitude of all the staff will keep us returning, especially Jenna, the night manager, Eric & Nina in the lounge, and Jamie in maintenance---who is willing to help with anything! (Guest comment from March 2008)

A truly great place to spend a vacation! Very professional Staff. Will recommend the Grande Shores to my friends. (Guest comment from March 2008)

We love Grande Shores! This was our sixth visit---and Grande Shores is the only place to stay in Myrtle Beach. (Guest comment from March 2008)

My wife and I were pleased with our stay at the Grande Shores. We were very pleased with how clean our condo was, especially the special touch with the bath and kitchen linens. Hats off to your maid service, they go the extra mile to serve. Guest W. & D. Broom

Loved the resort, and you could not beat the price, anywhere! (Guest comment from March 2008)

Fun Facts

There are 86,400 seconds in one day.

Peanuts are an ingredient in dynamite.

May 8 V-E Day Is the celebration of the end of fighting in Europe during WWII.

Heinz Catsup leaves the bottle at 25 miles per year.

Maine is the toothpick capitol of the world.

It is impossible to lick your elbow.

In Sweden, there is a ski-thru McDonald's.

Coffee is second only to oil as a sold commodity.

Did you know in Los Angeles, it is against the law to hunt for moths under a street light?