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June 2007     Volume 12 North Myrtle Beach, SC.
FAMILY VACATION NEWSLETTER

Hello Friends!

Summer is now in full swing at the resort. School is out and family vacation is in. As promised, the June newsletter is focusing on family fun. What attractions should we visit? Where should we eat? Where is the best place to go shopping? These are some of the questions that we are asked the most and are some of the questions that will be answered in this newsletter. We hope this will arm you with the knowledge you need to make this your best family vacation ever!

See you soon!
The Avista Staff

  FAQ's Part Duex

Splish Splash!
While we realize that many people come to North Myrtle Beach to go to the beach, our pools are also a very popular destination. To ensure the enjoyment and safety of all of our guests while using our facilities, we have been hard a work implementing some new procedures and policies.

Do you have lifeguards?
No, we do not have lifeguards on staff but we do have pool monitors. The function of the pool monitor is to create a safe atmosphere at the pool area. We ask that you respect the pool monitors and their decisions as they are there for your safety and enjoyment and that of your family.

Will I need a pool tag and where can I get one?
Yes, you will need a pool tag and can get one from the Front Desk. Pool tags are issued to registered guests only and will be checked by our pool monitors periodically. If you lose your pool tag, you will be charged a $1 replacement fee.

Can I reserve a chair by the pool?
No, you cannot. Any towels left on pool chairs before 8 AM or for extended periods of time will be removed and placed in lost and found by our pool monitors. No exceptions!

Where can I find a list of pool rules and regulations?
New this year, you will find pool bulletin boards located by the elevators on the ground level. There is a complete list of pool rules and regulations as well as other information you may need to know. We ask that you please familiarize yourself and family with these rules.

Family Fun
With over 100 golf courses, 2000 restaurants and hundreds of shops and attractions, deciding what to on the Grand Strand can be a little overwhelming. Consider this section a "locals guide" to the Grand Strand.

Where can we watch fireworks and on what nights?
Fireworks can be seen on Monday nights at Barefoot Landing at 10:15pm and on Tuesday nights at Broadway at the Beach Tuesday at 10pm.

Where is the best place to go shopping?
If you are looking for bargains, than the Tanger Outlet is the place to go. Buy one of their coupon books and save even more! If you are looking for unique items, than visit Barefoot Landing or Broadway at the Beach. These two shopping complexes offer everything from outlets, to specialty stores, to stores with crazy Myrtle Beach souvenirs!

Where is the closest movie theater?
The closest movie theater is located at Colonial Mall, roughly 4 miles from the resort. The Concierge or Front Desk will be happy to print show times for you during your stay.

What attractions should I not miss while in town?
A must see attraction is Broadway at the Beach. With restaurants, shops, and attractions, there is something for the whole family. While there, make sure to visit the Ripley's Aquarium, South Carolina's most visited attraction and the newly renovated IMAX 3-D theater. Another great place to visit is Alligator Adventure, located at Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle Beach. Home to hundreds of alligators, snakes and other reptiles, this park is as educational as it is fun!

Where should I eat?
With over 2000 restaurants on the Grand Strand, chances are you will get a different answer every time you ask this question. There is a full service restaurant at the Avista Resort. Just Off Main is located on the first floor and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner with room service also available. The best way to get information and reviews about other area restaurants is to visit www.myrtlebeachscrestaurants.com. This website offers listings by type of food (seafood, Italian etc...) as well as by location of the restaurant.

Kids! Kids! Kids!

Do you have on-site kids activities?
We do have kids activities Monday-Friday during the summer months. Children must be 5 years old or above to participate in the activities. Most activities are free, but some to have a nominal fee attached to them for supplies.

My child needs a break from the sun, what would you suggest?
Though Myrtle Beach is known for it's "fun in the sun" there are a few indoor options for the over sunned child. Of course, Ripley's has 4 attractions in Myrtle Beach and a new Fun Zone arcade, all which will delight and entertain children of all ages. Available at the Ripley's attractions are special "Combo" passes that will save you money if you wish to visit more than one of these attractions. Another option is MagiQuest, located at Broadway at the Beach. This interactive magical adventure is perfect for your Harry Potter loving tyke. Tickets for MagiQuest are available at the Front Desk.

My tween/teen needs a break from us and vice versa, where can we take them?
For the tween, a great place to take them is SportsZone, located in Little River about 5 minutes from the resort. SportsZone offers half day and full day sports camps as well as a Friday Night Sports Galore lock-in party and Saturday Night Skate Night! For more information on SportsZone, visit www.sportszonecenter.com. For a truly unique experience, you may consider Ripley's Aquarium and one of their day camps or Kid's Night Out where your child will have the opportunity to spend the night sleeping with the sharks at the Aquarium. For more information, visit www.ripleysaquarium.com or contact the Concierge. For your teen, several local clubs host Teen Nights. The House of Blues hosts the most popular Teen Night. The dates vary so make sure to check the House of Blues Website or check with the Concierge when you arrive.

 

Hotel News

Sweepstakes winners tour England!
The winners of last years sweepstakes trip to England, Chris and Ralph Lee, were kind enough to send us some pictures of their trip to England in April. Their site-seeing packed schedule took them to places such as Westminster Abbey, The Tower of London, British Museum and a quick trip over to Paris to visit the Notre Dame Cathedral, The Louvre and the Eiffel Tower.

The Avista goes Wi-Fi!
Now available throughout the Avista is Wireless Internet access! Installed at the beginning of the month, guests are now able to access Wireless Internet in their rooms instead of just on the first and second floors in the lobby area. If you need assistance connecting while you are at the resort, please contact the Front Desk for directions.

 
Check out our newest package offering more ways to make your vacation more enjoyable!
 

Extreme Water Adventures

For the THRILL SEEKER: Rip through the water on a brand new Seadoo riding single, double or triple. Rent by the hour or take a trip of a lifetime on the 2 hour dolphin watch tour. Covering approximately 40 miles round trip you will see wildlife, unihabited islands and once we are in the beautiful Atlantic Ocean, we will try to find dolphins and get you up close and personal. Sometimes so close you will get splashed!

 

4th of July Celebration

Join in on the fun at Avista for our 2nd annual 4th of July Celebration!

Food, Fun & Entertainment:
There will be fun for the whole family pool side on the 4th of July! Children activities are tentatively scheduled from 11 am - 7 pm.

 
 
Golf
For a limited time, we have a very special 48-hr. rate for what is considered one of the Grand Strand's most difficult courses. The Dye Course at Barefoot Resort, designed by famous golf course designer Pete Dye, is a visually challenging course filled with large waste areas and elevation changes. Though this course is not for the weak of heart, anyone familiar with it will tell you the key is not to over-think your shots. If you think you are up for the challenge, stop by the Front Desk or the Concierge Desk to book your round. The 48-hr. rate is $72 for a morning round and $65 after 1pm.

What's New?
The IMAX is back!
After being closed for a short period of time for renovations, the IMAX Theatre at Broadway at the Beach is back in 3-D! With a movie screen that is over 6 stories tall and 12,000 watts of digital surround sound, you are not just at the movies, you are in them! Featured at the IMAX currently is Dinosaurs 3D, Sharks 3D, Wild Safari 3D, Space Station 3D and Deep Sea 3D. A word to the wise, if you are prone to motion sickness, take some medicine before you go! To check out the new theatre, visit www.IMAX3DmyrtleBeach.com!

Overhaulin!
New at Broadway at the Beach is a new do-it-yourself retail experience RideMakerz. Think of RideMakerz as a Build-A-Bear with cars. Pick your car, customize it and take it home. You are in charge of every aspect of designing your car, from the body style, to the tires, to the paint job. Let your imagination go wild! For more information on RideMakerz, visit www.ridemakerz.com.

Avista Resort • 300 N. Ocean Blvd.
N. Myrtle Beach, SC. 29582
Toll Free 800.968.8986 Email info@avistaresort.com
GUEST COMMENTS
Here's what our guests are saying about us...

We just returned from a week at the Avista Resort. We had a wonderful vacation and just wanted you to know that everyone of the staff we had contact with were just really nice people. Everyone was so helpful and accommodating from the front desk to the staff in the restaurant. We can hardly wait to come again. We will definitely recommend the Avista to our friends. Thank-you for a super place to stay while on vacation. Sincerely, Clarence & Lynn Mills Richmond, VA


I've stayed at Avista on several occasions and each time, the service was great! It is convenient for SOS activities. We really enjoyed the bands on Sat, April 28th. I will definitely stay at Avista again and always recommend it to friends. I have several friends that stay there now. Thanks for an enjoyable stay! Teresa Andrews - Trinity, NC


Wonderful atmosphere. This was my second stay and will stay again in the future and will recommend the Avista to friends & family also. love the room - the place just has a happy & fresh feel to it! We enjoyed our stay very much! Kathy Cunningham - West Columbia, SC


I don't think we would change a thing. Maybe a garbage disposal, but we understand that is difficult at the beach, so we all thought the accommodations were perfect! The friends and family in our party kept thanking us for "finding" this exceptional resort. Jim Fuller - Durham, NC


I love the Avista, It has been the only placed I have stayed since it opened. Kim Cranford - Fort Mill, SC


It was a pleasure to stay at your resort. We will return. Enjoyed the music by the pool. Enjoyed the way your beautiful place looked and was kept up. Felt safe there. And again we will be back..... Gaynell Crainshaw - Kannapolis, NC


Yet another excellent time at Avista. Special thanks to Golf Guy Brian and his team. Well worth traveling from England and we will be back next year. David Tattam - St. Neots, GB


I enjoyed my stay at your resort. My room was very nice and comfortable. Thank you for making this an awesome trip. Carol Locklear – Maxton, NC


Luxurious and quiet, enjoyed our stay Douglas Philabaun – Ironton, OH


We had a great trip during our weekend. Our wedding was fun!! Thanks Elizabeth Coleman – Florence, SC


An absolutely great stay, everything was clean, check-in and out was effortless and no problem checking in early if your room is ready! Definitely a great place and we will be going back many times! Erik Aagesen – Murfreesboro, TN


I was very impressed with all aspects of service, and amenities offered at Avista. I have already made reservations for October dates, only 2 days after my return; this has to be the best value of any resort anywhere. Thank you for all of your attention to detail, this is an exceptional place!!! John Huneycutt – Charlotte, NC


We enjoyed our stay and we will return. Rufus McMahon – McDonough, GA


WILL BE BACK IN SEPTEMBER 2007. LOVE THE PROPERTY. Pamela Cowart – Rustburg, VA


We especially appreciated the cleanliness and amenities of this resort. We would come again if possible. Ray Rhodes – Louisville, KY