Tides Folly Beach
Video Tour by @caseylavie: I had high hopes for Tides Folly Beach. The location is insane—you're right on the water and near all the nightlife. But honestly? The rooms felt damp and the hallway noise was intense. It’s a solid pick if you prioritize beach access over sleep, but skip it for romance.
Why People Love It
- The only true oceanfront hotel in town—zero street crossing required
- Every single room has a private balcony or patio with an ocean view
- Heated oceanfront pool that stays open year-round
About this video
An honest, unfiltered review of Tides Folly Beach in South Carolina. This video breaks down the reality of staying at this popular oceanfront hotel. While the location is unbeatable—offering direct beach access and walking distance to Folly Beach nightlife—the room experience left something to be desired. The creator highlights the pros, such as every room having an ocean view balcony and the convenience of an on-site Starbucks. However, significant cons are revealed, including outdated interiors, humidity issues, slow-draining tubs, and excessive noise from the open-air concrete hallways. This review is essential watching for travelers deciding if the $300+ price tag is worth it for the location alone, or if they should look elsewhere for a romantic or quiet getaway.
Full Video Transcript
An honest review of Tides Folly Beach. When looking at reviews online they were overwhelmingly positive but I didn't feel like it actually met those expectations. So here's some quick honest pros and cons. For pros location is top notch. You're right on the beach literally within walking distance to the beach, nightlife, restaurants, shopping. Every room has an ocean view with a balcony though there's no outdoor seating. There's a private pool and an on property restaurant and bar and they serve Starbucks in their cafe. All super convenient plus the staff was very friendly. On the negative side it's outdated with some wear and tear. The room felt damp and humid. There were spots in the bathroom ceiling. The tub was slow to drain and had standing water during a quick shower. Soap and other items were just kind of tossed on the bathroom counter. Uh but the worst part really was just how noisy it was since all the rooms are on one side. The hallways actually open to the elements and has a concrete floor so it doesn't absorb any of the sound of rolling luggage, running kids, or cleaning carts. Making it kind of hard to relax. Uh to summarize Tides gives you what you're paying for. Our stay was 318 and I should have known it wouldn't be a luxurious experience. If you're on a budget or you know, a smaller group and want to spend most of your time on the beach, then this might work for you but if you're hoping for a more refreshing, romantic getaway, I recommend spending a little more to get something nicer. I have a full review on my blog with more details and things to do in Folly for a great trip.