Tag Archive for: dining

KINGSTON RESORTS – NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 5/18/26

This is where I hope your email finds me: at the Kingston Resorts in North Myrtle Beach! John and I recently took a weekend trip to the Kingston Resorts in North Myrtle beach that sit right on the sandy beaches of the South Carolina Coast. We stayed specifically in the Hilton on the property and were blown away by its atrium and architecture, stunning pools, and ocean views! Beyond the Hilton is the Embassy Suites and condos with everything they have to offer, so it offers everything you could want in a resort all in one place!

The Hilton lobby is grand with a 15 story atrium with a soaring ceiling and fun blue artwork on the way up. They had several sitting and lounging areas under indoor pergolas. To the right is their market for bites, drinks, and gifts and to the left, the check-in area. We really enjoyed the “We are the Beach” sign, as well.

For our room, we were up on the top floor and the 15th floor views of the resort pool, ocean views, and the sound of crashing waves from our balcony was everything! I couldn’t take my eyes off the views from our room; it was just perfect. The room itself is relaxing and comfortable with a large king bed, nice amenities, and spacious bathroom with gorgeous shower and vanity.

On the Hilton property are two pools to choose between or do both! You walk through the back of the lobby into the pool deck area and the first pool where they have a daily DJ. In front of you is the stunning ocean view of the Atlantic and to the left of the tiki/outdoor bar, Wet Whistle. On the other side is the beautiful sand-bottom pool with small lazy river, waterfall, hot tubs, and intimate cabanas. The sand-bottom resort pool that has a rock waterfall, short lazy river, and of course the sand-bottom 1-2 foot deep area.

There are several cabanas for rent at the sand-bottom pool that provide privacy and relaxation away from the main resort pool deck. They have serval lounge chairs, tons of towels, a table and chairs, and a couch to watch the TV! You can order food and drinks right to the cabana from their friendly cabana staff!

The best amenity they have is the star of the show: the beach! Take the beach access down to the pristine shores of North Myrtle Beach. The water was bluer than I thought it would be and we enjoyed strolling and relaxing!

The boardwalk connects the Hilton and the Embassy hotels in a scenic fashion! Right along the beach and amidst lush vegetation it makes it the ideal way to walk the property.

The Embassy Suites pool is a stunner. It has rows of loungers and umbrellas to enjoy on the pool deck. As well as a large, sprawling pool with beach like entrance on one end. They also offer cabanas and have a DJ that was playing music bingo when we were there. The also have two waterparks for big and little kids alike with large water slides, a water park with large water bucket waterfall and more! It is NICE!

On top of the outside entertainment, one of the best amenities at Kingston Resorts is their dining options. They have several options from Italian to seafood to BBQ and pizza to tiki bar drinks and bites. Amalfi is the dinner spot on the second floor paired with Veranda Bar. Outside is the ocean front dining and bar, Wet Whistle. In the Embassy is BBQ and pizza at Black Drum brewing and seafood and breakfast at Coastal Grille.

Amalfi in the Hilton is an ocean front Italian spot. I stared out with the Amalfi coast cocktail that is boozy vodka, floral St. Germaine, and bright lemon. For appetizers we ordered the Three-Cheese and Garlic bread and meatballs. The Three-Cheese and Garlic bread is super good. The cheeses are creamy and sharp and love the flavor explosion on the bread with the garlic and crunch! The surprise bite of the night! The meatballs were rich and hearty with a tangy marinara sauce, creamy and sharp cheese served with grilled bread.

For our dinner John and I split the Filet, a super tender and juicy steak served medium rare. It was a delicious rich and hearty demi glaze, earthy mushroom, creamy mashed potatoes and a grilled tender onion and asparagus. It was my favorite dish of our stay! Then, we also opted for the pork ragu, as well. It includes hearty rigatoni noodles with tender pork, tangy marinara and sharp cheese. Amalfi was my favorite dining experience, while John’s at Black Drum Brewing is below.

Veranda Bar in the Hilton next to Amalfi has bar bites and signature cocktails like the St. Germaine spritz! It was refreshing floral St. Germaine and tart prosecco. The bar has an array of bar bites as well!

Wet Whistle tiki bar is on the pool deck with ocean views. We tried a few of their cocktails like the Booty Bucket, a rum concoction with tons of boozy liquor, juices, and a splash of 151 on top. On the first day, I got the Lime in the coconut, a lime forward vanilla vodka cocktail with coconut. And when we enjoyed the cabana, I got the painkiller, a boozy rum cocktail with tangy OJ, pineapple, and almond liquor. Of the Wet Whistle menu, we chose two dishes, the grilled chicken sandwich and teriyaki wings. The chicken sandwich was solid with juicy grilled chicken, earthy mushrooms, and all the trimmings. It came with some seasoned and crispy fries. John got the teriyaki wings that were meaty, crunchy outside, and warm inside. The sauce was sweet and spicy and just perfect.

On our last night we went over to Black Drum Brewing. It is a BBQ, brew, and wood-fired pizza casual restaurant at the Embassy Suites pool. I opted to start with the Deviled Eggs and they didn’t dissapoint. They were creamy, dreamy, and a good sour cream bite to them. For dinner I got the brisket plate with very tender and meaty brisket that fell apart in my mouth. The waiter recommend mixing a combo of the red and blackberry smoke and we concur. It is the perfect smoky, sweet, savory sauce to go on the meat. It came with two sides: the creamy red potato salade and crunchy, tangy cucumber salad.

John went with the wood-fired pizza. It is tasty marinara and creamy cheese with spicy pepperoni and a good smokiness on the dough from the pizza oven. For drinks John opted for the crisp and cool Side Hustle Light from Side Hustle local brewery. Since I was enjoying meat, I went heavier with a boozy, tart Manhattan and then a sweet, sassy, smoky old fashioned for after dinner.

Beyond all of that there is still thing to get into like the fitness center, spa, and courts! We had a good time one morning playing pickleball, but could use some lessons.

One more thing we enjoyed was the resort shuttle! You could take it in a 2-mile radius and explore more of Myrtle Beach or go to more areas on the resort property. Also, the resort was having a sandcastle built by Create a Sandcastle while we were there and it was fun to watch how much work and math goes into one of them!

BARNSLEY RESORT, ESCAPE TOGETHER

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 2/28/24

Barnsley Resort, where John and I can Escape Together! ️ Just a little over an hour North of our Atlanta home, John and I spent Valentine’s weekend enjoying Barnsley Resort and each other. You feel so far away here from the city but are so close! Everything from the stunning Manor House Ruins and garden, tree-covered walkways, cute and cozy cottages, immersive historical tours, lovely dining options, golf, activities, and so much more, Barnsley Resort has something for everyone.  

Driving in, you’re greeted with a smile by the security guard at the gate! One-part welcome party, he sends you to the Inn at Barnsley to check in. The Inn has become the heart of the property since being completed in 2018. With gathering areas, warm wood, and beautiful English architecture, the Inn boasts 55 rooms. Downstairs in the lobby, join in on the 5pm whiskey tradition, or hang out near the fire pits. Also, don’t miss lounging in the lobby seating area by the fire or the fun key wall behind check-in.  

Our Room, Cottage 

On our weekend, we got to stay in one of the many cottages that dot the landscape around the town square. Walking through them is straight out of a Hallmark movie! Inside, you’re welcomed with a large living space, wood burning fireplace, and sweeping hardwood floors. The bedroom is tucked away behind a pair of French doors with a large comfy king bed, large oval window, and entrance to your own private porch. Then, attached to the bedroom is the luxurious bathroom with pedestal sink, ornate claw foot tub, standing shower and overlooking the tub is a large oval window. We stayed in a smaller cottage, but they have them in all sizes for any family large or small. 

Experiences and the property 

The first thing we did after we got settled in our room was the Wine, Cheese, and Love Stories historical tour where we explored the Barnsley Resort property. Here we literally learn everything there is to know about the property, all while enjoying Barnsley’s very own Santa Clara Valley Estate wine paired with a local farm’s cheeses! 

 We started back at the Inn at Barnsley Resort with Pimento Cheese and Santa Clara Valley Cab. We had a meet and greet with our tour guides and learned about the history of Barnsley, the new Inn building, and more. We find out that Prince Fugger bought the property in 1988 after many years of disrepair and turned it into what it is today, a resort destination, in the Southeast!  

 Our second stop is at the Rice House, which was moved from Savannah and brought to the property in 3 pieces. There we saw our guide Sabre off the top of Barnsley’s grand Cuvée Brut sparkling wine and got paired with a warm brie fondue and dark chocolate fondue. This is the best pairing! 

 Our third stop was the breathtaking Manor House Ruins! It is a must-see garden and ruins right in the middle of the property! Godfrey Barnsley brought his wife and children to the property in 1840s and started work on their lavish mansion. Julia, his wife, passed before it was completed. Work stopped. But he had a dream of her in the garden telling him to finish it for her. So, he did, it is his love letter to her. Then, in 1906 a tornado took off the roof and back wall and the family moved into the kitchen house, and it was never repaired. There we sampled the Monterey Chardonnay and had Tomme cheese, nuts, and fruit. 

 Our final spot was in the kitchen house where we saw the Barnsley decedents washer, wood stove, and where we heard the tale of Preston Saylor (KO Dugan), a prize fighter who later shot his brother and killed him. They have memorialized and enclosed the spot where the blood stain is to this day. There we enjoyed the Santa Clara Valley Meritage merlot and hard cheese spread with fruit! 

Other places you can explore and enjoy activities are the central beer garden where the staff says “the eternal flame” of the property is, the firepit! They are looking to expand and renovate it in the coming years. Attached to the Rice house is a wedding, concert, and large venue for any occassion. If you’re a golfer, they have a large 18 round golf course with a lake! Like out of the box adventures? They have everything from archery to horseback riding to skeet shooting. There is really something fun to do around every corner.  

Dining Experiences at Barnsley Resort 

We attended the Rice House’s incredible 5-course Valentine’s meal Friday evening paired with either carefully curated wine or crafted cocktails! We cannot say enough good things about how wonderful the food and drinks turned out and the impeccable staff! They really made you feel special. Here’s the full food review from our experience. 

We started with the delicious Amuse Bouche with Nicolas Feuillate Champagne, France. This is a meaty and divine meat pate that comes off smoky and creamy to the palate. This is paired with a tangy sauerkraut and a honey drizzle for a hint of sweet. The amuse bouche is served with bread. The perfect flavors of the light creamy meat with the bubbly champagne. 

Our first course started with the Truffle & Foie Gras Stuffed Quail with North Star Merlot, Washington. The Quail is savory, salty, rich, crunchy, earthy truffle, meaty foie gras stuffed and paired with a tangy dried fruit vinaigrette and creamy polenta. Divine! This was served with a light red wine to go with the earthy truffle and hearty meat. The other first course item we got was the Seasonal Beet Tart paired with the Attems Pinot Grigio from Italy. This dish is a crunchy, flaky, buttery tart filled with creamy and earthy beet and goat cheese then adorned with popping passion fruit pearls for a sweet, fruity burst, plus a bright salad on the side. 

You can’t go wrong with the second course, the homemade Mushroom Truffle Tagliatelle with Erath Pinot Noir, Oregon. This might just be the best pasta dish ever starting with the herbaceous and earthy, rich marinated locally foraged mushroom. Tender pasta stuffed with a delectable creamy, herbaceous sauce and topped with shaved truffle. Just wow! The light bodied Pinot Noir really brings out the rich flavors of the pasta.  

Of the entrees, John got the Seared Wagyu Tenderloin with Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon, California. This amazing steak is perfectly cooked and flavorful with a rich and deep demi glaze served with a creamy dreamy potato cake. This went so well with the Cabernet Sauvignon’s deep flavor paired with the meat and demi glaze. I opted for the Pan-Seared Sea Bass with Scattered Peaks Fume Blanc California. This super light and buttery fish is crisped on the outside for a crunchy bite. The balance between the melt-in-your mouth fish and the champagne cream gives it a nice creaminess that’s bright yet light. The light bodied white pairs with the cream so well, and the lightness of the fish.  

As for the dessert, they brought out the Chocolate Espresso Mousse with the Decadent Cocktail. This rich chocolate mousse is super rich and decadent in an arrangement of different flavors from creamy to bold. The Decadent cocktail is their take on an espresso martini, and they were able to make this one decaf for me! Creamy, bold, rich, and literally melts into the flavors of the chocolaty mousse. Yum. 

Whiskey Tradition in the lobby 5pm daily 

When we arrived, the front desk invited us to a special tasting, Whiskey Tradition. It is a tradition that is open to all guests at 5pm each day to try their smoked pecan infused Woodford Reserve whiskey! They take the Woodford and infuse it through smoked pecans right there in the lobby! The smoked pecans are smoked on property and when they change them out, the pecans go on their desserts! 

Woodlands Grill 

If you’re looking for something casual, we’d recommend the Woodlands Grill! A beautiful homey building right on the golf course with sweeping golf course and lake views! The morning we went, we enjoyed an intimate brunch featuring a sensational eggs Benedict with smoked salmon. These were paired with potatoes. John got the regular breakfast with eggs, bacon, and more. They also serve lunch, dinner, and drinks in Dugan’s bar.