When you live near Myrtle Beach, it can sometimes feel like you’ve done just about every kind of staycation there is. We’ve stayed at resorts, visited the attractions, spent countless days at the beach—and we actually live on a lake ourselves.
But there was one thing our family of four had never done:
We had never spent the night ON the water.
So when we had the opportunity to stay aboard FLOHOM at Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle Beach, I was immediately intrigued.
I’ll also admit that when someone says houseboat, the picture that pops into my head isn’t necessarily “luxury family getaway.”
FLOHOM completely changed that.
If you’ve been searching for a unique place to stay in North Myrtle Beach, a Myrtle Beach staycation idea, or you’re simply wondering what it’s actually like to stay on a houseboat with kids, here’s our experience.
Wait… You Can Stay on a Houseboat at the Barefoot Marina?
Yes!
FLOHOM offers a completely different way to experience North Myrtle Beach: instead of staying beside the water, you’re actually staying on the Intracoastal Waterway.
And that’s really what caught my attention.
We’ve driven past the waterway countless times. We’ve eaten at restaurants overlooking it. We’ve watched boats cruise by.
But sleeping on it?
That was a first for all four of us.
There was something really fun about walking down the dock with our bags knowing that our “home” for the stay wasn’t a hotel room or beach condo—it was floating right in front of us.
Our First Impression of FLOHOM
My first thought when we walked inside was:
This does NOT feel like what I imagined a houseboat would feel like.
Instead of feeling like we were squeezing our family into a boat, it felt much more like checking into a modern vacation rental that just happened to be floating on the water.
And with kids, that distinction matters.
When we’re traveling as a family of four, I want the experience to be memorable, but I also don’t want to sacrifice all the comforts that make traveling with children easier.
FLOHOM gave us the novelty of sleeping on the water without making the entire weekend feel like we were roughing it.
What’s It Actually Like Staying on a Houseboat With Kids?
This was probably my biggest question before our stay.
Would the girls feel the boat moving?
Would sleeping on the water feel strange?
Would we have enough room?
Would I spend the entire time worrying about someone falling into the Intracoastal?
And would anyone actually sleep?
Those are the kinds of things you don’t necessarily think about until someone says, “Hey, want to take your kids to sleep on a houseboat?”
The funny thing is that the unusual part of the experience quickly became what made it so much fun.
For the girls, simply knowing that we were sleeping on the water made the stay feel like an adventure.
And for us, it was one of those experiences where you don’t necessarily need a packed itinerary. Part of the entertainment is simply being there.
Watching the boats.
Sitting outside.
Looking across the water.
Exploring the boat.
And waking up somewhere completely different from home.
The Part My Kids Loved Most
I think the girls would tell you their favorite part of our entire FLOHOM stay was the rooftop deck—and honestly, I can’t blame them!
After dinner, we headed upstairs, made s’mores together and enjoyed them with the most incredible view over the water. There was something so special about sitting up there as a family, watching the sky change colors and the boats go by. It turned a simple night of making s’mores into one of those little vacation memories I know we’ll talk about for a long time.
And one of the questions I had before staying on a houseboat with kids was: Will they actually sleep well?
The answer for us was YES.
The girls slept so well, and the beds were incredibly comfortable. After a full day of swimming, exploring and enjoying the boat, everyone was more than ready to crawl into bed.
So if you’re wondering whether sleeping on a houseboat feels like actually sleeping on a boat, our experience was much more comfortable and relaxing than I expected.
My Favorite Part
For me, it was all about the views and slowing down with my family.
The sunset from FLOHOM was absolutely gorgeous. We spent the evening on the rooftop deck watching the sun go down over the water, and then the next morning, we woke up early enough to watch the sunrise.
Those ended up being some of my favorite moments of the entire stay.
There’s something about being surrounded by water that makes you slow down a little. Instead of feeling like we needed to rush off to the next activity, we could just sit together, watch the boats pass and enjoy where we were.
As a mom, those are usually the moments I end up remembering most—not necessarily the big attractions or packed itineraries, but the quiet moments when we’re all together and nobody is in a hurry to be somewhere else.
Waking Up on the Intracoastal Waterway
This might be the part I was most excited about.
There’s a difference between staying somewhere with a water view and realizing that the water is literally underneath you.
Instead of waking up, throwing open the curtains and looking across a hotel parking lot, you’re waking up right on the Intracoastal Waterway.
Morning coffee just hits differently when boats are passing your front door.
One Huge Perk: The Barefoot Landing Location
Another thing that makes FLOHOM especially interesting for families is the location.
You’re already at Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle Beach, which means you can turn the houseboat stay itself into an entire little North Myrtle Beach getaway.
Restaurants, shopping, entertainment and family attractions are all right there in the area.
That’s a big deal when you’re traveling with kids.
I love an itinerary as much as anyone, but I don’t necessarily love loading everyone into the car every single time we want food or something to do.
With a stay like this, you could spend part of the day enjoying North Myrtle Beach and then come back to the boat and have the water become the entertainment.
Does a Houseboat Feel Like a Boat?
This was one of my biggest questions before our stay, and I’m guessing other parents might be wondering the same thing.
Yes, you can occasionally tell you’re on the water—but it was very minimal during our stay.
We would sometimes notice a little movement when a larger wake came through, but for the most part, we really didn’t feel much movement at all.
Obviously, conditions on the water can vary, so someone else’s experience could be different depending on boat traffic, weather and the water that day. But during our stay, the movement was minimal enough that it wasn’t an issue for our family.
In fact, once we were settled inside, there were plenty of moments when I completely forgot we were technically sleeping on a boat!
And considering how well the girls slept, I’d say they weren’t bothered by it either.
Things I Recommend Bringing for a Houseboat Stay With Kids
I would approach packing similarly to a family vacation rental.
A few things I’d consider bringing include:
- Comfortable pajamas and layers for evenings outside
- Easy breakfast foods and snacks
- Refillable water bottles
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Chargers
- A few simple activities for downtime
- Comfortable shoes for exploring Barefoot Landing
- A small overnight bag rather than massively overpacking
What Amenities Are Included at FLOHOM?
One of the things that surprised us most about FLOHOM was just how much was included. Even though you’re staying on a houseboat, it really feels more like a fully equipped vacation rental—just with a much better view!
Here are some of the amenities you’ll find aboard FLOHOM 17 | Selah, Sailor:
- 2 private bedrooms with king-size beds
- 2 full bathrooms with full-size showers
- Queen-size sleeper sofa
- Sleeps up to 6 guests
- Fully equipped kitchen with everything we needed to prepare meals
- Indoor living and dining space
- Rooftop deck overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway
- Rooftop fire feature, perfect for our evening s’mores
- Outdoor seating and lounging areas
- Beautiful water and sunset views
- Access to the Barefoot Resort pool
- Convenient access to Barefoot Landing for restaurants, shopping and entertainment
- Wi-Fi
- Climate-controlled interior
- Linens and bedding
- Bath essentials
- On-site marina setting
For our family, having a full kitchen was especially nice. Instead of having to go back out for dinner after swimming, we came back to FLOHOM, made dinner together and then headed upstairs for s’mores on the rooftop deck while the sun went down.
And if you’re traveling with a larger group, there’s also a sister FLOHOM, Palmera, just a few slips away, which can sleep up to four additional guests. Booking both can accommodate up to 10 overnight guests, which could be such a fun option for an extended-family trip or getaway with friends.
What I loved is that you really don’t have to choose between having the conveniences of a vacation rental and having a unique experience. You get the bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen and comfortable beds—but you’re waking up directly on the water.
Amenities and availability can change, so I always recommend confirming current inclusions directly with FLOHOM when booking.
Is FLOHOM Good for Families?
Based on the experience we were looking for, what makes FLOHOM interesting isn’t simply that it’s somewhere to sleep.
The accommodation IS part of the vacation.
That’s an important distinction.
If you’re visiting Myrtle Beach and plan to leave your room at 7 a.m. and not return until bedtime, there are obviously plenty of traditional hotel options.
But if you’re looking for something your kids are going to remember as part of the trip itself, sleeping on a houseboat adds an entirely different experience.
Instead of:
“Remember that hotel we stayed at?”
It’s:
“Remember when we slept on a HOUSEBOAT?”
That’s the kind of family travel experience I love finding.
Who I Think Would Love This Stay
I think a FLOHOM stay could be especially fun for:
Families looking for a unique Myrtle Beach vacation, locals wanting a North Myrtle Beach staycation, couples looking for something different for an anniversary, families celebrating a birthday or special occasion, and anyone who’s already done the traditional Myrtle Beach resort experience and wants something completely different.
I also think this would be such a fun surprise trip for kids.
Don’t tell them where you’re staying.
Drive to Barefoot Landing.
Grab the bags.
Start walking toward the marina.
Then casually say:
“Oh, by the way… we’re sleeping on a houseboat tonight.”
Please record their reaction.
So… Would We Stay on a Houseboat Again?
YES. Absolutely.
After experiencing FLOHOM as a family of four, I can confidently say this is something we would do again.
What surprised me most was that it wasn’t simply the novelty of saying, “We slept on a houseboat!”
It was the entire experience.
Swimming at the Barefoot Resort pool. Coming back and making dinner in the fully stocked kitchen. Taking our s’mores upstairs to the rooftop deck. Watching the sunset together. Falling asleep on the water. Waking up to the sunrise. And then sitting there that final morning trying to soak up the view for just a few more minutes before it was time to leave.
We’ve lived by the water for years, but spending the night on it really was different.
If you’re looking for a unique family staycation in North Myrtle Beach—or you’re visiting Myrtle Beach and want an experience that’s a little different from the traditional hotel or beach condo—FLOHOM is definitely one to have on your radar.
And if you ask my girls?
I’m pretty sure the rooftop s’mores alone would get their vote for another stay.
Planning Your Own FLOHOM Stay in North Myrtle Beach
If you’re looking for unique places to stay in Myrtle Beach with kids, FLOHOM is definitely one to put on your radar.
The combination of sleeping directly on the Intracoastal Waterway and being at Barefoot Landing makes it a completely different experience from the traditional Myrtle Beach hotel or condo vacation.
And sometimes that’s exactly what makes a family trip memorable.
We’ve lived around Myrtle Beach for years and already live beside a lake.
But this trip gave us something we’d never done before:
We got to call the water home for the night.
And I have a feeling that’s the part the girls will remember.
Our FLOHOM stay was hosted in exchange for content. As always, all experiences and opinions shared on MommaReview are our own.
