CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for hotels and motels in Murrells Inlet, SC
Hotels and motels in the Murrells Inlet, SC micropolitan area: 17 establishments in 2023, the local area codes, and what phone service costs a 19-person team.
- Establishments
- 17CBP 2023
- Employees
- 322mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 25.7U.S. 16.4
- Rank
- 496th of 917areas by count
Hotels and motels in Murrells Inlet, SC by the numbers
The Census Bureau's 2023 County Business Patterns lists 17 establishments classified as Hotels (except Casino Hotels) and Motels (NAICS 721110) in the Murrells Inlet, SC micropolitan area. They employed 322 people in mid-March and paid $8,933,000 in annual payroll. By establishment count the area is 496th out of 917 areas with published figures for hotels and motels.
Measured against its 66,035 residents (2024 estimate), the area has 25.7 hotels and motels per 100,000 people; the U.S. rate is 16.4, so Murrells Inlet, SC is 56.6% above the national figure. The average establishment here has 18.9 employees, compared with 26.8 nationally. Payroll per employee comes to $27,742, 29.5% below the national $39,374.
| Measure | Murrells Inlet, SC | South Carolina | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 17 | 1,131 | 55,895 |
| Mid-March employees | 322 | 26,778 | 1,497,840 |
| Annual payroll | $8,933,000 (moderate noise) | $857,807,000 | $58,976,358,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 18.9 | 23.7 | 26.8 |
| Payroll per employee | $27,742 | $32,034 | $39,374 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 25.7 | 20.6 | 16.4 |
Census County Business Patterns 2023 (mid-March employment; annual payroll). Employees and payroll flagged high-noise are shown but not used in the text. Residents: Census Vintage 2024 estimates.
Establishment size: hotels and motels in Murrells Inlet, SC
Of the hotels and motels in Murrells Inlet, SC that had employees in March 2023, 25.0% had fewer than five (the U.S. share is 30.9%). 43.8% had fewer than ten. For a business of a few people, phone coverage is a staffing question as much as a technology one: someone has to be free to pick up, or the call needs somewhere sensible to go.
| Employment size | Establishments | Share | U.S. share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–4 employees | 4 | 25.0% | 30.9% |
| 5–9 employees | 3 | 18.8% | 14.9% |
| 10–19 employees | 5 | 31.3% | 21.7% |
| 20–49 employees | 4 | 25.0% | 23.1% |
| 50 or more employees | 0 | 0.0% | 9.4% |
Employment-size classes count establishments by mid-March 2023 employment. Establishments with no March employees are excluded from the size classes, so shares are of establishments with employees. Source: Census County Business Patterns 2023.
Calls a hotel in Murrells Inlet, SC has to catch
Independent hotels take reservations, guest requests and group inquiries by phone, and the front desk is staffed around the clock. Calls that go unanswered may become bookings elsewhere. That holds for hotels and motels in Murrells Inlet, SC as much as anywhere.
A few of the calls that come in to hotels and motels in Murrells Inlet, SC:
- A traveler calls to ask about availability this weekend.
- A guest calls the front desk for extra towels.
- An event planner calls about a room block.
Texting guests
Hotels text check-in details and guest service updates.
Texts sent from a local business number in Murrells Inlet, SC have to be registered with carriers first (10DLC); on Callata that is a one-time $49 fee, after which the whole team can text from the shared number.
What a phone system costs a hotel in Murrells Inlet, SC
The average hotel in Murrells Inlet, SC has 18.9 employees, so a 19-person team is a reasonable benchmark. Per-seat business phone plans bill every one of those people. At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 19 users on RingCentral RingEX Core cost $570.00 a month and 19 on Ooma Office Pro cost $474.05. Callata comes to $379.00 a month for 19 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $2,292 less than RingCentral for a hotel in Murrells Inlet, SC of that size. Annual contracts lower some competitors' prices, so compare the plan you would actually sign.
| Provider (plan) | Pricing basis | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Callata (Callata Office) | $99 incl. 5 users, $20 per extra user | $379.00 | $4,548.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $361.00 | $4,332.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $437.00 | $5,244.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $474.05 | $5,688.60 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $513.00 | $6,156.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $570.00 | $6,840.00 |
Competitor prices are each vendor's published month-to-month list price per user for its lowest plan that includes business calling and texting, checked September 28, 2026: Quo Starter $19, Nextiva Core $23, Ooma Office Pro $24.95 (Essentials excludes texting; one-time $29.95 activation not included), Dialpad Standard $27, RingCentral RingEX Core $30 ($20 billed annually). Prices exclude taxes and fees and may change; annual contracts lower some competitors' prices.
Which area code to use in Murrells Inlet, SC
NANPA records place the exchanges of the area's named cities and towns in 2 area codes. 843 has the most, with 25 of 30 exchanges (83%). A local number lets guests in Murrells Inlet, SC call without dialing out of area. Callata includes up to 3 local numbers, and which numbers are open in an area code depends on carrier inventory when you choose.
| Area code | Exchanges | Time zone | In service since | Overlay with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 843 | 25 | Eastern | 1998 | 854 |
| 854 | 5 | Eastern | 2015 | 843 |
Exchanges are NANPA-assigned central office codes (NPA-NXX) in the rate centers matched to the area's named places. Source: NANPA utilized code and NPA reports.
Setting up Callata for a hotel in Murrells Inlet, SC
Callata is a business phone system priced at $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user. Callata Office includes up to 3 local business numbers, unlimited inbound calling, 1,500 pooled outbound US and Canada minutes per user each month, a browser softphone that can also ring your cell, voicemail with transcription, call recording with AI summaries, business-hours routing and E911 on every number.
Porting a number you already use in Murrells Inlet, SC is free, and business texting is available once the carrier registration (10DLC) is approved; the registration carries a one-time $49 fee. Which specific numbers are open in a given area code depends on carrier inventory at the time you sign up.
AI agents are optional: an AI receptionist or scheduler can pick up when the team is busy or closed, take a message, send a text or email, or transfer the call. They draw on prepaid AI minutes ($0.25/minute), disclose that they are AI, and outbound AI calls require prior consent and are limited to 8am–9pm.
Frequently asked questions
How many hotels and motels are there in Murrells Inlet, SC?
Census County Business Patterns counted 17 hotels and motels in the Murrells Inlet, SC micropolitan area in 2023. They employed 322 people in mid-March.
What does a business phone system cost for a 19-person hotel?
At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 19 users cost $570.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $474.05 on Ooma Office Pro. On Callata, $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user, the same team pays $379.00.
What area code should a hotel in Murrells Inlet, SC use?
Area code 843 has the most assigned exchanges among the area's named places, followed by 854. If you already have a local number, you can port it to Callata for free.
Can an AI receptionist answer calls for a hotel?
Yes. Callata's optional AI agents can answer when the team is busy or closed, take a message, text, email or transfer the call. They disclose that they are AI and are billed from prepaid AI minutes at $0.25 per minute.