Planning a vacation can seem like a daunting task because of the large number of resort options. You may wonder where you even start.
Here are 10 things I look for when choosing a resort:
APPEARANCE
Is the resort attractive and in good condition? Does it look family oriented or geared towards adults? What sets the resort apart from others I’ve looked at? Does it have areas we can walk around or spots where you can relax and hang out? How are the gardens and the lobby? Does it look like it needs major upgrades?
Beaches Resort
SPACE
I can’t stress it enough…my family likes our space! Especially when the girls were younger and had early bed times, we needed a place to unwind for a few hours without waking them up. I’ll never forget when, in Bermuda, my husband sat in the bathroom watching a movie on his iPad so he wouldn’t wake up the kids. A suite with a door to the bedroom is a great solution. That way, you can all sleep in the same room but not have to do it at the same time.
ACTIVITIES FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY
Resorts often cater to families by giving them lots of activities to do while they are there. Is there a kids club where you can drop them off and have some adult time? My girls loved learning to go clamming when we stayed at the Nonantum. Are there activities you can do together, like water sports or crafts?
POOL/BEACH
My family loves to swim and we rarely stay at a hotel that doesn’t give us access to water. It’s such an easy way to entertain the kids and lets me either swim with them or read a book by the side of the pool.
SECURITY
My girls and I sometimes travel without my husband and when it’s just us, I am always cautious about our safety. I make sure there is someone at the front desk for the entire night and check to see if there is a security guard on duty. In the room, I make sure there is a deadbolt and I try to avoid rooms with an outdoor entrance.
RESTAURANTS
On-site restaurants are a plus because there are always days when you just feel like staying close to your room and not leave the hotel. I also love when you have the option of going to a local restaurant in case you want to leave the resort. When staying in the Caribbean, I love having the option of strolling down the beach to find somewhere to eat.
ACCESSIBILITY
After being on a plane for several hours, the last thing a kid want to do is get in a car and drive 3-4 hours, so I like to choose a resort that is easy to get to. St. Lucia had some beautiful resorts but many of them required you to drive over mountains filled with hairpin turns for several hours to get there. Not exactly the relaxing way you want to start off your vacation.
PRICE
The price of the resort can make-it or break-it. When determining your budget, consider the amenities. Does it include food, activities, or transportation? Will you be doing much at the resort or simply using it as a home base? It may have lots of amenities, but if you’re not going to use them then what’s the point?
CLEANLINESS
This one is a must. You should never settle for an unclean resort. Read reviews on sites such as TripAdvisor, to see what they say. Do people mention the cleanliness of the rooms, lobby, hallways, or pools? TripAdvisor has the option of asking people specific questions about a resort or restaurant and I ask all the time. If your resort is on the beach, ask what the water is like? Is there lots of seaweed? Do they rake the sand daily?
BREAKFAST
I hate leaving the resort for breakfast and would rather just run down to the resort restaurant for a quick meal. No restaurant? Does the room had a kitchen, microwave, or fridge so you can make your own meals?
What does your family look for when you’re choosing a resort?
