Top 10 Reasons for a Rental!

After a few long, whiny, nights full of crying and fussing…and that was me, not the kids…we started renting condos for vacations.  Think a rental might be a good option for your family?  Here are 10 reasons for a rental:

SPACE

I don’t know about you, but the most important factor of our accommodations is my family has their own space to spread out. When we are in cramped areas we slowly turn into cornered animals that can turn on each other in a split second. It turns into a National Geographic documentary with my daughters stalking each other like prey. OK, OK…that may be pushing it…but it sure is nice to have some room.  A house rental gives everyone their privacy and allows us all to choose our own schedule. My husband is a night owl so it’s great for when he wants to go in the living room to watch some TV after the kids go to bed, or allows my daughters to sleep in if I get up early.

KITCHEN

Although it’s great to be at a resort where someone does all the cooking for you, it’s sometimes nicer to be able to stay in your pj’s, make some coffee and breakfast, and sit on your porch enjoying your view. It also gives you the opportunity to use the local markets and farm stands. And let’s face it, there are some nights when your kids are so tired from a long day of fun they may not be able to handle going back out and sit through dinner. Once when we were in Grand Cayman we asked our 6-year-old if she would be able to behave at dinner. She looked us right in the eye and said, “No, I don’t think that’s going to happen.” Well…OK…thank you for your honesty! What could have been a disaster restaurant visit turned out to be a great night as we cooked up a quick meal at the condo, ate by the pool, and went for a night swim

     SAVE SOME MONEY

When you are traveling with more than 4 people, it usually requires you to get a suite or adjoining rooms. This can double the cost of a hotel visit. Aren’t there more important things you want to spend your money on while you’re traveling?

     MULTIPLE FAMILIES

If you are traveling with multiple families the fun part is being able to be in the same place. If you rent a house, you can have different areas so you are not all on top of each other while still being able to be together instead of spread out among a hotel.

     AMENITIES

 You’d be amazed at the amenities that  come with some rentals. If we are at a warm destination I won’t even consider a place without a pool or a beach. Some rentals give you access to gyms, golf courses, tennis courts, playgrounds, beach toys, beach chairs, beach towels, and cribs.

     OPTIONS

 When we stay in a hotel we know we will be in either a room or a suite, but when you rent, you have many more options: house, condo, townhouse, or studio. When we rent a house we try to find a place that fits the type of experience we most want to have. When we were in Portugal we stayed in three towns. In Lisbon we wanted to experience city living so we stayed in an apartment in the oldest part of the city. In Obidos, we chose a house within the walls of the medieval village, In Cascais, a beach town, we rented a house with a view of the water and a minute walk to the best beach in town.

     PETS

Some rentals allow you to bring your furry friend.  I would love to bring my golden retrievers with me on vacation! How fun would that be? I have friends that bring their dog to South Carolina each year and they love bringing him out to the beach every evening to run in the waves.

     WASHER/DRYER

 I am a chronic over-packer. My suitcase may have exactly what I need for the week when suddenly the “What if’s” start popping in my brain and suddenly my bag is bulging at the seams. If I have a washer/dryer I am much more relaxed knowing I have the option of reusing our outfits, so I pack much less.

     OUTDOOR SPACES

What I hate most about being in a hotel room is the inability to step outside to walk around and get some fresh air. I like to see the girls playing in a backyard or reading on a patio. When we travel to a warm location, especially during winter,  I can’t get enough of being outside.

    HOME

A rental has a homey feeling and you get the chance to experience what it would be like to be a local. You may have your own room, your own parking space, and privacy.  It gives you the feeling of being part of the community.  It’s so relaxing to come home to.