Featured in Family Circle, February 2007
BY ELLEN H. PARLAPIANO
Why?
You’ll have the comforts of home and plenty of space to sprawl. It’s an economical move, too: Having access to a kitchen saves money on eating out, and splitting the cost with relatives nets you more rooms for your buck.
Smart Strategies
Use vacation rental websites such as ResorTime.com, ResortQuest.com and HomeAway.com to target possibilities in your desired geographic area. Also, connect with local real estate agents. If you’re in the market for a beach house near San Diego, for example, search the Internet for “San Diego vacation rentals” and you’ll find lists of agencies to contact. “Ask for details about the amenities,” says Maggie Eskicioglu, a family travel agent with American Express Travel. Make sure there’s a washer and dryer if you want them, and inquire about pools, tennis, golf, and boat and bike rentals.
Crowd-Pleasing Ideas
ResortQuest’s Family Reunion Package includes a $250 grocery allowance, free family portrait and Family Lore Game, when you book a select vacation home. One great choice is the 4-bedroom, 4-bath beachfront beauty that sleeps 12 in Bonita Springs, Florida, featuring a home theater for watching movies, a fully equipped rec room for playing pool and video games, and a screened lanai for viewing sunsets and dolphins. Weekly rentals start at $3,175, depending on season (call 800-GO-RELAX).
Success Secret
“Set ground rules up front,” says June Roy-Martin from Pittsfield, Massachusetts, who found two apartments, one on top of the other, for a recent trip. Grandparents stayed in the downstairs unit, while she, her husband, and their 9- and 12-year-old sons shared the upstairs space with Aunt Eileen. Decide ahead of time whether you’ll buy your own food or fund a communal “pot” for groceries. “At restaurants, when the check came, we all paid for what we ate.”
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