There’s no doubt that family vacations can be stressful. Coordinating schedules, picking activities everyone will like and packing for the entire crew requires plenty of careful thought – enough that sometimes that nice beach getaway starts to sound more like a taxing nightmare than a relaxing way to refresh. Luckily, with the right preparation and a few handy tips, you’ll be sure to return from your family vacation with fond memories rather than a migraine. One of the best ways to ensure everything goes smoothly is to stay in a vacation rental home rather than a traditional hotel room. Here are seven ways they can make your next trip that much easier, so you can skip straight to the fun.
Convenient Kitchens
Most rental homes offer the convenience of fully-equipped kitchens. Instead of rushing out the door for breakfast, everyone can take a leisurely pace in the mornings and be on their own schedule. You’ll have the flexibility to decide if you want to grab a bite while out sightseeing, or make your own sandwiches to bring to the beach. Not to mention that if you have any picky eaters or family members with food allergies, you won’t be at the mercy of what’s offered at a continental breakfast or the restaurants that happen to be nearby. You can easily do grocery runs and stock up on everyone’s favorite bites. Plus, eating in saves time and money that can be better spent on making lasting family memories.
Courtesy of Wyndham Vacation Rentals
Shared living space
Family vacations aren’t only about where you went and what you did; they’re also about spending quality time together. Most rental homes have living rooms or communal spaces where the whole family can convene. Pop some popcorn and fire up a movie, or break out the board games and enjoy some friendly competition. Hop on the couch and read the little ones books they chose at the souvenir shop. These moments can be just as memorable as the sights you see.
Laundry Facilities
Many rental homes offer in-unit washers and dryers, which can be extremely handy when you’re traveling with the family. Forget trying to cram your bags until their overflowing and the zippers are bursting. Pack fewer clothes without worrying about having enough, especially when it comes to babies and toddlers who inevitably go through frequent changes. Plus, you’ll always have dry towels no matter how many times in one day the kids want to hit the pool or beach.
Multiple Bedrooms
If you’re traveling with a baby or young children, the last thing you and your spouse want to do on vacation is turn in when the little ones go down. And if you’ve got a bigger family it can be a nice break for everyone to get some space and down time to themselves. A rental home gives you the space for everyone to have separate rooms. During naps, you can catch up on that beach read, fit in some yoga or take a dip in the pool. If you’re traveling with older kids or teenagers, you’ll avoid the conflict that can come from spending too much time together in close quarters. Separate rooms also help everyone stick to more familiar daily routines, something that’s all-too-important when you’re traveling with tots.
Courtesy of Wyndham Vacation Rentals
Pet-Friendly Options
With a vacation rental you won’t have to leave Fido behind with a pet sitter. With a whole house at your disposal, it’s much easier to bring along the family pet, who your kids might be hesitant to leave behind. Plus, your pet will feel right at home too since you’ll be able to better mirror their usual home routine like setting up their food and water bowls in the kitchen or hanging their leash on the back door.
Room for All
With the extra space and privacy that vacation rentals offer, you can easily travel with a larger group. Bringing grandma and grandpa along not only adds to the fun, but it can free up time for you to relax on vacation too so you can sneak off for some pampering or just enjoy some quiet time with a good book and a glass of wine. Some rental homes even offer 12+ bedrooms, so you can even plan that family reunion with the entire extended family you’ve been thinking about.
Courtesy of Wyndham Vacation Rentals
Service When You Need It
If you book a vacation rental that’s managed by a professional management company, you’ll still have assurance that somebody’s available if you need help during your trip. Most companies have established service and quality standards for their properties, unlike renting directly from an owner who isn’t necessarily qualified to deliver a hospitality-grade experience. A few brands that professionally manage vacation homes include Wyndham Vacation Rentals, ResortQuest and Vacation Palm Springs.
To learn more about vacation rentals visit Wyndham Vacation Rentals.