Tracy IsemingerSummer will be here before you know it, and if your family is already looking forward to your next big vacation, it might be time to consider your accommodations. Traveling as a family can present challenges when it comes to finding a suitable place to stay, but luckily, there are more options than ever. The vacation rental market has exploded in recent years, leaving travelers with lots of new options when making arrangements. On top of that, hotel chains continue to expand their footprints and add new amenities to entice guest. But how do you know which is right for you? Vacation rentals vs. hotels for families…
If you’re not sure which option is right for your family, here are a few questions to ask yourselves:
How large is your family? If you’re traveling as a family of two or three, you probably don’t need a ton of space. Most hotel rooms include two queen-sized beds, and you can upgrade to a one-bedroom suite for a little more privacy without too much of an added cost at many properties. It might not make sense to rent a large vacation rental property when there are only a couple of you on the trip.
On the other hand, if you’ve got a few kiddos or the extended family in tow, a vacation rental can be a great way to get the space you need without paying a huge premium. You can search most vacation rental sites by the number of bedrooms and bathrooms a property offers, so you can be sure to find a place with the space to accommodate your family.
Are you willing to clean up? For many, the idea of going on vacation is closely linked to staying in a hotel with a housekeeping service. Not having to pick up after yourself can be a highlight of your trip when you’re constantly cleaning for everyone else at home, and the cost of this service is already included in the price of your stay.
If you opt for a vacation rental, you’ll likely have to clean up after yourselves before you check out. While you’ll likely be expected to tidy up the house, empty the fridge, wash the dishes and consolidate your trash before you leave, you’ll probably still be charged a cleaning fee for a service to come in and handle things like the linen. If this doesn’t bother you a bit, a vacation rental could be a great choice for your family, but if the idea of ending your vacation with a few minutes of cleaning up sours your mood, you may want to stick with a traditional hotel.
How active will you be? Vacation rentals are perfect for families who want to spend part of their vacation relaxing together. Do you want to wind down at the end of the day with a family board game or movie night? Does the idea of playing a round of ping-pong in the family game room sound awesome? If that kind of experience sounds ideal, you’ll want to look into vacation rentals. Since you’re often renting a full home, you probably won’t suffer for space. As a bonus, your vacation rental may already come stocked with games to play, films to watch, or other fun amenities.
Active families who want to spend every moment of their vacation out and about might benefit more from a more traditional hotel. When you’re focused on doing and seeing as much as possible, you’ll often only return to the hotel to shower and sleep before setting out the next day. In those situations, it can be easier to find a hotel in the heart of the action.
These questions should give you a starting point to determine the best accommodations for your family. How do you decide where your family should stay? Share in the comments!
