Priority #1: Kitchen
Since this was going to be a longish-term stay, we needed to find a place with a kitchen. We do not want to eat out every meal for 7 days! My yet-to-be-purchased bathing suit wouldn't fit anymore! (Sidenote: any recommendations for figure-flattering one-pieces are appreciated!)Priority #2: Second bedroom
Maybe we're spoiling ourselves, or spoiling our 22-mo son (J), but for any length of stay, we'd prefer, perhaps even need, J to sleep in a separate bedroom. The last time we shared a room, neither me nor the hubby got any sleep, because we couldn't toss and turn to find that perfect spot, for fear of waking up J. Maybe J is a deeper sleeper now, but we'd still prefer a second bedroom.Priority#3: Cost
My first stop to find a place that met our needs was Trip Advisor.Hotel choices :(
I could not find a single hotel that had both suites (1+ bedroom) AND a kitchenette!
Avenue Inn, rated #1, had suites for $250/night with no kitchenette.
The Hotel Rehoboth, rated #2, had one suite with 2 bedrooms but no kitchenette at $380+/night.
The Atlantis Inn had kitchenettes but no separate bedrooms at $230+/night.
Too pricey! And none met all of our needs.
Home/Condo choices :)!
We looked around on HomeAway and Vacation Rentals to find a rental home/condo. We looked for properties with good reviews, though it seemed like every place had a good review. At first, we looked at places really close to the beach, but then the hubby made me realize that staying further away, (1) we could use the money saved on the property for something else, and (2) wouldn't be so bad considering we wouldn't visit the beach EVERY day. You're so smart, hubby!
We made an inquiry on a property. It was a total steal but was unfortunately booked. However, the interested party had not sent in their deposit yet, so I let the owner know that if that deal fell through, we were still interested. What would you know, two weeks later we get an email saying that the deal fell through and the property was ours if we wanted it!
SCORE!
It feels so good to have a property secured, and at such a great price! We also rented a crib from a local company because our son does not like to sleep in Pack-n-Plays, which aren't even meant for sleeping in!
Here's some more resources for traveling:
- Babble: The Top Hotels for Kids in 2011
- Lots of information on Parents.com special section, including Best Family Friendly Hotels in America
- Ciao Bambino looks like a great resource for international travel
Lastly, Kristin at Mondays with Mac did a review of a new hotel-search site called Deal Angel. The feature I like the most is that the site tells you which days are the least and most expensive to stay. Kristin's also hosting a Traveling with Kids Chat Party on her Facebook page today from 11am to 1pm. A lucky participant will win a $10 gift card to a "coffee establishment" of his/her choice.
Feel free to provide reco's for RHB or 1-piece bathing suits
or your own travel resources!
Have a great weekend, everyone!
or your own travel resources!
Have a great weekend, everyone!
Show some love. Leave a comment below and I'll definitely respond!
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Originally posted at expandng.com - Finding family-friendly accommodations
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Originally posted at expandng.com - Finding family-friendly accommodations
I love that you are also looking for a figure-flattering one-piece! I've been obsessed with shopping online for one for the past few weeks. Hoping you might do a future post on the best ones you find. :)
ReplyDeleteso awesome that you got this place. :)
ReplyDeletei was totally going to do a post on one-piece bathing suits..... this year i'll definitely have to go with a one-piece, and there are some really pretty ones out there. i think i'll do a post next week on it. :)
hope you have a great weekend. i'm heading to jersey to drop off my MIL... frank's unsure if he wants to come along or not... so as soon as he makes a decision, i can decide when i am going to leave and what i'll do over the wknd.
hugs!
When we vacationed with friends in Grand Cayman a few years ago, we opted to rent a condo, instead of stay in a hotel. It was the best decision ever. For the money we'd save on eating out all the time, we were able to rent an oceanfront condo with a screened in patio that opened up to the beach. UNBELIEVABLE! Last winter, we also wanted a quick weekend away and used VRBO.com to find a condo in our destination city. It worked out beautifully. Whenever we travel like that going forward, we will definitely rent a condo/house over staying in a hotel ... being able to cook your own meals (with or without a child) is actually pretty darn important!!!
ReplyDeleteOh two more things ...
ReplyDeleteFirst, when my grandparents were alive, they had a beach house in BETHANY BEACH, which is NEXT TO Rehoboth. I used to go there as a kid - and loved it. How crazy is that?
Also, I was just looking for one-piece suits ... check out Soma.com ... they have some suits that would seem to be flattering for lots of body types (not cheap, though, fyi).
Happy Happy Friday~ We have yet to vacation with T, but thanks for the resources ... something to look forward to~ Luckily for us, we eat out all the time (the wifey is not a very good cook) so we should have an easier time finding a place to stay, if we ever go on vaca~
ReplyDeletewhenever we go away, we always get a 2bdrm suite even though i usually end up sleeping with K (because i'm scared that someone will break in and take her!) but it's the option of having a 2nd bdrm that's nice.
ReplyDeletewe also make sure we have some sort of small kitchen so we can buy groceries and cook breakfast/pack lunch (so much more economical!) and just go out for dinners.
I wish I had some good recs for you for hotels. Every time I walk through Sears, they seem to have great deals. The last bathing suit I bought was a maternity suit. LOL! I love Macy's bathing suits, but they can be expensive. The last time we went on vacation, we shared a room with Baby C too. I agree with you, it's tough. Next week, Grandma is coming to visit and we are all going to stay in a condo in the mountains. Baby C and grandma are roomies! Woohoo!
ReplyDeleteI have used HomeAway twice before and will use them again for future trips. Renting a condo or house is the best! Having to cook everyday doesn't seem as bad when you are on vacation. Keep the meals simple. Sorry - no suggestions on the bathing suit but I look forward to hearing what you find!
ReplyDeleteNo advice on swimsuits or what to do in RHB. But I can't wait to see your photos and hope you have a great little vacation!
ReplyDeleteWe went to Rehoboth Beach years ago, so I am no help, sorry but we loved it.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I hate bathing suits, although I do like the two piece that cover completely, not sure what you call them, but when my kids were small it was so much easier going potty for me just yanking the bottom down, especially since the suit was wet, I hate taking off a wet suit to use the restroom and with kids it gets complicated and mine usually were in the bathroom with me, even though Daddy was there.
Mossimo at Target has a cute Tankini for about $24.00. I always got inexpensive suits because I use to get three or four since I wore them all summer.
Have fun, can't wait to see your photos.
That's great that you were able to get the condo you wanted! We've used Home Away and VRBO several times for family trips and have had great experiences. We love having a kitchen to make meals in and a separate room for our twin girls. Looking forward to reading about your upcoming trip!
ReplyDelete