Everyone loves vacations, right? There is nothing better than knowing you will be able to relax for however long a time without the stresses of work, or even your social life. You can be as free or as careful as you want to be.
For most families I know, they have a favorite vacation spot that they frequent. For my family growing up, it was a timeshare at Massanutten, Virginia. For my husband Nate, it was a houseboat at Lake Powell, Utah. And I’m sure we will create a new favorite vacation with our own family.
What is your family’s “spot?”
Yes, we all love the safety that comes from going to the same place. But what about branching out and staying at a different kind of place?
There are many types of accommodations, but I have listed out my top 10 vacation accommodations below.
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Hotels – Assuming you already know what a hotel is, this doesn’t need a big explanation. Most people stay in hotels when they travel as they are the “easiest” option that doesn’t require a lot of planning or forethought.
Camping – This is typically the cheapest option if you opt for just a tent under the stars. However, there are other places you can stay if you want to have an outdoors feel, but with better beds. Ranches, glamping or RV’s are good options, but are more expensive.
House Swaps – This is another possibility that can save you money. With house swapping, you pay a fee for the year, but can then stay at as many other houses as you want within that year. The key is that you also agree to let other people stay in your home when you are gone. Check out Home Exchange or Love Home Swap for more info.
Airbnb – This is a way to feel at home even if you are far away. Airbnb allows you to choose from a listing of private rooms, apartments, or entire houses to stay in. You can search by location, price, and/or special features.
House Boats – These are perfect if your family loves the water. As the name suggests, it’s basically a whole house on water. If everyone is paying for their share of the trip, then it can be cost effective because the more guests that come means the less you pay.
Timeshares – These can be good if you are wanting something a little more private. Timeshares can be rented or bought, and have a resort-type vibe. Although not usually all-inclusive, it can give your family a chance to explore the surrounding areas. RCI or Timeshare Users Group are good resources to look into.
Cruises – These are all-inclusive, which makes budgeting a little easier. You normally pay a lump amount, which covers most restaurants and activities on board. However, you need to watch out for tips and any excursions your family may want to take. For cruises that are in demand, check out Disney, Carnival, Norwegian, or Royal Carribean.
Resorts – These come full of their own activities and amenities. Resorts can be all-inclusive or not; it depends what you are looking for. Many bigger resorts have multiple restaurants and pools “on campus” for your family to go to.
Theme Parks – If you are an adrenaline junkie, you might want to stay at a theme park hotel or resort. The perks of staying so close to the action can be enjoying the park before/after hours, free or discounted ticket, and discounted food.
Disney – Disney needs its own category because it has everything! Take one of their cruises, stay on one of their resorts, or play at one of their parks; you will feel like a kid again! For more information on all Disney vacations, click HERE.
Nate and I are using this list as a sort of bucket list for our family. Whether we have done them on our own doesn’t matter anymore because we want to experience everything as a family from now on. So far we can only check off three of those. How about you?
How many of these accommodations have you stayed at? Which one is your favorite? Let me know by leaving a comment!
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