Ideas For Staycation Or Vacation This Summer
By Georgina Cruz
This time of year, many a family is planning a “staycation” in the
Treasure Coast or a getaway or summer vacation in Florida and at other
destinations with the kids. Where to go is foremost on people’s minds,
but where to stay also deserves careful consideration. As important as
the trip’s destination, choice of accommodations is crucial,
particularly for families with young children.
To find the most family-friendly accommodations, think
“home-like.” There’s no place like “home” for family travel: the most
family-friendly accommodations are those that provide home-like
comforts such as houses, condos and villas that can be rented short
term. That way, families do not have to give up the conveniences of
home while on vacation –things like a kitchen and washer and dryer,
that come in very handy when junior needs three changes of clothes in
one day, and for quick-out-the-door breakfasts that can be fixed and
enjoyed before setting out, an occasional meal in, and milk and snacks
that can be kept fresh in the fridge for young and old.
These types of accommodations are often priced at about the same rate
as two hotel rooms so they make special sense for families who need
(or want) more space. Here is a selection of accommodations that are a
home away from home in Florida, the Caribbean and beyond.
— All Star Vacation Homes — All Star Vacation Homes offers vacation
homes, townhouses and condos in Orlando in close proximity to Central
Florida’s theme parks and attractions. Its Guest Services team is
available throughout guests’ stay to answer questions about
check-in/check-out procedures, local attractions and directions. Many
of the vacation homes include home theaters and resort amenities.
Visit www.allstarvacationhomes.com.
Disney Vacation Club — The Disney Vacation Club offers a variety of
studios, one-, two- and three-bedroom villas available for short-term
rental on Walt Disney World property as well as at locations in Vero
Beach on the Teasure Coast; Hilton Head Island, South Carolina;
Anaheim, California (at Disneyland Park) and Ko Olina on the island of
Oahu, near Honolulu, Hawaii. Recreational and resort amenities include
swimming pools, playgrounds and a variety of family-friendly
restaurants. At Disney World several of the Disney Vacation Club
Resorts are particularly appealing to families with small children:
Disney’s Bay Lake Tower Resort, within walking distance (or a monorail
ride) to the Magic Kingdom — families can watch the nightly fireworks
displays at the park from some rooms and from a Skywalk and terrace at
the resort – Disney’s Grand Floridian Villas and Disney’s Polynesian
Village Villas and Bungalows, also all a monorail ride away from the
Magic Kingdom, and Disney’s Beach Club Villas, within walking distance
of Epcot and a short boat ride from Disney’s Hollywood Studios Park.
Visit disneybeachresorts.com and www.disneyworld.com.
— Hilton Grand Vacations Club — This company offers
villa-type accommodations for short-term rental in Orlando an d other
Florida cities, other popular spots in the U.S., including Hawaii, and
in Canada and Europe. One of the Orlando properties is the Hilton
Grand Vacations Club International Drive, themed to Tuscany and
convenient to Orlando parks and attractions. It features studios,
one-, two- and three-bedroom accommodations. Visit
www.hiltongrandvacations.com.
— Marriott Vacation Club — The Marriott Vacation Club
offers several properties in Florida, the Caribbean, Hawaii and Europe
— among the latter, the Marriott Village d’Ile-de-France at Bailly
Romainvilliers near Paris and within five miles of Disneyland Paris.
This property offers one- and two-bedroom villas with the conveniences
of home and shuttle service to the Disney parks. Visit
www.marriott.com.
— Wimco– A villa rental specialist with properties in
the Caribbean, the U.S., including Hawaii, and Europe, Wimco
represents more than 200 villas on St. Barts and offers an expansive
selection of properties in such spots as the U.S. and British Virgin
Islands, Turks & Caicos, Anguilla, Barbados, Mustique, Nevis, St.
Martin, Jamaica and Grand Cayman. The company can tailor a stay
according to each client’s needs, whether it be arranging for private
chefs, yoga instructors, yacht charters or simply restaurant
reservations. Visit www.wimco.com.
