Our family consists of 6 children and Mom and Dad. Our first family trip to Florida was in 2002. Our baby was just 10 months old, so we brought my parents to help. We rented a Villa for the first time in our lives. BOY, that was the best decision EVER! I still tell everyone that a villa is the way to go! We had so much room and so many options that it added so much to the vacation.
I think the best thing was that all the children had a room that we could put them to bed at night for a good nights rest for the next days FLORIDA ADVENTURE! If we had been in a hotel, we all would have had to try and sleep at the same time, but with the house, we were able to put 2 children to bed in privacy so they actually could sleep and be well rested. That in itself was a treat! A lovely byproduct of spare bedrooms, was that Dan and I also had some quiet time after the children were in bed. We could swim, talk, watch the TV or enjoy a glass of wine and replenish ourselves while the children slept. My parents also got to enjoy the grandchildren during the day, yet, have the nights to themselves to go to bed early, swim or go out alone. Staying in the Villa really added a level of relaxation I hadn't expected.
Another aspect of a Villa vacation was the cost savings in eating out. With a full kitchen, we had so many options of eating out, eating in, grabbing something quick or preparing a picnic to take with us. With a family as large as ours, that was a great benefit.
Those benefits were enough to get me to go time and again with a villa over a hotel, but with our own PRIVATE POOL, it was just fantastic! Having 6 children in a hotel pool can be a logistical nightmare. With a pool just for us, we actually had a great time swimming with the children and keeping an eye on them in the water.
The concept of renting a home was so awesome that we haven't as a family stayed in a hotel since 2002! We just love the space, comfort, options and excellent value a Villa gives us. It is the best way for families to get so much out of their trip to Florida! Everyone should try it!
I think the best thing was that all the children had a room that we could put them to bed at night for a good nights rest for the next days FLORIDA ADVENTURE! If we had been in a hotel, we all would have had to try and sleep at the same time, but with the house, we were able to put 2 children to bed in privacy so they actually could sleep and be well rested. That in itself was a treat! A lovely byproduct of spare bedrooms, was that Dan and I also had some quiet time after the children were in bed. We could swim, talk, watch the TV or enjoy a glass of wine and replenish ourselves while the children slept. My parents also got to enjoy the grandchildren during the day, yet, have the nights to themselves to go to bed early, swim or go out alone. Staying in the Villa really added a level of relaxation I hadn't expected.
Another aspect of a Villa vacation was the cost savings in eating out. With a full kitchen, we had so many options of eating out, eating in, grabbing something quick or preparing a picnic to take with us. With a family as large as ours, that was a great benefit.
Those benefits were enough to get me to go time and again with a villa over a hotel, but with our own PRIVATE POOL, it was just fantastic! Having 6 children in a hotel pool can be a logistical nightmare. With a pool just for us, we actually had a great time swimming with the children and keeping an eye on them in the water.
The concept of renting a home was so awesome that we haven't as a family stayed in a hotel since 2002! We just love the space, comfort, options and excellent value a Villa gives us. It is the best way for families to get so much out of their trip to Florida! Everyone should try it!