| Summer is just around the corner, and for many | | | | Now you need to select a vacation rental unit. |
| families that means a trip to Fabulous Florida and | | | | Just like there were lots of factors to consider |
| one of the gorgeous beaches that cover more | | | | when choosing a beach that fits your family's |
| than 660 miles of the Sunshine State's coastlines. | | | | needs, the same is true for picking the right |
| No matter where you are in the vacation planning | | | | property. Finding the right combination of |
| process, we'll start at the beginning and work | | | | bedrooms, amenities, views, features, and price |
| forward. If you have already covered some of | | | | can seem daunting at first. It's best to decide |
| the steps below, maybe these tips will come in | | | | your priorities before you start making inquiries on |
| handy next time! | | | | rental sites or calling vacation rental companies or |
| PICKING A DESTINATION: | | | | hotels. Why? If your budget is $4000 for the |
| First things first, of course, and the most basic | | | | week, stumbling over that $10,000 a week |
| decision you have to make is where in those | | | | mansion with use of your own motorboat is just |
| 600-plus miles of beaches do you want to spend | | | | going to leave you feeling deprived. My tips for |
| your precious vacation time? There are many | | | | you when considering your rental options: |
| factors to consider -- distance from your | | | | 1. The closer to the gulf and the beach, the more |
| hometown and travel time involved, vacation | | | | expensive the unit will be. If budget is a big factor, |
| rental price, features and availability; activities that | | | | accepting a walk of even 125 to 200 steps (about |
| are important to your family, such as boating, | | | | 2 minutes' walk) can save you big on the bottom |
| snorkeling, fishing, kayaking, hiking, etc.; and for | | | | line for your home or condo or hotel room. But if |
| some, pet-friendly beaches and accommodations. | | | | it's beachfront or nothing, baby, well, just know |
| Some beaches are bustling and busy, like Panama | | | | you will pay a little more. I always insisted on |
| City, Clearwater, Siesta, Destin, Miami and others. | | | | gulf-front for my family's one week in paradise |
| Accommodations vary as well -- some have lots | | | | each year too, and it was worth every dime |
| of high-rise condominiums and therefore a lot | | | | extra we paid to hear those ocean waves, feel |
| more rental units as well as a lot more guests. | | | | that sea breeze and watch the sunset from the |
| Other vacation spots tend toward lower density | | | | deck every day. |
| and smaller number of units, like Cape San Blas, | | | | 2. Amenities come at a price tag. If a private pool |
| for example. There are about a dozen areas of | | | | is a "must" for you, know you'll pay more for |
| the state that have a pet-friendly beach. Read | | | | that rental home than one with a community pool |
| the restrictions for the various destinations so | | | | or no pool at all. An elevator may be great for |
| you fully understand what limitations, if any, there | | | | the loading in and loading out, but if everybody in |
| are to bringing your dog. For example, at Cape | | | | your party is able-bodied, you can save a few |
| San Blas, dogs are welcomed on leash on the | | | | bucks bypassing the homes with the elevators -- |
| beaches of Gulf County with the exception of | | | | and get some cardio during the week taking the |
| within St. Joseph's Peninsula State park, where | | | | stairs, too. More basic amenities like free Internet |
| they are not permitted. Some beaches have | | | | don't add much to the price these days, but they |
| limited areas where dogs are permitted or certain | | | | can be important to traveling business owners or |
| hours. | | | | students with papers to turn in during vacation. |
| The wonders of the Internet make narrowing | | | | 3. Maximum occupancy and bedding configurations. |
| your choice of location a lot easier than it once | | | | I always counsel my guests if you can avoid using |
| was! Using a Google search for phrases that | | | | the sleeper sofa, do it. One of my personal |
| describe what you are looking for can give you a | | | | vacation rentals offers a sleeper sofa in the loft, |
| list of locations to begin researching more | | | | and it gives you more privacy and can be a good |
| carefully. Try searches like "Pet-friendly Family | | | | option for teenagers especially. But if you have no |
| Florida Beach Rentals" or "Uncrowded Florida | | | | option but to use the sleeper in the main living |
| Beach Rentals" or other search strings that appeal | | | | room, so be it. Also look at the various bedding |
| to your family. Ask for recommendations from | | | | configurations. If you need 1 king bed and 2 |
| others who have had positive vacation | | | | queens, you'll narrow down your search and |
| experiences. Many counties or cities will have | | | | eliminate rentals with twin beds and bunk beds. |
| tourist forums, where you can log on and ask | | | | 4. What's supplied? In our vacation community, |
| questions. If someplace is a serious consideration | | | | there's a vast difference from unit to unit on |
| for you, visit their forum and see what people | | | | what's included in your rental as standard options. |
| have to share. | | | | Some provide linens and towels as part of the |
| Everybody has a "perfect" beach destination they | | | | rent. Some provide them for an additional charge. |
| love. Just like some folks prefer chocolate and | | | | Some don't provide them at all, and you have to |
| some vanilla, I am not going to try to tell you | | | | bring them from home. Same is true for things |
| what I think would be your best choices. I can tell | | | | like beach chairs, beach cart for a unit that is a |
| you what beaches I like, but that's about it. My | | | | distance from the gulf, gas grills, games, puzzles, |
| current favorite is Cape San Blas, where we have | | | | movie libraries, starters of kitchen and laundry |
| our rental business and two homes. Why do we | | | | supplies, pet towels and sheets in pet-friendly |
| love the Cape? We like the low density, the | | | | units and much more. When you compare Rental |
| gorgeous sunsets, the fabulous beaches, the | | | | A to Rental B, be sure that they're comparably |
| fishing and scalloping (St. Joe Bay is considered a | | | | appointed. If not, consider if there is a price |
| Pristine Florida Water, and the oysters, fish and | | | | savings to "tote your own" and whether it's |
| scallops are amazing). We like hiking in the State | | | | worth it to you to have the savings, if any, or |
| Park and riding horses on the beach. We love that | | | | the convenience. |
| our dogs are allowed on the beach as well. But | | | | Whew, that was hard work. Now it's time to get |
| again, there are many wonderful beaches in | | | | ready to go, finally! More to come in my article, |
| Florida. Just find the best fit for your family and | | | | Your Florida Summer Beach Vacation - What to |
| go for it! | | | | Bring & How to Pack for the Best Family Fun |
| PICKING A RENTAL UNIT | | | | in the Sun! |
| Okay, you've picked a destination. Good for you! | | | | |