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What You Need to Know About Vacation Rentals

This week I received a link to an article about vacation rentals, and it reminded me of some of the experiences I had before I became a professional travel advisor.

For our first trip to Alaska, I did most of my research using tourism brochures I ordered through the mail. We needed a place in Fairbanks for a few nights before and after a backcountry tour, someplace where we could safely leave our car. We found a B&B that was in a good location and was reasonably priced. On arrival, we learned that in Alaska, pretty much anybody could rent a room out of their house, provide a can of juice and a packaged muffin, and declare themselves a “Bed and Breakfast.” Our host was also a man who was, well, an interesting character. I will just leave it at that.

The day before we were to depart on our tour, we were informed that he was able to book the room for more money from someone else, so we were asked not to return. We weren’t too keen about returning either, or leaving our car there, but now we had less than 24 hours to find alternate accommodations & parking before leaving for a 2 week trip! Soon we found ourselves at a payphone on the corner, calling the tourist information hotline for help. Fortunately we found a very lovely inn, which was every bit the B&B we had imagined, and were able to continue on our vacation with peace of mind.

(Now to be fair, I have to mention that in Seward our B&B was the spare room in the basement of a home owned by an elderly couple. But in this case they were truly lovely people, and in the morning, we were ushered us to a table in a waterfront room where we were served a delicious homemade breakfast.)

Our Alaska experience also came to mind when we were driving through Provence this past spring. I was amazed at all the B&B signs along roads which led to accommodations which looked quite questionable. I wondered how many unsuspecting tourists, pleased at getting a “great deal” for a bed & breakfast in France, showed up only to find that their “quaint” or “charming” rental was not quite what they had pictured.

Another memorable incident was when we booked a condo in Lake Tahoe for Christmas through an ad in the paper. I spoke to the owner on the phone, who was very friendly and answered all my questions. I had a good feeling, so I mailed off a check. We planned to drive up late at night a few days before Christmas, and then family was flying in from around the country on Christmas Eve.

We arrived at the condo well after 10 pm, and looked for the key where the owner said she hid it. Nothing. We spent a frantic half hour searching with a flashlight, then the realization began to hit that we could be victims of a scam. How easy it would be for someone to advertise a non-existent rental, take your money, and then just disappear! It was bad enough worrying about where we were going to sleep for the night, but we also had to figure out what to do with 10 other people arriving on Christmas Eve!

I was finally able to reach the owner by phone, and fortunately she had a relative with a spare key who lived about a half hour away. It turns out that the condo had been put up for sale, and the key was being kept in the management office. We were supposed to go there to pick it up but that message had never been delivered.

My point is not to scare anyone away from renting a bed & breakfast, villa, or private home. My point is to use caution and due diligence. The safest way to book is through a local realtor or management company, who has personally inspected all the properties and can recommend one that is the best fit. (This is especially important when traveling with very young children, when you need to ask very specific questions about safety hazards such stairwells, decks, unfenced yards, etc.) Or contact a professional travel advisor who works with multiple agencies, and can also tap into their network of contacts who can recommend hidden gems they’ve discovered through their own travels.

For help with planning the family vacation of your dreams, contact me at suzette@family-treks.com.

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Las Casitas Village Review (Puerto Rico)

In June we spent 8 nights in Puerto Rico at Las Casitas Village at El Conquistador Resort and Golden Door Spa. With a 13 yr old boy and 10 yr old girl, we need more spacious accommodations when traveling. So when reviewing hotel options for this trip, it was obvious that a villa at Las Casitas was going to be the ideal choice.

(NOTE: These pictures do not do the island justice. A low pressure system which turned into Hurricane Alex after our departure was parked over the island, causing rain & clouds.)

When we checked in, our expectations were exceeded as our casita was absolutely HUGE! It was 1800 sq ft with 2 bedrooms, 3 full baths, a spacious living room, a fully equipped kitchen, and separate dining area. The master bedroom had a king bed, lots of closet space, and opened to a balcony with table & chairs. The kids’ room had two queen beds and a large dresser, plenty of space to store their clothes. Their bathroom was smaller but had 2 sinks and a tub/shower combo. The living room also had a sofa bed so it could have easily accommodated two more people.
Guests of Las Casitas can use all of the facilities of El Conquistador, but the privileges are not reciprocal, so we always felt like we were members of an exclusive club. Because they are perched on a bluff, both resorts offer beautiful views of the ocean and other islands in the distance. I would highly recommend booking an ocean view casita, as the views were gorgeous. We could see St. Thomas from our balcony on a clear day.
The walk from Las Casitas Village to the main hotel was quite long and involved many steps, so those who are mobility-challenged might find getting around difficult. But there is a shuttle service between the resorts as well, and if it was raining, they would drop you off as close to your casita as possible. I have to admit, I was at first at bit dismayed to see how far we had to walk, but I quickly got over that. It was enjoyable because of the lush landscaping, and the kids could look for geckos and lizards along the way. I also appreciated the extra exercise after indulging in treats all day.
A funicular, or tram, runs from the resort down to the marina, where there were more shops & restaurants, a small water park (additional fee), and a ferry to the resort’s private island. The ferry ride was only 10 min, and it was nice to have exclusive use of a beach, so we didn’t see this as a huge inconvenience. There is also a very nice public beach a few minutes’ drive away.

As villa guests, we had the option of eating at the main hotel buffet, but more often we chose to eat at the small outdoor dining area at Las Casitas. It was rarely crowded and service was more personal, but we had the same buffet and cook to order options. There was a small café next door to the infinity pool, but most dining was at El Conquistador, and there was quite a large selection from casual diners and poolside pizza to four gourmet restaurants.
The casitas are ideal for families traveling together, because of the extra space and conveniences of home. But they are also grouped in courtyards so several casitas share their own “private” pool & hot tub – an ideal setup for a larger group of travelers. For a change of scenery, or activities like pool volleyball, casita guests can also venture over to El Conquistador.

The large resort complex offers lots of options for all ages and interests, which makes it an excellent choice for family reunions, weddings, or corporate events. Activities on-site included tennis, golf, & scuba lesson, and excursions could be arranged through the activity center or the marina. On rainy days, movies & games were offered for kids, and for adults there was a small casino, plus live music in the lobby in the evening. We really enjoyed having the many activities of El Conquistador available to us at the, but being able to retreat to our quiet oasis at Las Casitas when we needed some downtime.

The resort is located about 1 hour from of San Juan, in a location convenient for enjoying the many outdoor activities for which Puerto Rico is known. You can read about those in one of my earlier posts.

For more information about planning the family vacation of your dreams, contact Suzette at suzette@family-treks.com.

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Don’t Want To Be Home for the Holidays?

Then take a look at what some travel suppliers are offering families for the upcoming holiday season:

Villas of Distinction is offering a $500 credit on Christmas or New Year’s villa reservations made by October 9. Pioneers in the villa rental field, they offer luxury villas in the Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii, Tuscany, Italy, and the South of France, ranging from two to twenty bedrooms. They are also full service travel planners, who can assist with airfare, car rentals, and concierge services.


Princess Cruise Line has space is available several holiday sailings, including:
Dec 19 Mexico cruise on Sapphire Princess out of LA
Dec 20 Southern Caribbean cruise on Caribbean Princess out of San Juan
Dec 19 Western Caribbean cruise on Crown Princess out of Ft Lauderdale.

Princess makes it easy to have a Happy Hanukkah, Christmas or New Year, with ships trimmed in festive holiday decor, and a special dinner featuring traditional favorites such as roast turkey, mincemeat pie, and chocolate Yule logs. Children can make ornaments for the ship’s Christmas tree, and participate in a holiday play which they perform for passengers. On Christmas day, Santa Claus makes a surprise appearance, bringing joy and gifts to each child on board.


Ceiba del Mar, a luxury boutique resort in the Riviera Maya, has scheduled fun family events for the holidays. On Christmas Eve, children can smash a piñata and go caroling on the beach, and families will enjoy traditional Mexican and American Christmas dinners. Guests can dance under the stars to lively music each evening, enjoy a Fire Show, and celebrate New Year’s Eve with a scrumptious feast.

Ritz Carlton Kapalua is offering 6th night free from Dec. 23 – Jan. 3. The luxurious Maui resort recently underwent a $180M transformation which included renovated rooms, re-designed restaurants, an Environmental Education Center, and a new children’s pool. The Ritz Kids program has also been enhanced, and now features Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment program, offering an environmental and cultural education center with excursions led by expert naturalists.

And for an “over the top” experience, celebrate an authentic Renaissance Christmas in a chateaux in the Loire Valley. Up to fourteen guests can have exclusive use of the ancestral home of Count and Countess de Vanssay. Château de La Barre’s special Christmas package includes champagne and chocolates, a cheese and vintage wine tasting dinner, a Renaissance dinner at Leonardo da Vinci’s home, and chauffeured car service for New Years’ Eve.

For help with planning a memorable and stress-free trip for the holidays, contact Suzette Mack, Family Travel Advisor, at suzette@family-treks.com
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A Home Away From Home in Europe

Families planning a trip to Europe are often challenged finding suitable, and economical, accommodations. As most hotel rooms sleep only two people, and connecting rooms are usually not guaranteed, I often recommend apartments or private home rentals for families traveling with children. They not only provide more space and many of the conveniences of home, but they are often comparable in price to booking two hotel rooms. And travelers need not worry that that they will be foregoing any luxury, either! There are exceptional apartments that are beautifully decorated, and in the best locations, if you know how to find them.


I asked my favorite source for Europe apartments, Small and Elegant Hotels, about their top picks for families. Small and Elegant specializes in luxury boutique hotels and apartments throughout Europe, including Italy, France, and Spain, as well as charming villas in areas like Tuscany and the Loire Valley. Bonnie, the owner, visits the properties regularly to ensure they meet her high standards, and she knows London and Paris like the back of her hand!

The Collingham (London) – This fine period building is located in fashionable South Kensington near Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park, overlooking a tranquil garden square. The superb shopping areas of Knightsbridge and Chelsea are close by. Well furnished apartments ranging from 1-3 bedrooms each have a fully equipped kitchen and satellite TV. Maid and laundry service is available as well as 24 hour reception and security.

Hotel Residence du Roy (Paris) – Just a few steps from Champs-Elysees, and Plaza Athenee, this tastefully decorated 4 star hotel is equipped with all the comforts of a prestigious hotel: bar, satellite TV, in-house movies, air-conditioning, internet access, concierge, room service. personal safe, and parking. They offer standard rooms, split level duplexes with full kitchens, and suites with kitchenettes. And their restaurant is rated in the top 20 in Paris!


Domus (Rome) – This is a wonderful 18th century building of prestigious flats located in the famous Palazzo Pierret in Piazza di Spagna in the heart of Rome, with an incredible view over the Spanish Steps. The spacious apartments, which sleep 2- 10, have sitting rooms, kitchens, elegant bathrooms, and are equipped with air conditioning, satellite TV, direct telephone lines, and internet access. Suites which sleep up to 3 guests are also available with kitchenettes. I am confident that my clients are in good hands when I book their accommodations through Small and Elegant Hotels. They not only have some of the best rates, but their expertise and personal connections are priceless. In fact, they can still guarantee 2009 rates for next year, but soon that option will go away, as 2010 is predicted to be a busier travel season.

So if you are planning a family vacation to Europe, contact Suzette Mack, Family Travel Specialist at suzette@family-treks.com. I have arranged a special amenity with Small and Elegant Hotels exclusively for my clients!

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Outrigger Waipouli Beach Resort & Spa on Kauai

As a family travel advisor, I often assist parents facing a common dilemma when planning a vacation: having to choose between the luxury and amenities of a resort hotel, or the space and convenience of a condominium. Outrigger solves that problem with one of its newest resorts, the Outrigger Waipouli Beach Resort and Spa on Kauai, by offering spacious one- and two-bedroom luxury condos with resort amenities and a great pool area.


The horseshoe-shaped resort surrounds a lushly landscaped pool area featuring two flumed waterslides. A heated river pool meanders through the grounds, accented with lava rock and waterfalls, and there’s even a hidden cave. A sand-bottom, zero-entry pool provides safe splashing for the youngest children, while adults could find a quiet spot on the lawn surrounding the river pool. A café offers snacks and beverages poolside, and a beachfront cocktail lounge provides a nice place for parents to relax while kids play on the beach. Guests can also sink their toes in the sand bottoms of three hot tubs on the property.

The condos are not only spacious, but luxurious in every detail, including stainless steel Sub-Zero refrigerators, Wolf convection ovens, sleek granite countertops, and flat screen TV’s. Our two bedroom/three bath condo was over 1300 square feet, with each bedroom having its own spacious bathroom. Though it was just our family of four traveling, it would have easily accommodated a set of grandparents or another couple, by putting the kids in the living room sofa sleeper.



Children 5-10 years old receive an Island Explorer backpack at check-in including sunglasses, pen, binoculars, and two part workbook with Friends of the Reef Adventure Guide and Let’s Explore Hawaii Guide. This is not just a run-of-the-mill coloring book, but a learning guide created in partnership with Jean Michel Cousteau’s Ocean Futures Society and the University of Hawaii.

The location in Kapaa was excellent for exploring the entire island. Though the beach was not swimmable at the resort, many excellent snorkeling beaches were just a short drive away. There was also a shopping center across the street, and several restaurants within walking distance. After a fun day of activity on the island, returning to a spacious, luxurious ‘home away from home’ at the end of the day was a real treat.


For more details, contact Suzette Mack, a Virtuoso Family Travel Advisor at suzette@family-treks.com.

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