In part one of my Affordable Family Travel series, I addressed a key that has helped our family during a decade of travel – flexibility and creativity. I shared our past experience in getting free flights caused by overbooking.

This week, I focus on another tip: condos and timeshares.

(This shot is from our Fort Myers Beach condo – January 2007)

Two bedrooms, two baths, full kitchen with a balcony overlooking the ocean.

Sounds like paradise — not an affordable option for a family of four. But it can be.

Our family discovered early-on in our travels that renting condos or timeshares was a far more enjoyable — and affordable — vacation rental option than booking hotels. Just because it sounds like a splurge doesn’t necessarily mean it is. And our vacations have been far more relaxing because of the quality of our lodging.

How is it affordable? With travel, there are many expenses to consider, beyond lodging. Although it’s a large chunk of most vacation budgets, the others add up as well.

Food is the biggest budget-saver offered by condo or timeshare rental. Because you have the ability to purchase groceries for a week and cook them in the convenience of your own kitchen, there’s no need to make multiple trips per day to a restaurant or fast-food joint. Even items as simple as beverages are an expensive irritation when you need to work out of a cooler or plug coins into a vending machine. Vacation rentals with a full kitchen are truly your home away from home.

Entertainment is the other financial bonus offered by many condos. Because they are generally better equipped, more comfortable, and convenient than similar hotels, young families are more likely to stay put and enjoy the amenities already offered at the resort. Many condos provide books, magazines, boardgames, and have DVD players with numerous movies available for use. Consider the money your family would save if you cut out even one excursion per day during your next trip.

Miscellaneous savings add up as well. Parking fees, laundromats, gas to drive to entertainment spots, entry charges to paid events. If you pick the right vacation rental, you may not leave your condo for the whole week. When our kids were younger, our entire vacation consisted of trips back and forth between the balcony, pool and beach. The simplicity of this arrangement made it truly a vacation for everyone.

Where can I find condos and timeshares for rent?
With any online service, there’s a measure of risk for both owners and renters. It’s important to research the owners, and if there’s a way to check reputation, that’s ideal. Several sites provide tips and general information for vacationers new to vacation rental.

We’ve successfully used the following online portals to rent vacation homes:
Redweek.com
Timeshare Users Group
Vacation Rentals By Owner
Craigslist
eBay

Considerations:
• Condos or timeshares generally need to be rented for a full week, but a shorter stay could possibly be negotiated with owners on last-minute travel.

• The check in/check out dates are usually established on the weekend, so if your free dates are Wednesday-Wednesday, this option might not work for your family.

• You need to practice due diligence to determine the location and amenities. Don’t assume you have ocean view, just because the unit has ocean access. Sometimes units are located across a busy road from the beach, which can be a problem for families.

• Pay attention to cleaning fees and taxes. Often these charges are not indicated in the quote, but they’ll certainly show up on your bill.

• Make clear plans about how to access the unit, especially if you’ll arrive late. Some condos and timeshares have a 24-hour rental office, but others have a coded lockbox or other arrangements for keys.

• Be wary of independent owners or rental agents with no reputation you can research. Get as much information as possible from your contact, then do your own independent research to verify the unit they claim to own. It’s best to contact the resort by a phone number you’ve located online – separate from whatever information was provided by the owner.

Happy traveling!

Affordable Family Travel Series:

Creativity and Flexibility
Renting Condos and Timeshares

For more great tips, please visit Rocks in my Dryer.