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Archive for the ‘Vacation Homes’ Category

Vacation Village at Bonaventure Review

Thursday, September 14th, 2006

At first glance at the promotional photographs of Vacation Village at Bonaventure, the high-end apartment/condominium complex comes to mind, as does maybe the skyscraping dormitory of a popular four-year university. But at further inspection and with supplemental information, one learns that there is so much more to Vacation Village at Bonaventure.

Location is prime for Vacation Village at Bonaventure, which is situated in the South Florida Bonaventure Spa, Tennis, and Gold community twenty-five miles from Fort Lauderdale and the ocean, for boating, fishing, water-skiing, wind surfing, and scuba diving. Closer are medical facilities and entertainment sites, within two miles; and even closer are shopping centers/malls, a grocery store, and other shops within a mile of the community.

Immediately in the vicinity on the premises of Vacation Village at Bonaventure are numerous facilities and amenities, from handicap accessibility, outdoor pool, beautiful man-made lake, a golf course, tennis courts, and car rental services to indoor conference rooms and facilities, laundry facilities, a hairdresser salon and a spa, racquetball courts, and a restaurant.

The costs to stay at Vacation Village at Bonaventure range from $390 a week for a one-bedroom studio to $1,800 a week for a two-bedroom/two-bath suite. The reviews are reflective of the relative prices and vacation fun, comfort, and relaxation levels such prices afford earning Vacation Village at Bonaventure an overall rating of four out of five stars. For example, one super-satisfied visitor, giving Vacation Village at Bonaventure five stars, praises the service as nothing but excellent; the room they stayed in, overlooking the spacious pool and waterfall as magnificent; the poolside as undercrowded and a great place to relax, read, and enjoy complimentary coffee; and suggesting the best sporting facilities as the tennis and racquetball, with the ideal travel arrangements made either for the definite plus of car renting or using the free shuttle, which, the reviewer reports, will run you anywhere around Weston for free.

Another satisfied client at Vacation Village at Bonaventure gave it four stars and describes how their stay in the smaller room was perfect for the two of them, and explaining that had they brought their three kids would have been upgraded to the rooms. This reviewer’s emphasis was on the rooms, which she/he found were clean and fully stocked; and his/her discussion further reveals a warning to others that Vacation Village at Bonaventure is NOT a typical hotel with maid service/room service, etc., but is rather a do-it-yourself vacation site that may or may not have the room service for extra charges. Like others who give pleasing reports, this reviewer closes with the recommendation to others for making long-term visits and needing a good long-term stay facility.

The Best California Bed Breakfast

Tuesday, September 5th, 2006

The many wonderful things about a good California bed breakfast are homemade biscuits at breakfast, which are, yes, served in the room; the fresh bedding; the special guest dinners; the perks and amenities. But what I find most impressive in not only the California bed breakfast experience but the bed and breakfast experience in general is the theme room/hotel. Maybe you have a penchant for nature. Maybe you are a history buff. Or maybe you have a fetish for a particular travel destination or have a thing for art. Whatever the desire or need, you can indulge in a weekend fantasy at a themed California bed breakfast.

CALIFORNIA BED BREAKFAST THEME HOTELS/INNS

For example, the following are just some of the possible fantasy weekend packages offered:

At the Churchill Manor Bed and Breakfast in Napa Valley, you can experience the plantation in the Gone with the Wind rooms in the old southern Colonial home.

The Gone with the Wind theme is also delightful at Plantation Bed and Breakfast in Lemon Grove, and

At The Union Hotel and Victorian Mansion, in Los Almos, you might enjoy the Victorian age in the manse or indulge in the fantasy of the 1950s, the gypsy life, Roman antiquity, Egyptian royalty, French history, or Pirate swashbuckling.

At Leucadia Inn in Encinitas, besides having subtly placed microwave and other modern amenities, you can have the dream of your choice come true in a Tropical setting, in the Hollywood Nostalgia room, on an African Safari, or by way of the decor that takes you to Nantucket, Calypso (style), or New Orleans.

The Splash Spa in Los Angeles has the infamous cave, the Monte Carlo, and the Jungle Room, as well as rooms ala the Mediterranean, Barcelona, and Japan. But note that this California bed breakfast is not really a b&b but an hourly place to stay for a quickie or short rest (and, of course, spa treatment).

And the wilder, more natural, and appropriately, more western urges can be satisfied at such places as The Featherbed Railroad Company, where you and yours can get loose with Mint Julep (rooms), engage in the romance of Casablanca, go alternative in the Easy Rider or La Loose, relive (so to speak) the mystery of The Orient Express, or go right back to the heart of The Wild, Wild West.

California bed breakfast experiences, then, take you where you want to go or need to be, whether it is to re-experience your teen years in a Rockin 50′s Suite, with the bed that is fashioned out of a 1959 Cadillac; to play nouveau riche in a five-star Garden Theme room, in The English Rose, the Apricot Blossom Suite, or the Forget Me Not room; or exact the life of a writer in a cottage or a tortured one with James Dean angst in the Rebel Room.

With the California bed breakfast, you can appreciate the amenities, can be coddled by old world cuisine and courtesy and charm of the caretakers, and can find appeal in anything from the attractive views, the ambience, or the general atmosphere. But further, with the themed California bed breakfast, you come away with a memory of having gone back in time, gone forward in time, and having gone into the lives and spirit of another be it Elvis or Scarlet Hara, an astronaut or a Neanderthal or a thug.

Considerations for Beach Vacation Rentals

Sunday, August 6th, 2006

On a dreary Saturday in February I was feeling quite depressed due to the cold, wet weather. We had decided not to take a winter vacation and waiting for our June vacation seemed like a long time. I thought maybe it would help my mood to do some planning for the summer trip. We had not made any solid plans of where we wanted to go so I started looking into beach vacation rentals.

My husband had been working very hard so his only criteria for a destination was that it be away from his office. As I started looking at beach vacation rentals I found that there were many possibilities to choose from. We had done a beach home rental in the past with a group of friends and found that it was an inexpensive way to spend time on the beach. By going with beach vacation rentals you usually rent an entire home, apartment or condo so you can cook your meals; which decreases the cost of eating out for every meal. You can also share the rental fees with others if you rent accommodations that have multiple bedrooms.

In looking at the possibilities with the beach vacation rentals I discovered that there were a wide range of prices depending on the geographical location as well as the size of the accommodations. The beach vacation rentals that were the most expensive were the ones that were located directly on the beach. If you are willing to be located within walking distance the price drops considerably. The main thing to consider when locating beach vacation rentals that are off the water is where the public access is to the beach area. For many resort areas this is not an issue, however if you are renting in an area of private homes it may be difficult to access the beach.

Several of the beach vacation rentals I was considering were private homes. One was available for two weeks for a very reasonable rate. I contacted the owner and found out that they were going to be out of town for the two weeks that they were renting their home. The home was located directly on the beach and included full access to two bedrooms, two bathrooms an outdoor hot tub and the kitchen and living room areas of the home. The catch was they were leaving their dog so the renters would be responsible for feeding and exercising the dog daily. We like dogs so this seemed like a great way to have a longer vacation for a reasonable rate.

It is important to be clear when doing beach vacation rentals with private owners on what areas of the home are accessible and what the expectations are for cleaning. This couple had a written contract that was very detailed and provided contact information in case of emergencies. We are looking forward to our two weeks on the beach. Learning how to find cheap and excellent home to rent isn’t difficult. Just do your research online.

Rent Colorado Vacation Homes for Family Trips

Friday, July 7th, 2006

Ever been to Colorado? Travelers heading to Colorado for a little rest and relaxation should listen up. Travelers looking for suitable accommodations have a number of options. Instead of looking for a hotel that matches his or her needs, everyone should consider renting Colorado vacation homes. For around the same amount as a hotel stay, travelers can rent Colorado vacation homes. These dwellings offer a home away from home.

In Maysville, Colorado, a two-bedroom, two-bathroom 1,200 square foot home sits in a grove of Aspen trees. Located in the mountains, within easy reach of many top ski areas, these pristine cabins offer beautiful scenery and tranquility that cannot be matched. Greet each morning with a hike in the woods or coffee on the front porch. For $200 per night or $1,000 per week, these Colorado vacation homes are available to anyone.

Located near the Monarch Ski Area, three-bedroom, two-bathroom log houses are available for $200 per night or $1,200 per week. Each log house offers over 1,700 square feet of living space. These Colorado vacation homes await lucky renters.

Just off the Rainbow Trail, nature lovers will be delighted by some Colorado vacation homes that take them back in time. These small log cabins date back to the 1800′s. Though they do include electricity and running water, a woodstove provides back up heating in times of power failure. Cooking on a woodstove is an experience that everyone should try. Big or small, there are bound to be plenty of Colorado vacation homes that fit travelers needs.

Just outside of Denver, a one hundred year old home awaits guests. The magnificent home sits on 70 acres and includes a pond in the front yard. At $850 per week, this three-bedroom, two-bath home includes claw foot bathtubs. It is an incredibly reasonable price. Ski slopes are easily accessible, however, who wants to go skiing when 70 acres of land are available for exploration and hiking. Bordered by Cripple Creek, the land is packed with wildlife. With trout filled ponds and streams on the property, both adult and children will have plenty to see and do. There are many Colorado vacation homes just like this one!

Typically, payment is required in advance of a guest’s stay. Many rental firms insist on photo identification to be provided at time of check-in. Meals and housekeeping are up to the guests, but the inclusion of a full kitchen makes it easy to save money by preparing meals at the Colorado vacation homes that are rented.

Enjoy a special vacation with your family at any of the Colorado vacation homes. It is suitable for family with young kids.