A great way to cut costs for a vacation can be to travel together with multiple generations or groups of friends. This makes vacations more affordable by allowing for resource pooling for the big ticket costs – lodging, food and gas. For example: a 5 bedroom home for the week might rent for $3,000. That comes out to roughly $85 per bedroom a night. Add in the value of a full kitchen, parking, full sized bathrooms, dining space and the privacy of a residential home, and vacationing in a hotel starts to look more cramped and expensive by the minute.

We often help families find homes that match the needs of a larger group, so we are well-versed in finding the amenities that you need in one or multiple homes within a couple blocks of one another. Many of our duplex homes offer connecting decks or interior connecting doors, providing the best of both worlds with privacy and togetherness simultaneously. (Plus, twice the cooking, dining and living space!)

Ask your Vacation Planner to help if you’re having trouble coordinating multiple large homes, or if you need recommendations or guidance in finding one large home to accommodate everyone. We also recommend using the Aerial Maps on our website to find homes that are near to each other. Check them out here.

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When it comes to planning your annual family vacation, there can be many stressful factors. Budgeting, of course, is always a consideration. But there’s also planning sleeping arrangements, scheduling activities, planning meals and carving out free time to relax. Then there’s packing, navigating the highways or airports, and managing family relations…Whew! We suggest reserving 8-12 months in advance in order to take advantage of the best deals, including the Interest-Free Layaway Plan!

1) The right house… can make all of the difference in a relaxing getaway. Choosing a home that is in the best location (either close to the action or serenely secluded) for your family is key. If you have 3 kids under 5, you’re going to want something that’s just a short walk from the sand.  Insider Tip:  No distance is too short when you’re hauling wet, sandy beach gear AND tired toddlers back to the house. For families with multiple generations, you may need something with limited stairs and a layout that allows for more space between the youngest and eldest, so that grandma can get a good night’s sleep without shutting down the kids’ fun too early. Spending a week together making memories is always wonderful, but the right layout and location can make it even better.

2) The right date… for everyone. When you’re making arrangements for a large group, work, school, sports and family commitments make it difficult to open up the calendar. Booking further in advance ensures that the week you need will be available in a home that meets all or most of your family’s requirements.

3) Flexible interest-free payment plans… split the cost of your vacation into as many as 6 monthly payments leading up to your vacation. Many of our guests take turns making payments, or contribute to a joint account monthly in order to make booking more affordable. You can save with the 15% Military Discount or off-season 10% Early Bird savings in the spring and fall.

When it comes down to it, choosing the right home for your family and finding availability for your family’s ideal dates is the most important part of planning. By waiting until the last minute, you might save a few dollars but you’re also taking a huge risk that there won’t be anything available that meets your needs. You can always find ways to save on other aspects of your vacation without risking the most important part – somewhere to stay! Be sure to look for coupons for local activities and attractions in our Beacon guide!

All cottages provide the following for at least the maximum occupancy the home allows: blankets, pillows, mattress pads, bedspreads, vacuum cleaner, plunger, mop, broom and a dust pan.

You will need to supply the following:

• Bed Linens, bath & kitchen towels (unless Linen Service is provided)
• Cleaning supplies (dishwasher detergent, dish soap, hand soap, etc.)
• Paper and plastic products (toilet paper, paper towels, coffee filters, trash bags, plastic wrap and foil, etc.)
• Beach towels
• Special cooking items (stock pots, cake pans, roasting pans, food processor, etc.)
• Camera (make sure you submit your photos in our annual Photo Contest!)
• Baby equipment (if property does not offer, based on online information)
• Food and condiments (seasonings and spices, pantry staples, etc.)
• Personal toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, soap, etc.)
• Beach and fishing equipment
• Sunscreens, Aloe and a first aid kit
• All kitchens are adequately stocked with utensils for everyday meal preparation. You can expect to find the following items for at least the maximum occupancy: a coffee maker and a toaster, dishes, glasses, coffee mugs, flatware, pots and pans and cooking utensils. Some cottages provide extra kitchen equipment, but others do not. Extra kitchen items are provided according to the individual homeowner’s preference, not according to the size, location, or price of the cottage. If you are planning special meal preparations you should bring with you such items as: a blender, a food processor, extra large or specialty pots or pans, chef’s knives and any other specialty utensils.

Our island has been praised by USA Today, The Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post for providing a vacation getaway that affords an atmosphere that embraces every member of the family. Whatever your needs, they can be met here with several options.

Accessing the beach

The town will provide, at no charge, all-terrain wheelchairs on a first come, first served basis. A community Center with a gym, exercise room and aerobics class is available for a small daily fee. Many beach access ramps can accommodate wheelchairs, but some do not extend all the way to the sand. All state and national parks are handicap accessible, but not all are completely negotiable by wheelchair. At the east end of the island the 3d Street Park furnishes ten parking spaces in addition to a handicap accessible ramp. Bluewater Drive and Seagull Drive each have single parking spaces. At the other end of the island Ocean Oaks has a single parking space as well as Randy’s Way, a handicap accessible ramp. Wyndtree Lane has a single parking space and Channel Drive has three parking spaces available. These parking spaces may be used with handicap license plates or placards. The fine for violating the use of these spots is a fine of $100.

Finding a vacation spot

None of our homes are ADA compliant, and none are specifically marketed for handicap accessibility. But depending on your needs, we can suggest properties that have a variety of features that will make your stay more comfortable. Some of these features may include: Ground level entry, elevator access to all floors, single story layout or bathroom modifications such as grab bars, lowered sinks or roll-in showers. We recommend speaking with a Vacation Planner directly for help in planning a trip where specific accommodations are needed.