A survey from Value Penguin finds that more than 7 in 10 Americans prefer to vacation in a hotel or resort rather than other rental options, like Airbnbs. This is because resorts include more amenities, resources, and are easy to book.
However, you must do your research when you are planning a trip to a vacation resort. This way, you can find one with the right amenities and services for you and your family.
Do you want to find a vacation resort near me? Keep reading this vacation resort guide for the top tips to find the best vacation resort!
Don’t Focus Entirely on Price
One of the first tips to follow when you are finding a vacation resort is to not focus entirely on price. Resorts vary significantly in amenities, accommodations, services, and more. If you search for the cheapest resort available, you will likely not have high-quality accommodations or activities.
Instead, you should consider the prices of each resort, what is included in these prices, and more. It is often worth the extra money to upgrade to a better package with more services included.
What Are Your Vacation Needs?
What is a vacation resort? It is a place that provides all-inclusive stays to guests, including food, lodging, and activities. An important part of finding the right vacation resort for your needs is understanding your vacation values!
What do you look for in a vacation?
For example, some people prefer a vacation that allows them to explore a new place and learn more about the culture. Other people want an all-inclusive resort to relax, sit by the pool, and have everything you need.
Your vacation values will make a big difference in the type of resort that you choose to stay at.
If you are looking for the best of both worlds, you can consider visiting Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo. This ranch has a scenic overlook, is an hour away from Orlando, Florida, and offers many exciting activities like horseback riding, rodeos, and more!
Learn more about the resort at Westgateresorts.com/hotels/florida/river-ranch/westgate-river-ranch-resort.
Consider Cleanliness and Maintenance
Next, you need to make sure you find a vacation resort that is well-maintained and cleaned. Unfortunately, many older resorts are not well kept, which makes them a less ideal destination.
If your resort doesn’t take care of regular maintenance and repairs, you may not be able to enjoy your stay quite as much. For example, they may not maintain the pool, which may mean it is not safe to swim in.
You should check online reviews and other sources to make sure the resort is in good condition before you book a vacation! Typically, booking a newer resort or one that has had a recent major renovation will ensure that it is in good condition when you visit with your family.
How Much Time Will You Spend Indoors?
When you are booking a vacation resort, you should determine how much time you are planning on spending inside. If you are going to be in your room for the majority of your vacation, you may want to upgrade your room to include more features!
For example, you may want a larger room with a view to accommodate your needs. You would also want a room with wi-fi, a safe, and even a mini-fridge!
Consider Hotel Size
Next, you should consider the size of the hotel that you are booking. While a large resort is not necessarily better than a smaller resort, they may have more amenities and services available!
You should also consider the size of the resort when you list your vacation needs. For example, you may want to stay at a smaller resort if you are traveling with children. This way, it will be easier to keep an eye on them while you are enjoying your vacation.
Plus, larger resorts can be more difficult to navigate. You may have to walk more than 20 minutes to travel between destinations in your resort, like a restaurant, the pools, and more. In these cases, you should ensure that your resort has a shuttle available to transport you between locations.
What Activities Are Available?
When you are determining how to spend your vacation time at a resort, you should look for resorts that offer different types of activities. For example, you may want a resort that offers excursions, like ziplining or other local adventures.
Other people prefer to have a resort that provides on-site entertainment! Often, you can find resorts that provide live music or even a comedy show to attend at night.
Many vacation resorts also include pools and water sports centers for children to play and for adults to relax. Others may provide the equipment for paddleboarding, kayaking, golf, and more.
By learning more about the activities that are available at your resort, you and your family can find a resort that fits your needs and preferences!
Are There Multiple Pools and Beach Access?
If you are vacationing in a beach destination, you may want to learn more about how close the resort is to the beach. Does it have private access to a beach or would you have to arrange travel accommodations to go to the beach?
Even if you are staying at a resort on the beach, many people prefer to swim in the pool. This is often a safer option for children, and it allows you to enjoy the water even if the beach conditions are poor.
If there are pools at your resort, you need to make sure they are well-kept and maintained. This way, you can focus on relaxing without worrying about dangerous conditions! You may also want to find a resort that offers multiple pools.
This way you can find a pool to relax in and have a kiddie pool for your children to play in.
Finally, you should make sure the pool and beach have plenty of accommodations for your needs! Do they have enough chairs and umbrellas for people to use? Do they have enough beach towels for every guest?
Learn About Surf and Water Conditions
When you go to a vacation resort primarily to visit the beach, you also need to learn more about the surf and water conditions. Often, you can find information about the water temperatures online, as well as the weather at the time of your visit.
However, some beaches are more dangerous than others. The water may have a strong undercurrent or there may even be riptides. Learning about the surf conditions before your vacation will help you be prepared and will ensure that you choose a resort with a high-quality beach.
Similarly, you should make sure you find a resort with a nice sandy beach. If the beach is rocky or littered with debris, it will not be as fun to spend the day at the beach. Often, resorts will do their bests to keep the beach clean from seaweed and trash, so make sure this is included in their resort maintenance.
Finally, you should make sure the resort offers a private beach! These are often cleaner and safer than a public beach, and it will be easier to enjoy your time there.
Ask About Kid-Friendly Accommodations
If you are traveling with young children, you also need to learn more about the kid-friendly perks or accommodations that your vacation resort offers. For example, you may want to find a resort that offers a children’s playground, a kiddy pool, or even daycare services.
Even if your resort doesn’t offer these accommodations, you must make sure it is an appropriate place to bring a child. If they have inappropriate entertainment options or are primarily a place for adults, your children will not fit in at the resort.
Check Online Reviews
Finally, you can check online reviews to learn more about a vacation resort! This is helpful, as it will give you honest opinions about the quality of a vacation resort. Rather than relying on the word of the resort employees, you can learn more about the experiences that past guests have had there.
If you notice that most people have left complaints about the vacation resort, you may want to find a different place to stay for your vacation.
Looking for the Best Vacation Resort Near Me?
When you are planning a trip to a vacation resort, you must do your research to find the best accommodations and amenities available. By following each of these vacation resort tips, you can get help planning a luxurious trip.
Do you want to learn more about planning a vacation to an all-inclusive resort? We can help! Our website features articles on travel, lifestyle, and more.
Check out our blog today to learn more about planning a family vacation and choosing the best places to stay!
