Resorts, Vacation Homes, All-Inclusives? Find Your Family’s Ideal Accommodation Style

Summer is high time for family travel, which means tens of thousands of families across the country will be hitting the road together to explore new places and experience life in different spots.

It also means family units will have to figure out a way to coexist in accommodations away from home.

In an ideal world, where you decide to stay shouldn’t matter — you’ll all be together, and that’s the bottom line. In reality, no matter how well you get along with your loved ones, different accommodation options work better for different types of families, and it’s important to choose wisely.

Ultimately, your selection can be the difference between an unforgettable vacation and a decidedly forgettable one. Read on for things to consider as you evaluate where you and your family should spend your summer vacation and how much energy you should spend to make sure everybody in the brood has space to relax.

What to Consider

Before you choose your accommodations, it would behoove you to take stock of who will be traveling and what sort of layout might work best.

Are there babies in your group who might need their own space? Look for accommodations with multiple rooms. Are there teenagers who don’t want to look at mom or dad? Definitely opt for a multibedroom unit or a place with a patio or balcony big enough to provide the kids with some privacy.

Are you traveling with grandparents or family members who would rather not negotiate steps? If so, be sure to request a one-story, ground-floor accommodation, or someplace with elevators.

Most important: Do you want to be in an apartment-style tower, extended-stay accommodation, a sprawling resort or a standalone vacation rental.

Answering these queries will help determine what kind of accommodations to book, how many rooms you need and what sort of configuration will work best.

Other important questions to ask relate to what type of vacation you want to have. Beach vacation or urban vacation? Adventure every day or relative slothfulness? Group activities or solo? Again, the more questions you ask yourself — and your other family members — the better you’ll be able to figure out what kinds of accommodations will suit everyone best.

Understanding Options

Once you’re equipped with answers to the important questions, deciding on accommodations for your summer family travel becomes an easier and more straightforward task. Put differently, with the right data, you and your loved ones can be methodical about your choice.

Marriott’s all-inclusive resorts are great for families who plan to spend the bulk of their vacation on property but out of the room, enjoying the pool or spa and eating and drinking. Many amenities are included with the nightly rate at all-inclusive resorts: Drinks, food, basic activities and more.

For those families who want more privacy and space, homes and villas are a stellar option. These accommodations vary in size and design — some are one or two bedrooms, while others are palatial mansions, with five or six bedrooms and multiple sitting and recreation areas.

Many of these accommodations come with butler and housekeeping services. Others are at resorts, meaning guests can take advantage of all the same amenities guests have with more intimate accommodations.

Extended-stay hotels provide all the comforts of home in a smaller footprint, making it easier to keep everyone — and everything — together. Some of these accommodations have full-sized kitchens; others have kitchenettes. Marriott’s extended-stay hotels are designed to be close to population centers.

Finally, of course, are some of Marriott’s best family-friendly resorts.

These resorts are akin to mini cities, complete with shops, restaurants, pools, activity clubs, game rooms and more. The properties are perfect for multigenerational families that comprise people with varying interests. Many offer adjoining rooms, so travelers can book as much or as little space as they need.

Summer family travel can create memories that last a lifetime. Parents and grandparents have only 18 summers with each child before they fly the coop. How are you going to spend yours?