It’s 2 AM The kids are frowning. Dad tries in vain to stop Mom from banging on the door and yelling at the chatty couple in the next room. Little Sara is not feeling well. The doctor’s diagnosis: undeniably the symptoms of a Labor Day weekend spent in a hotel. The cure: a timeshare resort. Don’t let the kids’ memories of last summer be of sleeping on the floor and being stepped on by dad on their way to the bathroom. And mom and dad, wouldn’t you like a little privacy before the hectic school year begins? Most major hotel chains own and operate timeshare resorts, so finding a comfortable place to spend the last dog days of summer is as easy as unwrapping a popsicle.
So what is the difference between a hotel and a resort? A typical hotel room consists of a single bed and bathroom and limited space to walk around. Hotel rooms are also prone to noise from adjacent rooms and hallway activity, which can make it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep, especially for medium and large families, where at least one person must sleep on the floor or in a chair. Staying in a hotel also means that you are forced to eat out or order exorbitant room service every day. Speaking of starving your wallet! A hotel room is adequate for a short business trip, but hardly family vacation material.
A standard timeshare resort is similar to a condominium. With multiple bedrooms and bathrooms, including a master bathroom, mom and dad can share a romantic evening in the bathtub while the kids sleep. If Uncle Joe decides to join you, he can pull out the sofa bed and enjoy a nap in the spacious living room. A dining area keeps the family together at mealtimes, and a full kitchen with a stove, microwave, refrigerator, and bowls, plates, and silverware makes it easy to bring the flavors of home with you wherever you are. And of course, a washer and dryer means no more tossing everyone’s wet and dirty clothes into a bag for the trip or flight home.
Most resorts also offer a wide range of activities for little ones, including face painting, storytelling, arcade games, outdoor activities, and more. Family fun is available in the form of swimming pools, nightclubs, miniature golf, bowling, night shows, and table tennis tournaments to name a few. How about an old-fashioned family movie night? No problem. Many timeshare resorts provide on-site movie rentals, DVD and Blu-ray Disc players, and at least one large TV so families can catch the latest releases without the hassle of a movie theater.
Many timeshare resorts, especially those in popular destinations like Orlando and Las Vegas, offer 24-hour shuttle buses to every major part of the city, so activities like shopping, dining, and sightseeing are no more difficult than up and down.
So whether your family is small or you can barely fit in the minivan, choosing a timeshare resort is a surefire way to make your Labor Day getaway fun and comfortable. Although resorts are more expensive than hotels, the benefits in terms of comfort, convenience, good times and good food far outweigh the costs.