Rentals you loved for extended family gathering/vacation?

[Anonymous]

Want to plan a vacation for extended family - 16 people, ages 14-60, with 5 adult kids in their 20s with partners. Open to really almost anything - most are well-travelled and we want to organize something that would be a draw for the younger generation. Ideally, an entire house with activities at the house and interesting sight-seeing nearby.

Any recommendations?

[Anonymous]

The people in OBX love this kind of stuff. The houses are kind of worn, but you will have everyone in one place.

[Anonymous]

We just got back from a huge family reunion at this resort in Utah. It's great for a huge group. There's stuff to do at the resort (great pool, pickleball, bike rentals, game room) and if you're an active family, many active pursuits in the form of amazing National Parks within 2 hours drive. https://www.arcadiaresort.com/

[Anonymous]

With in the US there are so many options. I think a lot depends on what the family members like to do. Some of our favorite activities with families of varying ages and interests (plus they have house that can meet a large groups needs) have been the Outer Banks, Gatlinburg, TN and Santa Fe NM, Sedona AZ. Outside of the US, we have rented houses in Tuscany, Portugal and Provence. Finding houses that fit everyone close together can be a challenge. Our family likes to be active, but having a beach, a pool or water close by (assuming its a summer trip) has been great for the younger kids. We have noticed that wherever we ended up there tends to be a lot of driving to places - which can be an undertaking to coordinate on a daily basis. Our family is not big on all inclusive places, but I do often wonder if that would be a better fit and take the stress of planning off the planners in the group. Our "rules" - for the house: bedrooms for everyone, and plentiful bathrooms. Having a kitchen is especially nice for the varied diets and eating schedules. As mentioned easy access to water - kids and adults - a pool or beach can be a great way to relax. When it comes to activities - the families like to see cultural things, but being able to have fun parks, go-karting, putt-putt golf etc can be a good day of activity. Options for more active things - hiking, exercise (a gym) rank highly. We typically start with a google spreadsheet and have everyone rank the possible locations to narrow things down.

[Anonymous]

I'm a big NO to house rentals (just not my idea of a vacation) but we love oceanfront resorts with on-site restaurants and activities, spa, kids club, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:With in the US there are so many options. I think a lot depends on what the family members like to do. Some of our favorite activities with families of varying ages and interests (plus they have house that can meet a large groups needs) have been the Outer Banks, Gatlinburg, TN and Santa Fe NM, Sedona AZ. Outside of the US, we have rented houses in Tuscany, Portugal and Provence. Finding houses that fit everyone close together can be a challenge. Our family likes to be active, but having a beach, a pool or water close by (assuming its a summer trip) has been great for the younger kids. We have noticed that wherever we ended up there tends to be a lot of driving to places - which can be an undertaking to coordinate on a daily basis. Our family is not big on all inclusive places, but I do often wonder if that would be a better fit and take the stress of planning off the planners in the group. Our "rules" - for the house: bedrooms for everyone, and plentiful bathrooms. Having a kitchen is especially nice for the varied diets and eating schedules. As mentioned easy access to water - kids and adults - a pool or beach can be a great way to relax. When it comes to activities - the families like to see cultural things, but being able to have fun parks, go-karting, putt-putt golf etc can be a good day of activity. Options for more active things - hiking, exercise (a gym) rank highly. We typically start with a google spreadsheet and have everyone rank the possible locations to narrow things down.

Thanks! What's your favorite way to find the rentals? Any links to rentals you'd be willing to share? Would love to hear about your rentals in Europe and western US.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:With in the US there are so many options. I think a lot depends on what the family members like to do. Some of our favorite activities with families of varying ages and interests (plus they have house that can meet a large groups needs) have been the Outer Banks, Gatlinburg, TN and Santa Fe NM, Sedona AZ. Outside of the US, we have rented houses in Tuscany, Portugal and Provence. Finding houses that fit everyone close together can be a challenge. Our family likes to be active, but having a beach, a pool or water close by (assuming its a summer trip) has been great for the younger kids. We have noticed that wherever we ended up there tends to be a lot of driving to places - which can be an undertaking to coordinate on a daily basis. Our family is not big on all inclusive places, but I do often wonder if that would be a better fit and take the stress of planning off the planners in the group. Our "rules" - for the house: bedrooms for everyone, and plentiful bathrooms. Having a kitchen is especially nice for the varied diets and eating schedules. As mentioned easy access to water - kids and adults - a pool or beach can be a great way to relax. When it comes to activities - the families like to see cultural things, but being able to have fun parks, go-karting, putt-putt golf etc can be a good day of activity. Options for more active things - hiking, exercise (a gym) rank highly. We typically start with a google spreadsheet and have everyone rank the possible locations to narrow things down.

Thanks! What's your favorite way to find the rentals? Any links to rentals you'd be willing to share? Would love to hear about your rentals in Europe and western US.

Portugal: https://rb.gy/rm4r9
Volterra, Italy: https://rb.gy/tyjiu
Santa Fe: https://rb.gy/541t7
Sedona: https://rb.gy/3gxib

My sister in law is the one who finds the houses - so I don't know all of her tricks.

[Anonymous]

How much can you spend? If I were rich, I’d do one of those giant houses or ranches in Montana or Wyoming. Like this:
https://abnb.me/Eea2RBfMpBb
https://abnb.me/velIZUnMpBb