I’d go. Make memories.

$800.00 is cheap.

Anonymous wrote:Where is this?? I’d like to go to a lake like this with those amenities for $800! This is a steal. Bring a bag of groceries so you can have fruit and snacks and drinks and wine without feeling guilty. You’ll have a great time and make memories and not regret it. You'll wonder why you ever asked.

I thought it was 800 a night at first! Totally agree. Go!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Very few weeks in the US are really enjoyable.

Lakes not weeks

Frankly I think both are accurate.

Personally I wouldn’t do this, but would instead plan a “real” trip to a more exciting destination. That said, if the choice is between this and no travel at all, I would do it. My family gets along better when we are away from home and focused on having fun together instead of being distracted by other things, so $800 would be worth it if I weren't going to spend that money on other travel.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Very few weeks in the US are really enjoyable.

Lakes not weeks

Well, "weeks" was unfortunately on point as well, lol.

Did I miss whether OP said whether there were kids and if so the ages? I might splurge for older kids but likely wouldn’t for very young kids where it would end up being more work for us in the long run

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:$800 is a lot! Can you book a cheaper place?

I'm normally very pro take the trip, but that's going to be at least a $1k weekend. If that isn't a major blow to your finances, it sounds SUPER FUN. You can always reign in the spending over summer and build it back.

Also, look at bringing groceries/drinks/snacks for your hotel. Will there be bonfires? Bring hotdogs and marshmallows. Bring snacks for the kids who will inevitably complain about being hungry.

For 3 night?!? Unless you’re camping, how could you pay less.

Err not all hotels are 250+/night in the middle of nowhere

But it’s in the middle of nowhere by design, to be near this lake. Even a Hampton Inn on the interstate is $200+ a night.

No one is saying otherwise. But there are cheaper options if OP wants a weekend getaway for less.

^Even board games/card games at home with popcorn can be connecting.

How often do you take weekend away trips?

If this is about connecting as a family and you want to make connecting part of your family culture I would announce that we are going to set aside Sunday afternoons as special family times. Then use the $800 to plan some fun outings in the area that you can do every week instead of just a long weekend once in a while. I don't know where you live, but you can go to a wetlands or a museum or a fun restaurant and walk around (Old Towne) or to some event in the area. Even an escape room or family bowling if there is bad weather. Let your kids have friends on one day and family on the other for the next few weekends. See how it goes.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:$800 is a lot! Can you book a cheaper place?

I'm normally very pro take the trip, but that's going to be at least a $1k weekend. If that isn't a major blow to your finances, it sounds SUPER FUN. You can always reign in the spending over summer and build it back.

Also, look at bringing groceries/drinks/snacks for your hotel. Will there be bonfires? Bring hotdogs and marshmallows. Bring snacks for the kids who will inevitably complain about being hungry.

For 3 night?!? Unless you’re camping, how could you pay less.

Err not all hotels are 250+/night in the middle of nowhere

But it’s in the middle of nowhere by design, to be near this lake. Even a Hampton Inn on the interstate is $200+ a night.

Look at travelzoo.

Play tourist in DC and make an effort to really plan an enjoyable itinerary.
Paddle boarding
Museum
Concert
Great dinner
Hotel spa
Drinks with a view

Or look at last minute hotel downtown

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:$800 is a lot! Can you book a cheaper place?

I'm normally very pro take the trip, but that's going to be at least a $1k weekend. If that isn't a major blow to your finances, it sounds SUPER FUN. You can always reign in the spending over summer and build it back.

Also, look at bringing groceries/drinks/snacks for your hotel. Will there be bonfires? Bring hotdogs and marshmallows. Bring snacks for the kids who will inevitably complain about being hungry.

For 3 night?!? Unless you’re camping, how could you pay less.

Err not all hotels are 250+/night in the middle of nowhere

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What can you do on the lake? I'd consider it for the lake, if I could kayak or fish, but I'd stay home for a pool/shuffleboard.

There are lake rentals available, but I doubt we’d use them. Not sure about fishing but we aren’t into that. I think the weekend would be more about connecting without the usual “home” distractions. This place was just close-ish with nice amenities.

I have really increased our travel now that DCs are teens/tweens for the "connecting" you mentioned. If we're home, then everyone is off doing their own thing or making plans with friends. Travel is really when DCs spend the most uninterrupted time together as siblings.

OP here. This is exactly how I feel. I think my issue is that I can't believe it’ll cost me $1000 for a weekend like this and wish I could reproduce it at home for less, but I know it’ll never work.

DP. I think if your goal is connecting and you know you won't connect at home, then you take the trip if you can afford it. If you think you can connect at home, save the money.