Who & Why: My mother, sister and I (who live in different towns) were looking to meet up for an easy, relaxing get-away at the beach where we could bring our dogs. The plan was to cook, eat, sun and soak We weren’t particularly interested in site-seeing or dining out for this trip. Dog-friendliness, proximity to the beach and a luxurious hot tub were at the top of our wish list.
The Good: As promised, our first-floor vacation rental condo was right on the beach. The water was just steps from our back deck. The deck also had an outdoor table for four and a generous hot tub. Dogs were allowed on the beach, which made for some of my best vacation memories ever. “Discovering” sand crabs. Getting paddled with an unexpected wave. Sniffing at sea shells. Our “little ones” had the time of their lives.
The Bad: Our back deck was sandwiched between that of another guest on one side and the owners on the other. We ended up with more forced interaction than we bargained for, especially since the other guest’s dog died on the trip. The owner was kind in consoling the other guests – over drinks and for hours on end – but it didn’t make for the most cheerful aspect of our relaxing get-away. The bedding configuration was also not what we expected. There was only one separate bedroom with a double bed, plus a futon and a child’s bed in the main living area with a television. While our days were filled with beautiful views, a sandy beach and a bubbling hot tub, our nights were filled with tossing, turning and noise.
The Final Verdict: I would absolutely return to the same vacation spot, but choose a different vacation rental home. What I learned: always ask very specifically about the bedding configuration and let the owners know this is a very important aspect to me.