The goal of any vacation or dream getaway is to relax as much as possible, right? To make sure you’ll be able to see and do everything on your wish list and get the most out of your Southwest Florida vacation, it’s best to have a plan or vacation itinerary. We’ll explain the benefits of planning a vacation and help you plan your next trip to the Sunshine State so you can start planning your trip to paradise as soon as possible.
In a world where it feels like we’re constantly on-the-go, taking time off to relax can seem like a monumental task. But what if planning a vacation to rest and recharge in paradise isn’t as hard or as stressful as you think it will be? There are many benefits of planning a vacation and many say the planning process is relaxing and vital to our wellbeing. It gives us something to dream about and look forward to. Besides, who doesn’t love an excuse to plan a vacation to Southwest Florida?
What kind of place do you choose for your vacation? A hotel room or a vacation rental with all the comforts of home? If you want a place with enough room for everyone and amenities that include close access to the beach, you need to choose a vacation rental for the perfect vacation. The benefits of vacation rentals are endless.
We have the road map outlined for you below to help you choose a vacation rental over a hotel room.
Why is it Important to Plan a Vacation?
Most people say it’s more about the journey than the destination and the same thing is true about planning a vacation. Knowing you’ve worked hard to be able to take a trip to paradise means you absolutely should let your imagination run wild and get excited about planning your trip. Maybe you’re seeing the Gulf of Mexico for the first time in decades or you’re introducing it to your kids for the very first time. A trip to Southwest Florida—and especially Sanibel and Captiva Islands—is a treat and we’re so glad you’re thinking about experiencing our slice of paradise!
Top benefits of planning a vacation:
- After working hard for something, it feels good to anticipate it. Then once it happens, it’ll feel that much better! Waiting for something isn’t always fun, but it does help the experience feel richer and help you be more present in the moment.
- Planning a vacation can also help you more easily get through mundane situations like a boring job or hard school semester. When you’re having a rough day, it’ll give you something to look forward to.
- Studies have also shown that taking vacations and thus planning vacations helps reduce stress, gives you a boost in happiness, more motivation, helps reduce the risk of heart disease, increases motivation and helps provide a better outlook on life.
Why Should I Take a Vacation?
A good vacation can do wonders for your soul and one of the main benefits of planning a vacation is that it will be less stressful when you reach your destination. You won’t waste time looking things up once you get there or walk around hoping you’ll stumble upon everything you want to see and do. Those precious hours can be used relaxing, recharging and rejuvenating. People who decide to treat themselves to a vacation and make it a point to relax are also less likely to experience burnout.
Taking a vacation can help you feel more focused and productive. It’s not just something we say helps improve peace of mind and productivity. Studies show that people come back to work feeling more positive, determined, and ready to tackle everyday tasks. More vacations and less stress also helps you better manage relationships with your loved ones.
How Far in Advance Should You Plan a Vacation?
The first thing you have to do is decide where you want to go. If you have your sights set on the Sunshine State, then you’re in the right place.
Royal Shell has vacation rentals in nine Florida locations:
- Bonita Springs
- Cape Coral
- Captiva Island
- Estero
- Fort Myers Beach
- Fort Myers
- Naples
- Ocala (Central Florida)
- Sanibel Island
Each area has something unique to offer all types of vacationers. Sanibel and Captiva Islands will give you a true beach vacation. Captiva is a little more secluded and more private. You won’t find any chain restaurants. Bikes rule the island. There’s only one traffic light on Sanibel. Locals love where they live and the islands are always in pristine condition for visitors. Cape Coral has more canals than the Italian city of Venice, making it a boater’s paradise. Fort Myers Beach is a small beach town full of lots of things to do. It’s a great family-friendly destination, and it’s also great for romantic getaways. Naples has an excellent food and arts scene. If you’re looking for an extended beach vacation, the City on the Gulf is a great choice. We offer a variety of annual rentals in Naples.
If any of these options seem like the best fit for you, let us know! In addition to giving you information on the benefits of planning a vacation, we can also help you plan your trip to paradise!
Now that you’ve decided where you want to go, it’s best to plan your vacation five to eight months in advance. This will give you time to pick the perfect vacation rental and talk to our team of Vacation Planning Advisers about your options. You can also use this time to plan your road trip to the Sunshine State if you’ll be driving, or secure airfare if you’ll be traveling by plane. We’re here for you if you need any help!
What Makes a Great Vacation Rental?
There are always some things that turn a good vacation rental into a great vacation rental. The types of perks to look for in a great vacation rental includes:
- Fast WiFi connection for leisure and work
- Having towels and bedding that are better than your standard hotel room
- Offering secure or garaged parking
- A TV streaming service or a cable package with all the channels you need
- A fully loaded kitchen with cabinets and drawers full of plates, bowls, utensils, pots and pans and more.
What Should Be Included In a Vacation Rental?
Now that you know what makes a great vacation rental, you have to do your research to find out what should be included in a rental as standard protocol. This list should include:
- Clean sheets already on beds
- Cups and glasses
- Dishes
- Silverware
- Coffee and/or tea included
Why Vacation Rentals Are Better than Hotels
It’s a no-brainer that renting an apartment is much more expensive than staying in a hotel. Vacation rentals are the right choice when you are looking to stay in Southwest Florida for a week or longer. There are also many long-term vacation rental options available.
While the comforts of having your bed made and your room cleaned every night are enticing, there’s something about having your own privacy in a vacation rental that seems more like home. It’s also nice not to have to hear hotel room doors slamming constantly in narrow hotel hallways.
Let us count the ways how vacation rentals are better than hotels:
- While the upfront cost is cheaper, if you do the math it’s likely cheaper on a per night basis to reserve a vacation rental.
- The comforts of home abound. We’re talking flat-screen televisions, real cable TV packages, better Wifi and more.
- Washers and dryers are usually included
- Full kitchens for entertaining are a huge perk.
- Utilizing a porch and/or a backyard is important.
- A better location with more windows to enjoy your scenic vacation.
Benefits of Vacation Rentals You Can’t Deny
There are some other big reasons why vacation rentals rise above the rest when planning a vacation. Below is a guide to some of those vacation rental perks:
Room for Everyone
If you are planning a family vacation for any length of time that’s three days or longer, you need the same space or similar to what you enjoy at home. Maybe more space than home with separate rooms for everyone so you can relax! Plan for a vacation rental home with enough bedrooms, bathrooms, a living room and personal space that will allow you and your family space to hang out separately and together.
Kitchens
Kitchens are key to any vacation and it’s important to cook at home even on vacation!. It’s still space where people congregate to talk, relax, make a co*cktail and make a meal together. You can’t do that in a hotel with a mini-fridge and a microwave. Pick a vacation rental home that has the kitchen you need to relax and make good food (think fresh seafood!) together in a vacation setting!
Extra Security
If security is important to you, you don’t want maintenance workers or cleaning crew members entering your space to clean, repair or restock supplies. You also have the issue of parking your vehicle in hotel parking lots or garages. When you rent a vacation home, you have your own driveway, possibly a private garage and all the privacy you could ever ask for in a condo or home that won’t be accessed by anyone except you and your family.
Green Space and Backyards
There is something about having space to gaze out upon that keeps you grounded and keeps you from being confined and feeling claustrophobic. Who wants to feel boxed in on their vacation? Get a vacation with a backyard and some green space. Or better yet? Find a vacation rental where the beach is your backyard view!
Book Direct with Royal Shell Today
It’s official now. The benefits of vacation rentals in Florida are too much to pass up and a trip like this can be very cost-effective. Saving money is important, right? Time to book a vacation rental. Now you just need a property management company to help you find your home away from home. You have to book direct with Royal Shell today to plan your perfect Southwest Florida vacation. Royal Shell even offers flexcation™ reservations. You can book your Sanibel vacation rental trip today with peace of mind flexcation™ options.
Contact Royal Shell today to get the best deal on a vacation rental today and plan a luxury vacation!
