Cottage Rental Vs. Hotel Accommodation

When I go on vacation, sure, it's nice to be treated to housekeeping, a lobby boutique, room service. I love going out for meals every night - while avoiding the always-tempting minibar like the plague. But there's something very romanitic and alluring about vacationing cottage style.
 
I remember a friend of mine vacationing in the South of France with her boyfriend in university. She told me they were staying in a cottage, and that she was excited to grocery shop and cook her own food in the quaint little cottage. Like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (sort of) - there's just something whimsical and organic about renting a sweet cottage, versus a commercial hotel.
 
With money tight the past few years, my family and I haven't gone on any extravagant vacations. But, we've gone away with friends and family, closer to home. Each time, we've rented a cottage. We all bring our own food, cook together, eat together, put the kids to bed and then party the night away with beer, chips, charades and good TV. It's not fancy by any means, but you'd be surprised what you can get - and how inexpensive - when you rent with another family, or two.
 
We tend to rent these cottages for week-long vacations, and even for a long weekend. We drive the 2 or so hours to the destination, throw are bags in the cottage and dash to the docks or beach.
 
Indeed, renting a cottage for the weekend or longer is ideal for children. My kids love the idea of being in a new home with lots of places and things to explore. Usually, you can bring your pets, too - a must for my family. Which, to my mind, is one of the best benefits of renting a cottage while on vacation.
 
I'm looking forward to this year's trip. My parents are taking my family and my siblings' families to a quaint cottage in Haliburton. What an ideal way to bring the families together - sleeping under the same roof, enjoying new sights and sounds, experiencing new things, roasting marshmallows together...mmmm!
 
We did the same thing last year, and I've been looking forward to our next cottage adventure since then! I love a good hotel vacation. But, cottage vacations are special. Full of bonding, adventure, and lots of fun!