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Florida Vacation AccommodationThe combined total of overseas and USA domestic visitors who travel to Florida each year totals approximately 85 million. That is a staggering figure when you consider that nearly all of those visitors are going to need accommodation. No wonder the Florida accommodation industry alone employs over 1 million people. The following information is provided as an aide to understanding the terms most typically used to describe the various types of Florida vacations accommodation.
Hotels with lower ratings (and tariffs) may only offer the basic accommodation. Higher rated hotels may offer guest facilities such as gymnasiums, pools, spas and saunas. To meet market demands, many hotels are now providing a choice of traditional hotel rooms or a suite complete with a fully equipped kitchen for self catering. This option is like having a condo within the hotel complex, with access to all the hotel's guest facilities. |
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In many cases there is not a lot of difference to distinguish resorts from hotels. Most resorts are located at or near the most popular vacation destinations. Many resorts are large high-rise complexes and operate under the same brand-names of the better known hotel chains such as Sheraton, Westin, Holiday Inn etc. Resorts usually offer a range of facilities and entertainment that surpasses hotel accommodation. It obviously varies depending on location but swimming pools, games rooms, water sports equipment, tennis courts, kids clubs are all typical of the features and facilities that are inclusive with resort accommodation. Themed resorts are common, especially in the Orlando area which has many Disney themed resorts. Golf resorts are found throughout Florida. As with hotels, there is often a mix of resort accommodation with options for either room only or fully equipped kitchen suites.
These can be best described as multifamily housing complexes with common facilities such as recreation areas, sidewalks, parking lots, etc. Condo unit owners own the inside of their units, whereas townhouse owners own the complete unit, including exterior surfaces and the land on which the unit is built. Vacation condos and townhouses have kitchens fully equipped for self catering, a equipped laundry with washer and dryer and include all necessary linen, towels and bedding. Cable TV is the norm and off-street parking is usually available. These types of accommodation are generally best suited to holiday makers who prefer their accommodation away from the high rise complexes, have little or no need of in-house facilities and prefer to manage their own meals.
With the proliferation of web sites that offer an assortment of rental properties, the term "vacation rentals" tends to be used as a generic one to include all types of vacation lodgings. The term is meant to be associated with any lodging that has self-catering facilities including a wet bar, refrigerator, microwave, etc. Most vacation rentals will have separate bedrooms, fully equipped kitchens, one or more bathrooms and laundry facilities including washer and dryer. Towels and linens are usually provided and daily maid services and other hotel conveniences are often available. (Note: Maid services and conveniences are unlikely when the property is a domestic dwelling and not part of a vacation complex) Unlike hotels and resorts with per person or per night pricing, vacation rentals usually have a set price for an entire rental with a maximum number of persons allowed. Extra person charges apply to additional guests accepted at time of booking. Most one-bedroom units sleep a maximum of four using a sleeper/sofa in the living room. Most two-bedroom vacation rentals sleep a maximum of six, and most three-bedroom vacation rentals sleep up to eight. The sleeping configurations will vary in domestic dwellings where sleep-outs, verandahs and individual layout determine the allowable occupancy. Viewers are advised to read the details carefully to see exactly what each property offers. |
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