families first?

[darkwing]

I've scrolled through as many threads as possible (can't get the search function to work :( - but I'm still looking for a bit more info and hoping some/or a couple of people can help out.

My family is heading down in Nov (6 of us) and we want to get a vacation home. I was looking at families first (familiesfirst.com) and they seem to have the best rates $89 a night plus taxes for a 2 bdr. Has anyone booked through them before and if so what were your experiences? I've never booked a vacation home before so I'm a little nervous about getting down there and finding out that I've rented a run-down shack - (I'm sure it wouldn't be that bad, but you know what I mean!)

any help would be appreciated!!

thanks,

Chris

[tednvon]

Families First has a very good reputation...they manage a lot of homes and do it well.....lots of good bargains right now and they want to keep homes rented....enjoy...Ted

[MalcolmC]

Originally posted by darkwing
I'm a little nervous about getting down there and finding out that I've rented a run-down shack

As a vacation home owner and user I hope I can reassure you that there aren't any "run-down shacks" being rented out in Florida.

There are some homes, in out of the way places, that look a bit like run-down shacks, but I don't think you'll find them being rented out to tourists!

[darkwing]

Sorry - I didn't mean to offend anyone who owns a vacation home (with the shack comment)- I am actually quite excited about renting one down there!!! :)

thanks!!

[Robinrs]

I have to agree with Malcolm, these homes are beautiful and I doubt if many are more than 3 years old!

I'm hooked on staying at vacation homes, because it's really nice to have the space and the beauty WITHOUT the maintenance! :D

[MalcolmC]

Originally posted by darkwing
Sorry - I didn't mean to offend anyone who owns a vacation home (with the shack comment)- I am actually quite excited about renting one down there!!! :)

thanks!!

No offence taken whatsoever. You'll find they're all beautiful and so much better than being squeezed into one room in a hotel.

We've been renting since '96, until we bought our own in 2000 and we've never had a bad house in Central Florida. Hope you have a great time

[snookhams]

I jsut had to say that I totally agree that holiday home rentals is the best way to go, I would not go back to satying in a hotel after staying in a villa. With 2 children (one with a peanut allergy) it is just so much easier to please ourselves and have room to spread out, we have had 2 holidays where the children were ill (both on one holiday) and we got sick of looking at the same 4 walls, at least in a rental home you can relax in the family room. We are considering buying a home in Florida in fact the villa we are staying in (aug 9th - 31st) is up for sale so it might be sooner rather than later - but don't tell DH will have to work on him a little.

[eeyore0062]

It is also wonderful if you have a snorer in the family... no one gets stuck in the same room, up all night!

[brerrabbit70]

We rented a home from Families First for our trip last November. We loved it!!! I will never stay in a hotel again. We paid to have the pool heated and the kids loved it. It was very clean and the beds were wonderful. I have recommended them to many of my family and friends. You can't go wrong.

[Robinrs]

Originally posted by snookhams
I jsut had to say that I totally agree that holiday home rentals is the best way to go, I would not go back to satying in a hotel after staying in a villa. With 2 children (one with a peanut allergy)

I had made the decision to stay at vacation homes because of my son's food allergies also. I was able to refrigerate and make alot of foods he just couldn't eat at buffets and elsewhere.

BTW, I stayed at a hotel twice since staying in villas and it is very HARD! I missed the washer and dryer the most!