We are just starting to plan our very first interstate family holiday to Hamilton Island early next year Seeing we have only been away for a weekend when Buster was a few months old, we're not too sure which accommodation to stay in, what we might need or what might not be necessary. The plan is to stay for a week. We have found a nice enough apartment on the ground floor of a block, as well as a stand alone house.
The house would be more private and has its own small pool, the kids can have their own rooms, more space in general with nice decks with a sensational view, being a house it has full sized everything as well as a clothesline..but it is more expensive and is not as close to the action (though I understand it's not a very big island anyway so not hard to take the buggy).
The apartment is a lot smaller with just two bedrooms so the boys would share (which they are not used to), it has a communal pool that is only a stones throw away, I think it is very close to the water and all the island facilities, it has a small kitchen and laundry but on the upside is not as expensive which means more spending money.
I think we are going to go with the house mainly because of the bedrooms. When we went on our weekend away Buster was still in with us...not sure if I want to test out sharing rooms when we're meant to be on holidays!
How old are the kids? Would you be likely to eat out in the evenings or will the kids be tired and over it and easier to prepare a meal at home? Is the pool at the apartments secure so that you don't need to worry about the kids wandering off and getting in the water?
Can you link the two options so we can check them out?? Not sure if that's allowed!
Oh sorry! The boys will be 4 and 2 by then. I am not planning on doing a lot of cooking but like to keep my options open the house has a nice BBQ that we would definitely use. Good question about the pool, I have no idea...but I do worry about them getting out of the ground floor apartment as it looks like it's just a sliding glass door. But on the other hand I worry about them getting out of the house too, I'm just a big ol' worry wart in general!
My first instinct would be to go with the apartment - in the middle of the action and more spending money. Your boys may not sleep well together, but they may have just as much trouble sleeping in a strange house? Perhaps you could keep them so busy during the day that they pass out at bedtime?! If you aren't going to do much cooking then there is not much benefit to paying for the house with the larger kitchen. I suspect the apartments will have a BBQ area if you like to cook that way. I guess the other thing to consider is whether you like to be around people on holidays or would prefer the privacy of your own house and pool?
If you're going to go skinny dipping, go the house.
If not, the apartment is probably fine. I'd save the money, in my experience unless you really need the extra space (like you're sharing with another family), a holiday apartment provides enough privacy and is usually closer to things you want to do.
Ok this is some kind of record for me...I think I have actually decided
Thank you both for giving me some things to consider, pretty sure we'll be booking the apartment. I've been thinking about how not to disrupt the boys too much...but it's a holiday and isn't meant to be just like home They'll just have to share and that's all part of the experience isn't it?
Sounds awesome. Yay. The apartment sounds fine When we've travelled with the kids, we've stayed in hotel-style rooms and getting the kids to sleep has been a debacle. So as long as there's somewhere for you to retreat while kids are sleeping, all good.
We are heading to Hamilton Island this weekend for a week and are staying at Oasis apartments. Cost was the main factor we chose the apartments - our girls will be sharing a room too, even though they don't at home. I'll let you know my thoughts if you are interested?
I am a stresser when it comes to holidays too, but in my experience the apartment would be great. It's only for a week, not a year. Holidays aren't meant to keep things the same.
That would be great RhiChiChi! I remember looking at Oasis, they looked like nice apartments. Hope you have a fantastic time!
That's exactly what I said to DH Kim, it's meant to be different to home, which I didn't consider.
So glad I asked! Am really looking forward to it, will be nice for the kids to be able to run around outside just in front of our apartment. They will probably get a real kick out of sharing
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What would you choose?
Seeing we have only been away for a weekend when Buster was a few months old, we're not too sure which accommodation to stay in, what we might need or what might not be necessary. The plan is to stay for a week. We have found a nice enough apartment on the ground floor of a block, as well as a stand alone house.
the house has a nice BBQ that we would definitely use. Good question about the pool, I have no idea...but I do worry about them getting out of the ground floor apartment as it looks like it's just a sliding glass door. But on the other hand I worry about them getting out of the house too, I'm just a big ol' worry wart in general!
When we've travelled with the kids, we've stayed in hotel-style rooms and getting the kids to sleep has been a debacle. So as long as there's somewhere for you to retreat while kids are sleeping, all good.
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