Wheretostay.com Offers Family Friendly Resort Options

Tips for easy-to-plan, stress-free travel

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. October 14, 2008

DALLAS, TX, December 15, 2005. Ideally, a family vacation is a time to enjoy each other's company in a beautiful setting without the responsibilities of everyday home life. Finding the right place for a vacation takes time and research, and parents need to know where to look and what to do to ensure a stress-free getaway for all. While vacations are intended to be fun and relaxing, planning a successful family retreat can be challenging. WhereToStay.com, the ultimate travel resource to all consumers searching for "where to stay" on their next trip, offers several tips for creating the perfect family vacation.

In addition to a listing of family-friendly hotels and resorts, WhereToStay.com offers traveler reviews of individual properties with a star-rating system pointing readers in the right direction, with unbiased and verifiable travel accounts. Within these reviews, a potential traveler may discover some important information they didn't even know they were looking for and wouldn't have found reading information posted by the hotel.

Shawna Dunaway, co-founder of WhereToStay.com, travel expert and busy mom, understands the importance of vacations for building family memories. "I often hear horror stories from people who make one trip with their young children and swear off traveling until their kids get older, which I think is sad," said Dunaway.

"There are so many excellent options today," added Dunaway. "Instead of an eight-hour car trip, you can be somewhere spectacular in a single flight. Many people don't realize how easy it is to get to the northern islands in the Caribbean."

Families looking for a vacation retreat featuring kid-friendly accommodations and family-sized fun can visit www.WhereToStay.com for a listing of vacation spots throughout the Caribbean that cater to the family-set. Dunaway notes: "If you want an easy family trip, go somewhere warm where you can pack fewer clothes. Another option is to pack carry-on bags only so that you don't have to wait for luggage. This allows you to make it through customs first - before the crowds - and every minute saved is vital when traveling with children."

Other important things to remember are:

Choose your hotel carefully. Different families have different needs. Are there children's activity programs? If so, what ages do they cater to? Does the hotel offer babysitting services? How many restaurants are on-property? Does the room feature a kitchenette for easy-to-serve meals for the kids?

Packing light can be a challenge, but it is doable and well worth it. Simply put, if in doubt - don't take it.

Consider choosing an airline that offers individual in-flight televisions or a movie option to keep the kids occupied.

Choose your plane seat wisely, not all rows have a power-port. Make sure to get a seat with power ports if you plan to use a DVD player.

Stock up on batteries for handheld games and other portable electronics equipment.

Remember, less is more. You don't have to lug the car seat. Most rental companies offer car seats and most airlines state that babies up to age two can sit on an adult's lap. For ages two and older, a car or booster seat is allowed, but not mandatory.

Pick up dollar store toys and surprise your child with treats throughout the flight. Toys + kids = happy trip.

For layovers, always carry a family game in the outside pocket of your carry on.

Children over two should carry a little backpack, but don't put anything in there you don't mind losing - it's great for books, crayons and paper.

Give yourself time. Adhere to travel guidelines and suggestions.

Passports will be compulsory to the Caribbean as of Dec. 31, 2006.

"Our son already has great memories from family trips and we talk about them throughout the year. Giving your child the gift of travel is something they can carry with them throughout their lives," added Dunaway.

WhereToStay.com strives to be the ultimate travel resource to all consumers searching for "where to stay" on their next trip - especially for those vacation-seekers who have no idea where they want to go, but do know what they want to do when they get there.

WhereToStay.com features a section that breaks down by popular traveler activities and lists resorts that cater to these specific interests. In addition to family-friendly resorts, the following categories are offered: All-Inclusive, Bone Fishing, Budget Travelers, Business Travel, Deep-Sea Fishing, Eco-Tourism, Golfers, Great Beaches, Great Cuisine, Groups, Honeymoon, Private Island, Sailing, Scuba Diving, Small/Intimate, Snorkeling, Solo Travelers, Spa Vacations, and Weekend Getaways.

WhereToStay.com is always enhancing the site by adding new properties and traveler reviews. Those planning to travel are encouraged to visit WhereToStay.com before their journey as well as following their trip to write a review that will help others considering a visit to that same place.

Founded in 1995, WhereToStay.com began as a Caribbean travel guide, with its mission to help travelers easily navigate through accurate yet concise information about hotels, resorts and villas of all sizes.

Centered around its "Know Before You Go" philosophy, WhereToStay.com offers in-depth information about thousands of places to stay as well as candid traveler reviews, useful advice and helpful tips from people who experienced these destinations and accommodations first-hand.