| Gas prices be darned. You finally got time to | | | | that wonderful Shaker chair? How exactly does |
| vacation, and you're heading to New England. | | | | one get into bed without sitting on the edge? At |
| Trouble is, you're not quite sure whether you | | | | this place, I guess you have to dive into bed. |
| should stay in a hotel/motel, a B&B inn or | | | | While their prices are comparable to hotels and |
| rent a vacation house. Here are some insights into | | | | motels, you can find some great deals at |
| the best lodging for your needs. | | | | B&B inns, and like hotels, many of them |
| Because we don't know your specific interests, or | | | | offer stay-and-play packages. |
| what presents itself as the best place for you to | | | | But... B&B inns are notorious for not allowing |
| stay, we'll plug some traditional variables into the | | | | pets to stay unless it's a dog-friendly inn, of which |
| equation, and that should help you narrow your | | | | there is a growing number. Second, the thing |
| choices. | | | | about B&B getaways is that they are geared |
| If you're single or a couple, before you read this, | | | | more toward romantically minded guests; those |
| take a look at the many spas and resorts up | | | | who bring that all-important shiny rock with which |
| here. They are designed as ultimate destressors, | | | | to pop the question. They're also geared to those |
| and offer all kinds of exquisite pampering services. | | | | looking to destress in absolute silence. |
| If you're not interested in being pampered or | | | | The rooms are often frilly, but very nice and you |
| you're a family, read on. | | | | want to find an inn with a nice host or hostess. |
| Let's start with your budget. Gas prices are a | | | | You can tell the difference immediately when |
| factor and may mean that the grand hotel you | | | | they pick up the phone. I don't know of any |
| had in mind is now beyond your means, so we'll | | | | B&B where the owner doesn't answer the |
| say you can work with between $1,500 to | | | | phone. If they scream, "What," head for the next |
| $3,000. | | | | on the list. |
| Most people are convinced that the region's ski | | | | The best thing to do is to tell an innkeeper that |
| season or spectacularly colored autumnal leaves | | | | you will be bringing your son, daughter and Mugs |
| are the biggest draw to New England, but they're | | | | along, and if they don't growl or sputter on the |
| mistaken. Starting with Memorial Day and coasting | | | | other end of the line, that's good news. While you |
| through Labor Day, summer is when the most | | | | get a room and breakfast (thus the name of |
| tourists flock to New England-even those who live | | | | these inns), some also serve dinner. |
| inside the region. | | | | Some with larger dining rooms rent space to |
| But as the seasons change, so do the rates, and | | | | chefs who prepare marvelous delicacies for the |
| if you're looking for lower rates in the summer, | | | | discerning palate. BB&Ds are very rare, |
| you may be in for some sticker shock. However, | | | | however, and you're still on your own for lunch, |
| while you may pay higher hotel fees in summer, | | | | but you can always get that $25 hamburger and |
| you don't have to surrender your first born for | | | | $14 soda at the base lodge when you want a |
| lift tickets-unless your kids bug you to go a | | | | skiing break or to tear the kids away from the |
| mountain and make ample use of the Alpine Slide | | | | Alpine Slide. |
| and growing number of other rides at something | | | | In all seriousness, while there are many superb |
| like $19 per ride if you go to Vermont or New | | | | B&B getaway deals out there, they do tend |
| Hampshire. | | | | to be geared more toward adults than they are |
| Second, how long are you planning your stay? For | | | | to families because there's one bed per room. |
| most folks, five days is about the max. When | | | | They won't turn you away, but it may not be the |
| you've been away that long, you need to take a | | | | ideal place to stay for your son and daughter, |
| vacation from your vacation. Let's say we'll | | | | who would have to sleep on roll-out cots or in |
| choose five weekdays. The smart thing is to get | | | | another room-double the fare. |
| away at a time when you're nowhere near a | | | | House or Condo Rental |
| holiday or weekend. There are myriad advantages | | | | Ignoring time shares for this article, that leaves us |
| to weekday getaways, especially for skiing if you | | | | with renting a house or condo for the week. This |
| decide to come up in the winter. You'll have much | | | | a hybrid mix of a hotel and B&B, but with all |
| shorter lift lines, more mountain to yourself and | | | | kinds of room and total privacy. The owners |
| lower-priced lift tickets. | | | | often have rules posted, and you must be |
| Third, how many people will be going with you? | | | | absolutely certain you obey them or no refrain |
| Let's say three and a half: your husband, your | | | | next year. |
| daughter and son, aged eleven and thirteen | | | | You do have a whole house to yourself, you can |
| respectively. The "half" part is next. | | | | eat without having to go out, you can sleep in if |
| Are you planning on bringing any pets, a dog, cat, | | | | you want without some lady with a cart knocking |
| boa constrictor? Let's say Mugs, your Chihuahua, | | | | on your door to make your bed. |
| will be making the trip. While there are many | | | | There are really two kinds of rental housing: a |
| pet-friendly places to stay, pets usually aren't | | | | house in the proximity of a ski area, or a condo |
| welcome at many hotels unless it's a no-tell motel | | | | right on the mountain or lake and beaches. If |
| that'll rent you an 8-by-10-foot cabin for $49 a | | | | you're not comfortable driving in snow, then a |
| night per person and you can't get the fold-up | | | | trailside condo will be your best choice if you're |
| bed to stay up, so it becomes your table. | | | | here to ski. |
| Fifth, is being close to a single mountain or | | | | During the spring (after mud season-you don't |
| attraction important, or will you be heading for the | | | | want to visit Northern New England during mud |
| shore? Would you rather be near a lake? All of | | | | season), you can drive anywhere and spend the |
| the New England states have wonderful ponds, | | | | bulk of your time sightseeing. Houses can also |
| lakes or beaches. If you like to play in the surf, | | | | offer the best budget deals. In towns with a ski |
| Newport, Rhode Island has three beaches, each | | | | area, houses and condos start at about $150 per |
| with a bit rougher surf. Vermont and New | | | | night depending on when you go-again, avoid |
| Hampshire have wonderful lakes. Lake Champlain | | | | holidays and weekends-and can charge as much |
| in Vermont makes its way to the Hudson. And | | | | as $500 a night depending upon where they are. |
| Lake Sunapee in New Hampshire is a prized | | | | Usually, the closer to a mountain they are, the |
| vacation spot. Maine is loaded with gorgeous lakes | | | | more expensive they are if it's a big house, but |
| and rivers, especially the Kennebec. Connecticut | | | | that's not always the case with condos. |
| has wonderful shorelines and lakes. Massachusetts | | | | In the final analysis, doing a house or condo rental |
| has some of the best surf up on Cape Cod. | | | | with all of your variables could be your best bet. |
| No matter where you go, let's figure out what | | | | At $150 a night, that's $750 for five nights. |
| accommodations are best for you. | | | | Here's a good tip: When you first get into town, |
| Hotels/Motels | | | | assuming you're not exhausted from the drive, |
| Room rates at hotels and motels typically range | | | | visit a local supermarket and get enough food for |
| from $159 a night to $349 a night. So it pays to | | | | a week so you don't have to drop a ton of |
| do your homework, which is best done on the | | | | dough at restaurants. |
| Web. If you've decided to go to Vermont, Stowe | | | | Most houses have not only TVs and cable or |
| in the North is loaded with hotels, resorts and | | | | satellite, but VCRs and DVD players, as well, so |
| spas. In the southern part, the Stratton area is a | | | | your little guy and gal can bring some favorite |
| great place to stay. | | | | tapes or DVDs along. |
| Hotels offer more amenities than do smaller | | | | It's not all perfect. Many of them insist that you |
| lodging places, such as indoor pools and the like, | | | | to change the sheets on the beds and leave the |
| and there's usually that piece of chocolate on your | | | | house as neat as you found it. But if that's all you |
| pillow. | | | | have to do to enjoy some privacy, relaxation and |
| Many of the lodging entities cut deals with various | | | | do-what-you-want-when-you-want freedom, this |
| ski resorts and summer charters to provide you | | | | is the way to go. Just make sure Mugs doesn't |
| with stay-and-ski or stay-and-play packages that | | | | leave his mark on the carpets. |
| can work well for you budget-wise. | | | | Finally, if you like the house and would like to own |
| B&B Inns | | | | your own as a vacation home, now that the |
| These really run the gamut from being | | | | housing bubble has exploded, prices have come |
| breathtakingly romantic and luxurious to being a | | | | way down from ridiculous peaks, so take a ride |
| spare room in someone's house. | | | | and look for "For Sale" signs. Take down the |
| Rules. Some B&B innkeepers seem to busy | | | | broker's number at a house your like and give |
| themselves in the morning thinking up new ones. | | | | them a call. It may be the best vacation |
| They love them. Some are uber strict-one in | | | | investment you'll ever make, because when |
| Vermont, for instance, demands that guests, "not | | | | you're not there, you can rent it out and have |
| sit on the bed." Oh, okay so you sleep where, in | | | | your guests pay the mortgage. |