Ironman on Vacation – Remembering why hotels are so Blah…

I had the wonderful opportunity to travel to northern Idaho last weekend and participate in the Coeur D'Alene Ironman.  My wife and I made a trip of it and celebrated our 15 year wedding anniversary as well.  Yes, she is a great sport for allowing me to make a race weekend an anniversary weekend.

Since we decided on short-notice that we could leave our 4 kids with a reliable home-for-the-summer college student, we made reservations at a nice hotel in the area.  It is a professional, clean, friendly, and convenient hotel.  Very nice -we both liked it a lot.  But, it lacked the character and the wonderful independence you feel in a vacation rental.  It was difficult to hang-out and take a nap, I had to escape to the gym to watch TV when my wife wanted to sleep, I was limited on options in my snack (I like to eat and snack a lit before and after the race), and so on.

It was a reaffirmation to me what a great value and experience we bring to vacationers.  I love vacation rentals.  And I love the fact that as an industry we are doing more and more to help others discover and love vacation rentals as well.

BTW:  the race was long, and grueling, and long, and wonderful, and long.  It is difficult to find experiences that allow you to meet so many great people with a common goal.  That is always my favorite part - the many people you meet.

Ralf
LiveRez.com