Picture this: It’s 8:00 p.m. and you’ve been driving for 12 hours straight, on a
direct path to what now seems the most remote place on earth. You know it’ll be
beautiful once you’re there, but for now, all you want to do is kick back and
relax, and let the rest of the family members do their own thing.
You finally pull into your rental at about 9:00 p.m., and unpack a month’s worth
of clothes for this week-long trip. You’ve finally made it, you should be
proud; your vacation has officially begun.
So what now – Hiking? Swimming? Fishing? Nope, for tonight, you just want to lie
down on the couch and watch some … wait a minute, where’s the TV?! And what –
no pets allowed? What about the dog, where will he sleep?!
It’s like a horror story come true for some people: a rental cabin with no TV or
telephone. It’s happened to many of us at one point or another. Hopefully this
checklist will help you to make sure your vacation rental has everything you
need (and of course, for those of us a little more demanding – everything you
want).
-
Alarm clock (like you need one of these on vacation)
-
CD / tape deck
-
Television and cable (believe it or not, not all cabins have a television)
-
Internet hookups (we’re really roughin’ it here)
-
VCR / DVD player (won't do you any good without a television)
-
Telephone (and most importantly, where it is located - in the cabin, or 5 miles
away on a pole)
-
Jacuzzi (indoor, outdoor, small or large)
-
Fireplace / fire pit (check any fire restrictions too!)
-
Bar-B-Q grill
-
Water access (lake, pond, ocean, or river)
-
Rentals available (canoes, ATVs)
-
Nearby attractions
-
Pets allowed (and what types of pets - dog, cat)
-
Refrigerator/freezer
-
Kitchen appliances and utilities (toaster, coffee maker, cutlery, plates,
bowls, pots and pans, etc.)
Before booking your rental, sit down with your vacation companions and comprise
a list of your own to amend to the one above. Consider the things most
important, and those not-so-vital. There will always be compromises, as you’re
staying in cabin, not your own home, but making sure you have the necessities
from the moment you arrive will make your trip just that much more enjoyable.
Have fun, and happy cabining!