Meadowlark Posted September 22, 2017 Share Posted September 22, 2017 (edited) We are planning a vacation to MN-specifically the north shore area. You would think we were going out of the country for what lodging will cost us. We are a family of 8, so I expect to pay more, but THIS much more. 3 nights will come to $1600 for a 2 bedroom condo on the lake. Yes, I DO want to be on the lake so I suppose I'm paying for that. But even the budget hotels further away are $150-200 a night, and we'd need 2 rooms. This 2 bedroom has a kitchen so I figure we'd save some money there. It still feels utterly ridiculous to me though. Camping is not an option btw. Is this reasonable to you? Edited September 22, 2017 by Meadowlark 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shellydon Posted September 22, 2017 Share Posted September 22, 2017 That seems normal. I just booked a VBRO in Seattle for similar costs. Boston was double that when we went last year. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lanny Posted September 22, 2017 Share Posted September 22, 2017 (edited) Are there any Timeshare Resorts there? If so, I would look into one of those. Probably a 2 or 3 bedroom one with a Full Kitchen and all taxes and service charges, etc., included in what you pay to rent it. Are you going during "Peak" season or when there is a Convention or something going on? Rates vary, wildly, with seasons. The Same Timeshare we rented near Orlando last year (for $400 for 7 nights) goes for as much as about $1500 during Peak season. And with numbers between 400 and 1500 during the year. (We were there at the end of April 2016) Question: Does the 1600 includes Taxes and Services charges? RE: The Kitchen. Our Timeshare had a Fully equipped Kitchen. My wife was not planning to Cook while we were on vacation, but there was a wonderful Publix Supermarket adjacent to the Timeshare and we bought things there 2 or 3 times during the 7 night stay. She ended up cooking a quick Breakfast for us 6 of the 7 mornings and when we got back at night, a Snack. That saved a huge amount of time we would have missed in the Parks and also saved money. The one morning we ate in the nearby Denny's Restaurant, it wasn't like what my wife remembers from Denny's we have eaten in, in various parts of the USA. We had WiFi, free parking, etc. If you can rent a Timeshare, that IMO would be the way to go. What you refer to as a Condo may actually be a Timeshare, but if you are interested in renting a timeshare, I'd look for that. Enjoy your vacation! ETA: The Timeshare we rented had 2 bedrooms, the Master Bedroom had a bathroom and there was another bedroom and a nearby bathroom. It was their smaller 2 bedroom unit with a maximum capacity of 6 people. We were 4 people. There were 3 TV sets with Cable, etc. Edited September 22, 2017 by Lanny 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MEmama Posted September 22, 2017 Share Posted September 22, 2017 I've never even seen anything like that, but probably because I'm not looking at that price point. No, we would never pay even a third of that. I can't imagine. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitestavern Posted September 22, 2017 Share Posted September 22, 2017 No, I wouldn't. Have you looked at vrbo or airbnb? Even for a family of 8 you should be able to do better than that. We rented a townhouse in Beacon Hill in Boston for less than $300 a night. It was gorgeous. I think there were 9 of us. Of course if there are not many homes on the lake where you are going, that could be a problem. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2att Posted September 22, 2017 Share Posted September 22, 2017 We generally rent from vrbo when we travel as a family, but try to keep it in the $2-300 per night range, and that's for a whole house (3 or 4 BR). So no I wouldn't rent a 2BR condo for $500/night if I could avoid it. Must be a happening place, the north shore of MN! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janie Grace Posted September 22, 2017 Share Posted September 22, 2017 Nope, that sounds overpriced to me (and we rent often, for a similar-sized group). I'd expect to pay about $300-350 per night for that. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crimson Wife Posted September 22, 2017 Share Posted September 22, 2017 (edited) Is it waterfront? That would be reasonable but if it's just near the lake but not waterfront, I think it's overpriced. I just checked what high season rental is for the condo my parents used to own in NH (lake view but not waterfront). It's $4k for 14 nights or $286/night. That condo is 4BR and either 3 or 3.5 BA (they sold it several years ago so I don't remember and it's not listed on the VRBO page). ETA: Minimum stay is 14 days during high season. So if you're only looking at 3 nights, your options may be much more limited since many owners prefer longer term rentals. Edited September 22, 2017 by Crimson Wife 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alisoncooks Posted September 22, 2017 Share Posted September 22, 2017 Is it comparable to AirBnB/HomeAway prices? It seems high. We rented a house at the beach this summer (so totally different part of the country), but it was a house that slept 8 and an entire week cost what you're quoting for 3 nights. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKL Posted September 22, 2017 Share Posted September 22, 2017 I don't know prices in MN. I know I couldn't stay 2 nights in a closet for that amount in NYC. :P It does sound a little high, but not knock your socks off high, given the lake location and all that. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janeway Posted September 22, 2017 Share Posted September 22, 2017 We are planning a vacation to MN-specifically the north shore area. You would think we were going out of the country for what lodging will cost us. We are a family of 8, so I expect to pay more, but THIS much more. 3 nights will come to $1600 for a 2 bedroom condo on the lake. Yes, I DO want to be on the lake so I suppose I'm paying for that. But even the budget hotels further away are $150-200 a night, and we'd need 2 rooms. This 2 bedroom has a kitchen so I figure we'd save some money there. It still feels utterly ridiculous to me though. Camping is not an option btw. Is this reasonable to you? Not in MN. In NYC, sure, not in MN. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tess in the Burbs Posted September 22, 2017 Share Posted September 22, 2017 we like a cabin in Montana that would cost $300 a night for 2bedrooms/kitchen cabin in the middle of nowhere but close to Glacier. Luckily I have a timeshare and I can get that cabin for an average of $100/night for the fees I pay. But no, I wouldn't pay that much personally out of pocket for a room. If I had other options. We did pay too much for a room when seeing the Redwoods this year. Way overpriced room for the dump that it was. However, there were no other options, whatcha going to do? If you would use the kitchen, just accept that is the cost. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lanny Posted September 22, 2017 Share Posted September 22, 2017 One thing about renting a Timeshare. Normally, it is for a 7 night stay. If you stay fewer nights, you pay the same $. But, I think you might come out way ahead, if there are Timeshare Resorts where you are going. Even if you only stay 3 of the 7 nights... And a follow-on to the prices I quoted for the 2 BR 2 BA Fully equipped Kitchen where we were near Orlando last year. We paid $400 total for 7 nights. It goes up to about $1500 for 7 nights in very peak seasons. Even when it is $1500, I consider that a bargain for what you get, and for what someone would pay in a traditional hotel at the same time of the year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meadowlark Posted September 22, 2017 Author Share Posted September 22, 2017 No, I wouldn't. Have you looked at vrbo or airbnb? Even for a family of 8 you should be able to do better than that. We rented a townhouse in Beacon Hill in Boston for less than $300 a night. It was gorgeous. I think there were 9 of us. Of course if there are not many homes on the lake where you are going, that could be a problem. Yes, have looked at VRBO and don't see anything with a great lake view for any cheaper. Seriously seems like this is our best option so I might have to suck it up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommyoffive Posted September 22, 2017 Share Posted September 22, 2017 (edited) Would I pay $500 a night for a family of 7 or 8, yes I would. But it would have to be something really nice. But most of the time I am not paying that. Edited September 22, 2017 by mommyoffive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommyoffive Posted September 22, 2017 Share Posted September 22, 2017 Yes, have looked at VRBO and don't see anything with a great lake view for any cheaper. Seriously seems like this is our best option so I might have to suck it up. When are you looking on going? Is this high season? Can you go some place else? Lake houses in WI or MI don't go for that much for a 2 bedroom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meadowlark Posted September 22, 2017 Author Share Posted September 22, 2017 (edited) When are you looking on going? Is this high season? Can you go some place else? Lake houses in WI or MI don't go for that much for a 2 bedroom. Yes, unfortunately this is August. My kids are in school now and we're heavily involved in baseball which goes until mid-July. Maybe that's why this is so crazy hard...I'm used to paying $500 for 3 nights during low peak season. I've been looking almost everywhere on the lake though, and there's just no way I'm going to find something to house us all for less. Shooting myself in the foot because we didn't travel very much when we were homeschooling and now I regret it Edited September 22, 2017 by Meadowlark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SquirrellyMama Posted September 22, 2017 Share Posted September 22, 2017 No, I wouldn't pay that much in MN. I could see paying much in other places, but not in the Midwest. Kelly 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommyoffive Posted September 22, 2017 Share Posted September 22, 2017 Yes, unfortunately this is August. My kids are in school now and we're heavily involved in baseball which goes until mid-July. Maybe that's why this is so crazy hard...I'm used to paying $500 for 3 nights during low peak season. I've been looking almost everywhere on the lake though, and there's just no way I'm going to find something to house us all for less. Shooting myself in the foot because we didn't travel very much when we were homeschooling and now I regret it Yeah I would not pay that much for a condo. Nope. For a full house, maybe. But I haven't paid anything like that. Yeah that is my #1 perk with homeschooling is being able to travel. I am thinking about not doing the charter so that I can travel more. I can see why they are jacking up the rates. Is this late August or early? Can you go some place else? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paige Posted September 22, 2017 Share Posted September 22, 2017 No. We're a family of 6 and I wouldn't pay that for a 2 bedroom condo. I'd want at least 3 bedrooms for our family anyway. If I were staying in Rome or Paris I could find someplace at that price point! Is it crucial you go to that specific place at that specific time? I'd be exploring other options if there were truly nothing else suitable for that date and location. You have almost a year to plan, so I'd hate to book at that price now. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted September 22, 2017 Share Posted September 22, 2017 it really depends where you are. more popular areas at the height of the season cost more. if you think it's too much - keep looking. I know there were 2bdrm condos more than that at banff, but we ended up further away and paying less. (and the condo felt cramped for four.) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solascriptura Posted September 22, 2017 Share Posted September 22, 2017 I would pay it as long as the condo looked really nice with some amenities. I have paid that amount for two rooms in nice hotels so I would flinch at the price. But it must be on the nicer end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitten18 Posted September 22, 2017 Share Posted September 22, 2017 No, I wouldn't pay that much in MN. I could see paying much in other places, but not in the Midwest. Kelly I agree. I've paid that much during ski season for a 2 bedroom, ski-in/ski-out condo. We could stay a couple hundred/night cheaper if we went just a few blocks away and didn't want to pay for ski-in/ski-out convenience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janeway Posted September 22, 2017 Share Posted September 22, 2017 When we go to the Black Hills, we pay about $200 a night for the Holiday Inn, it is a two room suite with free breakfast, no kitchen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creekland Posted September 23, 2017 Share Posted September 23, 2017 Price will always depend upon supply and demand. If they can fill it for that price, why lower it? That said, it's rare that we pay that much for any one night (or three). We opt to go to less expensive places that still have a great view (choosing less expensive lakes or islands or whatever) and we're willing to camp. If we spent that much on one trip, there would be one or two other trips we couldn't take. That's not a good trade off for us. We almost always require a view, but the world is a big place. We don't need to go where everyone wants to be in order to be happy. We spent a month on Grand Bahama in a beach front condo with a terrific view for what 4 nights in Nassau (Bahamas - different island) would have cost us (beach front). We also don't need great amenities. We're willing to survive on pop tarts (or similar) if necessary for a day or two! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catz Posted September 23, 2017 Share Posted September 23, 2017 Is it actually on Lake Superior? Have you looked at other accommodation options during that time period? That is a very popular destination during the high season and there are luxury accommodations available (I'm from MN). I wouldn't pay that, but we always choose cheaper accommodations or choose to travel at non-peak times. I have to admit we stayed on times square in a hotel suite for WAY less than that. However it would have taken 2 suites to accommodate 8. You can get reasonable rooms in New York. But that was WAY off season (January). So I really think whether YOU would pay it is up to you. I'd look at some other options first if possible. Traveling with 8 is challenging. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted September 23, 2017 Share Posted September 23, 2017 I don’t know about prices in that area. For our family of four, we had paid $300 per night (including tax) for a hotel room off peak season when we couldn’t change the dates and location and we were given short notice so could not book early or hunt for bargains. So $500 per night won’t sound too off given that the dates you choose might be peak season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
history-fan Posted September 23, 2017 Share Posted September 23, 2017 On the Lake with 8 people and amenities that price seems about right. I have used this company to rent places on the north shore and have had good experiences. http://www.cascadevacationrentals.com/vacation-rentals-homes.asp?cat=4990 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-rap Posted September 23, 2017 Share Posted September 23, 2017 Are you wanting to be right on the waterfront and in a certain town? Some luxury places are priced high during certain times of the year in Northern Minnesota. It really is beautiful up there! I'm assuming it has a kitchen and you'll be cooking your meals. For 8 people, you'll save a lot of money by not eating out. That alone will certainly help. Anyway, if you're comfortable telling me what lake and what town, I might be able to offer other ideas. I'm in MN and we travel to the northern part of the state often. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaBearTeacher Posted September 23, 2017 Share Posted September 23, 2017 That sees high for that part of the country, even right on a lake. Whenever we are travelling and I am finding the prices really high I just keep looking and somehow I find something that is priced more reasonably. You are booking almost a year in advance. I would look a bit more. If you cannot find anything else, remember you will save a lot on meals. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 23, 2017 Share Posted September 23, 2017 We are also a family of eight, and we vacation frequently. There's no way I'd pay that much. I'd figure somewhere in the $300/night range. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScoutTN Posted September 23, 2017 Share Posted September 23, 2017 Nope. Way out of our price range. I spend $1000 for 7 nights at the beach in a nice, not luxurious, 2 or 3 br condo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LifeLovePassion Posted September 23, 2017 Share Posted September 23, 2017 For the north shore, that sounds right for on the lake. I would look off the lake personally and do day trips/hiking in the state parks on and near the lake. We like www.crookedlakemn.com it is about 30 minutes off from Silver Bay and about 25from Tofte Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Insertcreativenamehere Posted September 23, 2017 Share Posted September 23, 2017 If you're willing to be a few miles off the lake, look at Caribou Highlands near Lutsen. For those not familiar with the area, this is not just a podunk Midwest location. The North Shore of Lake Superior is really quite spectacular and lodging is in great demand. I wouldn't pay it personally, but choose to stay slightly off the lake to save some money. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephanieZ Posted September 23, 2017 Share Posted September 23, 2017 If it was where I really wanted to be, yep. Then again, we paid about $450/nt for a 4 BR house with a private pool and a mile of perfect snorkeling beach (where we saw exactly zero other people the entire 10 days) in the Bahamas in August . . . so, it'd pinch to pay that much for a 2BR condo on a lake in the midwest, lol. I've looked at lake house rentals in the midwest as an idea to hook up with my BFF who lives out there . . . and the pricing seems catastrophically high when I can get a great beach house in FL for 200/nt in the fall (best season, IMHO) . . . Those northern lakes just seem really pricey. I thought MN was the land of 1000 lakes or something like that, lol. I ended up bailing on my desire to do a weekend lake house thing with my friend in the midwest because I just couldn't stomach spending 2k for a 3 night weekend . . . when 4-5k would get me SUCH a better 10 day vacation in the Bahamas. However, we did pay about 400-500/nt for a lake house rental this past summer for 3 nights . . . But, it was a FABULOUS huge house on a great lake . . . and we had only ONE weekend we had to be there and so had few choices about where to go and really had to be in that area . . . as we were snagging a weekend getaway with college girl during her summer job M-F job, so we couldn't go far from her college town . . . so, we just sucked it up and paid it. It was annoying, but it *was* worth it. So, anyway, if I had to be there, and that's what it cost, then I'd pay it. (And I have paid it . . .) but I wouldn't likely choose to vacation there . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zinnia Posted September 23, 2017 Share Posted September 23, 2017 That's how much ocean front goes for on the Gulf Coast peak season, so it sounds about right to me. We tend to go off peak, and we are willing to stay pretty low, so we don't pay that, but that doesn't seem out of line for going rate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted September 23, 2017 Share Posted September 23, 2017 Sounds like the going rate for such a thing. You could definitely save money making most of your own food. Seems to me that that would save you more that way than hotel rooms with going out to eat. That's the suckiest thing about traveling/vacationing. Lodging costs are so high! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meadowlark Posted September 24, 2017 Author Share Posted September 24, 2017 Someone hit the nail on the head upthread-I don't think many people realize just how much lodging costs-even in the midwest on the lake. And not just ANY lake, the beautiful Lake Superior. It's not that I want to pay this much-I certainly don't. It's that there really are no other options. 2 hotel rooms with no lake view? $300-400. So, I figure with a kitchen and a gorgeous view, $500 might not be so bad after all. We are landlocked where we live so MN has the closest water which is why we chose it for our next vacation. We already went south so it makes sense to go north for next year. So again, it's not like there are cheaper options because I've checked and there aren't. We already booked a house near the Twin Cities so we are pretty set on this vacation. I guess I'll just have to swallow hard and pay it! Now, the question is-book now a year in advance (which seems crazy), or wait and risk that the particular room we need (condo w/ pull out sofa-they only have a handful) will be booked...hmmm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meadowlark Posted September 24, 2017 Author Share Posted September 24, 2017 By the way-all of you that have wonderful vacation houses that you've rented for super cheap-fill me in! I'd take this crew pretty much anywhere at this point IF we could afford it. I think half the battle is finding ideal housing-we could help each other out and recommend some good places. That would be a great thread! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommyoffive Posted September 24, 2017 Share Posted September 24, 2017 By the way-all of you that have wonderful vacation houses that you've rented for super cheap-fill me in! I'd take this crew pretty much anywhere at this point IF we could afford it. I think half the battle is finding ideal housing-we could help each other out and recommend some good places. That would be a great thread! They are everywhere. Especially for a 2 bedroom condo, that is easy to find affordable. Where do you want to go? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MEmama Posted September 24, 2017 Share Posted September 24, 2017 For those not familiar with the area, this is not just a podunk Midwest location. The North Shore of Lake Superior is really quite spectacular and lodging is in great demand. I wouldn't pay it personally, but choose to stay slightly off the lake to save some money. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk It is lovely; we used to live in MN and I know it well. I am surprised by the prices though. For fun I looked up large rental vacation houses on the ocean in my area, and they go for a fraction of the cost. Spectacular lakeside is even less, of course. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelingChris Posted September 24, 2017 Share Posted September 24, 2017 I have never rented a place so expensive. But we don't have 8- the most we have traveled with is 6 and often less. As to where you can get cheaper, waterfront rentals- we have been to Dauphin Island, AL on the gulf and have rented two bedroom condo that sleeps 6 for about 110 a night in early October (the water is still warm enough for swimming but not the high season). That was just for the two of us but when looking for rentals, there were bigger ones for about 150. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnM Posted September 24, 2017 Share Posted September 24, 2017 That is really high. Heck, I paid $142/night for a 3 bedroom in SoCal this summer per night. There were some nicer places for double that, but we actually enjoyed where we stayed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandwalker Posted September 24, 2017 Share Posted September 24, 2017 We are planning a vacation to MN-specifically the north shore area. You would think we were going out of the country for what lodging will cost us. We are a family of 8, so I expect to pay more, but THIS much more. 3 nights will come to $1600 for a 2 bedroom condo on the lake. Yes, I DO want to be on the lake so I suppose I'm paying for that. But even the budget hotels further away are $150-200 a night, and we'd need 2 rooms. This 2 bedroom has a kitchen so I figure we'd save some money there. It still feels utterly ridiculous to me though. Camping is not an option btw. Is this reasonable to you?Maybe AIR BNB would have a big place with better rates? That's a lot of money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted September 24, 2017 Share Posted September 24, 2017 It sounds right for peak season. We got spoiled for off-season stuff while homeschooling. Those days are gone. The place we go to on the beach in September costs triple in August. It's crazy, but I get it from a business standpoint. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shellydon Posted September 26, 2017 Share Posted September 26, 2017 They are everywhere. Especially for a 2 bedroom condo, that is easy to find affordable. Where do you want to go? Boston and Maine in August, CT in late October, Yellowstone in May. :) I haven't been able to find anything cheap at these destinations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommyoffive Posted September 26, 2017 Share Posted September 26, 2017 Boston and Maine in August, CT in late October, Yellowstone in May. :) I haven't been able to find anything cheap at these destinations. Are you looking for a hotel or a airbnb house? How many? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrapbookbuzz Posted September 26, 2017 Share Posted September 26, 2017 Yes, unfortunately this is August. My kids are in school now and we're heavily involved in baseball which goes until mid-July. Maybe that's why this is so crazy hard...I'm used to paying $500 for 3 nights during low peak season. I've been looking almost everywhere on the lake though, and there's just no way I'm going to find something to house us all for less. Shooting myself in the foot because we didn't travel very much when we were homeschooling and now I regret it August = prime season Lake view (even if not waterfront) = increased cost Large rental group = potential damages and encurring maintenance/repair costs = increased cost I do highly recommend looking into timeshare condos, if you haven't already (and you can PM me to talk about this more, if you'd like). However, I will also say, that when you are going, and where, and for your large group, I don't think the asking price is unreasonable. Pain to the wallet, absolutely; unreasonable pricing, no. And thank you, Meadowlark, truly, for reminding me that I really do need to be more intentional with taking trips with our own kids! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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