Greg

Family of 4 (boys ages 10 and 8) for early August vacation.

(Our posting for such a resort near Philadelphia stumped the contestants, so we're willing to move down the coast if necessary.)

If you are familiar with the Wild Dunes resort near Charleston, that's the kind of place we're looking for:

* beachfront resort
* with 1 or more swimming pools
* kitchen or kitchenette in the unit
* variety of accommodations (Wild Dunes, for example, has everything from hotel rooms to large houses for rent)

Other resorts we have loved on recent non-beach vacations: Enchantment Resort, Sedona; Rancho Encantada, Santa Fe; Lane Guest Ranch, Estes Park.

We live in the St. Louis area and want to be near the Philadephia - D.C. area so our boys can spend some time with cousins there whom they have never met.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

CS

Marriott has this kind of resort in Bethany (I think it's called Sea Pines). Good luck and have a nice vacation!

Greg

Help, someone.

Again, we don't want to drive all the way to the Carolinas (Marriott Seapines, Wild Dunes), as much as we love them. We want a resort no more than a 3-hour drive from Philadelphia, where the cousins live.

xyz

I believe the previous post was referring to Bethany Beach, Delaware which is within 2 hours from Baltimore.

Greg

Thanks, xyz. The reference must be to the Sea Colony at Bethany Beach instead of the Marriott Seapines in Hilton Head.

Any other suggestions out there?

Polly

While I don't know the name of a specific resort, I suggest you check travel webpages for Atlantic City, NJ, Ocean City, NJ as well as the Maryland Travel Page, http://www.mdisfun.org/

lisa

Hi,
came across your thread in a a search for something else. I don't know if you have decided on a destination yet. for info on Sea Colony, refer to the thread under the heading of "Bethany area vacation rental.". It is about 2 and1/2 hrs to 3 hrs drive from Philadelphia depending on where in Philly and on traffic. At that time of year, vacation homes in that area usually rent by the week, Sat. to Sat. or less often Sunday. to Sunday.

Erin

I would also recommend Bethany. What about Ocean City, Maryland? I would recommend it over any beach town in NJ.

ellen

I have the perfect resort for you. It is not a beach resort ont eh ocean but it is a luxury family resort with more activities than you can count including being on a LAke. How about the poconos in PA? I know some of the resorts (couples ones) have gotten not so good reviews as they were older an tundown, but this is definitley not the case with the 3 or 4 owned by Ceasar's Palace and Casino. We stayed at the original Ceasar's resort which is couples only for 4 nights last fall and loved it. We did visit the family one called Brookhaven I think though and it was just a nice only had teen and kid activities. This is an all-inclusive vacations with 2 meals a day provided and different activites for each season. Definitely check it out!

pat

definitely head to Ocean City, MD. there is something for everybody, kids to adults. water, arcades, good food, some night life. convenient location.

DC dweller

There are no BEACHES near DC or Baltimmore....we have water - but no BEACHES. Try Florida...

Mom

Look for a beach rental house with a pool in Bethany or Rehobeth Beach. To be totally honest, Ocean City (MD)has a bit too much traffic and honkey tonk for my tastes, although the kids loved it when they were teens. There are some very lovely hotels/condos along the beach, but when we realised we could go to Jamaica or Mexico (including airfare if you get a good package) for the same price at Ocean City, we upgraded our family beach vacations. Chincoteague, Virginia is also a nice option. Short on big "resorts" but a fabulous wildlife refuge, and the Assateague National Seashore is gorgeous.