The sister should sleep on the floor. It was she who made invinted your niece and she should go out of her way to accomadate her guest. It will help her remember to not invite people without being asked if you ever include her again.

Whenever I read posts here from people looking for suggestions on large rentals with extended family, I either cringe or get jealous - depending on my mood.

I am sure that there are many who vacation harmoneously with family in close quarters, but I was not blessed with a family that could do that. Several attempts at trips with family have been trips with the family baggage we all carry - plus some good times.

I prefer to travel with my husband and/or kids (and possibly alone). Good luck - sounds like you may have a workable solution. Now, don't let the sister manipulate or bully you while you are there. Repeat after me "No, I can not watch your kids while you go shopping"

Kingfq,
Glad you have a handle on the situation.
Just make sure that your condo rules will allow for an extra person or 2, as you may all get kicked out or made to pay extra.
Good luck!

kingfq -

Does this mean that your neice is joining you?
with friends?
graduating seniors on "beachweek"?

Sounds like there may be some partying and sneaking out with friends...are you ready to assume that responsiblity? without her parents around?

With what you've done with all the advice given, kingfisherqueen, you may as well have written Dear Abby. Did you really want advice? Meanwhile, is everyone ready for the tale of woe we'll read after the vacation?

RB - Don't you think the topic may give other people who are planning to share family rentals something to consider? I didn't think every post here had to be about hotel choices or driving routes.

What are you going to do?

If you don't want extra people to go, then don't let your sister invite people. Having people sleep on the floor doesn't sound like much of a vacation to me.

Families and vacations often don't mix because of what other posters have said: family members take advantage of their relatives and treat them in ways that they wouldn't treat a stranger.

You, sister, neice, and neice's parents need to get together RIGHT NOW. Do one of those multiuser phonecalls if you can't meet in person.

Is it just the neice who is invited, or is it everyone from her graduating class?

Set up rules for the house, email them to everyone, and if the rules are broken, the neice (or sister) is sent home at her expense.

The neice might be thinking 'cool, my aunts are suppling the party house' and your sister is thinking 'cool, a built in babysitter' Get everyone on the same page now.

LOL...Now I know why your family always does this to you....YOU LET THEM!

I'm a bit saddened by the fact that some have had such negative experiences vacationing with extended family. Some of the best memories of my life were of times in rented beach houses and condos with uncles, aunts, and cousins. Sleeping on the floor was fun as a kid, and even when it was crowded, it was always a good time. Maybe I'm just fortunate in my particular family situation.

I'm glad you decided to invite your niece, but I do agree that she should sleep on the floor and not be allowed to invite any additional guests. If asked why, just tell her that condo rules prohibit more than X number of people in the unit.

I like what GoTravel said: Say sure no problem but that would mean we book another condo that's much bigger and more expensive. I bet you they themselves will realize the niece had dorgotten an appointment.