What to Bring on Your Condo Vacation

Going on vacation is exciting. Now that you have decided to rent a condo in Destin, Florida, or another great beach location, it’s time to get ready. You have already packed everything you’d normally bring, including swimsuits, suntan lotion, and sunglasses, but what do you need to bring for your condo stay? It’s a good idea to think about bringing daily necessities, food and drinks, as well as something to keep you entertained during your stay.

Pack the Daily Necessities

Unlike hotels, condos don’t always provide linens. In some cases, this means you even have to bring your own sheets. However, it’s more likely that you’ll have to provide towels. At the very least, you won’t be allowed to take any towels the condo rental might provide down to the beach with you. 

Condos sometimes provide toilet paper and paper towels, but you may want to bring your own supply of both (especially if you’re picky). You will definitely have to provide your own soap and shampoo. It’s a good idea to check the details about your condo rental before you arrive.

Bring Food and Drinks

Renting a condo means you’ll have the use of a full kitchen, but you won’t find any food there. This means you’ll need to bring your own food and drinks with you. If you like to drink coffee, then you should verify that the condo has a coffee maker. However, you’ll still need to bring the filters and coffee.

Most condos will have enough dishes to get you through your stay and a dishwasher to help you clean them. This means you probably won’t have to pack any bowls, plates, or pots, unless you plan on preparing a seven-course dinner.

To make your vacation easier and stress-free, it might be a good idea to bring foods that are easily and quickly prepared. All-time favorites include breakfast cereals, sandwich fixings, and pasta. You can always run to the store and stock up on additional things when you get there, but you should probably bring enough food to get through at least the first day.

If you like to have a glass of wine, you may also want to bring a bottle opener with you (and don’t forget the bottle of wine). You also won’t find a slow cooker at most condo rentals, which is another reason to keep meal planning simple.

Provide Your Own Entertainment

Presumably you’re going to the beach to relax and just do nothing. But if you have ever tried doing nothing for a while, then you may have realized that it’s not as easy as it sounds. That’s why it’s a good idea to bring something to entertain yourself. Otherwise, you may end up watching a lot of local TV channels or surfing the Internet for hours out of sheer boredom. Here are a few suggestions to get you started:

• Books, magazines
• Crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles
• Board games, card games
• Craft project (knitting, crocheting)
• Outdoor games, such as Frisbee, football, or badminton
• Beach ball, water cannons, and other water toys
• Buckets, shovels, and other sand toys

When you’re staying in a condo in Destin, Florida, or some other beach location, you have plenty of room to work on a hobby that you don’t usually have time for (unless it’s a 6,000-piece puzzle). Of course, you’ll also want to spend time exploring the area, collecting seashells, and swimming in the ocean if the weather allows. Generally, it’s a good idea to be prepared for both indoor and outdoor fun so that you’re not dependent on the weather. And in order to have a great time on vacation, you should think about what you want to be doing ahead of time.