Important Questions To Ask Landlords Prior To Renting a Villa

Some of the best places to stay during vacation whether in Kiawah or any other coastal retreat is the rented beach house or villa. These temporary homes allow for extra room and creature comforts that most hotels simply do not offer. The villa provides the tourist the ability to pack lighter assuming washer and dryer are available and allows for traveler to “dine in” for occasional meals given the unit provides a refrigerator and cooking appliances. The process of renting a villa as opposed to reserving a hotel room is a tad more complicated and may require a little additional work. The weeklong stay can be just what the doctor ordered as long as you ask the right questions before mailing in the deposit for that ideal vacation spot.
There are six important questions one must ask the rental company or landlord prior to renting. The answers to some of these questions may or may not be divulged on the company website or marketing brochure. Keep the questions cordial and do the landlord or rental agency a favor by attempting to answer some of the questions on your own by researching the company via the internet as well as reading the testimonials provided by other past renters.

Does the rental have a “no pet” or “no child” policy?

I like to bring our golden retriever on vacation every year and we have been fortunate enough to find a privately owned villa that caters to vacationing pet owners. She is a good dog and will not chew up the rug, towels or curtains in our home or the home of others. Unfortunately not all dogs are behaved and can create enormous destruction to furniture and carpets. This potential canine behavior is reason enough why a most landlords institute a no pet policy. If really determined to bring Fido along with the family on vacation, take time to review the pet policy from the landlord’s website or simply ask the question. If you strike out with a few companies; don’t give up. Keep up the vacation rental research through dog friendly accommodation websites and eventually you will find a place suitable for your vacation stay.
Some resorts and even private gated communities will offer up luxurious vacation rentals with one underlying catch; no young children allowed. Believe it or not, such neighborhoods exist and seem a tad harsh; though there are some kids that simply annoy the kindest of souls. Read the agreements and policy prior to renting to make sure there is no such clause exists should your family gathering include young ones.

Will there be any construction in progress occurring at the villa during the stay?

A good honest landlord will tell you up front if there is some work going on within the building or neighboring units. If your family enjoys sleeping in a little, the last thing you will want to hear is the banging of a hammer or shrill of a table saw at seven in the morning from the unit above. Also inquire about the possibility of potential road noise near the rental. The condo may look great amongst the palm trees, but you may have a loud highway within close proximately of pleasureville.

Is cleaning and maintenance service available near the unit?

Suppose you plan on renting a villa on Myrtle Beach, Kiawah, or Orlando but the owner renting you the unit lives in New York. Should you need clean linens, or have a pipe burst during your stay could spell disaster if you are having trouble getting in touch with the landlord that is thousands of miles away. Be sure the owner provides you with a local service contact to get you through any potential problems that may be encountered during the vacation stay. Also make it a point to jot down the owners cell phone and e-mail address before you leave should you need to contact them.

How far away are the amenities from the villa?

It never hurts to ask the owner how far the essential services are from your vacation address. If you have an address you can probably do a little searching on your own via search engines to discover how far the grocery store, medical clinic, and restaurants are. Don’t be afraid to ask the landlord or property manager this question as they may set you up with recommendations in addition to directions.

What items are available for use within the rental unit?

Do not take for granted that the unit will be fully stocked and the cooking and laundry solutions will be there at your finger tips. Confirm that the unit kitchen includes not only serving and plate ware, but also cooking utensils, coffee pot and possibly any appliances such as a blender and dishwasher. Ask the same questions of extra bed linens as some units may only have what is lying on top of the beds.

What is the address of the unit?

This is very important question, but not a dumb one. Some people do not get the actual villa or unit number until after the reservation has been made and the deposit has been paid. That is not a good situation because there can be potential for a shady rental company to pull a “bait and switch” once you get to your destination and check in. That beach or swimming pool view you imagined months ago could end up being a parking lot scene when you get to your destination. I strongly recommend getting the address first and do try doing a property address search via Google satellite earth view (http://maps.google.com/). This search will most likely give you a good idea where your unit is and what items are nearby.

Overall

Whatever terms and price are negotiated between renter and landlord should be done so in a written contract. Be sure to have a clear understanding of the Landlord’s responsibilities as well as those items that could be a liability to the renter. This might be a good time to review your own Home owner’s policy or consider a renter’s policy for the week or month if you are afraid of kid’s or pet doing any kind of damage to a unit. Some rental agreements with property management companies offer up renter’s coverage for a small fee. I have personally never purchased this extra coverage as my kid’s are pretty calm around other people’s property.

How to Keep No-See-Ums away

I have experienced numerous trips to the low country that have unfortunately been met with the occasional visit of the no-see-ums. These little tiny gnat size invaders usually aggregate in the tropical and subtropical coastal areas. Whether hanging out at the beach, golf course, fishing the marshes, or just relaxing on the patio, these invaders are sure to find you. One of my worst experiences with no- see- ums was a few years back as I was fishing off a pier on one of the Kiawah ponds and I was attacked by a swarm of these biters. I had several bites on my arms and ankles that seemed to itch incessantly long after getting bit.

No –see- ums seems to be the prevailing name for these pests. They do go by other names such as biting midges or sand fleas. Regardless of how you identify them, they can ruin a good time very quickly. The best way to combat these little buggers is to build a defense against them. Here are some recommended ways to keep them away.

DEET
People seem to be divided on the safety issues and cost/benefit of using pest prevention products containing DEET. I recall several decades ago my parents lining up my brothers and I and giving us a good spray down with mosquito repellent when we played outdoors in the summer. Times have not changed for me as I still use this product. Repellents containing at least 30% DEET are effective against warding these pests away. The stronger the DEET percentages (e.g. Deep Woods Off), the more effective is the defense. I don’t get too hung up on the DEET skin exposure as I take a shower immediately after coming in doors to rinse off the chemical. Also keep in mind that DEET should not be used in combination with sunscreens as the chemical interaction will lower the protection abilities of the sunscreen and also allow the DEET to quickly absorb into the skin.

Avon Products against no-see-ums
The rumor of the south is that Avon Skin So Soft is an effective barrier against biting midges. I have not put this theory to the test. I would be willing to give this one a try next time I head down to the South Carolina as this solutions seems more a healthier alternative to using DEET related products.

Other Defenses against no-see-ums
These little buggers are so annoying sometimes it is best to avoid them totally and stay indoors if they seem to be swarming everywhere outdoors. Biting midges are most prevalent at dawn and dusk. They are so tiny they have the ability to squeeze through screen doors which makes even a relaxing night on the porch impossibility. If you have things to do outside and the weather is not too hot, one of the best defenses is simply covering exposed skin by wearing pants instead of shorts. Cover the feet with socks and wear a long sleeve t-shirt.

Review of Chris and Cami Photography Charleston

I wanted to do a shout out to the photographers that did our family beach portraits during our recent stay on Kiawah during our annual spring 2011 trip to the low country. Prior to our drive down to the island, we did some research on Charleston area photographers and were more than impressed by what we witnessed on their website. We decided to run with this photographer and our choice certainly paid off. The photographer doing the shoot was Chris Smith. One could not ask for a more accommodating photographer when it came to working with a large family that included three boisterous children and three dogs. The beach shoot was also in a cold misty foggy forty degree environment which was very untypical for late march Carolina standards. Chris was a champion when it came time to rope in kids and canines to offer up their best smiles for the beach shoot. I also found Chris and Cami’s prices to be spot on given the exceptional level of photos produced. Chris does provide the option of purchasing prints through their company or one can simply order (for a fee) a CD that contains all photos from the shoot. If you plan on coming down to the Charleston, South Carolina area please give them a call or visit their website.

Kiawah Island Spring Vacation 2011

Another spring trip to Kiawah brought us fun, family times once again. Our trip was beset by less than pleasant weather as we endured five cold rainy days (High 50’s). We were fortunate to have two days in the low 70’s. The unseasonably cold weather did not dampen our spirits as we squeezed time in for walking the streets of Charleston, going for walks on the beach, bike rides, and even managed to sneak in three rounds of golf. As usual I was able to spot my good gator friends on the course, notably at Cougar Point and the Oak Point golf courses through the Kiawah Golf Resort. The gators were abundant and large and definitely deterred my pursuit of a few errant shots that went into the tall grass adjacent to the water hazards. As much as it kills me to lose a Titliest golf ball, I don’t want to poke around the water’s edge with mama gator potentially lurking close by.

One of our great finds for my children during our Kiawah trip was discovery of the Night Heron nature center. The little indoor facility has a variety of live animals to observe. The animals displayed at the Nature Center are indigenous to the coastal Carolina waterway and include such critters as Alligators, snakes, turtles, birds, and many others. I took my five year old son on a rainy Kiawah day up to Night Heron and we spent a good hour walking around the facility and gift shop. He was impressed by the enclosed tank of baby alligators that seems to be more feisty that the large “mom and pop” size ones I had spotted on the golf course a few days earlier. The animal exhibits include descriptions and facts about each species as well as access to on site staff that were happy to answer any questions we could possibly have. The facility also includes several items such as fossils. Seashells,and bones for children to observe. The Night Heron Nature center is part of the Kamp Kiawah program offered to children throughout the year. The facility is adjacent to the Night Heron swimming pool area and Night Heron Park. Rain or shine, I strongly recommend a quick family trip to the center to get a better understanding of your local Kiawah island critters.

Kiawah and Seabrook Vacation Rental Guide

Time is ticking for those considering traveling down to the Carolina coast for Spring Break. Take advantage now of any travel deals offered up through airlines and hotels. The Kiawah – Seabrook rentals reservations are already moving in high gear for the March and April months. I have once again put together this easy to review Kiawah and Seabrook Vacation Rental listing which has been previously listed, though I will display them again as people start thinking about Spring getaways to the low country.

1.VRBO.com - Website is a useful tool to bring private owners that rent and renters together. I found our favorite Kiawah Villa on this site. The villa we rent is one of the cheaper units on the island and it even includes bicycles and a beach cart. In addition it is only short trail hike down to the beach. The website is easy to navigate through as you click on the state, city or town, and you fill in the rest of the criteria such as type of housing, number of bedrooms, etc. There is a nice little Calendar icon that when clicked displays those weeks for which the property is available. Also take notice of the different rental rate structures which depend upon season.
2.Resortquest.com – This company manages privately owned villas, homes, and beach homes that can be rented online. The nice thing about resort quest is that they have an office located within Freshfield shopping village that allows you to check in and inquire about additional services you may need during your stay. They will be able to help you out with bike rentals, beach chairs, golf reservations, etc. My only hang up with resort quest is the pricing can be substantially higher than vrbo.com. They also do not list any units that are pet friendly.
3.Kiawah Island Resort – This resort includes the sanctuary and additional villas and homes managed by the island resort company. They are probably the priciest of the three rental sources listed here, though they occasionally advertise golf/tennis/spa packages that cannot be overlooked.

Flying down to the low country? Southwest airlines (that low fare airline) now flies into Charleston airport. Be cautious when searching flight times and days as Spring break weeks tend to be higher than other seasonal travel. Also consider flying in to Savannah if you cannot find a reasonably priced flight into Charleston that may be offered in Savannah. The distance between the two cities is only a few hours in a rental car.

Easy To Make Frogmore Stew

When spending time in South Carolina restaurants, it is common to find the local favorite low country boil otherwise known as Beaufort Boil or Frogmore Stew. The stew is pretty simple as it consists of a kettle full of hot water and bay seasonings cooking away a delicious combination of shrimp, smoked sausage, corn (on the cob), onions, and new potatoes. There are some variations out there that include adding other vegetables, seafood, hot sauces. The debate with Frogmore stew to some is whether the cooking liquid should be part of the serving. Those that serve it straight up on a platter would discard the liquid and serve as any other seafood boil. I usually serve this item in large bowls with a little liquid which is awesome for dipping biscuits or bread. I recommend plenty of paper towels (for the shrimp peeling) and icy cold beverages to calm the heat of the andouille.
Frogmore Stew Recipe
5 quarts of water
2 bottles or cans of beer
1 lemon cut in half
¼ cup bay seasoning
4 pounds of red (new) potatoes
1 Vidalia onion, chopped
5 ears of fresh husked corn (cut in thirds)
3 pounds of andouille sausage (cut into smaller stew size pieces)*
3 pounds of fresh shrimp, (shells still on).
Method
1.In a large kettle or dutch oven bring water, beer and bay seasoning to a boil; add lemons.
2.Add potatoes and continue cooking fifteen minutes.
3.Add corn, onions, and andouille sausage and cook additional five minutes, covered.
4.Add shrimp and cook another five minutes or until pink.
5.Serve in bowls with a little broth.
*Note: For those that do not want it too spicy, consider using Kielbasa instead of Andouille.

Horseback Riding in Charleston Area – Seabrook Equestrian Center

Some of the immediate activities that come to mind when spending time in the low country involve golfing, playing in the Carolina coastal surf, and sneaking in some fishing. One of the hidden gems that can be found in the Kiawah/Seabrook inter-coastal paradise is horseback riding. Fortunately, a fun trail ride is only as far as a quick stop to Seabrook Island’s Seabrook Equestrian Center.

The Seabrook Equestrian Center is located at 3772 Seabrook Island Road. The stable and riding facilityr features riding tours and lessons for all skill sets whether beginner or advanced level. The riding tours can be taken through wooded trail or on the beach. The beach ride is only available to experienced riders that can manage the horse at walk, trot, or canter.

For some of us greenhorns that are not experience riders, the Seabrook Equestrian Center offers scenic beginner trail rides Monday through Saturday at 10:30 am and 1:30 pm. The trail ride lasts an hour and will cost $65 per rider. The minimum age requirement for a trail ride is eight years old. The younger tots can opt for an adult led pony ride for $40 which will last about a half hour.
For more information or reservations, please call (843) 768 – 7541, Don’t wait until the week of your vacation to make reservations as they may fill up fast. The ride times may also vary by season, so phone first!

Places to Golf in Charleston Area

Whether you are a low country resident or just coming in for the week or long weekend, Charleston provides great entertainment for the entire crew. If you do spend a week vacationing in Charleston, plan to take at least two trips to the golf courses. (One trip simply is not enough if you go through the hassle of lugging the big bag of clubs on an airplane or in the trunk). There are several ideal courses worthy of mention that can be found at my Charleston golf course directory. I have also inserted this link on the side of this blog for future reference.

This website created by me is still pretty raw. Please be kind. It is a work in progress . The courses shown on the pages serve the Charleston, North Charleston and areas south west such as the Kiawah, Seabrook and other outlying areas. For those that are staying on the Kiawah, Seabrook Islands, and Isle of Palms, you are fortunate to be surrounded by beautiful courses at your doorstep, though be aware these convenient close courses carry excessive greens fees. If price is no option, I would recommend a day at the Ocean course or Cougar Point on Kiawah. I have scanned the internet high and low looking for discounts or clubs offering any kind of reduction in the Kiawah course rates. I have not found any! The only “discount” potential with these Kiawah courses is when a person rents accommodations through the golf resort. I have not explored this option as I rent my villa every year from a private owner. It remains to be seen whether this is a good deal or not. There are several courses located in the West Ashley, Hollywood, and Mt. Pleasant that are good quality courses at the fraction of the price of Kiawah.

Vincent’s Drug Store and Soda Fountain

If you plan on a brief or long visit to the Kiawah or Seabrook destination, always keep an open lunch date planned for Vincent’s Soda Fountain. This little pharmacy and soda shop is located within the Freshfield’s Village shopping district (110 Planted Row, John’s Island). The store is located kitty corner from the Newton Farm’s parking lot and serves as an ideal lunch gathering before going shopping or heading out to the beach for an afternoon of fun in the sun.

The store is a throwback to the old time soda fountains one would see on tv or (perhaps experienced personally depending on your age). While the pharmacy portion of the building also looks like a throwback to the fifties, the service and prescription services are as modern as one could wish for. The prescription service includes online and phone in refill service. Though if you plan on getting your medicine refilled please be advised that the hours will not be akin to those 24/7 services provided back at home.

Aside from prescription and over the counter medical supplies, Vincent’s sells a vast assortment of other fun items for the Kiawah visitor to peruse. The store also stocks sun tanning products, camera supplies, post cards, stationery, and lots of candy. We usually walk up and down the aisles of the retail section of the store as our burgers or sundaes are being prepared in the diner.

The biggest allure to visiting Vincent’s is the diner. The old time counter service and aroma of cheeseburgers are the hook, line, and sinker to stopping in for a fun lunch before purchasing groceries for the week at neighboring Newton Farms. The kids enjoy the fun sundae concoctions as they hop up onto the bar stool and watch the creation be prepared. The root beer floats and old time chocolate soda’s is the perfect chaser to the fantastic butter burgers prepared on the grill top.

Fun Beach Games for Kids

Heading down to the beach is always a good time. The key beach essentials will most likely include sun block, towel, umbrella, and perhaps a good paperback to read prior to taking a siesta. Trying to keep children entertained on the beach is a different story. They will immediately kick, splash, and swim around for about a half hour before becoming bored as they look to you for guidance on how to spend the rest of the time on the sand. Here is a list of fun beach games for kids that will require some participation by Mom or Dad, but will be well worth the effort.

Fun Children’s Beach Games -Treasure Hunt

Bring a small plastic or wooden box along to the beach with either small toys or treats as the treasure kept inside. Bury your treasure while the kids are out of sight and create a map with clues that will help them find the treasure chest. Just make sure your buried treasure box is marked well enough that you remember the location also!

Fun Children’s Beach Games - Volleyball

Volleyball on the beach never gets old. Once the net is up and a few people start hitting the ball back and forth, many beach neighbors may request to participate in the game. The more the merrier. If the team environment is all kids, consider using a softer ball instead of volleyball.

Fun Children’s Beach Games -Tug of War

This game involves at least two members on each team with a long rope and a cloth tied to the middle. Create two lines in the sand with a “neutral” zone in the middle. Add some excitement ahead of time by getting a large shovel and creating a big watery moat or sink hole in this neutral zone. The winner will successfully pull the hanging cloth over their respective line and the loser will eventually land in the wet sandy hole.

Fun Children’s Beach Games – Sand Darts

This game is easy to create. Draw a large circle in the sand with a stick. Then draw several circles within the large circle just like a dart board. Each team will throw several feet away and throw bean bags or shells (pick a team color) at the circles in the sand.

Fun Children’s Beach Games – Relay Races

A good beach game is the water bucket relay race. Position two sand or toy buckets near the edge of the water. The two teams at the start of “go” will each have a cup that they will carry to the ocean, fill and run back to the bucket to fill. The next in line will then carry the cup or little shovel and do the same. The first one to fill the bucket will win. This game may last only one round as the kids get pooped out running back and forth in the hot sun.