Travel Plan B Ideas

[onetruething]

First of all I hope this post is not insensitive. My heart really goes out to those affected by the recent hurricanes.

This weekend is our annual family getaway and we were supposed to go to Tampa. Were now trying to pivot and figure out a backup plan. There are 12 people ages 15-62. We were hoping for sunshine and good food, but it's really more of a reunion so we don't need a ton to do, just a chance to unplug.

My brain is on overload so I'm looking for any suggestions. Willing to drive ~5 hours from Boston or a nonstop flight.

Thank you in advance for any suggestions. My older relatives are all texting me and I'm super overwhelmed.

[sunshineandpinot]

What type of lodging are you looking for?

[onetruething]

Oct 7, 2024 13:06:13 GMT -5 sunshineandpinot said:

What type of lodging are you looking for?

I hadn't thought of that, thank you. We had planned on a resort-y spot, but I think we'd be fine with a regular hotel, too. Open to exploring a new city as well. 

[devonpow]

Scottsdale. Easy flight to phoenix, lots of great resorts. I’ve stayed at the Phoenician, the Biltmore, and the Marriott camelback resort and really liked all of them. Also, great food!

[sunshineandpinot]

Maybe Hyatt Lost Pines or Hyatt Hill Country? JW Marriott San Antonio? Plenty of sun and warmth still in South Texas. (long trip from Boston but I think Jet Blue flies to both Austin and San Antonio?)

[ssmjlm]

Charleston, SC or Savannah, GA?

[redheadk]

Oct 7, 2024 13:11:37 GMT -5 devonpow said:

Scottsdale. Easy flight to phoenix, lots of great resorts. I’ve stayed at the Phoenician, the Biltmore, and the Marriott camelback resort and really liked all of them. Also, great food!

This is my vote, too. Great resorts for kids and adults alike. We stayed at the Four Seasons (just me & DH) but I'd pick one Devon suggested with kids.

[jinkies]

I'd look to drive rather than trying to rebook flights for 12 people on short notice.

Is it just for a weekend? If so, I'd search airbnb for a big resort-like house in Vermont or New York state. Something like this with a game room (heated pool might even still be open): www.airbnb.com/rooms/38452072?check_in=2024-10-11&check_out=2024-10-14&guests=1&adults=12&s=67&unique_share_id=b35aad56-e9ce-4841-a3b8-57722284768e

It's not Florida weather, but the weather should be nice this weekend, and there should be enough to keep you all busy.

You could also look at resorts like Monhauk Mountain or Woodloch Lodge, although they may not have availability for such a big group on short notice.

[gretchenindisguise]

My concern with Scottsdale would be heat - I just looked and it's still over 100 every day this week.

Much cooler but what about Lake Geneva or Wisconsin Dells?

[Gato]

Maybe go to the Grand Canyon north side? It would be 20 degrees cooler than the Phoenix area. Although I’ve been to the Biltmore in 100-plus weather and it was really nice just getting in and out of the pool.

This is the nicest time of year in Northern California. A resort in wine country maybe?

[shauni27]

Oct 7, 2024 13:11:37 GMT -5 devonpow said:

Scottsdale. Easy flight to phoenix, lots of great resorts. I’ve stayed at the Phoenician, the Biltmore, and the Marriott camelback resort and really liked all of them. Also, great food!

This was what I was going to suggest as well. Even with the heat, there are plenty of pools on site. It is a lovely resort.

Another thought that could still be risky due to hurricanes (though it appears far from the current trajectory) is New Orleans? San Diego might be too far, but what about San Diego, Charleston or even Vegas?

[pumpkincat]

It's still consistently over 105 in the Phoenix area right now - I personally wouldn't come here to visit.

[purplinsky]

Oct 7, 2024 14:05:31 GMT -5 pumpkincat said:

It's still consistently over 105 in the Phoenix area right now - I personally wouldn't come here to visit.

Just another vote to avoid Phoenix area right now. We're breaking records every day with the heat and each day they extend the excessive heat warnings by another day. We're supposed to get back to double digits this weekend (96-99F over the weekend), but it will still be really hot for folks from cooler weather climates who aren't acclimated. 99F is going to feel amazing to me, but my friends and family back east would be miserable.

[wanderlustmom]

The southeast is too hot right now too, I wouldn't come to Charleston or Savannah even though I love both those cities in cooler weather. I would rent a big house in an area you can drive to.

[pinkdutchtulips]

Oct 7, 2024 13:56:40 GMT -5 Gato said:

Maybe go to the Grand Canyon north side? It would be 20 degrees cooler than the Phoenix area. Although I’ve been to the Biltmore in 100-plus weather and it was really nice just getting in and out of the pool.

This is the nicest time of year in Northern California. A resort in wine country maybe?

Even the cooler parts of Nor Cal are experiencing 90-100 degree weather right now (we're under an extreme heat advisory). SF is to hit 80 degrees which is WARM for SF in October. Napa/Sonoma are running at 96-98. 

[devonpow]

If you don’t want the heat drive to Stowe Vermont and stay at the Lodge at Spruce Peak (formerly Stowe mountain Resort) or the Top Notch. Stowe has awesome food, is ridiculously charming and beautiful, the resorts have indoor pools and good spas, the rec path is great to bike on, lovely hiking, gondola to the top of the mountain etc etc

[tiki]

I know it's not the same vibe, but what about the cape? It's not as crowded in fall but some things are still open.
Example: www.airbnb.com/rooms/11510974?

[lust2hart]

If everyone is in the Boston area, I'm with jinkies - I'd find somewhere within driving distance vs. trying to rebook that many plane tickets. Are the Finger Lakes a reasonable drive away?

[cville]

I read this as traveling to get Plan B and was very much ready to send you a billion resources.

[mich1]

How about this place? It’s just about 20 miles north of Burlington VT on Lake Champlain.

shoreacres.com/

[gummybear]

Oct 7, 2024 13:13:15 GMT -5 sunshineandpinot said:

Maybe Hyatt Lost Pines or Hyatt Hill Country? JW Marriott San Antonio? Plenty of sun and warmth still in South Texas. (long trip from Boston but I think Jet Blue flies to both Austin and San Antonio?)

THIS!! We’ve been a few times at this exact time of year and while it’s been 100 it never felt like it at all. But we live in the swamp ass Mid Atlantic so it was very different than what we consider heat.

We’ve stayed at the Phoenician several times and it’s awesome. DH has stayed at the Biltmore and loved that too. His favorite is Omni Montelucia. He also stared at Sanctuary but said it was too fancy 🤣
He used to go every year for a conference at the end of Sept/beginning of Oct. so he’s stayed there quite a bit (and I’ve tagged along a couple times!).

[jorja]

Oct 7, 2024 14:21:06 GMT -5 wanderlustmom said:

The southeast is too hot right now too, I wouldn't come to Charleston or Savannah even though I love both those cities in cooler weather. I would rent a big house in an area you can drive to.

I just flew home from Savannah today and the temperature was very pleasant. High 70s/low 80s.

[onetruething]

Thank you for all of these suggestions, you all have given me great ideas. II really appreciate these responses.

[verycontrary247]

We are in the Charlottesville area right now and it's incredible

[livinitup]

I’m usually a fairly positive planner but since this is already a Plan B and the usual flights will be screwed up in unpredictable ways this week/weekend, I would hesitate from planning flights for 12 and stick to driving. I learned the hard way that even if flying from unaffected cities, your plane might not be available because it was supposed to fly in/out of a city and is in the wrong place. It’s unpredictable. You might be fine, too! Hard to know.

[shauni27]

For those suggesting Vermont, we are pretty much booked full up this time of year lol. It will be tricky to find a place available, though our weather and colors are peak fall right now. It’s heaven.

[sadlebred]

You don't want to be anywhere near the GA or SC coast this weekend. While Milton is not hitting these states, the coast will still get a good bit of rain and some lovely breezes Thursday-Friday.

If you had to come to GA Atlanta will be about 80 and sunny this weekend. No hurricane for us. (thank goodness) We may be short on hotels from everyone evacuating, though.

The weather in Wisconsin looks appealing right now...cool but not cold. Not hot. (really!)

[sparty04]

Michigan is pretty nice right now. Next week it's going to get cooler though

[mrsukyankee]

The Poconos would be in driving distance and is really pretty this time of the year. The resorts that I've heard good things about are Woodloch and Woodfield Manor.