Where to stay for my first golf trip wasn't even a thought in our minds. We were going to the Seaview Marriott Resort and staying at the Seaview Marriott Resort Hotel. The cost was about $200/night (I'm sure UF & JY will tell me it was more once they read this) and we had 2 rooms for 4 guys.
(Seaview Marriott Pool photo courtesy of www.destination360.com)
In 2008 I let someone else pick the hotel while I focused on the course. We stayed at an AmeriSuites in Mystic, CT. It had 2 beds and a pullout, one guy (me) slept on the floor. The cost was probably less than $100//night while we were there. It served it's purpose but I knew there was something better out there.
(AmeriSuites Entrance)
The Condo
It was 2007 when we grew from 5 to 7 players I knew something had to be done. We couldn't stay in a Myrtle Beach hotel for 4 nights and make it reasonably priced. When discussing our options with Forecaddiegolf.com, they mentioned the idea of a condo on a golf course. This idea was foreign to me and after a brief explanation, I was sold.
We were able to put all 7 guys in a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom condo overlooking a golf course. Besides being able to all stay in one place, we had other major benefits. We would go to the market and load up on food for the time we were there. This cut down on time to go out and eat and the cost of going out to eat. It had a full refrigerator and washer/dryer.
The one thing I enjoy most is it gives you a common social area. When you're at a hotel you can ask for a conference room or sit poolside (if weather permits) to relax. You can go to a bar or restaurant to eat. If you're in a condo or house, you have the living room and can buy beer, soda, water, wine... whatever it is your group is drinking... and keep it at your place. This also cuts down on cost.
I wish I had pictures of this condo and if I ever get them, I'll add it to the post and reblog it.
2008 brought us to another condo. Taking from our previous experience and building on it, I decided we would actually play the course we were staying on. River Run in Ocean City, MD. Our end unit condo overlooked the 1st fairway and was walking distance to the clubhouse. I can not tell you how incredible it is to walk to the clubhouse before a round instead of drive 20 minutes. If possible, take advantage of this! This 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom condo was plenty of room for 8 of us. It even had a screened in porch and a BBQ (a new must as Rocket is our official BBQ master) to make dinner even easier. There was a restaurant at the clubhouse which we went to one night, again, walking distance.
We were scheduled to play 4 rounds on this trip with River Run being the round we played on the last day. Having arrived early, a few of us jumped out and played the course we were on while waiting for the others to arrive. It was a great experience and I really enjoyed staying on the course we played.
The Year of the House
In 2009 we grew to 10 guys and it was tough to find a condo for us to stay in. Using our booking site, they offered us a house with 6 bedrooms 3 bathrooms, a back deck, two living rooms with tv's and walking distance to the beach. It was not on a golf course.
The house was good for 10 guys and we were 2 miles from The Links @ Brigantine Beach in Brigantine, NJ, an incredible beach town. This was also a short, 5-10 minute drive to Atlantic City. Being so close to The Links, a few of use were able to sneak in a practice round before most guys arrived. It didn't help my play come Saturday but it was nice to get an extra round in since we were on a golf trip.
Again, this house had a BBQ and it proved to be valuable. We bought food at the market and let Rocket do his thing in front of the grill. It's nice to have a guy like Rocket who loves to grill... it's the only reason he goes and the only golf he plays all year!
It Sounds Expensive
It's not expensive. While looking into options for this year, the cost of the house in Myrtle Beach would be $100 per guy. It's a 6 bedroom house with a pool, not on the golf course. It's a 4 night stay (we arrive Wednesday and leave Sunday) and much cheaper than splitting a hotel for 4 nights with friend.
I'm clearly an advocate for the house but if it's only two guys, it probably doesn't make sense. You could probably find a good condo to hold 4 guys at a reasonable price.
What's the Point
The point is explore your options. Use the booking site you're going through to price out both options and give their opinion. This is what they do for a living.
If you have an opinion on this leave a comment. I'd love to see what other people think is a better option.
I've just found your article pretty much useful. Your idea and suggestion is perfectly true! I am very fun of traveling and city visits, and these would surely be a great guide then, I'll surely follow your suggestions for a more ecstatic travel and stay.
Posted by: Hotels Cagayan de Oro | 04/05/2011 at 04:04 AM
Well, what you've thought of is definitely feasible. It's great that you've managed to find a lot of guys to chip in with the rent. Thanks for sharing your experience! It's gonna be helpful for those that are in a similar situation as you were.
Posted by: Kathy Carbone | 05/06/2011 at 12:49 AM
I wonder how the places look now? Is there something new about the stuffs here? But your trip was surely awesome, good thing you were able to keep everything well and had a great stay!
Posted by: Adelaide Hills Accommodation | 10/17/2011 at 07:21 PM