As a child each summer my family went to the Jersey shore with my cousins and renting a home for two families was fairly easy. Now as my siblings and I try to rekindle those fond memories at the shore, finding a decent home to fit 3-4 families has proven difficult. While a few homes are big enough, finding one with the right amenities or design that fits our needs is hard. And for the money we were spending, we tend to expect more than we get.

Planning ahead when carefully designing your large home can pay back in spades when your rent it. In our travels here are some favorite design features we have come across that have added to the comfort and enjoyment when traveling with large groups:

A large mudroom with plenty of hooks and bench space for taking on and off coats and shoes (and for storing them) is a huge convenience for the renter especially when they have multiple families. Plus the larger and more convenient you make the mudroom, the less junk that gets dragged through the house (a plus for any owner and it helps the kiddos stay organized too!).

Another example when you have that many folks staying under one roof is having two sets of washer/dryers. Whatever climate your home is in, beach towels, bathing suits, ski clothes, hiking shorts, you name it the wash piles up and what a treat to NOT go home with loads of dirty laundry. Add a drying rack and this part of your vacation home rental might be the best part for some!

Then there’s the kitchen. To truly offer luxury, your kitchen design should include two full-size sinks, one for dishes and one for food preparation. This can make cooking-in a lot more enjoyable and manageable for big groups. Also install two dishwashers for that extra capacity so everything can get washed after dinner versus waiting until the morning to do that second load. For 20+ people, you’re almost looking at three loads of dishes so it is well worth it.

To say that The Society has added luxury properties in Cabo San Lucas is an understatement. Thanks to our newest member, Earth, Sea & Sky Vacations, TheSociety.com includes a vast variety of luxury rentals in the Cabo area to accommodate even the most discriminating travelers.

We are talking about 113 rentals most of which are platinum or above in status. The luxury experience doesn’t stop with the homes either. You name the service, and this company can take care of your needs. Event planning, provisioning, daily maid services, driving services, private chefs, activity packages, advance reservations, in-home spa services…this is the definition of luxury travel to Cabo.

It’s almost impossible to select just one to spotlight. There are properties with as many as 12 bedrooms that are as grand as it gets. This one is a 5+ bedroom/9 bathroom oceanfront estate with 12,500 sq ft. of indoor living space. “Villa Vista Ballena” is regarded as one of the finest homes in Los Cabos, and it overlooks the scenic 17th green of the Ocean Course at Cabo del Sol, one of Nicklaus’ best designs. Oceanfront and overlooking one of the finest golf courses in the world…not bad!

The Society has added a wonderful collection of luxury properties courtesy of Specialty Lodging. These rentals are truly special, and many include such amenities as private heated pools and spas, billiard rooms, theater rooms, game rooms, and of course, stunning views of the desert landscape.

For travelers seeking luxurious comforts in the Scottsdale and Phoenix areas, these homes are prepared to deliver memorable experiences. Take Casa de Artista for example. This fantastically designed home features unique architecture that is both contemporary and elegant. It is 6,000 sq ft surrounded by hundreds of acres of naturally preserved desert land. Gorgeous views can be seen of Troon Golf Course and Pinnacle Peak. Hiking enthusiasts also have access to trails right out the back door. Plan your next desert getaway with The Society’s Scottsdale properties as the centerpiece.

The word spa, may come from the name of the famous mineral springs in Spa, Belgium but today its meaning spans much more. When someone says they are heading to a spa, images of massages, pedicures, facials, reflexology as well as healthy salads and green tea might pop into your head. But today’s luxury spas are growing to include much more than the norm.

Spas are no longer just a place for women. They are targeting men, teenagers and couples and offering specific services for each demographic. The number of men frequenting spas increased 5% from 2002 to 2003 and it is believed about 31% of spa-goers today are men. While men can do any spa service, there are treatments targeted to them. Some include back treatments and hair removal in addition to sports massage and foot treatment options.

Teenagers are also being recruited at a young age and getting hooked for life. Teenagers are being offered everything from acne treatments and makeup application to relaxation through massage to treat asthma and migraine headaches.

The couples’ services focus on romance. Couples are offered side-by-side massages and pedicures followed by private dining… For the perfect ambiance flowers are displayed, romantic music played and couples are treated like it is their honeymoon all over again.

Spas are also now taking on distinct personalities of their own: ‘Destination spas’, ‘wine spas’ and ‘medical/executive health spas’ are a few examples of specialty spas that are popping up. The Destination Spa is all about the location. The spa-goer selects the type of atmosphere they would like and heads to the high desert, beautiful hill country or an island for their spa experience. With these spas the setting is as much a part of the overall package as the treatments themselves. Here travelers get to take advantage of the surrounding areas with hikes, outdoor eating and romantic moments in-between spa treatments.

Wine Spas offer a dual-purpose to their wine as it is used both to taste and for treatments. These treatments firm the skin and can slow down the aging process using the powerful antioxidant properties found in wine. At these spas, massages are delivered on the terrace, overlooking the gorgeous vineyards. A package to one of these spas would not be complete without grape seed exfoliations that promise to bring out younger skin.

Planning a golf getaway? Its hard to beat Palm Springs to satisfy your golfing urges. The “Golf Capitol of the World” is home to over 100 renowned courses, and now The Society offers the perfect array of luxury accommodations to complete an elite vacation. Thanks to Palm Springs Rental Agency, travelers can pick from nearly 30 fabulous luxury estates that offer amenities and services that will make you forget about your shank on hole 12.

Take a look at this extraordinary property, and you’ll realize what you’ve been missing. This multi-million dollar rental, “Casa de Plata” also known as the Howard Hawks Estate, is a 5,600 sq ft home designed by the famous Howard Hughes. It was featured in a 1981 Architectural Design shoot, and it is located in Old Las Palmas, the finest neighborhood in Palm Springs. Beautiful gardens, new pool, gourmet kitchen, 4 master suites, custom furnishings, and spectacular views…what more could you ask for!

Happy Earth Day readers.

It seems fitting to write a blog post regarding our work with Sustatinable Travel International (STI).

The Society is currently working on two initiatives with STI, a global leader in promoting responsible travel and ecotourism amongst travelers, travel providers and related organizations. The Society is committed to working together to promote responsible travel as well as encourage accommodation providers and related supply chain agents to participate in environmental conservation.

Our first initative involves making a donation for every home booked through The Society. Search our luxury homes now and find the perfect place for your next vacation, corporate retreat or wedding.

The second initative involves creating a set of criteria for homeowners and property managers to use to create more sustainable homes. You can see the guidelines here.

The Society is heading to San Diego this week to the Luxury Real Estate Spring Retreat. Stay tuned as we will be blogging and twittering about the event.

More details on the event:

On the eve of the premiere of his new movie Expelled, Ben Stein won’t be found in Los Angeles among other Hollywood elite. Instead, on Thursday, April 17^th, Ben will be in San Diego mingling with the biggest names in real estate at the 6^th Annual Luxury Real Estate Spring Retreat.

This will truly be a night to remember. Famous for his wisdom and sense of humor, Ben will bestow his brilliant foresight and knowledge of the luxury real estate industry on you.

This is the best-attended Spring Retreat in LuxuryRealEstate.com history, and you will not want to miss it! There are a few openings available to hear Ben speak on “The Psychology of Buying Luxury Property.”

The NY Times’ Billie Cohen published an article “Pitfalls of the First Purchase” on April 4th. A nice short article highlighting some of the watchouts before buying your dream vacation home. The highlights include:

1. Don’t Simply Buy Where You Love

2. Know Why You’re Buying

3. Second Home Financing

4. Expect Hidden Costs

5. Plan an Exit Strategy

If you’re considering buying a vacation home and utilizing it as a vacation home there are a few other tips to avoid. In an article The Society published a few months ago, Jeff Progar shares his thoughts on what a vacation rental needs.