Coordinating trips for multiple families can be a little daunting, especially when you’re planning for 18 people.

My adult daughter and her two friends, their husbands, seven children under 6, and five other adults planned to travel to the Isle of Palms, outside of Charleston, for a wedding earlier this year. Preparation began months in advance, with detailed spreadsheets and clear communication being essential.

Hotels were never a viable option. We quickly realized that the hidden costs would add up quickly. Going out to eat three times a day, dealing with crying children in hotel rooms, and at the same time trying to plan outings around naps was exhausting to even contemplate. A big beach house to corral everyone was the only option we seriously considered.

Although the $16,000 price tag might seem like a lot, it actually made the most sense for our large group. It seemed like a waste until we arrived. By the second day, it was evident that choosing this beach house, filled with the amenities we valued, made it all worthwhile and effortless.

The location mattered as much as the house itself.

The search produced several possibilities before we finally settled on one. My daughter and her friends approached the selection diligently. It was carefully planned who needed their own bedroom, which children could share, and how many bathrooms we would need.

Indoor-outdoor spaces were a priority, as was an open floor plan with kid-friendly furniture. We wanted to be far enough away from the busy beach access and loud bars, but close to an ice cream stand.

The house we chose had everything we wanted and more, and it was available.

The house became the destination.

With direct beach access, an in-ground pool, hot tub, and a spacious deck for all of us, there was nowhere else we needed to be. The kids moved easily between the sand and our pool without anyone packing suitcases or loading cars. The open design also made it easy for adults to keep an eye on the children while they chatted.

The day after the wedding we organized a barbecue for about forty guests. The house became the natural meeting place, something that would have been impossible if we were staying in a hotel.

We had a rhythm that worked.

On previous trips, especially hotel stays, the days required constant planning and adjustment. Where should we eat? How long is the wait? Who’s ready to go? Constantly dining out sounds indulgent, but it quickly becomes expensive and tiring. You often spend more time coordinating than enjoying the vacation.

This time, we ordered food for delivery before we arrived and replenished throughout the week. Breakfasts were easy options, like grab-and-go egg bites, bagels, or yogurt parfaits. The children sat side by side at the kitchen counter while the adults drank coffee on the terrace.

Lunch was simple. We made sandwiches and served them with pasta or fruit salad. Dinners consisted of simple skillet meals, followed by late-night walks to the ice cream stand at the end of the street. Without reservations. No crowds. And minimal stress for all adults.

The cost was worth it

Yes, the initial price was high. But we weren’t paying for multiple hotel rooms, restaurant meals three times a day, and daily activities to keep everyone entertained. A house, along with good planning, absorbed those common expenses. It also eliminated decision fatigue and scheduling stress, which is very valuable to me.

More importantly, it gave us something harder to measure. We had space to be together without feeling crowded and time that wasn’t constantly interrupted or overloaded. By the end of the week, we weren’t debating whether it was worth it. We were already talking about making plans for next year.