Lake Havasu Vacations

Quiet streets, no bright lights

2010-02-25T02:58:00Z

Lake Havasu - the opposite of Las Vegas
If you're looking for a star-gazing vacation, consider our Lake Havasu City Vacation homes. Lake Havasu is a small town, 20 miles from the nearest Interstate highway. Only the main streets have street lights, so the night skies are spectacular from the in-ground spa or pool. Constellations hang close, the moon blazes. Traffic dwindles after sunset, especially in the winter/spring/fall months, when the boaters are back in California.

In the winter, sunsets ignite over the Lake and burn out behind the Needles in California. Rocks project asymetric silhouettes against vermillion clouds. Quiet. Still. Easy.

Lake View at Sunset Sun and Water

Heated Swimming Pool in Lake Havasu?

2010-02-18T02:40:00Z

One of the questions I get most often about our homes in Lake Havasu is whether the pools are heated. Well, here's the answer. Sun and Water has an active solar heated pool. When the daytimes are sunny and over 85 degrees, the solar heater works great! I can't imagine the cost of heating a pool with natural gas, with utility prices what they are these days!

Our pool at Lake View at Sunset isn't heated at all. But it's shallower than the pool at Sun and Water and therefore heats up quicker than a deep pool. Using the bubble cover at night to retain heat gained in the day time helps increase the water temperature.

In the winter, days are warm and sunny, but the nights are cool (Arizona is a desert, not the tropics). We use the in-ground spas at our homes when we visit in the winter, but not the pools.

In the summer, with temperatures over 100 degrees every day, you don't need to worry about heating the pool. It's the perfect temperature (78 to 85 degrees) to cool you off!

What a way to vacation! Your own private pool and in-ground spa in your own private back yard! And for less than a decent hotel with a public pool!

Reserving a Vacation Home in Lake Havasu City

2010-02-04T02:38:00Z

How deposits work at our Lake Havasu City vacation homes

When you reserve either Lake View at Sunset or Sun and Water, we request you provide a reservation deposit. The deposit reserves the dates you select until you arrive. Some homeowners cash the reservation check (or credit card), some don't. We're among those who cash the check. One of the differences between staying at a hotel and someone's home is that if you cancel a hotel reservation, someone else will probably come along and rent the room you canceled. But if you've reserved our vacation home and cancel less than 30 days before your stay, we probably will not be able to re-rent your dates. So the deposit is really a commitment to keep the dates you select. And it's our commitment not to cancel your reservation in favor of someone who will pay more or wants to stay longer.

Once you arrive the reservation deposit turns into a damage deposit. We're so thankful that we've never had any significant damage to either of our two vacation homes in Lake Havasu City. We have GREAT guests! So we've never had to keep much of anyone's deposit to cover damages. The damage deposit also covers excessive utility use (running the spa propane tank out -- usually a mistake, but very costly). Our policy is to refund your deposit within 15 days of your departure. Our maid service checks our home carefully when they clean, so you won't be held responsible for someone else's problem. As soon as we hear from the maid service and pool service we cheerfully mail your deposit refund check.

Great Place to Eat in Lake Havasu City

2010-01-19T02:30:00Z

If you're in Lake Havasu City, and you like authentic Mexican food, take time to find Casa Fernandez. It's located on Industrial Boulevard, and like the address suggests, it's not on the main drag. It isn't a "chain" restaurant; it's not fancy. In fact the outside doesn't impress. But I grew up in Pueblo, Colorado, and I'm spoiled. I like REAL Mexican food. I invented the "plastic plant index" for finding good Mexican food. My theory goes something like this: The more plastic (or artificial) plants, the better the Mexican food. What I mean is that small, family owned, self-decorated restaurants tend to have the most authentic food.

Have any of you eaten at Casa Fernandez? What did you think?

The Best Beds

2010-01-14T04:45:00Z

When I look for a vacation home to rent, I want a comfortable bed! How about you? If I'm going to be spending a one- or two- week vacation at the best place in the world, the whole vacation can be ruined by an uncomfortable bed.

Some vacation home owners skimp on furniture, shopping garage sales, used furniture and low priced furniture stores. That might be okay for a kitchen table, but when it comes to a good night's sleep -- NO WAY! As you review pictures of places you're considering, look at the quality of the beds. But don't stop there, ASK about the beds. This could be the best advice you'll ever read about selecting a vacation home.

At Sun and Water and Lake View at Sunset, our vacation homes in Lake Havasu City, we spent more on our beds than any other part of our decor -- because we'd be sleeping in them ourselves! We love the artwork in our homes; our living room furniture is comfortable and durable, but the beds are THE BEST! Here's to a good night's sleep!

Lake Havasu City-Don't Believe Everything You See on TV

2009-12-28T17:01:00Z

Don't Believe Everything You See on TV
We just talked with a nice young couple with children who saw a TV show about crazy parties and lawbreakers on Lake Havasu. They decided that renting a vacation home in Lake Havasu City wasn't appropriate for them because of the crazies on the lake. They have a small boat and had heard great things about the lake but they didn't want their children exposed to the nuts and dangers of drunk boaters.

There are times when the lake is crazy-- Sprng Break (March) and 3-day weekends. But there are perfect times for family boaters on Lake Havasu -- May, September, and October, AND week days nearly all summer. The crowds of kids show up mainly in March. Most Lake Havasu City vacation homes still have quiet snowbirds in residence in March. The kids usually rent condos or hotel rooms right down by the bridge. If they rent a vacation home, it's one that clearly caters to kids -- high occupancy (10 or more guests) and HIGH rent.

So don't be afraid to bring your small boat to Lake Havasu and rent a Lake Havasu city vacation home (like ours)! Just plan your visit to avoid high traffic dates and you'll enjoy both the Lake and the town!

How do people search for vacation rentals

2009-12-03T03:31:32Z

How do you search for vacation rentals?

I'm curious. How do you search for vacation rentals? When I'm looking for a vacation rental I usually use google. My search words includes the place I want to go and what kind of property I'm looking for. For example: "vacation home in Lake Havasu". Do you look for the type of climate you want for your vacation--like warm winter vacation home? Or do you plug in amenities you want like "vacation home with private pool"? Do you look specifically for properties managed by owner? Do you have certain things you look at when you view pictures? Decor? Furnishings? Comfortable beds? I'd love to see some discussion from people who stay at vacation homes when they travel. Do you use search sites like www.VRBO.com or www.VacationRentals.com? Other vacation home search sites? I think I know some of the answers, but I'd love to hear from you!

Book Now for Summer

2009-11-25T13:00:00Z

To get the best dates book early!
About this time of year we start getting inquiries for our best summer vacation dates. There are lots of homes for rent in Lake Havasu, but the best ones book early. Of course we think Sun and Water and Lake View at Sunset are the two BEST Lake Havasu vacation homes available. In 2009 we had guests from France, Canada, and Netherlands as well as dozens of US states. I just took an inquiry from England a week or so ago. Don't miss your favorite dates by waiting until spring. We have a monthly payment plan if you want to book early -- we'll divide your fees into monthly payments between now and 30 days before your reservation. What an AFFORDABLE way to plan your vacation!

Vacation style - Relax and rejuvenate

2009-11-25T03:02:00Z

What's Your Vacation Style?
People go on vacations for different reasons. If you're like me you go on vacation to RELAX, not to be busy going places, seeing sights and doing things. Lake Havasu City is ideal for either kind of vacation. But if you really want to relax, our two Havasu vacation homes make relaxing easy! Lake Havasu City isn't on an interstate highway. Traffic is minimal. Birds sing. The pool sparkles in the sun, just waiting for you to stretch out on a raft with a good book and iced tea. Pink sunrises and dramatic sunsets bookend your days here. Now's the time to plan your summer vacation to Lake Havasu, while you have the best dates to choose from!

Havasu in July

2009-11-24T21:00:00Z

If you're a sun lover, Lake Havasu makes the best vacation spot in the summer. Although temperatures are in the 100s every day (usually by 9 or 10 AM), there's usually a breeze that facilitates evaporative cooling when you're in the lake or in the pool.

Our vacation home rental, known as Lake View at Sunset, provides both proximity to Lake Havasu for a dip, a boat ride, a jet ski ride, water skiing, fishing, etc. and a sparkling private pool and spa, just steps from our back door.

Our border terriers, Maggie, Caede and Sydney, love the warm weather. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. These pups will lay by the gas fireplace at our Colorado home until they are hot as a pistol; panting, and smiling. They seem to think that outdoors in Lake Havasu is like a giant gas fireplace!

Please feel free to post questions and positive discussion about Lake Havasu as a destination for summer vacations.

Holidays in Havasu

2009-11-22T14:35:00Z

Home for the holidays in Lake Havasu
If you're looking for a warm weather holiday, consider Sun and Water or Lake View at Sunset, our vacation homes in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. You'll enjoy sunny days with temperatures in the 60s and 70s and coolish nights in our in-ground spa. Pick either of our homes for your holiday stay in December, right up to New Year's Day morning. Sun and Water is currently also available for the first two weeks of January, 2010. Don't miss out. These dates will be gone soon!