"A Cozy Cottage by the Sea" always sounds good until you read that it's a 2 BR with nothing bigger than a full sized bed and is really about 3 blocks from the beach. With 4 kids that ain't gonna work -- and we like to stay right ON the beach. I have learned the "Steps away from the beach" is usually more like a couple of blocks. It would be ok, except that sometimes we like to be on the beach while the youngest naps. I'm not comfortable doing that if I'm more than just a few feet from the house! :o) I've looked at more homes on the internet on more different beaches this year since our favorite place got wiped out a couple years ago by Ivan and the rebuilding got knocked out last year by Dennis.
I've never stayed near a beach before. I'm sure it will be fun!