Martha's Vineyard or DC without making travel feel impossible.
A practical plan to get parents from Buffalo, the Stamford household plus dog, and the Charlotte family with an infant to a Labor Day trip with Friday off, clear cost bands, and lodging that still feels like a worthwhile family compromise.
Two workable Labor Day shapes
Martha's VineyardGateway plus ferry
Buffalo and Stamford drive to ferry parking; Charlotte prices MVY first, then BOS/PVD.
Washington, DCDirect city weekend
Buffalo and Stamford drive or train; Charlotte can drive, fly, or send sister-in-law solo.
Sep 4-7Friday to Labor Day Monday, using one day off.
3 nightsTwo full days at the destination instead of a rushed logistics weekend.
Park onceVineyard: walk-on ferry. DC: leave cars at lodging and use transit.
5-6 adultsPlan for the Charlotte full-family or solo sister-in-law variant.
The Short Answer
The best Vineyard balance is to make this a Friday-to-Monday island weekend, have Buffalo and Stamford use the mainland ferry plan, have Charlotte fly if pricing is tolerable, and stay in Oak Bluffs or Vineyard Haven so nobody needs an island car. The DC tab gives the same family scenario with Washington, DC as the destination.
Recommended
Family plan: Friday, September 4 to Monday, September 7
Everyone takes Friday off. Parents leave Buffalo early Friday, park on the mainland, take an evening ferry, and stay three nights on the Vineyard. The Stamford household uses the same mainland ferry target with the dog. The Charlotte household should price flights first, especially with an under-1-year-old. The extra night costs more, but it turns Saturday into a real island day instead of another logistics day.
Best mainland ferry target for Buffalo and Stamford: New Bedford Seastreak, because parking is straightforward and it avoids the deepest Cape traffic. Seastreak route/fares
Best dog-safe fallback: Steamship Authority from Woods Hole, because its pet policy is very clear and the crossing is short. SSA pet FAQ
Best Charlotte full-family option: fly Charlotte to Martha's Vineyard if fares are tolerable; otherwise fly Charlotte to Boston or Providence and meet the ferry plan. Use airline infant rules before booking a lap infant, stroller, car seat, or diaper bag plan. American infant rules
Best lodging style: a two-bedroom suite/townhouse if it is just two households, or a three-bedroom / two-bath pet-friendly rental if Charlotte joins with the baby.
Charlotte variant
If only the sister-in-law comes
The solo sister-in-law version is much easier than the full Charlotte family version. She can fly into MVY, BOS, PVD, or HYA, pack light, and share the existing lodging footprint if the bed layout works. Treat this as a separate RSVP option, not an afterthought.
Likely lower total cost because no infant gear, no second adult fare, and potentially no extra bedroom.
Best if Charlotte flight prices are high or baby logistics make the long weekend too compressed.
If she needs her own room, price the stay as three households instead of assuming the base lodging plan still works.
Estimated Household Costs
Cost check as of June 28, 2026. This uses current provider pages for ferry, parking, transit, museum, and airline-family-travel rules, then adds transparent planning estimates for gas, tolls, flights, shared lodging, meals, infant supplies, and activities.
Buffalo parents
Transport before lodging
$430-$560
Best working estimate for two adults driving Buffalo to New Bedford, parking on the mainland for Friday through Monday, and walking on Seastreak.
Two adult round-trip ferry tickets Seastreak lists $84 round trip; estimate includes 3% booking fee and about 5% fuel surcharge. Fare source
$181
Gas About 940 round-trip miles at 28 mpg and a $4.00/gal planning price.
$134
Tolls Route-dependent planning band for NY/MA driving.
$55-$85
New Bedford parking Four calendar days: offsite at $15/day or holiday valet at $40/day. Parking source
$60-$160
Stamford household
Transport before lodging
$302-$447
Best working estimate for two adults plus the dog driving Stamford to New Bedford, parking Friday through Monday, and walking on Seastreak.
Two adult round-trip ferry tickets Same Seastreak fare math as the Buffalo household. Fare source
$181
Dog ferry contingency Seastreak says dogs and cats are welcome on many trips; assume $0 but keep a small buffer until the exact booking path confirms it. Pet source
$0-$25
Gas About 360 round-trip miles at 28 mpg and a $4.00/gal planning price.
$51
Tolls Route-dependent planning band from lower Connecticut to New Bedford.
$10-$30
New Bedford parking Four calendar days: offsite at $15/day or holiday valet at $40/day. Parking source
$60-$160
Charlotte family
Transport before lodging
$1,150-$2,250
Best working estimate for sister-in-law, brother-in-law, and under-1-year-old son flying from the Charlotte area. Price MVY first; use BOS or PVD only if MVY fares are too high.
Flights for two adults Planning band for CLT to MVY, BOS, or PVD round trip; live airline search controls the real number. CLT-MVY search
$800-$1,700
Infant, bags, and gear American allows domestic lap children under 2, plus rules for diaper bags, strollers, and car seats; verify every airline itinerary. Infant rules
$0-$200
Ground transfer / ferry buffer $0 if they land at MVY; add car service, rental, train/bus, ferry, or parking if they use BOS/PVD/HYA.
$150-$350
Attendance scenario
Likely lodging target
Why the number changes
Planning split
Base group Buffalo parents + Stamford household + dog.
$2,600 middle target
Two-bedroom suite, townhouse, or pet-friendly rental can work if bed layout is clean.
Two households: about $1,300 each.
Add sister-in-law only One adult from Charlotte.
$2,800-$3,400
May work in the same lodging footprint if there is a real bed/sofa bed; otherwise treat it as a three-room requirement.
If split three ways: about $933-$1,133 each.
Add full Charlotte family Two adults plus infant.
$3,800-$5,000
Needs baby-friendly layout, quiet sleeping space, likely three bedrooms or two bedrooms plus a den, and pet permission.
If split three households: about $1,267-$1,667 each.
High ceiling Use as the walk-away warning line.
$6,200+
If Labor Day inventory forces a large house, resort-style stay, or multiple hotel rooms, the trip stops being a budget compromise.
Re-price before committing anyone.
Meals and activities style
Budget per household
What it means for four days / three nights
Best fit
Lean
$450-$600
Groceries or simple breakfasts, counter-service lunches, one casual dinner out, beaches, walks, free VTA buses, and a small snack/coffee buffer. VTA fares
Use if lodging prices come in high and the trip needs to stay controlled.
Balanced
$750-$1,000
Groceries or simple breakfasts, two casual dinners, ferry-day snacks, ice cream/coffee, one paid museum/carousel-style activity, and a taxi or weather buffer. Museum admission
Use as the default planning number for this family trip.
Comfort
$1,150-$1,600
Three restaurant dinners, drinks or dessert stops, a paid tour or bike/kayak-style activity, taxis when convenient, and fewer compromises around menus. Re-check actual menus and tour calendars before booking.
Use only if the lodging deal is good or everyone wants the weekend to feel more indulgent.
Likely all-in target
Buffalo parents, base group
$2,480-$2,860
Transport plus $1,300 lodging share plus balanced meals/activities. If Charlotte full-family joins and lodging splits three ways, this can stay roughly similar even though the house itself costs more.
Likely all-in target
Stamford household, base group
$2,352-$2,747
Transport plus $1,300 lodging share plus balanced meals/activities. Add a lodging pet fee if the final property charges one.
Charlotte likely range
Full Charlotte family, if they join
$3,267-$5,117
Flights/transfer plus a three-household lodging share plus balanced meals, baby supplies, and activity buffer. If only the sister-in-law comes, plan roughly $1,250-$2,900 depending on airfare and whether lodging needs another room.
Relative cost takeaway: before lodging, the Buffalo household is roughly $130 more than the Stamford household because of the longer drive and higher toll exposure. Once lodging, meals, and activities are split by household, both households mostly rise together; the lodging choice and restaurant plan matter more than any ferry-price tweak.
Important cost caveats: the lodging table is transport plus lodging only; the all-in cards add a balanced food/activity allowance. Totals still exclude optional ferry trip protection, extra baggage beyond the first carry-on and personal item, dog boarding or pet fees at lodging, and any decision to bring a vehicle onto the island. If both households can share one mainland car for the last leg, subtract one parking bill from the combined family total.
Why Walk On Instead Of Taking A Car
The island car sounds convenient until the vehicle reservation, ferry cost, and holiday-weekend logistics show up. For this trip, mainland parking plus walk-on ferry is the cleaner family compromise.
Choice
Why it works
Tradeoff
Walk-on ferry
Cheaper, flexible, dog-compatible on the right ferry, and avoids vehicle reservation scarcity.
Pack lighter and stay somewhere walkable or bus-friendly.
Bring one car
Useful if someone has mobility limits or the lodging is far from town.
Steamship Authority vehicle reservations are required in advance, and Labor Day weekend space can be tight.
Fly to MVY
Fastest and cleanest for the Charlotte household, especially with an infant, if fares are reasonable.
Usually not budget-friendly for Buffalo parents; infant, stroller, car seat, baggage, and small-aircraft rules need airline confirmation. AA children
Important: if anyone wants a car on the island, decide early. Steamship Authority says advance vehicle reservations are required for Martha's Vineyard vehicles, while passengers without vehicles can buy traditional ferry tickets at the terminals or digitally. SSA vehicle FAQ
Suggested Itinerary
This is written so everyone can picture the trip without needing to decode ferry systems, flight connections, baby gear logistics, and holiday-weekend lodging constraints.
Travel day: Buffalo/Stamford to ferry; Charlotte to MVY or ferry gateway
Parents leave Buffalo early, plan for a full driving day with stops, and aim for New Bedford or Woods Hole with a healthy buffer. The Stamford household does the shorter version of the same mainland plan with the dog. Charlotte should fly Friday if possible: first price CLT to MVY, then CLT to BOS/PVD if MVY is too expensive. The practical goal is to arrive on the island Friday night, check in once, and wake up Saturday already on vacation. If using Steamship Authority from Woods Hole, the crossing to Martha's Vineyard is about 45 minutes; if using Seastreak from New Bedford, re-check the exact Friday holiday-weekend sailing times before buying. SSA schedulesSeastreak schedules
First full island day: settle in, keep it easy
Use Saturday for a slow start, groceries or breakfast near the lodging, Oak Bluffs gingerbread cottages and harbor, and a low-effort beach walk. If the baby joins, keep Saturday deliberately simple: naps, shade, stroller-friendly walks, and no hard reservations before everyone is settled. This is the big reason Friday is worth taking off: nobody has to spend Saturday anxiously watching traffic, flight delays, and ferry times.
Second full island day: Edgartown or beach day
Make Sunday the one planned outing: Edgartown for a stroll and dinner, State Beach or Inkwell Beach, Martha's Vineyard Museum, or a longer scenic loop if the group has energy. If the infant joins, pick one paid activity at most and leave the rest flexible. If staying in Vineyard Haven, start there and use the bus or a taxi for one clean excursion. Museum infoVTA fare info
Return day: leave enough room for holiday traffic
Take a mid-day or afternoon ferry back to the mainland. Seastreak's current holiday schedule for September 7 shows several Oak Bluffs to New Bedford options, including 1:00 PM, 3:45 PM, 5:10 PM, and 7:45 PM departures. For the Buffalo drive, earlier is kinder. For Charlotte, avoid any flight itinerary that depends on a tight ferry-to-airport transfer with an infant.
How Everyone Gets There
There are two serious ferry paths for Buffalo/Stamford and two flight paths for Charlotte. Pick based on dog policy, infant logistics, parking preference, and available sailing times.
Best for Buffalo budget
Option A: Drive to New Bedford, take Seastreak to Oak Bluffs
This is likely the easiest mental model for the parents: one long drive, park in New Bedford, fast passenger ferry, arrive directly in Oak Bluffs.
Seastreak lists 2026 New Bedford to Martha's Vineyard tickets as available and seasonal service from April 16 to October 12, 2026. Route source
Current one-way adult fare listed: $49; round trip: $84, before booking/fuel/surge details. Fare source
New Bedford parking: valet is listed at $30 per day, with holiday valet at $40 per day for September 4-7, 2026; offsite parking is listed at $15 per day with shuttle. Parking source
Pet note: Seastreak's general onboard pet FAQ welcomes dogs and cats on many trips, but says pets must stay on outdoor decks unless small dogs are in carriers. Reconfirm for this exact route before buying. Pet source
Dog-safe fallback
Option B: Drive to Woods Hole, take Steamship Authority
This is the most official, year-round route and the only ferry operator to carry vehicles if you later decide one car must come along.
Steamship Authority says Woods Hole to Martha's Vineyard takes about 45 minutes. SSA FAQ
It says pets are welcome on ferries free of charge, leashed or in a container, with no pets on seats/tables or in food service areas. Pet source
Walk-on passengers can buy Martha's Vineyard traditional ferry tickets at terminals on the day of sailing or via eFerry. Fare source
Tradeoff: driving deeper onto the Cape can be more traffic-sensitive on a holiday weekend.
Best for Charlotte
Option C: Fly CLT to MVY, or CLT to BOS/PVD plus ferry
For two adults plus an under-1-year-old, flying is the practical default. Driving Charlotte to the ferry is possible, but it turns a three-night island weekend into a major road trip.
First price CLT to MVY for the fewest moving parts. CLT-MVY search
If only the sister-in-law comes, use the same flight search path but budget for one adult fare and a much simpler luggage plan.
If MVY is too expensive, price CLT to BOS or PVD, then choose a transfer to New Bedford or Woods Hole.
American's child-travel policy is the key source for lap-infant and stroller/car-seat assumptions. AA infant rules
If Cape Air is part of a connection, review its baggage and assistance rules because small-aircraft logistics are less forgiving. Cape Air fees
For coordination: Buffalo and Stamford should share the same ferry target if possible. Charlotte should optimize for infant simplicity first, then coordinate island arrival with the group. A shared first dinner is useful, but not worth a risky infant transfer.
Where To Stay
The sweet spot is not the fanciest hotel. It is a place that lets the confirmed group sleep comfortably, keeps the dog allowed, and gives the Charlotte baby a quiet sleep setup if that household joins.
First check
Island Inn, Oak Bluffs
Good compromise profile: suites and townhouses, kitchens or kitchenettes, pet-friendly stays, pool, and near Oak Bluffs without feeling like everyone is squeezed into hotel rooms. Island Inn source
Walkable
Mansion House, Vineyard Haven
Very practical if arriving by Steamship Authority into Vineyard Haven. The site says it is a stroll from the ferry and has a limited number of dog-friendly rooms. Mansion House source
If hotels price badly
Pet-friendly rental
For four adults plus dog, a two-bedroom rental can beat two hotel rooms. If Charlotte joins with the baby, search for three bedrooms, two bathrooms, laundry access, crib/pack-and-play compatibility, and parking/taxi simplicity. Pet-friendly rental search
Who comes
Minimum lodging requirement
Search filter
Risk to avoid
Base group
Two real sleeping rooms plus pet approval.
Oak Bluffs or Vineyard Haven, pet-friendly, kitchen or kitchenette.
A listing that technically sleeps four but uses cramped pullouts.
Sister-in-law solo
Either a real third bed or explicit agreement that she can share the existing setup.
Two-bedroom plus den, townhouse, or suite with a sofa bed.
Assuming she fits without confirming bed layout.
Full Charlotte family
Three bedrooms or two bedrooms plus separate baby-safe sleep space.
Pet-friendly, family-friendly, laundry, kitchen, room for pack-and-play, quiet sleeping area.
A beautiful place that fails on naps, stairs, heat/AC, or nighttime baby logistics.
Booking rule: choose lodging before ferry tickets if you are not bringing a car; choose ferry vehicle space before lodging if you decide to bring a car. For Charlotte, do not buy flights until the lodging headcount and baby sleep setup are confirmed. Labor Day is too tight to leave those dependencies fuzzy.
On-Island Transportation
The goal is to avoid needing a rental car for every small move.
Stay down-island
Oak Bluffs, Vineyard Haven, and Edgartown are the practical towns for this trip. Oak Bluffs is best for Seastreak arrivals; Vineyard Haven is best for Steamship Authority arrivals; Edgartown is beautiful but may add transfer friction.
Use VTA, taxis, and short walks
The Vineyard Transit Authority says it provides year-round public transit bus and paratransit service on Martha's Vineyard, and its fare page is the point-of-use source for current fares or fare-free periods. Use it for town-to-town movement, then taxis/rideshare when timing, baby gear, the dog, or luggage matters. VTA fares
Washington, DC Option
This is the same Labor Day weekend scenario with the destination changed to Washington, DC: everyone takes Friday, September 4, 2026 off; everyone returns Monday, September 7; Buffalo parents need a budget-sensitive path; the Stamford household includes the dog; and the Charlotte household may join as the full family with an under-1-year-old or as sister-in-law solo.
DC recommendation
DC is the easier logistics compromise
Compared with Martha's Vineyard, DC removes the ferry layer, has many free or low-cost activities, and gives Charlotte a much simpler destination. The main costs to control are lodging, hotel parking, and city meals. Stay near Metro, keep the car parked, and make the weekend mostly National Mall / Smithsonian / monuments rather than ticketed attractions. Smithsonian says its DC-area museums and zoo are free except Cooper Hewitt in NYC; the Zoo is free but requires entry passes for all guests, including infants. Smithsonian visitZoo entry
Best lodging bases: Penn Quarter / Mount Vernon, Capitol Hill / Navy Yard, Dupont / Woodley Park, or Arlington / Crystal City if parking and hotel rates are better. Destination DC lodging
Best activity mix: Smithsonian museums, National Gallery, National Mall memorial walks, and National Zoo if the infant joins. National GalleryNational Mall
Best dog rule: assume the dog can do outdoor walks and pet-friendly lodging, but not indoor museums. If taking Amtrak, the dog must qualify under Amtrak's carrier, weight, time, and reservation rules. Amtrak pets
Good DC shape
Friday-to-Monday, hotel or rental near transit
The cleanest DC version is three nights, two or three household lodging shares, one parked car per driving household, and transit/rideshare once in town. WMATA lists weekend Metrorail fares at $2.25-$2.50, regular Metrobus at $2.25, and up to two children age 4 or younger ride free with each fare-paying adult. WMATA fares
Book a refundable hotel/rental first; then lock trains or flights.
For the Charlotte infant, price the trip both as full family and sister-in-law solo before anyone commits to room count.
For the Stamford dog, decide early whether the dog rides in the car, qualifies for Amtrak, or needs a lodging/pet-fee backup.
DC Transportation By Household
Household
Recommended path
Transport planning cost
Why
Buffalo parents
Drive Buffalo to DC, park once, use Metro/walking.
$230-$395 Fuel about $115, route/toll buffer $20-$55, parking $95-$225.
For two adults on a tight travel budget, driving is likely cheaper than flying. The fuel number uses roughly 780 round-trip miles, 28 mpg, and current AAA New York/DC regular averages. Route checkNY gasDC gas
Stamford household + dog
Drive Stamford to DC unless the dog clearly qualifies for Amtrak and the fare is good.
$250-$400 driving or $310-$780 Amtrak for two adults plus pet reservation/fee, depending on live fares.
Driving handles the dog, luggage, and hotel arrival more predictably. Amtrak is attractive only if the dog fits the carrier policy, total travel time stays within rules, and fares are not high. Northeast Regional serves New York to Washington, DC with multiple daily departures. Route checkNortheast RegionalAmtrak pets
Charlotte full family sister-in-law, brother-in-law, infant son
Drive if budget matters most; fly CLT to DCA/BWI/IAD if convenience matters more.
$245-$405 driving or $660-$1,620 flying for two adult fares plus local ground buffer.
Driving is cheapest and avoids airport baby logistics, but it is a long holiday-weekend drive. Flying is much easier if fares are tolerable. American's child policy is the point source for domestic lap-infant and stroller/car-seat assumptions; Amtrak's Carolinian is a slower train fallback from Charlotte to Washington, DC. Route checkAA childrenCarolinian
Sister-in-law solo
Fly CLT to DCA first; drive only if she strongly prefers it.
$350-$900 travel target depending on airfare and ground needs.
The solo option is much easier than full-family travel: one airfare, no infant gear, no second adult ticket, and potentially no extra bedroom. If flight prices spike, driving can still work but makes the weekend more tiring. CLT-DCA search
DC Lodging Scenarios
Attendance scenario
Likely lodging target
Per-household split
Booking note
Base group Buffalo parents + Stamford household + dog.
$1,800-$3,000 for three nights.
Two households: $900-$1,500 each.
Two hotel rooms or a two-bedroom pet-friendly rental. Prioritize pet permission and parking cost before neighborhood aesthetics. DC lodging search
Add sister-in-law only
$2,200-$3,700.
Three-way split: $733-$1,233 each.
Could work in the same rental footprint if there is a real third bed or sofa bed. Do not assume this without checking the bed layout.
Add full Charlotte family
$3,000-$5,000.
Three households: $1,000-$1,667 each.
Needs a baby-safe sleep setup, laundry/kitchen preference, elevator/stroller practicality, and a quiet room. This is where a rental can beat three hotel rooms.
Walk-away warning
$5,500+.
Re-price against Martha's Vineyard before committing.
DC should feel easier and cheaper than the island. If lodging and parking erase that advantage, switch back to the Vineyard comparison.
DC Meals, Activities, And All-In Targets
Budget style
Meals/activity allowance
What it buys in DC
Source check
Lean
$450-$650 per household.
Hotel breakfasts or groceries, counter-service meals, one casual dinner, free museums, monuments, and Metro instead of taxis.
Smithsonian and National Gallery make this realistic because major activities can be free. SmithsonianNational Gallery
Balanced
$750-$1,050 per household.
Two casual dinners, coffee/snacks, museum cafe lunches, transit, one rideshare/taxi buffer, and room for infant supplies if Charlotte joins.
Use WMATA fares for transit math and the Zoo pass page before planning a Zoo day with the infant. WMATA faresZoo passes
Comfort
$1,200-$1,800 per household.
Restaurant dinners, more taxis, paid timed-entry exhibits or tours, less grocery planning, and a larger baby/weather buffer.
Use this only if the lodging deal is strong; DC does not need expensive activities to work well.
Buffalo parents
Likely DC all-in
$1,880-$2,995
Driving transport plus base-group lodging share plus balanced meals/activities. This is likely materially easier and cheaper than their Vineyard version if lodging stays under control.
Stamford household
Likely DC all-in
$1,900-$3,725
Driving is the lower end; Amtrak with an eligible dog is the higher-convenience option if live fares are good. Add any pet lodging fee.
Charlotte variants
Likely DC all-in
$1,533-$4,670
Sister-in-law solo lands around $1,533-$2,833. Full Charlotte family driving lands around $2,095-$3,422; flying with the infant lands around $2,410-$4,670.
DC Weekend Flow
Travel to DC and do not over-schedule dinner
Buffalo and Stamford drive or train in; Charlotte drives, flies, or takes the Carolinian if they accept the slower train day. Check in, park cars once, and keep dinner close to the lodging. With the infant and dog in the mix, Friday should be logistics recovery, not a timed plan.
National Mall and Smithsonian day
Use Saturday for National Mall museums, monuments, stroller-friendly walking, and flexible timing. Keep the dog plan separate from indoor museum time. Smithsonian has free DC-area museums, and WMATA lists low weekend Metro fares, so Saturday can be the lowest-cost high-value day. Smithsonian visitMetro fares
Zoo, National Gallery, or neighborhood day
If the baby joins, the National Zoo is the best structured outing, but reserve free entry passes for every guest including the infant. If the group wants less transit, do National Gallery plus a nearby lunch, or pick one neighborhood such as Georgetown, Dupont, or Capitol Hill. Zoo passesNational Gallery
Leave early enough for holiday traffic
Driving households should leave with a real traffic buffer. Charlotte should avoid flight plans that depend on a tight hotel-to-airport move with infant gear. The point of DC is fewer dependencies than the Vineyard plan; keep departure day simple.
DC takeaway: this is the best fallback if the family wants more predictable travel, lower activity costs, and a stronger Charlotte option. Martha's Vineyard is more special; DC is easier to execute.
Booking Links
Use these to verify live availability, fares, policies, and pet rules before anyone buys anything. Vineyard links are first; DC links follow.
Confirm the three-night Friday-to-Monday plan, destination choice, and maximum lodging budget.
Get a Charlotte RSVP in two forms: full family with baby, or sister-in-law solo.
Pick ferry base: New Bedford for budget simplicity, Woods Hole for clearest dog policy.
Price Island Inn, Mansion House, pet-friendly Vineyard rentals, and Metro-adjacent DC lodging for the base group, then re-price for full Charlotte family.
Choose the two-night fallback only if three-night lodging prices are too high.
Before paying
Re-check pet policy on the exact ferry and lodging booking path.
Re-check infant rules for the exact airline itinerary and confirm stroller, car seat, diaper bag, and lap-infant handling.
Re-check cancellation rules, especially for lodging and ferry trip protection.
Confirm bed layout, baby sleep space, stairs, heat/AC, and laundry, not just guest count.
Confirm whether luggage can be handled comfortably without a car.