Before booking a Spring Break or summer vacation rental, consider these things
By
Staff, AccuWeather
Published Mar 4, 2020 10:30 PM EDT
|
Updated Mar 4, 2021 2:47 PM EDT
If you’ve waited all winter for a warm-weather getaway, you probably feel extra motivation (and pressure) to make smart decisions when choosing a vacation rental.
Vacation rentals have become popular choices over the last few years, especially during the time of coronavirus. They offer more space and conveniences for families than a traditional hotel or resort.
If you value private bedrooms for more than two people, the ability to have access to a kitchen, and a chance to manage your budget without fear of hidden fees or upsells, vacation rentals are a great option for your next trip.
The internet is your friend when it comes to researching vacation rentals across the country. The most popular sites to search are:
If you want to find the best situation to meet your needs, it’s worth the time and effort to search as many of these sites as you can. Some vacation rentals will be cross-listed, but doing a bit of comparative shopping is worth the effort. This allows you to get a much better sense of vacation rental costs and options that are specific to the area you will be vacationing. Here are some general hints to keep in mind when searching the sites:
Airbnb is good if you are searching for a private home or apartment for a daily or weekly rate for your vacation rental. This can be a relatively inexpensive solution but make sure the accommodations are well located for the town or beach you are visiting or you may end up spending the savings on Uber or taxis!
This site is easy to navigate and offers a wide range of accommodations, so you can easily compare vacation rentals to hotels, resorts, or bed-and-breakfasts. Just make sure to read the fine print for each type of accommodation as the terms and conditions will be different and often come with add-on fees.
This is a great vacation rental option for a family or if you have a group of friends to share lodging and costs.
Similar to the concept behind the travel booking sites Trivago or Kayak, Hometogo is a meta-search site. This means the listings are created from searches of many vacation rental sites that are aggregated to create a comprehensive list of available inventory. Be warned: You’ll get a lot of information and choices all at once, which is a good way to find a deal on vacation rentals but can also be overwhelming.
In addition to finding information on vacation rentals, you also find general travel info and advice. Trip Advisor also offers a payment protection plan and rate quotes that are inclusive of taxes and fees to help you avoid surprises.
Photo by Vita Vilcina
Vita Vilcina
Vacation rentals really make a lot of sense when vacationing as a family. Generally speaking, you will be able to find a wide variety of accommodations with multiple bedrooms, bathrooms and common areas. Some of these options will be standalone houses and some will be condos. Either may suit your needs, but it’s helpful to think about how they are different if you want to make the absolute best choice. Be sure to think about:
-
Amenities
-
If you want onsite amenities like a lobby staff, game rooms and pools, and laundry service, then condos typically offer more amenities than a house. Vacation rental condos are often managed by a rental company, so they will be able to spell out which amenities are included in your quoted rate and which ones are available for an additional fee.
-
Privacy and Security
-
If you want to choose vacation rentals with peace, quiet and seclusion, focus your search on a standalone house. This is especially true during the busy Spring Break season when you might be sharing vacation time with large groups of students and young people who are looking to party. If you do choose to rent a house and aren’t familiar with your vacation destination, play it safe and book a home on a well-lit street that’s close to busy areas. You’ll also find these areas convenient to find food and shopping.
-
Location
-
Whether your vacation rental choice is a house or condo, remember location matters. Are there good restaurants, bars or attractions close by? Do you have to drive to get there? Do you want to be within walking distance of your entertainment options? Will it take you a long time to get to your vacation rental from the airport, or to get back when it’s time to go home? It’s always better to consider these details before you book so you won’t have to worry about them while you’re away.
Photo by Tito Rebellious
Tito Rebellious
Choosing vacation rentals based purely on internet research isn’t fool-proof. It’s very easy to find a place that seems perfect only to encounter troubles and disappointments once you arrive. The good news is most of the vacation rentals you will find online are exactly as they seem, good places managed by good people who know you are spending good money to have a nice stay. Just remember:
-
Vacation rentals aren’t like a hotel. If you feel most comfortable in a consistent, predictable environment that offers daily housekeeping, towel and linen service, and professional service staff, you’re better off booking a hotel rather than vacation rentals.
-
Don’t book based on hype. If the descriptions and reviews you read online sound too good to be true, it’s wise to be skeptical. Once you have narrowed your search to one or two options, do some deep research on those locations alone. This should involve looking for reviews from independent sites (not just the ones mentioned on the booking site) and, most importantly, from speaking with the owner or property manager on the phone. This conversation will give you a good gut-check on whether or not this feels like a property you can trust.
-
Know your rights as a renter. That means reading your rental contract before you sign. Again, vacation rentals aren’t like booking a hotel, and special terms and conditions may apply that you won’t find at any hotel. This includes policies for cancellation and when (or if) you may be entitled to ask for a refund.
Photo by Gerson Repreza
Gerson Repreza
There is no shortage of options to find the perfect vacation rentals online. Do your homework and research, evaluate your options thoughtfully, and apply caution and care before you commit your money. If you do, you will be sure to have an excellent experience and may become a vacation rental user for all of your future getaways.
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News / Travel
Before booking a Spring Break or summer vacation rental, consider these things
By Staff, AccuWeather
Published Mar 4, 2020 10:30 PM EDT | Updated Mar 4, 2021 2:47 PM EDT
If you’ve waited all winter for a warm-weather getaway, you probably feel extra motivation (and pressure) to make smart decisions when choosing a vacation rental.
Vacation rentals have become popular choices over the last few years, especially during the time of coronavirus. They offer more space and conveniences for families than a traditional hotel or resort.
If you value private bedrooms for more than two people, the ability to have access to a kitchen, and a chance to manage your budget without fear of hidden fees or upsells, vacation rentals are a great option for your next trip.
How to find vacation rentals
The internet is your friend when it comes to researching vacation rentals across the country. The most popular sites to search are:
Airbnb
Booking.com
HomeAway
HometoGo
Trip Advisor
If you want to find the best situation to meet your needs, it’s worth the time and effort to search as many of these sites as you can. Some vacation rentals will be cross-listed, but doing a bit of comparative shopping is worth the effort. This allows you to get a much better sense of vacation rental costs and options that are specific to the area you will be vacationing. Here are some general hints to keep in mind when searching the sites:
Airbnb
Airbnb is good if you are searching for a private home or apartment for a daily or weekly rate for your vacation rental. This can be a relatively inexpensive solution but make sure the accommodations are well located for the town or beach you are visiting or you may end up spending the savings on Uber or taxis!
Booking.com
This site is easy to navigate and offers a wide range of accommodations, so you can easily compare vacation rentals to hotels, resorts, or bed-and-breakfasts. Just make sure to read the fine print for each type of accommodation as the terms and conditions will be different and often come with add-on fees.
HomeAway and VRBO
This is a great vacation rental option for a family or if you have a group of friends to share lodging and costs.
Hometogo
Similar to the concept behind the travel booking sites Trivago or Kayak, Hometogo is a meta-search site. This means the listings are created from searches of many vacation rental sites that are aggregated to create a comprehensive list of available inventory. Be warned: You’ll get a lot of information and choices all at once, which is a good way to find a deal on vacation rentals but can also be overwhelming.
Trip Advisor
In addition to finding information on vacation rentals, you also find general travel info and advice. Trip Advisor also offers a payment protection plan and rate quotes that are inclusive of taxes and fees to help you avoid surprises.
Photo by Vita Vilcina
A house or a condo?
Vacation rentals really make a lot of sense when vacationing as a family. Generally speaking, you will be able to find a wide variety of accommodations with multiple bedrooms, bathrooms and common areas. Some of these options will be standalone houses and some will be condos. Either may suit your needs, but it’s helpful to think about how they are different if you want to make the absolute best choice. Be sure to think about:
Amenities
If you want onsite amenities like a lobby staff, game rooms and pools, and laundry service, then condos typically offer more amenities than a house. Vacation rental condos are often managed by a rental company, so they will be able to spell out which amenities are included in your quoted rate and which ones are available for an additional fee.
Privacy and Security
If you want to choose vacation rentals with peace, quiet and seclusion, focus your search on a standalone house. This is especially true during the busy Spring Break season when you might be sharing vacation time with large groups of students and young people who are looking to party. If you do choose to rent a house and aren’t familiar with your vacation destination, play it safe and book a home on a well-lit street that’s close to busy areas. You’ll also find these areas convenient to find food and shopping.
Location
Whether your vacation rental choice is a house or condo, remember location matters. Are there good restaurants, bars or attractions close by? Do you have to drive to get there? Do you want to be within walking distance of your entertainment options? Will it take you a long time to get to your vacation rental from the airport, or to get back when it’s time to go home? It’s always better to consider these details before you book so you won’t have to worry about them while you’re away.
Photo by Tito Rebellious
Protect yourself from disappointment
Choosing vacation rentals based purely on internet research isn’t fool-proof. It’s very easy to find a place that seems perfect only to encounter troubles and disappointments once you arrive. The good news is most of the vacation rentals you will find online are exactly as they seem, good places managed by good people who know you are spending good money to have a nice stay. Just remember:
Vacation rentals aren’t like a hotel. If you feel most comfortable in a consistent, predictable environment that offers daily housekeeping, towel and linen service, and professional service staff, you’re better off booking a hotel rather than vacation rentals.
Don’t book based on hype. If the descriptions and reviews you read online sound too good to be true, it’s wise to be skeptical. Once you have narrowed your search to one or two options, do some deep research on those locations alone. This should involve looking for reviews from independent sites (not just the ones mentioned on the booking site) and, most importantly, from speaking with the owner or property manager on the phone. This conversation will give you a good gut-check on whether or not this feels like a property you can trust.
Know your rights as a renter. That means reading your rental contract before you sign. Again, vacation rentals aren’t like booking a hotel, and special terms and conditions may apply that you won’t find at any hotel. This includes policies for cancellation and when (or if) you may be entitled to ask for a refund.
Photo by Gerson Repreza
There is no shortage of options to find the perfect vacation rentals online. Do your homework and research, evaluate your options thoughtfully, and apply caution and care before you commit your money. If you do, you will be sure to have an excellent experience and may become a vacation rental user for all of your future getaways.
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