Vacation Rentals: Make the Most of Your Vacation Budget
When vacation budgets are stretched thin, many travelers often compromise on accommodations, by convincing themselves they won't spend much time in the hotel room anyway, so quality or size doesn't matter that much. That's the wrong approach. Try making your vacation budget work for your needs, and get more for the money.
If you're trying to squeeze Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa and the kids all into two or three adjoining hotel rooms, after a few days, 'personal' space becomes more valuable. Even at a moderately priced hotel, the cost for 2 to 3 rooms adds up quickly over a week's time. You certainly aren't saving yourself any stress, let alone getting that much needed 'quiet time' a vacation is supposed to provide. So when you're planning that perfect family vacation at the beach, in the mountains, on a lake, near popular theme parks or attractions, why not consider a vacation rental home or resort condo that you can all enjoy, instead of a cramped hotel room?
Vacation Rentals vs. Hotels and Resorts
With vacation rentals, you and your travel companions can share a vacation home or condo with multiple bedrooms and bathrooms, a nice perk when you need a little privacy to go about your business. What's more, an entire house or condo can often be rented for an entire week at a fraction of the cost of multiple hotel rooms, and cooking some of your meals in a vacation rental can help stretch your budget further.
Additional amenities like private pools, hot tubs, game rooms and extra living space makes hanging out easy and fun, and an affordable alternative to battling the crowds every day at popular attractions or expensive tourist traps.
Vacation rentals are traditionally privately owned homes, condos and cabins for rent by owner or managed through a rental agency. These types of properties are well suited to independent travelers who do not need to be pampered by resort staff. However, in some cases, particularly outside of the US, a private chef and daily maid service may be included in the price of your rental.
In today's growing vacation rental industry, the rental options have expanded to condo-hotels, gated communities and resorts developed exclusively for purpose of being vacation rentals. Not only do you get to enjoy the luxurious amenities of the rental unit, but there may also be shared resort amenities for you to use, such as large recreation areas, fitness centers and clubhouses.
Vacation Rentals are NOT Timeshares
While many travelers swear by the benefits of timeshares, those who are less risk adverse enjoy the freedom of vacation rentals with no obligation to sit through a boring presentation or invest unwisely. Like timeshares, vacation rentals offer the freedom to travel the world, as they can be found nearly anywhere, but you can avoid the hassle of exchanging weeks if you are unable to use your timeshare during a specific time frame.
Location, Location, Location
If you're going on vacation to a popular destination, you should realize that the room rates for hotels and resorts in prime spots — oceanfront, downtown, or within close proximity to a main attraction — are going to skyrocket during peak seasons. That's where the added value of renting a home or condo really kicks in, particularly if traveling with a large group. The choices are endless — you can rent a condo near Disneyworld, a beach house in Hawaii, ski out of a slopeside condo in Colorado, or hit the golf greens from the back door of your villa rental in Florida, and easily return to the comforts of 'home' for lunch or a nap.
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Note: This information was accurate when it was published. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the businesses in question before making your plans.