As vacation rentals continue to grow in popularity, many people are wondering what all the fuss is about. The help out, we came up with eight great reasons why renting a vacation home is better than staying at a hotel.
1. Renting a vacation home can save you money. Renting a house, townhouse, or condo can be surprisingly affordable. For even more savings, divide the cost of one vacation rental home with friends or family. Though it’s not true in all cases, many travelers find that renting a home is much cheaper than renting enough hotel rooms to accommodate their entire group.
2. Vacation rentals are available in more places. Many travelers opt to rent a house simply because acceptable hotels aren’t available in some areas. If you’d like to stay in a remote location or anywhere that’s not big with tourists, you may have trouble finding a decent hotel. Booking a vacation rental is the perfect way to ensure you get to stay closer to where you want to be.
3. You’ll have plenty of space. Family vacations used to include kids bickering over who got what side of the bed and what to watch on the only TV in the hotel room. In a rental home, there may be many TVs, and there will certainly be plenty of beds. Each child might even get her own room. Mom and Dad will definitely get their own room—privacy at last!
4. Your whole group can stay together. In a hotel, a large family or group of friends will be spread out among several rooms, possibly on different sides of the building. A house, townhouse, or condo lets you all stay together, so everyone is easy to find and include in the fun. You’ll also have more comfortable places to hang out as a group—in the living room, on a deck or patio, or around a dining table.
5. It’s easier to travel with pets. Not all vacation homes allow pets, but many do. Yes, many hotels now accept pets, too, but a house will give your pet more space to run. And if your dog gets nervous and barks late at night, your neighbors may be too far away to complain about the noise.
6. You can cook at home, if you’d like to. Cooking your own meals can be a big budget saver. You’ll also be able to keep a fridge and cabinets full of snacks, and have access to your favorite coffee at a moment’s notice. Better yet, having access to a kitchen can be a lifesaver when traveling with someone who has special dietary needs.
7. Access to free laundry facilities. Most rental homes are equipped with washers and dryers—no coins needed (be sure to ask when booking if this is important to you). When it’s this easy to do laundry, you’ll save time and money, and you’ll be able to pack lighter.
8. You can live more like the locals do. With a vacation rental, you’ll likely stay in a more residential part of town, instead of on a tourist strip. Best of all, you’ll be in contact with the homeowners, who have probably lived or vacationed in your rental, themselves. Be sure to ask them for insider tips on the best restaurants and activities in the area.