A Complete Guide On How To Get Weekend Vacation Rentals
Weekend vacation rentals have increased their popularity over the years. If you want to travel and live the good life, but don’t have the budget to spend a fortune on a hotel, then it’s time to look into weekend vacation rentals near you.
Are you tired of the busy life in the city? Are you looking to travel and have an exciting weekend getaway with the family? But how do you know which one is the right fit if there are thousands of weekend vacation rentals across the U.S.? This guide will show you how to find the perfect weekend vacation rental and what to look for when searching for your next place to stay.
The most common weekend vacation rentals are beach houses, cabins, and cottages.
How To Identify Weekend Vacation Rentals Near Me?
A weekend vacation rental is a property available to rent over the weekend. The most common weekend vacation rentals are beach houses, cabins, and cottages. But where do you find the right weekend vacation rental?
You don’t have to worry as you got plenty of options—maybe too many, and the process can be overwhelming. Travelers looking for the best weekend vacation rental properties can go through many options.
- Short-term rental sites
- Travel agencies
- Specialty sites
- Apps
What Is The Best Short-Term Rental Site?
Short-term rental sites are the best way to find a quick vacation rental home. Although you might ask, from all the hundreds of rental sites available, how do you know which one is the best?
Two names stand out among the thousands of sites: Airbnb and Vrbo. By far, they are considered to be the most popular short-term rental site among STR users. According to the reports, A whopping 46% of STR users have used short-term rental sites to book accommodations for their most recent trip.
Airbnb Vs. Vrbo: Which Is Better For Travelers?
As the top two most popular short-term rental sites among property owners and travelers, you might be curious which of the two platforms can cater to your needs and help arrange your last-minute vacation rentals.
At first glance, there are many similarities between Airbnb and Vrbo. While both are considered short-term sites that offer an alternative to hotel accommodation, a few things differentiate one from the other.
VS.
Allows property managers and hosts to list rooms such as cabins, private rooms, luxury rentals, and beachfront cottages. It allows unique rentals like shared spaces, where you can just book a single room within a home instead of the whole property.
Rental Types
Only accepts traditional vacation homes and doesn’t allow shared spaces. Cater to larger families who travel together.
Split fee: Splits service fee between the host and the guest. Guest pay 14% of the booking fee compared to hosts paying only 3%.
Host-only fee: Hosts pay for the entire service fee to Airbnb. 14-16% of the total booking cost.
Fees
Travelers pay a guest service fee of 6-12% of the total reservation cost. Meanwhile, hosts can opt for a subscription fee or pay for each booking.
The most popular cancelation policy is the Flexible policy, as guests can cancel 24 hours before check-in and receive a full refund.
Policies
Most popular to travelers is the Relaxed policy, where guests can cancel 14 days before check-in to receive a full refund.
Attracts younger age audiences in search of cheap vacation rentals. Also, it attracts people who like to rent a property for a shorter term, such as business travelers.
Audience & Selection
Attracts older audience who are more family-oriented and willing to pay for an entire house. It can accommodate a larger family or group and have more properties that are kid-friendly.
They introduced Airbnb Experiences, where guests can book one-of-a-kind activities in each destination.
Special Features
Have extensive search filter capabilities. It also offers Trip Board where guests and their company can collaborate when planning their trips.
7 Rental Sites Besides Vrbo And Airbnb
If you do not find the vacation rental that you like on Airbnb or Vrbo, don’t worry, as there are still other rental sites that may have what you are looking for.
1. Booking.com – Offers more than 28 million properties from hotels, B&Bs, apartments, and vacation rentals. Initially, the site was known for being a hotel booking site. Guests do not need to pay a booking fee and only accepts instant booking.
2. TripAdvisor – Considered as one of the oldest sites for vacation rentals. It is also famous for being a comparison website. Guests can read many reviews for the property and nearby local attractions, cafés, restaurants, and short-term rentals.
3. Expedia – One of the largest trusted travel shopping platforms that offer various booking options. Guests can plan their vacation from start to finish by booking accommodations, air tickets, car rentals, and more.
4. HomeToGo is a popular vacation rental search engine that sifts through rentals from Vrbo, Airbnb, and Booking.com platforms. Guests can compare vacation rentals from each platform.
5. Tripping – An alternative search engine that sifts through listings from different platforms and online travel agents. The platform is free to use for guests and hosts.
6. Homestay.com – A rental site that offers a unique experience where guests can stay at the place of a host without monetary payment. A guest and host can exchange their homes or stay at a guest’s place. Guests can negotiate pricing with the host.
7. Interhome – The oldest if not one of the oldert vacation rental websites since 1965. Guests receive a personal in-resort service from local Interhome offices. There are no booking fees for guests.
Factors To Consider When Searching For Family-Friendly Vacation Rentals
The perfect family vacation rental is hard to find if you don’t know what you are looking for. Here are some factors to consider when looking for your family vacation rental to have a hassle-free vacation.
Location
Location is one of the main factors that should be considered when looking for a family-friendly vacation rental. Most families tend to gravitate toward a vacation rental close to amenities, restaurants, and attractions where they can spend quality time together.
Beds
For a growing family, a single hotel room may not be enough. Always look for a vacation rental that enumerates all beds and bedrooms that is available to use. It will also be useful for other family members joining your trip.
Transportation
If a family travels to the vacation rental with a car, finding properties with convenient parking places is better. Some offer a dedicated space, while others have a neighborhood garage. Do ask the owners about the size of the parking space as well. It is also a great option to look for a vacation rental close to bus stops or train stations that is essential to get around the area.
Climate
Always check the climate on the days you travel with the family. Rain or snow might affect the activities you might have planned with your family. It is also good to ask if the vacation rental you will look for has air conditioning, fans, or a heater, as climates may differ if you go outside the country with your family.
Perks
As a family that will do things together, it is better to look for vacation rentals with additional amenities such as pools, gardens, game rooms, cable TV or streaming services, and kid-friendly equipment, among other things. These amenities can also be used to keep kids busy and entertained and give the family a more relaxed vacation.
The Pool House on Baltimore
$599/night
4 Bedrooms • 6 Beds • 3 Baths
Tacoma, WA
The House of Shirley
$599/night
5 bedrooms • 8 beds • 2 Baths
Tacoma, WA
Factors To Consider When Searching For Fishing Vacation Rentals
If you are looking for an activity while going on a vacation, then fishing might be the one for you. A fishing vacation is an excellent way to let off steam and relax. However, finding the right vacation rental might be tricky if you don’t know where or how to search. Here are some factors to consider if you’re going for a fishing vacation.
Location
A vital factor for fishing vacations is location, as some states have fishing regulations. Before booking your fishing vacation rental, check the local state laws where fishing is permitted. Apart from that, there are also documents that you should have, such as a fishing license, identity card, and boat owner information.
Type
Apart from the location, another thing to consider is what type of fishing you would like to do. Find vacation rentals near open seas and beaches if you prefer saltwater fishing. In comparison, freshwater fishing occurs mainly in ponds, lakes, and rivers. Finding a vacation rental that suits the type of fishing activity you would like is easier.
Weather
An additional factor to consider when you’re going for a fishing vacation is the weather. Keeping track of the weather reports will significantly help you decide when to rent your vacation rental. Be aware that rain will affect the activity, but a very sunny day is not advisable. It is also wise to look out for lightning strikes and dark skies.
Guide
If you are new to the activity, you might not know where the ideal spot for fishing is. Finding a guide to help you with it will always be better. Guides will help you manage your expectations and teach you how to fish correctly. They can also give you the proper knowledge of the place and a sense of security.
Cost
Another essential factor to consider is cost. Know how much you can spend on the activity and your vacation rental. Check if you would like to buy or rent fishing equipment. Also, check other costs such as boat rental, life jackets, fishing maps, and dock fees.
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