By M Ottersen
Most travel companies have struggled to get by the last two years. But one segment of the travel industry actually managed to grow. Vacation rentals showed solid improvement.
According to PR Newswire, in July 0f 2009, 43% of travelers said they planned to stay in a vacation rental during the next 12 months. Nearly one quarter of travelers who were surveyed had already stayed in one, and nearly one third of owners said that they had more bookings.
It’s easy to understand why. When it comes to value for money, vacation rentals are hard to beat. For what you’d pay for a hotel room — or less — you can often get a living room, bedroom, fully furnished kitchen, and balcony or patio.
Families can find whatever suits their needs, from a two-bedroom condo to a six-bedroom villa with private pool. Chances are, there’s a rental that’s perfect for you.
Saving money with a vacation rental.
If you travel with others, a unit with several bedrooms and bathrooms will let you split your lodging costs with other friends or family members. And having a kitchen means you’ll save on meals too.
There’s also more flexibility when you have your own kitchen. You never have to rush to get to the breakfast buffet before it closes. You can sleep in, and then have your morning coffee out on your balcony for a lot less than you’d pay in a hotel restaurant. Most rentals have coffee makers. Some even have espresso machines.
Your kitchen should include all the tools you’ll need to make dinner, appetizers, or a midnight snack. In tropical destinations, blenders for margaritas aren’t uncommon.
Just be sure to read the fine print. Most rentals are for seven nights, starting on Saturday. But when they’re not fully booked, you may be able to stay fewer nights. Where there’s lots of competition you’ll find more flexible terms.
Usually a deposit of 25 – 50% is required to reserve the unit, with the balance due one or two months before your trip. You may also have to pay a security deposit, which is usually refundable.
Most owners will refund your deposit if they can rebook the unit if you cancel. But if they can’t, you’ll probably be out your deposit. If it’s large, consider buying travel insurance as protection.
For your next trip, look into staying in a vacation rental instead of a hotel. You’ll likely be happy you did.
Read more about vacation rentals here. And find more travel advice here.
