When I was a kid my parents would always take two or more weeks off in the summer and we’d go on road trip vacations. I got to see a lot of Canada and much of the Us in this manner. Of course as a kid I didn’t really like being stuck in the car as we traveled from one destination to another, but the memories of all the places I’ve been and the sights I’ve seen are still fresh in my mind and I’m thankful that my parents chose to vacation in that manner.
We rarely stayed in hotels or motels when we took our road trip vacations. My parents would plan our trips ahead of time and we’d stay in cabins or vacations homes that they’d rented from the owners.
Now that I think about it I don’t know how they were able to plan our vacations and where’d we’d stay so efficiently. It must have been a lot harder than it is to now that we have the internet.
These days you can just get on the computer and go to sites like VacationHomeRentals.com and look for vacation rentals pretty much anywhere in the world.
In fact I was thinking of looking for vacation rentals by owner for Chris’ vacation time. We haven’t been on a real vacation in ages! I’d thought of renting a vacation home or cabin in cottage country for a week or so, but when our dog went into heat and a few other things happened we just decided to stay home for his holiday time.
There’s a blogging convention in Florida next weekend and while I’m not going this time, if I were I think I would have looked at some Florida rentals rather than staying in a hotel if I’d been going. I mean, since these vacation rentals are usually homes or cottages you have access to a full kitchen, a laundry room and all the amenities of home. Plus, if you are short on cash you can always share your rental with another couple. We might have done that had we been going to the blogging convention – shared a space I mean.
VacationHomeRentals.com is an easy site to use. Just type your destination area in the search bar or click on the map of the US or Canada, Europe, the Caribbean, Hawaii or the world and start narrowing down your search by clicking on city or area links. Just as an example, if I were going to Orlando next weekend for the convention there are plenty of beautiful vacation rentals in the area. I found a few for as low as $70 a night – beautiful condos and homes. That’s cheaper than most decent hotels and motels! If I go to the blogging convention next year I’ll be looking onto vacation home rentals. That’s for sure!
Have you staying in vacation rentals when you’ve been on holiday? How was your experience?
Agree…you spend all year setting alarm clocks and then on vacation you have to set them so you don’t miss breakfast! Also often the pool is crowded and you need to set an alarm clock for a poolside lounger … own pool , lots of rooms and no alarm clocks needed …. as long as you find a place where you can walk to beaches and stores you have every advantage over hotels..
Alan
I’m in the same boat. I choose staying in homes whenever possible for a few reasons:
1. They are the best option for group travel because you get to spend time together – on the porch, in the kitchen, eating meals, watching tv. It’s the best way to connect.
2. They are economical — even the luxury homes are a huge value compared to getting 2-3 hotel rooms.
I am such an advocate that I helped start a vacation rental company dedicated to finding the best homes in each destination. We have destination club (i.e, Exclusive Resorts, Quintess) quality homes without any member fees.
How funny that I have a very similar experience. I remember hating specially the “returning back home” part of the car trip. Although it was really nice to actually get back home. It is truly a blessing to have been able to travel around. My parents also liked staying at vacation homes, we rarely had a bad experience although I do remember once being very lost and not finding the place. We thought we would have to spend the night inside the car! Finally we found it and were able to spend a good night sleep. Nowadays I really don’t know how they did it, the planning part is so time consuming. So anyways.. yeah it is a real advantage to have the internet these days!
I’ve never done that, but can see how it would be much better.
Yea i spent alot of time traveling when i was younger i hated it then but im glad i did now
I totally agree, they offer much better value than hotels, more privacy and freedom. If you are taking young kids with you it is no fun being cramped in an hotel room!
A vacation rentals should be cheaper than hotel. But hotel has its own advantage. Hotel is located in the strategic location and have some additional services, e.g. swimming pool, spa, meeting room, etc. While the vacation rental offers good price and private place.
Vacation rental also can be near beaches which is good, better than hotels. It took a lot of times to choose which vacation rental .
I’ve never done a road trip in the US or Canada but i can say that it would have been a great vacation style. That is, you drive and visit all the interesting places on your way during the day and at night you find a cheap motel for the family to stay and gather energy for the next day…Looking forward to do such things in the upcoming years.
We have used vacation rentals before and we much prefer a condo or home rental over a hotel. the only time we use a hotel anymore if it is strictly for travelling and need a night to stay. If we are going to spend a few days or more vacation style it’s gotta be a home or condo. The comfort level of the added rooms, kitchen, more space etc has spoiled us. I have used services like you mention and have had very good luck when using them for Florida rentals.
I agree. The Internet has completely changed the travel business for sure. If you know how to search you can nearly always get a villa rental deal for the same price (or cheaper) than an hotel. If you value your comfort and privacy it’s worth that extra few minutes on the Net. Nice post. thanks!
I totally agree, they offer much better value than hotels, more privacy and freedom. If you are taking young kids with you it is no fun being cramped in an hotel room
Thanks for the support of vacation rentals….once a very American affair, they are now popping up around the world!
In Thailand, where we live, there are many possibilities to hire a villa, from a basic affair to luxurious hotel-related properties, but we have carved out our own niche in sustainable vacation villas with private swimming pools among the rice paddies of the Northeast. Blending a hotel with a friend’s house with a vacation rental, our villas offer fully catered holidays, have a minimum stay of only two nights, and are managed by the Thai host family. In essence, we feel that this allows guests to have a more authentic experience of the destination, where they get to meet the locals, and they can still enjoy a good level of service. Let’s continue the trend and make the vacation villa rental experience even better!
Me and my family rather use vacation rentals. We work and live in stressful city so vacations for us needs to be peaceful. Rather choose then some untouchable nature bays in Croatia or some undiscovered small country on Mediterranean coast.
Vacations are the great ways to relax ourselves with our family members. Usually I prefer retreats or resorts that are located in natural surroundings which provides wonderful experience.