Comments on: Hotel alternatives that could save you big bucks

By: Vacation home rentals: something to consider : Carrying On Colorado

Vacation home rentals: something to consider : Carrying On Colorado — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:12:48 +0000

[...] offers two savvy blog postings worth checking out, one on vacation home rentals that are cheap alternatives to hotels; the other 3 secrets to avoiding a vacation home rental scam. [...]

By: Save Big Without Sleeping on the Sofa - Budget Hotels, Cheap Hotels, Accommodations | Top Trips

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 20:07:19 +0000

[...] friend’s sofa or camping out. But you don’t have to rough it to afford your next getaway. Read More… Do you like this? Not Yet Rated Related Tags: hotels, travel tips, vacation [...]

By: Shelby

Shelby — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 17:34:51 +0000

I have always found that staying at a vacation rental that was represented by a vacation rental company the best insurance to meeting my expectations.
I have stayed at VRBOs and have come to the house to find it missing doors in bedrooms, kitchens that were minimally equipped and poorly furnished only to have the owner say “it is what it is”. No refunds, no nothing.
Other VRBOs, the property was described perfectly, however the home was not very clean and I felt I needed to wash the counters and bathrooms before using the property. Or if there is a maintenance problem, I had to wait at the home for the plumber to come and check the clogged toilet. This took away from my vacation. I really dont want to be the owner and so I enjoy the security of using a rental company to take care of all the problems so I can enjoy my stay.

By: Lucius Banks

Lucius Banks — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 13:37:17 +0000

I concur. It took only our first vacation rental to discover the positives of vacation rentals, particularly the increased space and amenities. But Mr. Elliott is right in saying they can be more than you need or want in some cases. I was glad I was forewarned by my travel-planning “mentor”, particularly for condos in the same area of similar type, to read the fine print to figure out what cleaning / admin / processing fees might be added to vacation rentals. For short-term stays, it can really boost the price and might be the deal-breaker.

I also found amenities/extras can vary considerably… some places have wonderfully stocked kitchens and recreational equipment, others have less than what budget motels supply. Though it might take a little more time and an extra trip (and perhaps at a more expensive store), I found it prudent not to go wild on bringing/purchasing basics (such as coffee and condiments) until after we take stock at the rental, as often that stuff is supplied or left by previous guests.

By: jamie

jamie — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 16:10:33 +0000

I’ve had great luck with vacation rentals, flats, apartments and the like all over the place, and I’ve never had a problem (though I do know someone who had to escalate to threats to get a vrbo damage deposit back once for a beachfront house in San Diego…).

As a family of 4, I sometimes even rent a house for a week even if I only need it for 4 or 5 nights. Once you do all the “eating out vs. eating in” math, and factor in the bliss of separate bedrooms, it can make sense.

jamie
http://www.travelsavvymom.com

By: David

David — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 15:00:28 +0000

As a partner in a vacation rental website, in my “bias” opinion vacation home rentals offer the best in accommodations and value. However, it is very important to find a company that takes responsibility for its site’s content. Also, the site should allow the renter to see a true reflection of the home and its cost. Lastly, you should be able to book online instantly and confirm payment via credit card. Credit cards protect the renter from potential fraud.

By: Emerson

Emerson — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 16:36:37 +0000

So far, I’ve done 4 houses through http://www.vrbo.com and they all have worked out splendidly. Some were very memorable!

I suppose that it would be pretty easy to make up a fake listing and only accept checks, especially since you are usually required to pay months in advance, so I’ll probably research them a bit more in the future.