The Do’s And Don’ts of Family Vacation Rentals

Are you planning a family vacation this summer? Wondering where you should stay? If you have never stayed in a vacation rental, I encourage you to give it a try. They can be a great alternative to staying in a hotel. Vacation rentals can offer more room to spread out, more privacy, a well-stocked kitchen and a unique experience. But when booking a vacation rental, there are a lot of things to consider. Here are some vacation rental do’s and don’ts.

Do check out different websites when booking your vacation.

Two of the most popular vacation rental websites are VRBO and Airbnb. But many owners will list their rentals on other sites as well. For example, I recently discovered another travel site called Vacasa. I found the same cabin listed on both VRBO and Vacasa. The Vacasa fees for the same exact travel dates were about $80 less!

You also can find other vacation rental sites by doing a quick internet search using the location and type of accommodations you’re looking for.

Do check the exact location on Google Maps.

Let’s use the beach-rental example again. A vacation listing might be described as “just a short walk to the beach” or “steps to the beach.” You might interpret that as meaning you will be right on the beach, but in reality, that could mean you are a few blocks away. Or it might mean your rental is on the street that is next to the beach, but it’s on the opposite side of the street from the beach and there’s a house blocking your view.

Do be honest to avoid extra charges.

If you have a pet and the rental contract states there are no pets allowed, don’t try to sneak one in. If you break something, don’t try to hide it. Just be honest with the owner. On a recent vacation, I dropped one of the glasses on the kitchen floor, and naturally, it shattered everywhere. I sent a message to the host and told her what had happened, and she thanked me for my honesty and said not to worry about it.

Do leave a review on the rental company website.

It’s always nice to take a few minutes to leave a review, whether good or bad. Owners appreciate the feedback in order to improve their rental, and future guests appreciate hearing about your experience. A review isn’t required, of course, but I just think of it as paying it forward.

Don’t skip the reviews.

Yes, it will take extra time to read through these, but reviews can be very revealing. And an owner’s response to reviews can also be very telling.

Don’t skim over the listing details.

You want to know exactly what you are going to get for your money. The more pictures the owner has included, the better. Owners who have nothing to hide about their property are more than willing to share lots of pictures, which usually gives potential renters a better idea of the space. Do keep in mind that sometimes pictures can be deceiving. For example, a picture could show a beach area right in front of your rental, and you might assume that it is your own private beach. But in reality, your rental might be on the third story, and you would have to share that “private” beach area with every other renter in the building. It’s always a good idea to ask questions.

Also, if you travel with pets, be sure that the rental property accepts them. There is usually an extra fee if you plan to bring your pet.

Don’t assume the rental will provide everything you need.

We took a family vacation to a beach house last summer, and I didn’t even think to ask if there would be beach chairs or beach toys provided for the kids. I just assumed there would be, but we were disappointed to discover there was none. If there are specific items that you might want or need, it’s always good to ask ahead of time.

The same thing goes for condiments/spices and other pantry items as well as kitchenware. Many places will have the staples available for guests, but the selection may be limited. If you plan to prepare meals at your rental, find out what will be available ahead of time.

I hope these tips will help you get the most out of your vacation rental. Happy traveling!