Hotels are no longer the only accommodation option for travelers. Due to the increasing number of the peer-to-peer rental sites, you have several options to choose from across the web. This makes it harder to decide which is better between a hotel and a residence. To help you make up your mind, you need to plan carefully and get some tips from experts in the industry. By doing so, you will be able to maximize the odds of picking the best alternative. Below are some of the factors you can consider to help you decide between a vacation rental and a hotel during your next retreat.

With Whom Are You Traveling?

If you are planning to travel with a large group like your family, then a vacation rental home would be best for you than booking a hotel. In a rental home, you will get more space for half the cost of a single person that you would incur in a hotel. Unlike hotels, rental homes are much bigger and you can get both comfort and value while keeping your own space at a reduced fee. Most rental homes also have their own swimming pools, whirlpools and backyards that help guests to maintain their privacy.

Another advantage of renting vacation homes is that you and your loved ones will enjoy the comfort of having their individual rooms and parents can be able to keep the TV on and talk while the kids sleep in their separate rooms. Of course you can always ask for a separate room, like an adjacent room for your kids in a hotel but sometimes you can get rooms in different floors and you don't want that. Rental homes on the other hand, offer a stress free environment where you don't have to worry if you have a baby that will cry and wake your neighbors, for example.

Which Experiences and Amenities do You Prioritize Most?

In case you want to forego the expensive, gracious hospitality and standard amenities that are offered by five star hotels, then a rental home is what you need. A vacation rental home offers comfort similar to that of your home without any extra cost. This is another reason why many other people prefer vacation rental homes over hotels. Although most first-time renters are always overwhelmed on what to expect, they always find that vacation rental homes provide conventional experience similar to that of luxurious hotels.

Another advantage is that several of these vacation rental homes have Wii-Fi and the best thing is that you don't have to incur exorbitant fees to enjoy such services. Vacation rental homes also reduce the general expenditure and you can use that money to have more fun and tour new places. For example, if you choose to live in a hotel you will be eating out every day. If you are accompanied by your friends and family, you will be feeding several people every day which is very expensive. However, if you choose to live in a vacation rental home, you can buy what you need and prepare the meals together, which is also a good way to spend your family time.

What is The Purpose of Your Trip and How Long is Your Stay?

There are instances when booking a hotel room makes perfect sense for example, a quick business trip. A four-or-five star hotel can be a good place to stay while on a business trip due to the hospitality offered. Such hotels also offer comfortable amenities. But if you are traveling with a large group of people to stay for a longer time, the most practicable choice would be to stay in a vacation rental house.

Most travelers want to stay in a place where they can receive authentic experience and by choosing to stay in a vacation rental home, you will feel more like you are part of the local community. You will also meet new people in the neighborhood and discover new places located off the beaten tracks, rather than just touring only some of the spots that are recommended for tourists at reputable hotels.

Did You Do A Thorough Research?

Conduct diligent research on several vacation rental home listings and read the testimonials of other tourists to avoid scams and maximize your chances of choosing the best place to stay during your vacation. Work with reputable sites that have been in existence for a long time such as AirBnb, Booking.com, VRBO and HomeAway. Another way to avoid scams is to get in touch with the homeowner before booking the vacation rental and you can ask them additional details about the house and the area.

After you have found the best house that fits all your needs, you should proceed and read carefully the rental agreement to confirm that there are no red flags on it and make sure that house fits your specific needs before making the payment. If you're a foreigner we don't recommend wiring money to the homeowner. Also be concerned if the owner of the house directs you to a different property that isn't listed.

You should always use a trustworthy reservation system to maximize safety during the booking procedure like the ones we mentioned before. For example, HomeAway offers some benefits such as rescue and emergency relocation in case anything goes wrong, tight security and 24/7 customer service. 

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