087 How to Find and Enjoy the Best Vacation Rentals
Our family has been using vacation rental for years and we think it’s the best place to stay while traveling. I have a lot of tips about things to consider when booking, how to make your stay the best possible, things you can do to have a smooth checkout, and more. I’ve also been an Airbnb host for several years and share ideas and tips from that perspective about getting the most out of your stay in a vacation home.
Learn all of my best tips for how to find the best vacation rental plus how to best the best guest.
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“When booking a vacation rental, take the time to look at photos, read reviews, and look at the amenities before booking.”
How to Discover the Best Vacation Rental
Search on Airbnb & VRBO for options. If you want to stay beachfront in southern California, we use Beachfrontonly.com. Booking.com is another option but not one that I use very often.
Set as many filters as you can to help narrow down your search. You don’t want to be shown houses that you get excited about and then discover that it doesn’t fit your needs.
Be specific about the number of beds, number of bedrooms & bathrooms, AC, washer & dryer, pet allowance, parking, Wifi, and whatever else is important to you.
Review how the bedrooms are set up and how many beds are in each space.
Look at the pictures and see if it is a place where you want to spend your vacation.
Read the most recent reviews. I put a lot of weight into the reviews. There will always be a negative review or two as there is always someone who is impossible to please but look for patterns of problems. Move on if the reviews don’t make you excited to stay in that place.
Look for extra amenities that you think would be fun like a game room, basketball hoop, or swimming pool.
Check the map and confirm that the location of the house works with the activities you want to do with you are there.
Make sure you know what the cancelation policy is.
Look at the total price for the stay. The price shown is the base price per night but then adds service fees, owner fees, and housekeeping fees will likely be added. Understand the total you will need to pay. Many places also require that you pay a refundable security deposit.
Message the host and ask any questions you have prior to booking.
Use the save feature to collect your favorite options in one place. You can share this list with others to get a consensus on favorites before booking.
1 - 2 Days Before Your Stay
Check the app or website where you booked and confirm that you have all of the check-in directions.
Take a screenshot of any door codes/lockboxes that you will need at check-in. Text people in your group this info so everyone will know how to get into the house.
If you’d like, you can send a message to the host confirming your arrival time and ask any final questions that have come up.
While at the House
When you first arrive, walk through the place and make sure that everything is in order. If anything is broken, take a picture and send it to the host right away.
Treat this house at least as good as your own home. Clean up spills, don’t walk on the carpet with dirty shoes, etc. Remember, that you will receive a review of how you did as a guest after your stay.
Feel free to message the host with any questions during your stay. They are always happy to help!
On the final night of your stay, review the checkout instructions so you know how much time you will need to allow for cleanup in the morning. Do you need to take out all of the trash? Where do you take it? Do you need to do the dishes? What should you do with the linens?
Leaving the Property
Turn off all lights and ceiling fans.
Set the thermostat to the desired temperature.
Send a message to the host when you leave letting him/her know that you have left and locked up the home.
Leave a review right away for the home and host. Error on the side of kindness but do mention any big issues. If there is a small issue that didn’t affect your stay, but could be improved, let the host know in private comments.
Vacation rentals will take a little more research than a hotel but in the end, I think it’s worth it. Having the space to spread out, a kitchen, and separate bedrooms really make this a great family travel option.
Have you stayed in a vacation rental? What are your favorite places you’ve stayed? Let me know in the comments!