If you’re soon going on holiday, you might be wondering if you should rent a stay from a vacation home management company or if you should just stay in a hotel. The best place for you depends on how long you’re going on vacation and the amenities you prefer to have while on vacation.
This guide will cover the pros and cons of renting a vacation rental home so you can decide if it’s a good plan for you or not.
Pros of Renting a Vacation Home
Not sure if a vacation home is right for you? Let’s start with the advantages they bring.
More Privacy
When you have a whole vacation home to yourself, you never have to worry about other guests being in your way and giving you trouble. If you really value privacy and want to be alone with your friends and family, make sure you rent a vacation home so there is never trouble with other guests.
When you rent a vacation home, you can also be in a more remote location compared to staying in a hotel which is usually right in the middle of tourist destinations and attractions. With a vacation home, you can rent a place to stay in a more exotic location that has fewer people around it.
Most people like to rent vacation homes that are high up in the mountains or in a secluded beach bungalow. With hotels, you usually don’t have this as an option.
Save Money on Food
When you stay in a hotel, there are not a lot of options for food and dining unless you eat at the restaurants in the hotel or you go out to eat for every meal. Of course, this can get very expensive and you will find that you might even spend more money on food than you did for the hotel.
When you’re staying in a vacation home, you have the freedom to cook at home. This can save you a lot of money especially if you are traveling with all your relatives. Going to the grocery store and buying food in bulk for the duration of the vacation is a huge money saver. It also allows people the freedom to cook for themselves and make their own dishes and drinks when they feel like they want to eat.
Most vacation homes have large fully equipped kitchens so you should have all the tools you need to eat and cook lavish meals.
Dog-Friendly
Not all vacation homes are dog-friendly, but many are. If you’re planning to travel with your family pets, going to a vacation home is much more practical and it also allows for your pets to feel comfortable as there is more outdoor space.
Hotels are not as pet friendly and even if they are, your pet will have to be in the small hotel room for most of the day which can be annoying and difficult for them.
Fully Furnished
Vacation homes are usually fully furnished including having some luxury furniture options both indoor and outdoor. Instead of lounging around on old hotel furniture, you get the chance to relax and lounge on modern outdoor furniture from high-end companies.
This makes it especially nice to enjoy your time away from home because you can be comfortable and sleep well even though you are not in your own space.
Private Amenities
When you have a vacation home, all the amenities are private and you have them all to yourself whether it be a hot tub, a swimming pool, a game room, or a sauna. This means you can enjoy some alone time or you can have a more relaxed and solo time with your friends and family.
At a hotel, you always have to share the amenities and they often get crowded, especially during the popular vacation seasons when the hotels become fully booked.
More Space
When traveling with a large group, having plenty of space is key because you want everyone to feel relaxed and comfortable. You will also have more closet space and more storage for all the items that your family and friends might bring.
Having more space also means people can retreat and be alone when they want some space away from other people.
Cons of Staying in Vacation Rentals
While most vacation rentals have more advantages compared to disadvantages, there are some cons to be aware of before deciding to rent a vacation home. Here are the main things to be aware of.
No Support Staff
If something goes wrong in the house, there is not a reception desk or support staff like you find in hotels. Instead, you’ll have to contact the owner or the property manager which can have a long response time depending on where they are located.
Car Rentals
While the secluded places of vacation homes are a plus, it usually means you have to rent a car since you are not around the city or public transport systems. This can be a huge extra cost and it’s also not ideal for those who prefer not to drive or who can’t drive at all.
The Pictures Don’t Always Match
Sometimes an advertisement for a vacation home looks really beautiful, but the actual home when you arrive does not look like the photos at all. You are then either stuck staying in the place or you have to contact the owner and explain to them that the home does not look like the photos.
This can leave you in a bad place because you might not have another place to stay and you are then stuck looking for another home or hotel.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are many advantages and disadvantages when it comes to renting a vacation home compared to a hotel. For your next holiday, consider renting a vacation home if you want to be more secluded or if you want to have more space for the group.
