A lot of families are harried, with work, stress, and over-scheduled children getting in the way of genuine family
togetherness. We often depend on family vacations to bring us together. Be it relaxing by a lake or actively exploring a new country, an annual family vacation is one of the best ways to build strong family ties. It’s a shame that economic worries are relegating annual family trips to the backburner: Those valued experiences should never be disregarded in their importance. With budget being a concern, vacation rental properties provide a money-saving alternative. I spoke with Justin Halloran, VP of Global Initiatives for HomeAway, about tips regarding rental vacation houses for families on a budget.
Many families are reducing or even eliminating their travel budgets this year. What are the benefits of vacation rental properties for families?
With vacation rentals, the space is key for families: Kids can run freely. Parents can enjoy their own room and don’t have to split the kids between two double beds and if you’re traveling with older kids you are saved the expense of booking multiple hotel rooms. I personally find having a kitchen the best feature in vacation rentals. Kitchens allow you to save a lot of money by avoiding the outrageous costs of mini bars, room service and eating out for every meal. Staying in for breakfast and letting the kids stay in their pajamas is just so much easier and more fun. Plus, when you recall your favorite family vacations you never picture your family crammed into a hotel room. But if you stay in a vacation rental, I bet you will have lasting memories of your family sitting around the table during a meal, talking, laughing and feeling a true sense of relaxation and contentment.
HomeAway offers these cost-cutting tips for that family vacation:
* Stay closer to home – drive instead of fly
* Stay in a vacation rental instead of a hotel
* Travel with extended family or another family to split costs and double the fun
* Save money and your sanity by preparing meals in your vacation rental instead of always going to a restaurant
* Check HomeAway.com for Special Offers and VacationRentals.com for deals and freebies
What are some of the most popular places for HomeAway vacation homes for families?
Vacation rentals are always a better option in accommodations for traveling families because they get come with more privacy, amenities and multiple bedrooms. However, some of the most-popular destinations for family travel include: Destin and Orlando, FL (Disney is always tops for families), Hilton Head SC, Cape Cod MA, San Diego CA and Outer Banks, NC.
What are some tips or suggestions you’d give to first-time vacation home renters?
Here are a few helpful tips for first-time renters, but for a full breakdown of how to rent a vacation rental check out our how-to list.
* Book with a reputable site with a substantial inventory. Using sites like HomeAway.com, VRBO.com or VacationRentals.com, travelers can easily find and compare thousands of properties from around the globe. The more choices that are available, the more likely you’ll be able to find a property that has availability and meets your needs and budget.
* Talk to the homeowner. Once you find a home that you think may work, contact the property owner or manager directly to ask questions about the rental and the area to make sure its suitable for your group. Having a conversation with the owner may enable you to negotiate a price that’s more within your budget, find out great local spots to check out while visiting, or if it turns out they’re booked, they may be able to refer you to another property nearby.
* Read review. Sites like HomeAway.com feature reviews from previous guests, which can come in handy for getting a first-hand account of the property
* Register your trip. All of the properties listed on the HomeAway sites are protected by the HomeAway Rental Guarantee. Travelers who register for the free-guarantee are covered up to $5,000 in the event that the vacation rental book is determined to be not-legitimate.
* Get it in writing. Make sure you have a rental agreement that clearly states the homeowner’s rules and policies regarding check-in/out times, cancellations, etc.
* If possible, pay by credit card.
These are some valuable tips, Justin. Thank you for describing the advantages of renting vacation houses for family travel planners on a budget.
[...] Citywalk in Los Angeles. I can’t vouch for all of those, but the Karl Strauss in downtown San Diego California was a casual, relaxed place to grab a tasty bite and try a few samples of unique [...]