Vacapedia Vacation Rentals Blog

You’ll see the words “vacation rental,” “vacation property,” and “vacation home” used pretty much interchangeably, with more descriptive words like “cottage” or “villa” thrown in occasionally. But for anyone who has never booked a vacation rental before, all of the words - no matter what combination they’re in - might make the whole thing sound a bit intimidating. Are vacation rentals only luxurious mansions only for the very rich? Or are they all oddly quirky second homes that go uncared for by their absentee owners? Thankfully, neither of these extremes is the norm.

The thing to remember when you’re considering a vacation rental is that not all vacation rentals are created equally. Yes, some will be super-high-end villas where your every need is catered to, and there are also probably some properties which could use a little more attention from their owners. But the vast majority of vacation rentals fall somewhere in the middle of that spectrum. The good news is that there’s a vacation property that can suit just about every type of traveler. Here are just a few of the types travelers who may want to consider renting a vacation home for their next trip.

Budget Travelers
If you’re traveling on a budget, you might think your only options are cheap beds in hostels or motels far from the sights you actually want to see. You might just assume that all vacation rentals are big and meant to house a large family (or small army). But because vacation rentals come in all shapes and sizes, it’s likely you could find one that would be just perfect for you. Now, if you’re traveling alone you may not find that it’s cost-effective to do this, but even traveling as a couple means you can opt for a small and cozy vacation apartment and still save money over staying in a hostel. You’ll get to cook your own meals and veg out in front of the TV without fighting the other guests for the remote.

Traveling Families
Families traveling with small kids will want to make sure their vacation rental has a nice kitchen and is child-safe. The child-safe part is easy to understand, but why the nice kitchen? Anyone who’s tried to get their picky five-year-old to try to eat something different at an unfamiliar restaurant knows that it’s probably just not worth the hassle of fighting a stubborn child - especially when you’re trying to enjoy your vacation. Instead, don’t force the kids to try something different if they’re really not going to cooperate, because you know you can whip up a PB&J sandwich in no time back in the kitchen of your vacation rental. You’re taking a vacation from your life back home, right? So take a vacation from trying to get Junior to eat the spinach, too.

Travelers With Pets
Not all vacation rentals are pet-friendly, but some are - and if you’re intent on bringing your furry friend with you on holiday then you’ll want to be very clear about that from the start. Don’t get your heart set on a house without making sure pets are accepted first, because you’re unlikely to change the homeowner’s mind with a “pretty please” and some eyelash-batting. But the good news is that there are plenty of vacation homes that will allow you to bring your pet with you, so don’t rule out a vacation rental just because you must travel with Fido.

Luxury Travelers
A common misconception is that all vacation rentals are high-end palaces, but that’s simply not the case. In fact, most vacation homes are simple cottages, cabins or condos in desirable locations - that’s it. So if you’re the kind of traveler who really wants their vacation home to be the be-all and end-all of deluxe accommodation, you’re looking at a very select portion of the market. Properties like this - with private beach access, infinity pools, even butler service - do exist, but they’re unlikely to be the majority of the properties you’re looking at. You’ll either have to find a rental company that specializes in high-end properties or (better yet) pay your assistant to do that for you.