Gearing up for an action-packed city break or looking for somewhere to relax by the beach with a cocktail in your hand? Vacation rentals are a great option for saving money while providing you with a home away from home environment for the duration of your trip. But, how do you know that you’re getting the best deal? And, with more people than ever before opting for vacation rental options instead of hotel rooms and other accommodation types, how can you find the best one?
Here are a few tips to keep in mind when booking your next vacation.
#1. Know What You Want:
First of all, it’s a wise idea to have a strong idea of what you want before you begin searching. For example, if you’re staying in a city, are you looking for a cheap stay or a serviced apartment with all the amenities that you’d expect from a hotel? For instance, if you’re staying in Washington, D.C., consider renting from a company like Blueground. They offer fully furnished, equipped and serviced apartments for a comfortable say from a month or more. All of the properties are designed for a spacious and comfortable stay. If you’re looking for a family-friendly city break accommodation option with all the amenities you’d expect from home such as an equipped kitchen, laundry facilities, fast Wi-Fi and entertainment then consider these D.C. apartment options by Blueground.
#2. Time it Right:
As with most vacation accommodation options, the general rule when it comes to getting the best deal is to time it right. In fact, unlike many hotel bookings or flight tickets, when it comes to vacation rentals, there are often no benefits to waiting until the last minute to reserve that in-demand villa or apartment that you’ve got your eye on. If possible, try and plan around a year in advance – unless you’re planning to head to a popular destination like Florida, where it actually might be worth waiting until the last minute to take advantage of better deals because of last-minute deals are often better than pre-booked offers for popular holiday hot-spots.
#3. Be as Flexible as Possible:
If you’ve not booked your flight tickets yet, then you’re in the best position to be as flexible as possible with your vacation rental booking dates. Being flexible is essential if you want to get the best price. For example, if you’re looking for a villa in popular European holiday destinations like the Greek islands during the summer, then you can expect sky-high prices, fierce competition, and a lot of demand for rental properties, so it might be worth booking your trip for earlier on in the spring or further into the fall, in order to save money.
#4. Understand the Terminology:
If you’re booking a villa, then it’s worth spending some time to get familiar with the terminology used on booking sites, so that you know exactly what to expect. For example, did you know there’s a difference between a ‘beachfront’ and ‘oceanfront’ villa?. Only oceanfront will guarantee that you’re on the water. Or if you’re going skiing, then ‘ski in/ski out’ means that you can ski directly up to the property while ‘direct ski access’ usually means that you’ll have to take a shuttle to the slopes. If you’re not sure, then try to get as many pictures of the property as you can. Also use sites like TripAdvisor to find guest photos along with the official ones.
#5. Shop Around:
If you’re looking for a vacation rental to book online, then it’s definitely worth taking the time to shop around in order to find what you want. Getting the best selection means searching multiple sources. So, take some time to look for your perfect vacation rental across a wide variety of different comparison sites. The good news is that there’s certainly no shortage of these to choose from. Once you’ve found some options that you like, bear in mind that it’s also worth visiting their website directly, or giving them a call to see if you can take advantage of an even lower price.
#6. Avoid Touristy Areas:
A sure-fire way to wind up paying the most for your vacation rental is to stay in an area that’s highly popular with tourists. So, when looking for your perfect villa or apartment, it’s a good idea to look for areas that are slightly off the beaten path. They may not be as close to the local attractions, but even with the extra money you might need to pay when exploring the area, you’ll probably still be able to save a decent amount of money when it comes to rent and utilities. And, these vacation rentals are often located in quieter areas, where you can truly enjoy your destination without the hustle and bustle of busy crowds and tourist traps.
The additional amenities and home away from home appeal means vacation rentals are quickly becoming an increasingly popular accommodation option. If you’re searching for the perfect vacation rental to stay in on your next trip, we hope these tips were helpful.
