Four Great Reasons to Rent a Vacation House

You might assume that renting a private vacation house is more expensive than staying at the Holiday Inn. However, the savings you’ll see at the end of your vacation will surprise you if you consider this seemingly out-of-reach option.

Popular vacation home rental sites such as www.vrbo.com, www.tripadvisor.com, or www.homeaway.com, are safe, reputable and offer guarantees on their rentals.

The sites are free to use and list vacation properties internationally.

A standard hotel room with two queens can average anywhere from $100-200/night. Add your daily food allowance of about $60-100 per family, and you’re already looking at close to $200/day just on food and lodging!

That’s pricey over a week’s time, and could cost a family up to $1400. That doesn’t include gas, entertainment and other fun vacation activities.

Believe it or not, vacation rentals can be found for as low as $500/week depending on your destination and the time of year that you’re traveling.

The average cost is between $100-200/night for a two- to three-bedroom house, which is comparable to the Holiday Inn, but you're getting a heck of a lot more.

Here are four key reasons to rent a vacation home for your next trip:

Privacy and Space:

With a family of four, a hotel room could suffice. However, lack of privacy, space and an additional bathroom can mean a whole lot when spending a week together.

With a vacation rental, adults have time to talk and enjoy a movie in the evening, while kids sleep in their own bedrooms.

Laundry Facilities:

Many rentals come with a washer and dryer. From my experience, the owner even supplies the Tide and Bounce sheets! This is a HUGE benefit that’s not offered by hotels, and can save you money throughout the week as the kids wear through their vacation clothing.

Food Savings:

Hotels usually offer continental breakfasts, but lunch and dinner could easily add up to $50 or more per day for a family.

By having a full kitchen and the space to keep your food, you’ll save a bunch by planning your meals for the week, doing a grocery store run, and using the ‘free’ kitchen.

Sure, you’ll want to treat yourself to a few restaurant meals while vacationing, but a couple hundred dollars in groceries for the week is still less expensive than $350+ in restaurant expenses.

Perks and Unique Features:

Property owners make sure to include perks that allow them to stand out from other vacation rentals. These might include Direct TV, free WiFi, hot tubs, jacuzzi baths, fishing ponds, pools and game rooms.

Hotels are nice for a quick stopover. But if you’re staying somewhere for more than a couple of nights, seriously consider renting a private home.