There are some great deals to be had right now when you rent a vacation home by owner. However, remember that you still get what you pay for. You can find a beach house rental in San Diego for $50 nightly but what will you find when you arrive?
Great Deal Vacation Rental or Flop House?
If it’s too good to be true – it’s too good to be true. Paying $50 nightly for a vacation rental, especially a San Diego Beach house rental, is really cheap, and in most instances, there is a reason it’s $50 a night. Why would a vacation homeowner rent out a nice vacation rental for 1/2 of what most motel 6 or 8’s charge? Because it’s not that great – at all!
Example, what you may find in the $50 vacation home rental nightly range (excluding monthly rentals) – beds are flatter than pancakes, unit has not been dusted in a few years, one sheet fitted sheet, no top sheet, decor is pressed wood and futon, dishes and flatware if provided are paper plates and plastic forks, pipes creak and location is next to the freeway. This may be an exaggeration – but not too far off for the really budget vacation rentals. You just need to be aware – yes there are some great deals – perhaps from a friend of the family, you get lucky or find a killer off-season vacation rental.
For the $100 night range you can expect better bedding and linens, tv and vcr, average location and some amenities like a pool or spa. You could also find this vacation rental range includes internet access in the home – very important to travelers these days and just about anyone - view our previous vacation home blog post “Internet Access Come On! We’re on vacation! You can do without the internet for a week can’t You?”
For the $250 night range you can expect higher end beds, linens, upgraded electronics, perhaps flat screen tvs, appreciably better views to the mountains or ocean, reserved or garaged parking, etc.
For the $500 night range vacation rentals you will probably have a much bigger furnished home, great views or for example ski in/out or beachfront, gated communities, golf and fitness privileges, wireless internet, ipod compatible electronics, plasma tvs, outdoor seating and fireplaces etc. Vacation rental owners - what furnishing should you have – see our previous vacation rental blog entry - “Furnishing your vacation rental and attracting the right visitors.”
When you search for vacation rentals you can narrow your searches by rates, amenities, location, and often a very important overlooked area – Availability. Some vacation rentals owners in popular destinations can get away with lower end furnishings or less amenities simply because there are 500 people willing to take your reservation if you don’t.
Beyond scoring the greatest deal ever – be sure to not get STUNG – typically vacation rental owners are very conscientious and want you to have a great experience and return. Because you are renting a vacation rental by owner - you will be saving money right off with options like dining in, larger accommodations for more guests, and better rates than a hotel. $50 a night vacation rental – Deal or No Deal?
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1 response so far ↓
1 Anne // Aug 13, 2009 at 2:22 am
The needs of holidaymakers in Spain are not the same needs as holidaymakers who live in the States. Internet access I would say is not really important unless you are in business, away from home and want to pick up your emails etc. Whats wrong with an internet cafe in a tourist info office? Where we are in Spain, you are lucky to get a land line (in fact most people I know just have mobile phones) never mind internet connection. In our small town (near the beach) we have just got wi fi in the Casa de Culture – yipee but no I won’t be using it, I will be on holiday…..
I have laughed at the ticky boxes on some websites that need to ask you if you have got this and that in your property, and there is no way Spanish or European families would be looking for particular requirements.
However, I do remember trying to check into a Las Vegas hotel 30 years ago where the receptionist was asking what exactly her guests found to be the foremost requirement – the answer….. wait for it….. an ice making machine on their floor. We English fell about laughing….
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