Whether you plan on traveling overseas or domestically, vacation rentals present an opportunity to be immersed in the local community. I know many people (for various reasons) prefer to strictly stick to hotels when they travel. That’s perfectly OK! But I think vacation rentals can offer a more unique travel experience. Here’s why I think they rock the socks off hotels: 

Location, location, location!

Have you ever dreamed of having your own little private villa on the sea? I sure have. Or maybe having your own secluded cabin in the mountains? Sounds divine! Vacation rentals exist in all sorts of places that hotels often do not, offering a one of a kind traveling experience. You get the opportunity to be immersed in the local community, and “live” for a short while in a place you normally wouldn’t (or couldn’t afford to). For me, even the most centrally placed hotel still makes me feel like the world outside is kept at arms length. I like to be IN there, like a local. Vacation rentals offer that chance to try on a new “home” away from home, so to speak.

When my family comes to visit Nashville, my house is too tiny to host them all. There are a ton of great hotels nearby, but they don’t want multiple hotel rooms and the tourist experience. Instead, they rent vacation houses in my neighborhood so they can be locals too, for much cheaper than most hotel prices!  

Cooking facilities are clutch

Having cooking facilities is sometimes a game changer. By booking a vacation rental with a kitchen you have the opportunity to go shopping and cook your own meals. Not only does this save money, but it’s also is a cultural immersion opportunity! When in a foreign country we love to pretend we are locals and go to the grocery store. Even if we don’t buy a single thing it’s so much fun just to walk around and see the different foods.  

One of the best memories of our honeymoon in Venice was when the hubs and I went shopping like locals and prepared our own lunch in our rental apartment (which was in the neighborhood of Cannaregio away from the major tourist sites). We visited the vegetable market stalls, the fresh pasta shop, the wine shop, and the delicatessen for fresh salami and cheese. After returning to “our” little apartment, we set the table, listened to the radio and drank wine while we cooked. It was the most romantic afternoon feeling like locals in Venice!  That’s not an experience I feel like we could have had at a hotel. 

Local hosts are great resources

So many times I’ve had great conversations with vacation rental hosts. Just ask! Many offer recommendations on great restaurants, advice on local activities and tips on getting around. Sure a concierge at a hotel might be able to offer similar advice, but it’s a more personalized experience at a vacation rental since you get to meet and greet people where they actually live. And if you are lucky, sometimes a host will leave small gifts or offer a taste of a local delicacy.  

Our Nashville rental host left my family a basket full of local Nashville goodies like Goo Goo Clusters and local craft beer. And on a trip to Slovenia, we were greeted by our host with homemade brandy from their fruit trees – that were right outside our apartment’s door. When we left, we were gifted with a jar of homemade apple chutney. It was delicious!  

Frequently, they are the cheaper option

Renting an entire property is often cheaper than renting multiple hotel rooms. Especially if you are traveling as a family or group. Plus you have the added bonus of communal space to socialize, which you wouldn’t necessarily have in separate hotel rooms. Vacation rentals are also great for families because you can have access to more bathrooms, beds, and space for the kids to play (and privacy if someone wants to go to bed early).  

For several years, my family has gathered together for Thanksgiving in North Georgia. Instead of renting several hotel rooms to accommodate everyone, we get one big cabin in the mountains. This way we get to spend the holiday together, in one spot, cooking our Thanksgiving dinner. It’s a unique experience that is so worth it, since none of us have houses large enough to host our whole crew, and we can’t cook a large dinner in a hotel!  

Peep’s Pointers

How to find the best vacation rentals

There are many sites dedicated to vacation rentals. Airbnb,  HomeAway, VRBO, TripAdvisor and Booking.com are trusted sites I use the most often. Here are a few tips: 

• Property descriptions – I have to emphasize carefully reading property descriptions, there may be more (or less) amenities to the listing than appears in the photos.  
• Reviews – It may seem tedious, but often the key to finding the best properties is to read the reviews. If a property has no reviews, or lots of bad reviews – you may want to reconsider booking. Seems sketchy? Than it probably is. Trust your instincts. 
• Google Location – Also, don’t forget to Google the property location BEFORE you book. Ask yourself the important questions: How will you be traveling there? Is there public transport nearby? Does it require a car to access the location? If so, have you checked to see if there is parking available? Is parking an extra cost? 

When looking for a vacation rental in Cinque Terre Italy,  I found several amazing places to stay with gorgeous views of the Liguran Sea. However, upon further investigation, they were only accessible by hiking along a rocky trail off a remote back road. On that trip we did not have a rental car, and we were lugging some rolly bag luggage. Hiking in was not going to be an option. It is important to know before you book!

When not to book a vacation rental

While I certainly think that booking a vacation rental property is the shizzle, (yeah I just brought that word back, you’re welcome) I’ll admit there ARE times when booking a hotel just makes more sense.  

• Just one night – Often times the check-in process for meeting a host is more involved and time consuming than checking into a hotel. If you are only in a city for one night, you don’t want to waste precious exploration time meeting a vacation rental host. Book the hotel, drop your stuff in the room, and get out there and explore! 
• Traveling alone – When traveling alone (and I hate to say it) especially traveling alone as a woman, you might want to carefully consider vacation rentals. Although I haven’t had any negative experiences personally, the idea of meeting a stranger in a foreign country to let you into a house sometimes might not be the best idea. BUT, if you feel comfortable, then go ahead. Just be smart and vigilant. Trust your instincts. 
• More services – If you simply just prefer more services like a concierge, gym facilities, a spa, or on-site restaurants  – than maybe sticking to hotels is the way to go for you. There’s no shame in it! 

Overall, vacation rentals are the shizzle because they are often affordable, they offer you the opportunity to be immersed in a culture by meeting locals, and the opportunity to cook local food in the comfort of a home. Try one for out for your next vacation, if you haven’t already! 

New to vacation rentals and want to try out Airbnb? Click here for my referral link and get $40 off your first booking when you sign up!