6 Reasons We Enjoy Vacation Home Rentals for Family Travel

Do you always stay in a hotel when you take a vacation? Certainly the ease of booking, liberal cancellation policies, full amenities, and on-site dining are all great reasons to go this route. Over the years traveling as a family, we’ve had wonderful experiences in hotels of all shapes and sizes, including the Grand Beach Hotel Surfside in Florida with its rooftop pool, the spacious suites at the Magic Castle Hotel in Los Angeles (who can forget all the free snacks and drinks!), and the quaint Motel Del Rogue perched on a river in Oregon. But with a family of five, as the kids got older we quickly outgrew most hotel suites. That’s when we began searching for vacation home rentals and condominiums, through sites like VRBO and Airbnb. I remember nervously booking a cabin in the mountains of Tennessee, worried that I was sending money to a random stranger and there would be no recourse. Fast forward to 2022, and we now have quite a few vacation rental experiences under our belt. So whether it’s a long weekend or long vacation, here’s a few reasons to consider a vacation home rental, plus some things to know before you book.

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​1. Room to Spread Out. This may seem obvious, but having a space that everyone can call their own became more important as our kids got older. It’s true that more resorts these days are offering two and three bedroom villas like the one we rented at Hawks Cay Resort in the Florida Keys, or family suites with bunk beds. But we’ve also found that in many cases these types of accommodations can be quite cost prohibitive and/or so popular that they are fully booked well in advance. That’s not to say that my kids never share rooms in vacation rentals, but having extra space like a large kitchen table for family card games or a comfortable porch or patio can make a huge difference. If you have ever been in a hotel room with small kids, you understand what it’s like not to be able to move freely around the room in the early morning without fear of waking up a sleeping child! When we enjoyed a week-long family vacation in a rental on the beautiful island of St. John, taking in the peaceful view from the porch with a cup of coffee was my favorite way to start the day! We all agree Waterlemon Villa has been our favorite vacation rental so far. Not only did the house have jaw-dropping views of Coral Bay, it also had a fully-stocked kitchen, 2 family-sized tables for dining, a large pool deck for relaxing, and comfortably furnished screened and unscreened outdoor porches for enjoying the beautiful view.

2. Saving Money on Restaurant Dining. One of the best things about having a house is the ability to have more food on hand than what can fit in a hotel mini-fridge and the space to prepare meals. No matter what your plans are for the day, having breakfast, snacks, and drinks at home can definitely save  money. Even so, we always splurge on at least one big family breakfast at a local spot, like the Kihei Caffe on Maui! Having a cooler available in St. John made it easy to pack sandwiches and drinks for a day at the beach. Arguably, the down-side for some to having a kitchen is the pressure to cook and clean while on vacation. We typically find a happy medium with a plan to eat out a few nights and cook at home one or two nights. Depending on where you are, take advantage of the local markets for items like fresh fish or shrimp. Having a rental house with a grill can help, and makes for easy clean up! One thing we learned over the years is not to over buy at the grocery store, especially if you are traveling by airplane to a destination. 
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​3. Experiencing Unique Accommodations. Vacation rentals in today’s market come in all shapes and sizes, including multi-level houses with luxurious amenities, glamping tents, treehouses, restored train cars, tiny houses, and urban apartments. It’s becoming easier to find tiny rentals equipped with family game rooms, kayaks, bicycles, and relaxing outdoor space. In Roanoke, Virginia, we found a renovated fishing cabin built in 1939 that sat on the bank of a creek. It was so interesting to read about the history of the cabin and learn that the ceiling room rafters were actually made from old train boxcars from the 1930’s. Cabins or lake houses are great rental options when you are looking for ways to connect with nature from the backyard. This cute rental in Twentynine Palms, California near Joshua Tree with the desert as our backyard was definitely one of the quietest places we have ever rented!

​4. Having a Pool to Yourself. If time relaxing around a pool without a ton of strangers around is high on the vacation list, then finding a rental with a pool might be the perfect solution. Plus there is nothing worse than having to get up early just to grab chairs at a crowded resort pool, especially for larger families. On our visit to Maui, our beachside stay at the Kihei Sands Condominiums included a small pool that was never crowded, along with beach access to Sugar Beach. Sure, it may not have been the grand pool found at the big, fancy resort hotels on the island, but it was a trade-off for relaxation and easy pool access. 

​5. Not Having to Pack Extra Things. Vacation rentals have definitely upped their game as far as amenities. There is nothing worse than flying to a destination and having to worry about bringing along bulky beach towels for a family of 5. Amenities at our St. John rental included beach chairs, towels, a cooler, washer dryer, blender, and a pool with an amazing view. The owners of the Maui condo rental provided big, fluffy beach towels along with a well-stocked kitchen (there’s nothing worse than buying a bottle of wine and not finding an opener!) Finding high quality kitchen knives, gourmet coffee and tea, and a few good pots and pans is more common in a rental today than it used to be. Plus it’s always nice to have access to a washer and dryer without having to dig around for quarters, especially for a longer trip. The last rental I stayed at was on the water, fully stocked with all sorts of backyard games, perfect for family entertainment.

​6. Pet Friendly. With the surge in pet ownership over the past few years, it’s nice to see more  pet-friendly vacation rentals. It’s a great option if you are planning a vacation within driving distance and want to bring your dog along. While there are more hotels now that offer pet-friendly amenities, vacation home rentals have the edge when it comes to bringing your dog along for the trip. Keep in mind that most pet-friendly rentals typically charge extra fees to cover any potential mishaps. Booking apps like VRBO offer filters to refine a search for rentals that can include your furry family members. Check out these tips we put together before you head out with your dog on a road trip.  

Things to Consider Before You Book

Cancellation Policy. While cancellation policies have gotten more flexible across the board, many vacation rentals still require payment up front with a fairly restrictive cancellation policy. Read and understand the terms of cancellation before booking. I suggest purchasing travel insurance as a way to cover some of the costs in unexpected circumstances, especially for big dollar trips. Just be sure to read the fine print to ensure that the coverage is what you are expecting (not every circumstance will qualify for coverage). This is definitely the one place where hotels have the advantage with their more flexible last minute cancellation policies. 

Location of the Rental. Being in a neighborhood or not within walking distance to restaurants and shops may be the biggest tradeoff in booking a vacation rental versus a hotel. Before you book, be sure to carefully read the reviews. Most people will mention the ease of getting to restaurants and nearby attractions. If you fly to a destination, this could mean an added cost for a car rental. Some vacation rentals are tucked into quiet neighborhoods that may have their own rules and regulations. In places like St. John, navigating the driveway was not for the faint of heart, but many of the reviews we read mentioned that so we were prepared. In the mountains, some of the places with the best views require a drive up steep, windy roads. While you can’t always see an exact address before booking, it will narrow down the area. 

Download the App(s). In this day and age it probably goes without saying, but for sites like VRBO and Airbnb, download the app before you book. As you start browsing for a particular location, create a trip board to save your favorites. Plus the apps make check-in a breeze, and it’s easy to get notifications regarding your booking or to reach the owner if necessary. The filters make it easy to refine your search, based on location preference, number of bedrooms/bathrooms, pet-friendly, cancellation policies, etc.  

Understand the Fee Structure. While you may get drawn in with a low, nightly rate, know that there will be additional fees for cleaning, service fees, and taxes. This information will all be conveyed prior to booking. Unlike many hotels, payments are typically required up front. In many cases, there is an option to pay half the rental fees upon booking, and the other half prior to your arrival date. 
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Read the Reviews. I mention this again because I always read a ton of reviews before booking any rental. While it’s always good to be open-minded when reading reviews, for the most part, I have found them to be super helpful when choosing a rental. Pay attention to what people say about cleanliness and the ease in reaching the owner during a stay. The option to choose a Superhost or Premier Host can bring some peace of mind, knowing that they are committed to providing an outstanding experience for their guests. 

Book Early. With the popularity of vacation homes increasing over the last two years, it pays to book early for the best selection. Again, with some homes offering liberal cancellation policies, it does make it easier if plans change. 

Be Prepared to Tidy Up When You Leave. This may come as a surprise to some guests. Unlike hotels, most rentals will ask that you do some basic tidying up before you leave. In some cases, this may include emptying the refrigerator, stripping the beds, piling the dirty towels on the bathroom floor, or taking the garbage outside. To me, it’s a small trade-off for the extra space and amenities.  

Lastly, I do want to mention that over the years, I have only heard a small handful of stories of bookings that were canceled by the owner at the last minute. Fortunately, we have never experienced this firsthand, and continue to view rentals as a great alternative to hotels. If there is a lesson to be learned over the past two years, it's that being prepared for the unexpected when traveling is always a good idea.  

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