Being a savvy traveler starts long before you hit the road. Obviously the more planning you can do from home, the more relaxed you’ll be during your actual vacation. Whether your ultimate destination is a cosmopolitan city, remote mountain town, or , you will end up spending the majority of time in your vacation rental . An inadequate, remote, or overly expensive rental can poison your whole experience of a place. Avoid these common mistakes when booking your vacation rental and get the best possible start on your travels.
- Don’t Take Their Word For It. Maybe that “beach side bungalow” is along side a freeway or that cabin with “scenic views” is next to a Target. Why not do a little investigating to gauge how close a rental property is to the attractions of its area. Try typing the address into google earth so you can see the actual satellite images of the rental property. Google Earth is a free site and James Bond couldn’t ask for a handier gadget.
- Keys Before Cash. Pay your deposit with a credit card for fraud protection. That way you can easily cancel payment or dispute charges, even more easily than if you pay by check. Don’t pay fees with cash unless you are there in person with the keys being placed into your hand. Let “no keys, no cash” be your mantra. You can also check out a rental company’s rating at the Better Business Bureau site – before any money changes hands.
- Don’t Set Yourself Up For Surprises. Depending on the vacation rental, there may be extra fees – parking, linens, pool cabanas – that you aren’t aware of until the bill comes. Don’t be shy about asking up front what is and what is not included in the rental fee.
- Ask A Stranger. There are few better ways to get objective opinions than Yelp . Search by city and then find real user reviews of the lodging, restaurant, show or activity you’re considering. And don’t forget to pay it forward with your own two cents – by writing your own user reviews in your own hometown and wherever else you wander.
- Keep Your Ear to the Ground. Get recommendations from friends and family about your destination. This is not only a great way to find out about restaurants, hikes, or activities you might otherwise never have discovered, but can lead you to a real vacation rental gem- a timeshare, condo or other property that comes with a seal of approval from someone you trust.
- Don’t Reach Maximum Capacity. Please – don’t cut corners by stuffing too many people in a room on vacation. The goal is to relax and unwind- not spend all morning waiting for your turn in the shower. Take advantage of the broad range of vacation rentals and find one roomy enough to truly enjoy.
- Don’t Forget Discounts! You don’t have to go to a hotel to get your AAA discount. Vacation rentals often take AAA or AARP discounts or price match for their area.
- Stay Age Appropriate. If you have older or younger family members travelling with you, you have more to consider. A vacation rental with a lot of stairs is not going to work for elderly travellers. What kind of safeguards are in place to keep younger kids away from potential hazards like deep pools?
- Everything And the Kitchen Sink. Vacation rentals can have many advantages over hotels – like a washer and dryer, so you don’t have to pack your whole closet or visit laundromats, as well as kitchens with refrigerators and ovens so you can save on your food budget by getting groceries for a couple of meals. If you’re planning a long stay, look for vacation rentals with these features and you can enjoy the comforts of home without lugging them around in your suitcase!
- To and From. Pick a vacation rental close to where you want to be, or in a city with great public transportation, and you won’t have to worry about renting a car. But if you do need a car, know what your rental’s parking situation is. Some rentals may have access to bikes or bike rental. If you’re going to depend on cabs during your stay, be sure to take advantage of the Hitchsters.com site – where you can arrange with other travelers to share cabs to the airport and other hot spots and cut down on costs. Or you can check out airportdiscountparking.com for deals on parking at your airport.
Wherever your destination, traveling is always going to surprise you with unexpected situations, unforgettable experiences, and unimaginable adventures. That’s why we go! Knowing the pitfalls lets you plan better, but even the best-laid plans can go delightfully astray – and thats half the fun. But having a comfortable base for your adventures – a home away from home – will give you the stamina to enjoy the unexpected. Get started today see how enjoyable and rewarding planning your dream vacation rental can be.
