Vacation Rentals And Villas: Vacation Home Rentals Guide - My Family Travels

Villa, condo, casita, beach house, timeshare — vacation rentals go by many names. All these terms mean the same thing to families — a vacation home to rent for your family. What better way to enhance your vacation than by having a place of your own to enjoy it in?

A floating Aqualodge vacation rental moored at the Coconut Cay RV park in Key West, Florida.
A floating Aqualodge vacation rental moored at the Coconut Cay RV park in Key West, Florida. Photo c. Hotels.com

According to iPropertyManagement, 450 million people worldwide use vacation rentals. However, the US is the biggest market and represents about one-fifth of the more than $75 billion in global revenues.

Surprisingly, more than two out of three (70%) vacation rental companies are small. These companies aren’t always individuals who invested in a few Airbnb properties in their neighborhood. More typically, these are agents in popular resort areas who manage fewer than 20 units for absentee owners.

The Right Time and Way to Book Vacation Rentals

TahoeVacationRentals.com allows users to sort rental listings by location, size, amenities and more, then create a list of favorites to review them. Photo c. TahoeVacationRentals.com
TahoeVacationRentals.com allows users to sort rental listings by location, size, amenities and more, then create a list of favorites to review with family members.

Planning a vacation now may not sound like a good idea with such high inflation rates and economic uncertaintly. However, going on a vacation doesn’t have to cost you a lot of money. Our first tip: save money smartly by investing your travel budget in a vacation rental. Choose a vacation rental instead of a hotel says VRBO.com, and spend an average of 50% less per square-foot on your accommodations.

Our second tip: Be flexible when you begin searching. Heed our third tip, because being very selective about destinations and amenities costs, too. Beautiful Places, for example, is a very high end, full service company that finds villas, private homes and furnished getaways for special clients. Need a helicopter landing permit with your weekend house? Want trained ponies in the yard when the children arrive? Beautiful Places’ staff pride themselves on accommodating any request at luxury vacation rentals in Northern California wine country, France, Italy, and Mexico. Special requests and pricey destinations all add to the final cost of your vacation rental.

Size matters. A place of your own is better for a large family than staying at a hotel. You get added privacy, cooking facilities, free parking and a local vibe. These benefits are especially true when you compare beach vacation rentals to multinational oceanfront resorts.

Check out a vacation villa or rental condo from our resources below. Just follow my other tips on how to rent a vacation home, where to go, and what to think about before booking.

More Benefits of Renting a Vacation Home

Page from VRBO of vacation rental options in Broken Bow, Oklahoma.
VRBO features vacation rental options in Broken Bow, Oklahoma as an alternative to pricier lakefront summer vacation rentals.

Surveys show that travelers enjoy vacation rentals, with nine out of town saying they will rent again within three years. These are the top reasons that travelers choose vacation rentals over other paid accommdations.

1. Value for the price: More than nine in 10 travelers rate value as the main reason they select vacation rentals. Vacation rentals often provide significant cost savings vs other lodging options.

2. Privacy and Cleanliness: Since the pandemic began, getting a more hygienic space away from other travelers has risen in importance. More than 89% say privacy and comfort are primary motivators.

3. Full kitchen facilities: Nearly 90% of travelers choose vacation rentals for access to fully equipped kitchens, which offer the freedom to prepare meals, store snacks/leftovers, or visit local markets for fresh, regional ingredients.

4. More space overall: Vacation rentals often provide from 1,000 square feet to more than 4,000 square feet of space. 86% of travelers agree this is a key reason to rent.

5. Amenities: This is a top consideration for 85% of travelers. Amenities and facilities such as bath toiletries, fresh linens — even game rooms, private swimming pools, fireplaces, in-home movie theatres — may be provided by professional property managers.

6. Extra bedrooms: Fully seven in 10 travelers find multiple bedrooms to be a top vacation rental motivator.

7. Family “togethering:” 68% say they’ll choose vacation rentals for the experience of quality time together underneath one roof. For many, it’s this atmosphere that sets vacation rentals apart.

Tips for Finding Vacation Home Rentals

Villa Arrow Marine in St. Jean, Saint Bartolemy has four bedrooms and rents for $60,000 per week in the winter high season. Photo c. Wimco
The four-bedroom, super luxurious Villa Arrow Marine in St. Jean, Saint Bartolemy rents for $60,000 per week in the winter high season. Photo c. Wimco

If you never thought about renting a villa for a reunion, or really aren’t sure how, it’s not as hard as you might think. Here are my tips on how to rent a villa that will fit the needs of you and your very posh family.

1. Where to go? The first thing you want to think about is where you want to go. What will everyone in the family do there? Places with a tropical climate probably will be more expensive than others.

2. What is your budget? Of course this will tie into how much money you have to spend. For example, at the full service villa rental agency Wimco, a spacious oceanside, four-bedroom villa at St. Barts can cost as much as $60,000 a week in the winter high season. To have more flexibility and choice with a limited budget, look around. Sites like VRBO are great because vacation rentals by owners come in all price ranges.

3. Remember, research is your friend. Planning ahead will give you lots more choices, especially for the busy summer and holiday seasons and you can save a lot too.

Of course, the tips regarding how to choose the best of the best in high-end rentals also apply to budget options.  Keep in mind, there are always other options available and research will pay off.

Share your favorites in our Comments Field below!

Dear Reader: This page may contain affiliate links which may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Our independent journalism is not influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative unless it is clearly marked as sponsored content. As travel products change, please be sure to reconfirm all details and stay up to date with current events to ensure a safe and successful trip.

7 Replies to “Vacation Rentals And Villas: Vacation Home Rentals Guide”

  • Trang Tran

    Very tasty.

  • dubai safari

    Dubai is a glorious city in the world but the desert safari is most thrilling tour in Dubai since 1980 . This is a great post and great team work .

  • james barry

    When I was reading this I realize that this is the best blog as compare to others. Its really appreciated.
    Don’t stop keep posting this type of posts

  • Trang Tran

    Good address for ski. My daughter loves skiing very much. It will be a good option for us for the next winter holiday.

  • Trang Tran

    Good to know as I have a daughter at 10 YOD and she loves skiing very much.

  • Prisca

    Seems there are lots of fun for kids in Las Vegas. I have never though about a such thing there. It will be a good option to consider for our next family holiday. Thank you.

  • Trang Tran

    What’s a wonderful & luxury holiday. I am dreaming about it.

  • Gujarat And Around

    It’s Fantastic And Useful Blog About World Heritage Sites and There information is very informative and useful.
    Thanks for sharing.

  • Trang Tran

    I love reading your blogs, there are many useful information for travelers. Thank you very much for sharing.

  • Prisca

    Good advices when traveling with kids. Thank you very much.

  • Trang Tran

    What’s an amazing trip. Thank you for sharing.

  • Prisca

    Very nice day. We don’t have it in Vietnam 🙁

  • Trang Tran

    Amazing hotels. I love eco-resort with nature style instead of modern hotels.

  • Prisca

    Good to read this before I prepare my family trip in the summer.

  • Trang Tran

    Good to know this. Thank you for sharing. I will consider this for my children.

  • Ana Katrina Lopez

    Thank you for these tips on how to plan a family safari! I’d like to be able to take my whole family and show them the beauty of Africa. But it always seemed so daunting to plan a whole trip that everyone would enjoy. I mean there’s always the age differences, and differences in interest as well to think about. Just thinking of ensuring that everything goes well planned is stressing me out. That’s why I turned to the internet in search of tips! Definitely will use your tips on how to choose a safari.

  • Kristen

    Very good tips. We all should follow these tips for a safe road trip. Thanks for the great help.

  • Kiran

    Thankyou Mr Ralph S for giving precise information on the overland.
    i will be travelling for the 1st time from adelaide to melbourne this month end. it will be of grt help.

  • Vouch

    Soon I’ll be planning a trip to Dubai. Thanks for the information about what’s worth visiting.

  • Hello Lansdell family! This is a great place for a long weekend of outdoors exploration and a beautiful park. In late May, a new business is opening = https://www.floattheriver.net/ = which will run float trips on inner tubes on portions of the river. I asked some locals and they suggested that after biking and hiking and riding the train, your kids might enjoy day trips to nearby Canton, Akron or Cleveland. Each has lots of Metroparks (the public system of urban parks) and museums, etc to do and see. With some planning, all your days can be as full of variety as you would like. We hope you have a wonderful trip.

  • Dave

    How did you get around the Darien Gap?

  • CJ Sunny

    Thank you for sharing these warm and touching thoughts of yours! I’ve only been the Belarus once, but I wish I read it before going, something in my experience would definitely be different then. I did use some advise – from the telegram channel for foreigners https://t.me/Belanews but I guess your opinion would be great to consider and embrace too.

  • Devon Lansdell

    Thanks for all the info. We are planning on going in August, and are trying to find a nature-centered vacation for our family of 4, kids ages 7 and 4. We are from Southern Ontario, Canada and we came across this national park. Would you recommend this place for 3-4 days? Is there enough to do (hiking, train rides, exploring etc)? Somewhere else? We also looked at the Smoky Mountains but its about a 11-12 hours vs the 5-6 hours to Cuyohoga. Any advice would be helpful.

  • SKYFAREZ

    That place is really amazing. I want to spend my vacations on this beautiful place. Thanks for sharing this nice information.

  • Anonymous

    I've been there last year. If someone is looking for a nice hotel I can highly recommend to take a look at the Hotel Rappen Rothenburg ob der Tauber.

  • andymark

    Such a good information.Nice work.Very useful for us.

  • Alexis Meyers

    The gardens of Suzhou are absolutely beautiful and something that you don’t want to miss while you are there.

  • Alexis Meyers

    Traveling with your children in s Suzhou is super easy and safe. My family had a lot of fun and the kids really enjoyed there time there. One thing they really loved was going down all of the canals. Here is some great information on all the beautiful canals that you can explore.

  • George

    It looks like a beautiful experience. Turkey is a wonderful country -and the fact that it’s not that expensive compared to other countries makes a visit there even more tempting. Thanks for sharing.

  • EMMAHAD

    good tips, safety comes first so that our trip may be remembered as a happy memoir when we went to see and explore new places and have fun. and not as a terrifying night in the ER. god bless you all , be safe

  • Ary News

    Thanks for your insight for your fantastic posting. I’m glad I have taken the time to see this.

  • Anthony

    Great tips for road trips!

  • Amarnath Yatra

    Thanks for posting, very valuable information .

  • Abdul-Majid Bushr Kanaan

    Being visiting is one of the best experiences of my life. Being there and enjoying every bit of time is wonderful. Personally, my best experience is an underground aquarium and desert safari. One visited Dubai must go for these two activities.

  • Roslia Santamaria

    Would love this for our family!
    We’ve always wanted to go and now they are old enough to enjoy it.
    Thanks so much for doing this!

  • Isabella Jones

    The beaches, the weather, the food, the attractions and the activities- everything was perfect.

  • Aika

    I think parents should focus more on preparing or educating their children about the proper etiquette and behaviors before the flight to avoid being a nuisance to others. I don’t know much about kids but as a first-time mom, that’s what I will do.

  • Doctor Time Share

    Hi,

    You have explained the timeshare information for Spain country very well.Share more blogs which will we helpful for people like us in future.

    Thanks
    Seeking for your positive reply.

  • Stacy

    Hi,

    I would like to travel out of the US with my son. I understand that I would need his father to sign and notarize a letter. He had not been a stand up dad to take care of his responsibilities so he left and I can’t find him. What can I do in a situation like that to travel with my son?

  • sumit saini

    happy you enjoyed the story. This park is in Ohio where the climate can be capricious! It’s hottest between late April and November, however even April has the danger of some snow. In case you’re enjoying the great outdoors with children, the most secure wager is June to August, since it’s hotter and there’s little downpour. Make the most of your trek.

  • Gore Don

    Wonderfully informative article!

  • Jordantours

    I want to go travel with kids but I was not decided where we go. Your post is helpful for me. Thanks for sharing.

  • Dorota

    Tenerife is SO stunning! I love this volcanic landscape, sometimes you feel like you traveled to the Moon. This place has it all – great views, pleasant weather, awesome food, wine and laid-back people. Thanks for sharing ideas, I’ll use some of them on my next trip 🙂

  • James Lara

    Very nice article and msg we likes so much

  • I automatically think the word “gumbling” when I heard Las Vegas. I never knew that Las Vegas has something to offer for youngsters. Will bring my children here soon.

  • Patel Tour n Travel

    Nice Article, it is very helpful to me.

  • Caroline Martin

    There is no Doubt, Dubai is most popular destination among tourists from across the world and have gained high popularity in last decade. If you are in Dubai and dhow go for dhow cruise, there is some thing missing on your list. There are Dubai dhow cruise, Musandam Dibba dhow cruise and Khasab Musandam dhow cruise. Try some of them and you will love.

  • Latif Eseler

    Istanbul layover tour is a great service to use the best of your time in Istanbul Airport. However if you like to have a private attention and flexibility, you can check private tour services of ISTANBUL LAYOVER TOURS. They are offering the layover tours from Istanbul International Airport.

  • Matthew Quinn

    Great article! Wanted for Christmas again. Do you know anything about this place ? It is very interesting to know the opinions. How much advance it is necessary to book a hotel and various entertainment before the holidays?