Vacation Rental Vs Hotel: The Best Answer Depends on You
Picking the right place to stay for your next trip will impact the overall experience you have. Vacation rentals and boutique hotels both have benefits to consider.
Perks of Choosing a Vacation Rental
Choosing a vacation rental is appealing for several reasons, making them the best option for several types of travelers.
Increased Privacy
In many cases, a rental home has more privacy than a hotel. While some do share walls with other units, others are stand-alone cabins and homes. You’ll have just as much privacy as you have at home. If the location itself is remote, you may have even more privacy.
Sometimes, you want a break from your fellow travelers. You can get this privacy in a vacation home as well. In many cases, vacation homes have enough space for everyone to have their own room. When you need some peace and quiet, you can retreat to your own room.
Increased Convenience and Comfort
Are you hungry for a non-restaurant meal, or maybe you want to cuddle up for a movie? Rent a home that has a kitchen or living room, and you can. These homes come with everything you usually have at home. Our partners can help you find a rental with the exact features you need and want. Fully-equipped kitchens, game rooms, theater rooms - you'll find it all.
Along with increased convenience, vacation rentals have more comfort. Instead of piling on the bed in a hotel room at night, you can spread out on the couch. If you want to play cards, a dining room table or outdoor dining set gives you space. Did you get a little dirty while exploring? Throw your clothes in the included washing machine.
Added Special Luxuries
It’s hard to beat the convenience of a kitchen stocked with cooking supplies on vacation. However, vacation rentals can offer even more. For example, you may be able to rent a home with a private pool or outdoor spa. Some come equipped with workout rooms. Others have elevators to make it easier to haul your stuff inside. There are even homes that come with beach chairs or mountain bikes to make it easier to explore the local community. These special luxuries can make your vacation feel even more relaxing.
Bring Your Pets
Another perk of choosing a vacation rental is the option to bring your entire family with you. This means the pets, too. While some hotels are pet friendly, there's something a little less appealing about being stuck in a hotel with a dog or cat. With a vacation home, you may have a fenced in backyard and space to run.
Personalized Experience
Renting a home gives you a more personal experience. As you search for your vacation accommodations, you can choose exactly what you need. Rental homes aren't cookie cutter experiences like hotels, and that can improve your vacation experience. You can even select the home that’s nearest to your favorite attraction, if you want.
Many of our partners offer hotel-like amenities, such as concierge service, to add to the personalized experience you get. They can help you book attractions, plan restaurants, and even set up shopping delivery. So much variety means your vacation can be highly personal.
Who Benefits from Vacation Rentals?
So who is the best candidate for a vacation rental? While anyone can enjoy these perks, some of the types of travelers who benefit most include:
• Families taking vacation• Large friend groups traveling together• Couples looking for privacy
Perks of Choosing a Hotel
While vacation rentals are a great option for many travelers, sometimes a hotel ‘s all you need. Here are some perks of choosing a hotel.
Housekeeping Service
When you stay in a hotel, you’ll come home every time to a made bed and cleaned bathroom. You don’t have to lift a finger to keep the space tidy. Some hotels also offer things like turndown service to add a layer of luxury to your stay.
Included Breakfasts and Snacks
Many hotel chains offer continental and full breakfasts, which means you can start your day with a hearty meal. Some also have cocktail hour snacks in the afternoon. You may be greeted with sweet treat and bottle of water on your arrival. These perks can cut down on your food budget while you shop.
Knowing What to Expect
If you stay in a chain hotel, you’ll know what to expect every time you visit. These properties tend to have similar décor and amenities, so each stay is quite similar. If you crave predictability, then a hotel will fit your needs. That said, sometimes boutique hotels can be a little unexpected in everything from décor to amenities. That can add to the fun of the travel experience.
Affordability
In general, because they are smaller a hotel is going to cost less per night than a vacation rental. That said, you may end up spending more on eating out when you don’t have a kitchen, but if budget is your primary consideration, it’s worth noting.
Concierge Service
Luxurious hotels offer concierge services to help you book attractions and meals. These professionals can be an excellent resource if you’re getting to know a new area. They can also be a convenient way to make sure you don’t miss a hot attraction. Luckily, if vacation rentals are still your thing, several of our partners also offer concierge-like services as well.
Who Benefits from Boutique Hotels
While all travelers can enjoy staying in a hotel, they work best for certain categories, such as:
• Solo vacationers looking for a comfortable bed with few home comforts• Couples traveling together who don’t need extra space• Business travelers traveling for work.
As you try to decide between a vacation rental vs hotel, check out the properties available from our partners. With their help, you can find exactly what your travel needs demand.
