Your Home Away from Home
By Tara Roberts
While on vacation, you have so many options for dining,
entertainment and attractions to draw you to a particular
destination. Some people enjoy sports and opt for golfing,
fishing or hiking adventures. There are those vacationers
who look for more self-indulgent endeavors, and book
locations that offer a wide range of culinary enticements
or cultural entertainments. For whatever reason travelers
choose a destination, everyone wants a comfortable
place to stay.
One option that is especially good for longer stays or large groups is vacation rentals such as condos, townhouses and single-family homes. The advantages to these types of vacation accommodations are many:
- Instead of just one room, vacation rentals have a full kitchen, living room and separate bedrooms so if you have friends you enjoy vacationing with, or are planning a big family reunion, or just your own family, you have room to spread out.
- Because these facilities are designed for larger groups, you also save on the added costs associated with extra people in a room, or even having to book several rooms. Often four, six, or even 10 or more people can sleep comfortable in a vacation rental for the same price as two adults.
- These homes can also offer an added element of privacy. They are more substantial – no paper-thin walls, no hearing your neighbor’s TV or conversations all night, or stomping feet running down a communal hallway.
- You can find rentals that offer private pools or beach access, and reserved parking.
- Unlike hotels, which cater to shorter stays, usually a few days or no more than a couple weeks, rentals are geared more toward longer vacations, often lasting several weeks or even months, usually at a substantial discount.
- Shorter stays can be booked, and still be less pricey than hotel stays especially if you are dividing the total cost among several people. It is just a matter of shopping around for the best rate.
- Be warned, most vacation properties have an age restriction and won’t rent to groups of unsupervised teens or young, single adults, usually under 25 years old. This policy can be another bonus for staying at a rental property if you are wanting peace and quite.
The drawbacks are more a matter of how much you want to work on your vacation:
- You do not have maid service so you have to clean up after yourself. This involves washing dishes, taking out trash, and moving furniture back where it belongs when you leave.
- No maid service also means changing your own sheets. Some rental companies do offer laundry services, but be prepared to wash the towels and linens.
- There is also no restaurant or room service, so you have to cook for yourself or eat out elsewhere, but this could also be an advantage. You don’t have to compete with other hotel guests for the last Danish every morning during the continental breakfast buffet, and you don’t have to fight crowds at area restaurants. Picnics on the beach are simpler, just fix a few sandwiches and off you go.
- You have to pack more stuff or buy extra items once you arrive at your destination.
- You will be expected to pay a damage deposit. If you don’t break or damage anything, this is refunded.
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These rental properties are set up as any other home. Amenities offered at rentals can change from property to property, but typical units include:
- Pots and pans
- Cooking utensils
- Glasses, cups or mugs
- Dishes and cutlery
- Cleaning supplies
- Paper products
- Pillows
- Kitchen appliances – refrigerator, stove, oven and microwave. You might also find a blender for those icy drinks that are essential for the beach.
- Television
- Vacuum
- Broom and mop
- Outdoor grills – charcoal burning grills are frequently provided.
Renters are expected to bring:
- Linens – including pillowcases. Some rentals provide these, check with the property manager.
- Beach towels – sometimes you are asked to bring bath towels too.
- Food
- Cell phones – local calls only from the house phone.
- Charcoal – if a grill is provided
- Laundry supplies
- Shampoo and soap
You may be expected to replenish consumables like cleaning supplies, trash bags, paper products like towels and toilet paper, and dish soap. Often all that is needed is a note to the management agency that these items were expended.
To avoid losing a damage deposit to cover repairs or property loss, take an initial survey of the property, listing in detail any existing damage, and include an inventory and condition of household items. Most importantly, just don’t break or damage anything.
Remember, you are staying in someone else’s home. Treat it the way you would your own home, or in some cases, even better than your own home.