Holidays and Vacations are supposed to be relaxing. Booking a perfect vacation rental will ensure you have the best vacation. There is nothing such as the ‘best’ vacation villa, however, there can be the ‘right’ one. Suppose you love to swim, the most suitable one for you will be a home with a private pool. It might give you the peace and quiet you want on your holiday.
Similarly, there can be several criteria for selecting the most suitable vacation home. Analyzing these will help you get the best out of the money you plan to spend. According to Microeconomics theory, Utility or Satisfaction derived from the consumption of a good is a subjective concept. So, you need to find out, what features of the villa help you in maximizing your utility.
You need to consider your constraints also. These could be monetary or non-monetary constraints. Non-monetary ones would include health conditions, time availability, people traveling with you, and the like. So, without further ado, let’s get into how to find the perfect vacation home for you.
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8 Best Tips for Finding a Perfect Vacation Rental
Below are 8 of the best tips you can follow in finding a perfect vacation rental.
If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail
Vacation is a dish best served planned. What this means is that you should plan ahead. Bookings and travel tickets will be highly expensive the closer you get to your vacation date. For a perfect vacation; it’s best to make your bookings well in advance when the rates are most reasonable.
Another good thing about a planned trip is that it is convenient. Most of the problems faced by travellers can be pre-empted and necessary measures can be taken to avoid such problems. You might want to research the different aspects of the location you are planning to visit. For example, if the weather is unpredictable, it is best to carry both winter and summer wear along or a raincoat.
One of the most important items to carry is the swimwear. Not all properties have a pool or hot tub, but I have learned this the hard way. On many vacations, I had access to a private swimming pool but not my swimwear. Think of the kind of opportunity lost and the level of my disappointment. So, planning helps in not missing out on such experiences.
Although planning seems to be the right solution, it might not always be possible considering the uncertainty related to work and other factors. You may want to investigate refundable bookings to avoid the loss of your deposits.
The big question
What is your vacation budget? If you want to spend $10,000, then you may look at the higher-end properties that are offered for $500 and up per night. However, if that is not the case, then you’ll need to opt for something in the middle to lower range which still offers many acceptable and nice accommodations. Typically, your budget includes an estimate of other expenses too such as travel, food, and recreational activities. Therefore, the best way to start planning a vacation is to set the ballpark figure for total overall expenditure. This will help you in making the right choices. Smart house hunters on vacation keep track of expenses and budget at hand.
The most precious resource
Do you know what the most precious resource is? Let me give you a hint, it’s not money. Well, you guessed it right, it is TIME. If you just have a long weekend, then you wouldn’t want to choose a home or condo situated in a far-off place. No one wants to spend much of the holiday just traveling to the property and returning. This narrows down the locations for you if you don’t already have one in mind.
Who is traveling?
This is a two-part question. The first part is how many people are traveling. This automatically determines how much space you require. This will in turn determine the kind of property you are looking for. If you are a party of 4, then maybe two rooms are sufficient. However, if you are a party of 10 people, then you might need 5 to 6 rooms.
The second part of this question pertains to the demographics of the travelers. Are you traveling with family? If yes, then you might need a children’s playing area. Is it an elderly couple who is taking the vacation? Then the property should be elderly-friendly and might require a lot of peace and quiet with no stairs.
So, all these factors count in choosing the kind of property you will want to pick. Keep them in mind while choosing a perfect vacation rental for a fun and comfy stay.
What property features are a part of your dream vacation?
If I am traveling, after the basic conditions are met, the most important property feature for me is a swimming pool. If the weather at the travel location permits swimming, I would want to have a swimming pool. Some people love winter areas and for them, a fireplace would be a cherry on top. Some others just want to play outdoor sports and therefore, a huge lawn is a must-have property feature. For romantic couples, a heated indoor private pool or hot tub would accentuate the experience multi-fold.
So, it all depends on what kind of fun and experience you are looking to gain out of your vacation. And as hinted upon earlier, it is subjective. Most of the time, people might not have the required clarity during the planning process, however, thinking about all of the options early will help you maximize your fun.
Mother Nature and her painting skills
Some locations are most beautiful during a certain part of the year. If you plan to take a trip in the right season, then you will be in for a treat. Be it the purple periwinkle sky, or the reds and oranges of the autumn hues, or even the piercing greens of the northern lights on the starry nights, Mother Nature has a lot to offer.
Imagine soaking all of that in from your villa itself. If you plan to take a life-altering step on this vacation, such as proposing to the love of your life, then the backdrop mother nature offers can be surreal and memorable. It can make your moment immortal. Who wouldn’t want that?
There are properties that are set in the midst of nature’s bounty with long passages leading to them. These are awesome for taking thoughtful walks or romantic strolls. Maybe even for biking and hiking. So, if you are looking for nature’s escape, choose the right time of the year and the property that highlights it.
Housekeeping and Staff Expectations
Some people prefer having the whole place to themselves. They wouldn’t want anyone to disturb them. They might prefer the villa with minimum staff. While others only want a relaxing time. They don’t want to do anything themselves. They would prefer having the staff who would have everything ready for them. Ideal vacation rentals come with expert housekeeping and staff setup.
Some people want to be pampered with local delicacies where an in-house chef could make or break the vacation experience. Some love to be served liquor while relaxing at the private pool. So, always look at the amenities available at the villa. These need to meet your vacation expectations.
Villa theme
Some villas are stylized as highly minimalistic. These cater to those who are less interested in the artifacts and enjoy a spacious property. Other properties showcase different kinds of architecture, which could be Venetian Victorian, or even Middle Eastern. These are a lovely showcase of local heritage.
If you are going to an exotic location, you may want to have a feel of the unique and authentic architecture. You may even want to immerse yourself in a rich historical period. You may even get a chance to ride a vintage car or a European-style horse carriage in such a property. Therefore, choosing the most suitable villa can make your trip memorable.
While looking for your dream vacation villa, don’t forget to try out the newer listing websites such as rentaltrader.com. These websites might have some unique properties which are not easily found on more popular ones.
Finding a perfect vacation rental: A few words of caution
Even though it might seem tempting, be careful when choosing a lesser-known property. It may not meet all the claims it is making. It’s always better to go for a property with very good reviews and high ratings. It will ensure you won’t end up getting stuck somewhere you wouldn’t want to. Further, this way, you won’t waste your hard-earned money on a vacation that doesn’t meet your expectations. Thus it’s better to look at the vacation rental site reviews before renting.
Another word of caution is to carry your first aid medical kit with you on all your trips. You never know what you might be allergic to or where you might suffer a minor injury. If you are confused about where to go for your next vacation here is a guide on the Best Family Vacations Spots in the US.
So, these are a few pointers for choosing your most perfect rental holiday vacation villa. It is always best to have clarity in your expectations and plan ahead. This helps you in making the most out of your vacation within your budget and time constraints. I hope you end up having the best vacation of your life after considering these. If you have any further questions, please fill out the webform below, or feel free to call us.
