This or That: What to consider when choosing a hotel or vacation rental

The debate over hotels vs. vacation rentals is not new, and it’s not ending. When you’re making decisions about travel accommodations, keep these tips in mind so you can assure a restful night’s sleep for everyone.

By Lauren Worsham

Family Fun

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Decisions, decisions, and more decisions.

It is true that where you stay while on vacation can make or break your entire experience. So, choosing lodging is extremely important. I suggest you take into account a few of the following factors to help you decide what is right for your travel needs.

Location

Depending on the surrounding area or the overall destination this one can be a toss-up. If you are in a city for example a hotel may often times, be the most convenient option with various centrally located options. In the example of a destination like New York City if you really want to be in the middle of all the excitement and action of Times Square a hotel is the way to go.

On the contrary, destinations that are more remote may not have many hotel options at all. If the only hotel option is fully booked, you might find many vacation rentals to choose from. Take a college town city like Charleston for example where the streets are lined with townhouses all in rows – you will have your pick of vacation rentals.

Cost

This is a factor that also requires comparison and can easily be a toss-up. Don’t assume that a vacation rental is the cheaper way to go. Vacation Rentals know they have an in demand service. Hotels may at least offer a discount for a loyal membership or other affiliations such as AAA. On the other hand, if you are a large group traveling together, multiple rooms will add up quickly when you can find a home with multiple bedrooms to accommodate the entire group instead.

Amenities

Vacation rental owners have become very keen to the needs of their guests. Some really go above and beyond when it comes to providing their guests with amenities included with their stay. At hotels and resorts, for the most part, guest usually have to pay a resort fee and further charges for any equipment they want to rent like bicycles, kayaks, or beach chairs. Not every vacation rental owner is this thoughtful however and you may find yourself staying in a house wishing there was a little more to it. Always read the details about what is included.

Cancellation Policy

This one might be a no contest as vacation rentals are much less flexible in general with cancellations and refunds. This is one detail that I always caution my clients with. No one plans a vacation expecting to cancel but, plans can change, and last-minute issues arise. Hotels in general are much more flexible and may not always refund, but usually they can offer an option to reschedule without penalty.

Overall Value and Quality Control

Think about your favorite hotel brand, you know the aesthetic of the rooms, the signature chocolate chip cookie, and the way the lobby smells. You can always expect the same details at every location and that gives you comfort. In the event something goes wrong you know you will be well taken care of. Staying at a vacation rental, sometimes you arrive, and the home does not quite look the way it did in pictures. If the air conditioner doesn’t work or the hot water heater is broken, you don’t have another place to stay while repairs are made. If there is a more serious issue you might really have a tough time getting a swift response and any necessary refunds. Simply put, vacation rentals are not as reliable and unfortunately have a reputation to overcome.

Personally, I am a big hotel fan and I ultimately enjoy the relaxation of a hotel environment. I expect with confidence that I will be taken care of during my stay. The same goes for my clients, I like to send them to stay where I know they will be treated well.

 

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