Are you thinking of a vacation rental this summer? According to a new TripAdvisor survey, the chances are good that many of you are. The results of its fifth annual vacation rental survey of more than 1,100 U.S. respondents indicated that 52 percent plan to stay at a vacation rental this year. The top three reasons travelers will choose a vacation rental over a hotel stay this year are: more living space (67%), lower rates than hotels (53%), and better amenities (50%). Ninety-four percent of U.S. respondents who have previously stayed in a rental said they were satisfied with their experiences.
Families are even more likely to stay in a vacation rental. The main reason — they like the shared living space. We have been renting vacation homes for years. We started with condos in Mammoth Lakes, Calif., but have rented beach properties, desert houses and apartments abroad. Some of our experiences have been more successful than others but, these days, websites such as airbnb.com, VRBO.com and HomeAway.com make it easy to choose the property that is right for you and has the amenities that you want. Vacation homes are especially convenient for families because you can find the comforts of home — such as a kitchen, washer/dryer and Wi-Fi access — in a beautiful location.
“Travelers love vacation rentals for the at-home experience and amenities that make them ideal for family and group trips, not to mention the potential savings when compared to hotels,” said Brooke Ferencsik, director of communications for TripAdvisor. “With the increased demand for vacation rentals, the best rental properties book quickly during the peak summer months; therefore travelers should plan as soon as possible to secure the best property for their travel needs.”
Let us know where you plan to go this summer and how you book your vacation rentals.
L.A. Travel Mom 
One response to “The Benefits of Vacation Rentals”
I agree with what you said that families prefer vacation rentals because of the at-home experience, shared living space, and fair price. My sister and I are planning a vacation for both our families since our parents would love to be around their grandchildren this summer. Perhaps we should check out rental cabins in a gorgeous lake upstate. Thanks for the idea!