Hotel or Vacation Rental? It Depends on a Number of Factors

 

Only about 45% of Americans take a summer vacation each year, which is a pitifully small number. However, it’s well known that Americans don’t take advantage of all the vacation days they get from their employers. For those who do go on vacation, however, one of the most important considerations is where to stay. Depending on where you are going and how long you are staying on your vacation, you have a range of options to choose from.

Most people who go on a vacation stay in a hotel if they don’t have friends or relatives with which to stay. Hotels are a good choice if you are taking a short vacation of just a few days or if you are traveling around from city to city and not spending more than a day or two in each place. However, for longer-term stays that last a week or more, hotels may not be the best option. The average rate for a hotel in 2015 was $120 a night, which adds up when you stay more than a week.

For longer stays, vacation rentals can make more sense. These usually require you to stay at least a week, but they often can be the cheaper option for a long-term stay. Condos, homes and town homes offer a number of advantages in addition to cost savings. They offer more privacy and more room, which can be a benefit if you are vacationing with your whole family. If you are staying somewhere such as the beach, beach condos can be the best choice. Not only are beach condos likely to be cheaper than a beach hotel, oceanfront condos can offer better views and other amenities.

Finding where to rent beach condos can be more difficult than finding a hotel, but there are services that specialize in beach condo rentals. You usually can find these through an Internet search, but you also may be able to find beach condos through a travel agency. Many people who rent out a vacation home use a management agency rather than doing it on their own, which can be more convenient for both owner and renter.

Whatever choice you make for where to stay on your vacation, you have to make sure it meets your needs while also fitting into your budget.