What do we look for in choosing a vacation rental (Airbnb, Vrbo, etc.)? We’ll tell you… There is a LOT to consider and it can get overwhelming. We’re here to help!
Here are our SIX highest priority items for choosing a vacation rental, in no particular order. Let us know what you’d add to this list.
1. Location. When we are booking an Airbnb we usually do a lot of research on the various activities we plan to do in a destination and then we try to choose a vacation rental in close proximity. Especially when our kids were little, we made sure we were within walking of the main touristy areas (or close to public transportation). Alternatively. we also sometimes choose a location off the beaten path so we can immerse ourselves more in a local neighborhood. We like to make sure there are grocery stores or parks nearby where we are staying. Whatever you choose, have a goal and look closely at maps and distances before you choose an Airbnb because listings always exaggerate their proximity to landmarks and city centers.
2. Space. Usually when we are choosing a vacation rental it is because we want more space than we can find in a typical hotel room. We like to find Airbnbs with at least two bedrooms and two bathrooms. We also like to have a stocked kitchen and a sitting area. Sometimes we compromise space for location when we have to, because we don’t usually spend a lot of time in our Airbnbs. Look carefully at photos in Airbnb listings, people like to use camera angles to make spaces appear bigger than they are. Also, if there aren’t photos of bathrooms or all of the bedrooms, make sure you ask questions so that you don’t show up and get surprised. We study listing pictures carefully and usually try to look at photos on multiple sites (usually rentals are listed in a variety of places) to see if we missed any clues that a place isn’t what it represents itself to be.
