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Below are some options for searching for your next vacation rental.  It is recommended that you search more than one option (even when looking a sites like VRBO or others owned by the same company) as you may not see the same properties on all sites.  There are more tips located at the bottom of this page.

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  • VRBO.com (Vacation Rentals By Owner) - This is usually my go to when looking for a vacation rental.  Great selection, easy to find pricing and availability and some units even let you book and/ or get a quote online.

  • Breakfastandbed.com - Bed and Breakfast Listings

  • Airbnb.com - This service allows people to rent out their home, a room, a piece of land for camping, just about anything you can imagine.  There can be some great deals on Airbnb, but just be careful to read the fine print to find out what you are getting.  Use this link to get a $40 credit!

  • FlipKey.com - Site run by Trip Advisor.  Has vacation rentals, villas and more.  Nice site with a good amount of selection and inventory.

  • Resortia.net - This Site (click on the interactive map to see the locations that they service) has a selection of invidiual "by owner" location sites.  For example, Steamboat Vacation Rentals by Owner or Destin Vacation Rentals by Owner.  I have used this site quite a bit and it allows you to get great deals like VRBO but is specific to a destination.  They have staff that coordidnate with you and owners to help find you a rental that works for you.

  • Rentalo.com - Worldwide vacation rentals and bed and breakfasts.  Allows you search for multiple units at one time.

  • HomeExchange.com - This is a site where you pay a yearly fee to list your site (usually around $200+ or so), but then you can trade your house with others!  We have done many exchanges so far and we have loved this service.  We have been able to do severa swaps out of the country and travel to places like Wales, France, Spain and Norway for only the cost of transportation, meals and entertainment!  It is a fun way to experience a new culture or new city!  They also have a points program now as well where you can redeem or earn points for non-reciprocal exchanges.  Check out my blog for details on past home exchange experiences.  

  • Hotels.com - Sometimes you don't need a full vacation rental and a hotel will meet your needs.  Hotels.com offers a tool that allows you to search across hotel brands at your destination.  Often discounted rates are also available.  

  • Reserve America - Book campsites, tents, cabins, yurts and other accommodations in state, federal and private campgrounds.

  • Vacation Retreats - Great customer service.  Staff that helps you find the perfect rental in 72 destinations throughout North American and Central America and the Caribbean 

  • Vacasa - Property Manager with properties around the country

  • Hotel Tonight - This is an app you can install on your mobile device that gets you great last minute rates that you can't usually get when contacting the hotel directly.  Use the promo code KSPETH1 to get $25 off your first stay.

  • Skyrun - Various rentals by area; Offer return guest discounts

  • Mountain Vacation Lodging - Search for rentals in locations they serve across the country

  • Booking.com - Allows you to search for rentals, hotels and other accommodations, they will suggest multiple rooms or units to meet the size of your party (note:  prices usually do not include additional fees like tax, cleaning fees, etc so make sure to go through to the confirmation page to see the total cost or read the fine print on the quote)

 

Location Specific Lodging Searches:

Colorado:

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Florida:

  • Anna Maria Island Accommodations - "The Flip Flop Company" - one of my favorite destinations in Florida and Anna Maria Island Accommodations has a nice selection of accommodation.  This link takes you to their current specials and discounts!

  • By the Sea Vacation Villas (South Florida) -  A propety manager focused on Ft. Lauderdale, Lauderdale by the Sea and Pompano Beach.  They have a nice page that shows all units by availability.

 

New Zealand:

  • Top 10 Holiday Parks - From their website: "With 50 parks across New Zealand, from Invercargill in the deep south, to Whatuwhiwhi in the sub-tropical north, at TOP 10 we offer their visitors a warm New Zealand welcome, whether they’re seeking the ultimate Kiwi camping experience, or fully equipped, self-catering units."  We stayed at a Top 10 park in Hot Water Beach in an adorable cabin and loved it!

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Do you have vacation rental and lodging sites you like to use?  Share the site and what you like about it with us at info@findaccommodations.com!  Maybe we will add it to our list above!

 

Vacation Rental Search tips:

  1. Search various sites as inventory across sites may or may not be the same.

  2. If you have firm dates, input your dates where available in order to only view available inventory.

  3. Make note of minimum stay requirements.

  4. Calculate or get a quote from the owner/property manager for the total costs. Vacation Rentals often require you to pay taxes and cleaning fees so it is important to know the total of all fees you will be assessed.

  5. Be flexible when possible (go a day later or arrive a day earlier in order to get the property you want or the rate that fits your budget).

  6. Contact the owner when using a site like VRBO, Homeaway or others to find out if they are willing to negotiate on the price or cover the cleaning fee (this is especially good to do when booking less than 14 days in advance.

  7. Travel with friends or family (you can often afford a nicer place when you share the cost with others).

  8. Use search engines to find what you are looking for in addition to searching on vacation rental sites.  For example, search using "4 bedroom vacation home on beach in San Diego, CA."  When you search like this you will also get results for other sites and local listings that may not be available elsewhere.

  9. Do your homework and check out the location on a mapping tool including distances from the airport, attractions, restaurants, etc.  Also read previous reviews of the property (but read these with a grain of salt and try to determine if a low rating is really because of an issue you should be concerned with).

  10. Communicate with the owner or property manager to find out any specifics about the property including how will you get the keys, where to park, if pets are allowed, if children are allowed, and any other restructions the property may have for your stay.

  11. Create accounts when available on a site when available so you can save your favorite properties.  You can also create folders like family vacation, travel with friends, etc to categorize your favorite vacation rentals.  

 

FindAccommodations.com provides these links as a resource to our visitors and does not guarantee or endorse any web site or vacation rental.  All customers should research their specific vacation rental company and specific vacation rental before booking.

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