Timeshare rentals and private homes

Timeshare rentals are condo-style units at resorts that timeshare owners rent to other individuals rather than use for themselves. Private homes, or rooms within those homes, are offered for rent worldwide through a variety of websites. These rentals are short-term but may have a minimum stay requirement of at least two nights.

Pros

When it comes to finding a place to stay in a picturesque small town or other off-the-beaten path locale, hotel rooms can be hard to find at any price. In historic European cities, where the city center was built long ago, there’s no room for massive hotel blocks. So, finding a private rental can be a godsend.

They vary widely, but for a similar price to a single hotel room you’ll generally get a bedroom and bathroom or two, a living room, and a kitchen.  Furthermore, the units often have laundry and parking facilities as well.  The rental owners/hosts generally stock the kitchen with all the dishes, silverware, pots and pans that guests will need to prepare and serve basic meals. 

Being able to cook your own food allows you to save money. It’s fun to shop at local grocery stores and even more fun to spend your travel money on sightseeing instead of eating out.

You can choose the type of property and amenities that will make your vacation truly special. In most cases, you can enjoy them privately. For some renters, a hot tub or Jacuzzi bathtub is a “must-have” item, while other renters will choose outdoor swings, fire pits, and gas grills.

The benefits of shared space when traveling with friends or extended family are numerous. Would you rather spend time as a group in a living room, dining area, and kitchen?  Or crowd into someone’s hotel room and play a board game on someone’s bed?  

Cons

You usually won’t find a property manager or support staff on site, particularly if you rent directly from the owner. This means that it will take time to resolve problems, whether major or minor.

The most challenging part of renting vacation homes can be getting into them!  There’s no 24-hour front desk, so property owners and managers must find another way to give access to their property: a lock box, a meet-up, or a code lock on the door, all of which can be tricky.

Maybe you will be disappointed when you arrive.  Appearances can be deceiving. The “cozy cottage” you saw online may be furnished with garage sale rejects or have other drawbacks you won’t be able to fix.

You will certainly have to clean up after yourself.  Private rentals usually don’t offer maid service. There will be no front desk staff or concierge, so you will also have to make your own daily travel arrangements.

There are certainly places where a hotel’s location wins out over other options.  Maybe you need a hotel that’s on a public transportation route or which offers a shuttle to the airport.  Perhaps you’re wanting something right on the ocean, and a hotel is your only option.  There are numerous scenarios where hotels have the edge in terms of location.  

A bed and breakfast, guesthouse, or pension,

These are each a unique place to stay. They are often run by locals and can range from a single private room to multiple rooms open to visitors in the house. Breakfast is typically included, and the owner is usually the host. Pensions, a type of guest house or boarding house typically found in continental Europe, offer not only breakfast, but also lunch, dinner and sometimes even tea.

Pros

Usually built from charming old houses, these options possess an atmosphere intended to make guests feel like they are truly staying in a home.

Bed and breakfasts often offer a list of scheduled events each day, including activities like crafting or tours of the house or nearby attractions.

You have a built-in tour guide to provide all the local insight that you want when traveling to a new place. You can inquire with your innkeepers on everything from restaurant recommendations to the best spots to watch the sunset, and they’ll likely have a long list of suggestions for you.

Included in the price of the stay, breakfast is served fresh every morning. While many hotels now offer complimentary breakfast, it’s usually the same few items day after day. At a bed and breakfast, the innkeepers have the resources and the ability to cook up something tasty and new each morning. If you have any allergies or dietary restrictions, you can let your innkeeper know ahead of time, and they will be happy to accommodate you.

Each morning, guests usually dine together or mingle in the evenings over a cocktail hour. During this time, you’ll have the unique opportunity to connect with other travelers who you can exchange travel tips with. You can even make plans to embark on an adventure in the area together.

Cons

A few bed and breakfasts offer unique amenities not easily found elsewhere. These may include on-site spas, a saltwater pool, or a movie theater room. However, a bed and breakfast does not have the space for standard hotel amenities like a fitness center.

Furthermore, the rooms in these establishments are unlikely to be soundproof, and sometimes bathrooms must be shared. In most cases there is a relative lack of privacy.

Between the scheduled activities and the strict breakfast times, bed and breakfasts can scare off some people who tend to travel with more of a free spirit.