Hotels are expensive. That’s the truth. Just visit your favorite hotel booking website to check out rates for a 1-night stay at a decent Singapore hotel. I mean c’mon, paying $200 a night for a room in a 3-Star Singapore Hotel that’s slightly roomier than a prison cell is ridiculous right?
If you want ridiculous, you should see how much a hotel room can cost in some of the world’s most visited holiday destinations, such as Tokyo, Paris, Istanbul, New York, Sydney, and Los Angeles.
Thankfully, there’s another way you can book your holiday stay without having to pay outrageous hotel booking prices – with holiday rentals.
What the hell are holiday rentals anyway?
Holiday rentals are private properties that owners rent out to holiday travelers. Typically, these holiday rental properties are vacation homes, timeshare properties, or spare condo/apartment rooms.
You can find a holiday rental property to suit just about every accommodation need, whether you’re looking for a single room for yourself or an entire villa for your family.
As for the cost, that depends on your budget. If you’re looking for a non- or semi-furnished room, you’ll certainly pay less than you would for a fully-furnished property full of hotel-like amenities such as a pool, hot tub, wifi, and concierge service.
Thankfully, there are plenty of holiday rental websites that allow you to compare prices and book the same way you would a hotel – at a much lower cost.
What are the advantages of booking a holiday rental?
Chances are you’ve stayed in enough hotel rooms to know the disadvantages. They’re expensive, they barely have enough room for you to stretch your feet, and they are often in the most expensive part of the city.
In other words, they’re a costly hassle! On the other hand, there are plenty of reasons to book a holiday rental for your next trip. In fact, you might be surprised by what you can get out your holiday rental stay.
Here are the 5 biggest advantages of booking a holiday rental instead of a hotel:
The price is right
Compared to hotels in most cities around the world, booking a private condo/apartment room can easily save you 50% or more per night. Even renting an entire condo/apartment is usually cheaper by 20% or more than a hotel room!
Cosy and spacious
Unlike hotel rooms which have very limited space, with a holiday rental, you can choose from a single furnished room to an entire apartment with a sofa, television, and a kitchen!
Save on food
Hotels are usually in areas packed with tourists and restaurants, which is a recipe for budgetary disaster. Fortunately, many holiday rental owners allow you to use the kitchen for cooking, which will save you a ton on food expenses.
Ease of booking
You can book your holiday rental online the same way you would a hotel room. In fact, many of the administrative processes of staying a hotel apply to holiday rentals, such as paying a deposit.
Many optional amenities
Not every holiday rental property is just a place where you can eat and sleep. Some holiday rentals offer amenities ranging from a private beach or a hot tub, to having a full staff that includes a chauffeur, chef, and a concierge.
Curious about where you can book a holiday rental?
Here are some popular holiday rental websites that cater to travelers of all budgets:
What should you look out for when booking a holiday rental?
Holiday rentals can be a cheap and cozy alternative to staying at a hotel, but that doesn’t mean you should just book based on price alone. You also need to pay close attention to exactly what services are being offered in the holiday rental deal.
Depending on the services offered by your holiday rental provider, you should plan for the following:
No 24/7 “Desk” Support
Whether the owner is living on the premises or not, don’t expect him/her to respond quickly to any problems you have with your accommodation.
No maid service
There’s a high probability your holiday rental won’t have housekeeping staff to make your bed daily or wash your clothes and towels.
Bring your own towels, linen, and toiletries
Don’t expect your holiday rental to have fresh towels, bed sheets, pillows, or those cute little bottles of shampoo ready for you to use.
You may need a car rental
Unless the owner of your holiday rental is particularly nice and wants to show you around, you’re probably going to have to think about renting a car.
Appearances can be deceiving
Online daters are familiar with this occurrence. It’s when the “beautiful” picture of a holiday rental you saw online turns out to be a disaster in real life. One way you can change this is by checking user reviews and ratings on the property.
Rent your next holiday today!
Of course, not every holiday rental will lack the above services. Depending on how much of a high-roller you are when it comes to your holiday spending, you can probably find a condo, villa, or cottage with all of the above – for the right price.
Now that you know a little more about holiday rentals, will you give it a try for your next holiday? Share your experiences here with us!
The post Stop Wasting Money on Expensive Hotels – 5 Reasons Why Holiday Rentals Are Better first appeared on the MoneySmart blog.