Vacation Home Rentals Blog

If you’re not fortunate to live in a climate for cruising with the top down year round, January can be the most depressing month of the year. It’s time to take down the Christmas lights, pay the credit card bills and watch the new season of “American Idol.” (Hey now: Don’t be cruel. Yes, some people still enjoy it.)

Or …

You could just go on vacation.

For one, there’s instant gratification knowing that while your co-workers are going into their 2009 strategy sessions, you’re at a vacation rental in Ft. Lauderdale. While your colleagues are going home to Netflix and Chinese takeout, you’re drinking rum cocktails and savoring sea diver scallops at a beach house in Jamaica.

And then there’s the gorgeous memento to show off when you return: Bronzed skin.

Yep, January vacation takers, our little secret is the power we feel from scheduling our out-of-office replies when all the merriment is supposed to be over.

Check out three affordable vacation ideas for getting the heck out of dodge.

1. Myrtle Beach vacation home
The price for this king bedroom site at Sea Watch Resort isn’t fiction. Stay a whole week for $295 until Jan. 24. Are there any other notable selling points? Two indoor heated pools, an on-site restaurant and access to more than 100 golf courses in the area.

2. Mazatlan vacation rental
A suite of this caliber in South Beach would likely go for twice as much, but in January, it’s only $995 a week. The two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo overlooking the Pacific boasts resort-style amenities like concierge services, a breathtaking pool and nightclub. Cook at home or dine out at many restaurants nearby.

3. Paris vacation apartment
At $95 a night through March, this vacation rental captures all the romance of the City of Lights from a local’s perspective. Based in the gay-friendly neighborhood of Marais, the studio is five minutes by foot to cafes, bars, the Seine and Notre Dame. Retro Swedish-flavored and flea market decor make it 10 times more comfortable than a sketchy hostel. Don’t forget to snap a photo of the view outside your window. That’s one image you’ll want to tack up to your cubicle for all the envious teammates to see.

Friends who had originally planned for a romantic getaway to Buenos Aires are rethinking things, what, with all the anxiety at home and in the global market. My advice: Don’t sacrifice the time off you earned with 80-hour work weeks–just be more sensible about where you’re willing to travel.

Because who wants to give up their vacation?

While a five-star hotel in London may be out of fiscal reality, a vacation home within your budget is just a click or two away. Here are five “Plan B” options worth exploring that won’t break the bank.

1. Calgary vacation home instead of Quebec

2. Chicago vacation rental instead of Manhattan

3. Utah vacation cabin instead of Aspen

4. Tampa Bay vacation home instead of Miami Beach

5. Turks and Caicos vacation rental instead of Hawaii

Like it or not, we live in a world driven by user reviews, a place where everyone’s a critic. From toys to cookware to vacation homes, consumers always have something to say.

Under those star ratings are nuggets of information that will help users determine where to spend their money. Sometimes the reviews are informative and positive, others humorous and brewing with revenge. As vacation home owners, you have the power to position your listing in a great light by encouraging past renters to share their experiences online. On the other side, former renters are doing future customers a service by providing insider tidbits to arm folks with more knowledge make an informed decision.

Look closely and you’ll be glad for previous customers who had the courtesy to make their reviews public:

1. Kissimmee vacation townhouse
“Just be sure to buy toilet paper and paper towels, we had to make a quick run to the store for those handy-dandy items. Overall, we enjoyed our stay at the home, it was very comfortable and felt like a home away from home.” A vacation without those essential paper products is no time to relax at all.

2. Puerto Rico vacation villa
“These units provided a safe, perfect setting location for my 15 kids and grandkids to celebrate my wife and I’s 50th wedding anniversary.” Props to this man for bringing 15 kids and grandkids on vacation in the first place … and all the way to Puerto Rico.

3. Park City vacation chalet
“But the best part for me was the fact that the master bedroom was far enough away from the family room that the noise of four boys never bothered us once!” A parent’s wish granted: Peace and quiet.

4. Big Island vacation rental
“One last note: the grounds of the complex were so quiet and peaceful. The pool was always relaxing. The exercise room was always available. No crowds to fight here. In contrast, on the day we went to the Hilton Waikoloa Village for our little girl to swim with the dolphins, we couldn’t believe how hectic and noisy and crowded it was. We were so happy to get back to our peaceful paradise. So many of those resorts are like zoos (We referred to the Hilton as the ‘Hell-ton’).” Hell-ton, that’s a good one.

5. Manhattan vacation rental
“It was pleasure to stay in Jonathan’s apartment! Very good location, near the center of Manhattan, about only 15 minutes by bus. The apartment was very clean and nice and there was a clean shower available. We enjoyed staying with Jonathan who is a great and handsome (ladies!!) host and very friendly! ” Nope, it certainly doesn’t hurt when your host is hot.

Your family appointed you project chair for next summer’s reunion. You found a Kauai vacation villa you like, but what next? Here are five questions to ask to owner of your dream getaway, whether it’s a Florida vacation rental or California beach rental.

1. What deposit is required to book the rental and when is it returned?
Deposits vary from one property owner to another so be careful to read the rental agreement closely. In the case of the Hawaii vacation home above, the $750 deposit is returned three to four weeks after departure and receipt of an inspection from the property manager. However, not all deposits are returned, so make sure to protect yourself with travel insurance for any unforeseen circumstances. Also find out if there’s a separate cleaning fee tacked onto the cost, which includes preparing the home for the next set of renters.

2. When is the off season?
If your plans are flexible, consider going during slower times, when rents are cheaper and crowds are non-existent. The summer, say, may always be busy at Disneyland so what about moving that vacation to winter break?

3. Are any other photos available?
The more descriptive the listing, the better, but multiple, vibrant images really put the mind at ease–especially when thousands of dollars at stake. If you’d like more photos beyond what’s provided on the posting, just ask. In this digital world we live in, emailing a photo takes mere minutes.

4. What equipment is included in the rental?
For families, that may be a high chair or stroller. For adventure types, that may be a snowmobile or jet skis.

5. What grocery stores are located near the property?
One of the main benefits of renting a vacation home is being able to prepare your own meals, saving hundreds on dining out. Before you arrive, get a list of recommendations from the owner on where to pick up food or any last-minute needs like diapers and trash bags. For renters making it a road trip, it’s fairly easy to pack up the car with all the necessities, but it’s not as convenient for those who are flying to their destination.

If the idea of fronting a $100 cover charge, $400 sequin cocktail dress, $150 tuxedo rental and $500 limo rental puts you off New Year’s Eve celebrations, then maybe it’s time to consider the chiller alternative: renting a vacation home.

When split among friends, vacation rentals can be a cheaper, more relaxed way to ring in 2009. Bring your own booze. Cook your own food. Play the music at the volume you like. No dealing with finding a cab at 4 a.m. because you’re already home. The next day, you can look forward to hanging out all over again or exploring your environs, whether you’re in a Key West vacation villa or Oregon vacation home.

In the midst of an economic meltdown, a flashy, spendy night of bottle service seems inappropriate anyway. Keep it real with friends at these five vacation homes:

1. Indian Shores vacation condo
The words “recession special” are very powerful in these times, and good marketing on the owner’s part. A week’s stay at this vacation rentals sets renters back just $695.

2. Orlando vacation townhouse
When it comes to New Year’s Eve festivities, parents with little ones get the shaft unless they’re been invited to a house party. Most folks have tucked the kids in and retired themselves long before the clock struck midnight. This year, spend quality time at this Orlando townhouse, where you can swim in a heated pool and teach your kids the fine art of air hockey.

3. Wine Country vacation home
What isn’t more relaxing than indulging in a bottle of wine? Sure, you can do that in your home, but wouldn’t it be nicer in Wine Country? More than 100 wineries are within 10 to 15 minutes of the adorable Northwoods Lodge, where you’re sure to lounge on a chaise by the Russian River and ponder over the nose and body of your locally sourced vino.

4. Playa del Carmen vacation villa
This private villa has tons going for it: A private pool, rooftop terrace and hammock off the master bedroom and lovely location next to the beach. Any badness associated 2008 will surely be forgotten while you’re snoozing on the hammock while the turquoise waters of the Caribbean lap onto shore.

5. Las Vegas vacation home
Wild nights and Vegas go together like burgers and greasy fries, but this grand villa was meant for enjoying the party at home. It sleeps 18, the ultimate escape for a family reunion, intimate wedding (which is suggested on the listing in the courtyard) or casual friend’s gathering. The strip twinkles in the background, but you won’t be missing the casinos when you’re chilling in the home theater equipped with Dolby surround sound or relaxing on the patio. The home also boast concierge services to set up spa appointments for reiki, yoga and hynotherapy for your whole party. That’s it: Usher in all the positive chi for 2009.

We all need it.

The Aspen Moose Utah vacation cabin was meant for someone’s Christmas break–Dec. 21-25–but at the last minute, plans were cancelled. The would-be renters had already put down 20 percent and lost it.

Is it cruel that they won’t be opening presents in this log cabin or revving up the snowmobile? Yes, for them, sure, but that has nothing to do with you.

Like a Black Friday hunter, you’re in the holiday spirit to pounce on good deals.

This Utah vacation rental goes for just $1,400 a week. That includes no extra tax or cleaning. Yep.

What you get:

1. Space for up to 20 guests
2. A wood stove for roasting S’mores
3. A pool table, foosball table, ping pong table, Wii and Xbox
4. A log table that seats 12, plus bar seating
5. An on-site snowmobile
6. Proximity to a Deer Valley ski lift
7. A cool story: A moose gave birth just 50 feet from the deck–hence the name. No, really.

The property owners take credit cards. Do it. It’s not like you’re pushing a poor family out of their home.

It’s official: Hawaii is the No. 1 dream destination for travelers, as reported by TripAdvisor. With swoon-worthy views like the one above, wouldn’t you want to go?

And with airfares falling even during peak holidays like Christmas and New Year’s, it’s now possible to make that once-in-a-lifetime trip a reality. Your idea of Hawaii doesn’t have to be the refrigerator magnet your sister-in-law gave you as a token from her honeymoon. You go. Let this be your time to get bronzed and gloat.

Thanks to the bevy of Hawaii vacation homes available, finding a rental that suits your needs and falls within your budget won’t be a challenge. Whether you’re looking to rent a Honolulu vacation condo to explore Barack Obama’s old stomping grounds or in the mood to go whale watching near your Big Island beach rental, use VacationHomeRentals.com as a first-line resource.

See for yourself what the Aloha State hype is all about, and for hundreds of dollars cheaper than what your relatives paid for the same vacation two years ago.