Vacation Home Rentals Blog

Assuming you’ve been sensible and saved some shekels or–lucky duck–you’re getting back a nice tax return, you can still say aloha to that well-deserved vacation.

It’s called Nani Kai Hale.

This Hawaiian vacation condo goes on sale in May for $125 a night or $120 a night for stays at least two weeks or more. It’s doubtful you’ll be spending much time inside the fourth-floor unit seeing as to how it’s thisclose to Sugar Beach, which takes lovers on a five-mile stroll along the shimmery waters of Ma’alaea Bay. With the West Maui Mountains also touching the picture-perfect horizon, it’s one scene to be permanently imprinted in your memory.

At some point during your visit, you’ll want to hike to the Haleakala National Park, where a stretch of trails from the coastline weaves its way up to the summit of the dormant volcano that stuns in its raw, rugged beauty.

Like many Hawaii vacation rentals, this one has a full kitchen, plus gas grills to barbecue by the sea.

Remember not to blink, as you may miss the whales passing you by.

There comes a time when beer bongs and half shirts fade into fuzzy memories on a Facebook page, and Yo Gabba Gabba replaces date night at the movies.

You’re parents now, and you have to vacation accordingly.

Soon co-eds will be hitting the beaches of Florida, California, Mexico and the Caribbean, looking for sun and singles. That’s not where you want to be. Families need quiet, room for a Pack ‘N Play and a kitchen to cook mac ‘n cheese at a tantrum’s notice.

Consider these kid-friendly vacation homes on the beach, where the likeliness of running into Chad and Trixie from Phi Sigma Kappa and Sigma Sigma Sigma are slim to none.

1. Destin vacation condo
The Emerald Coast is known for its sugar white sand and tamer waters, a tranquil setting for you and your brood. Teach the kids how to make sandcastles, let them run through the mushroom shower in the pool and put them to bed in the bunk room while you two enjoy a glass of wine on the patio. This comfortable piece of Destin real estate comes at an affordable weekly rate of $1,200-$1,400.

2. Treasure Island vacation rental
A winding wooden boardwalk wraps around this Gulf-front property, which is surrounded by water on three sides. Parents, brush up on your tennis game or take a dip in the pool. Kids, watch for the dolphins swimming and feeding along the Intracoastal Waterway. This is one spring break you’ll all remember.

3. Myrtle Beach vacation condo
This vacation rental begs for time spent in the water. Check it out: six indoor and outdoor oceanfront pools, two indoor lazy rivers, five kiddie pools, five jacuzzis and two hot tubs. Don’t forget to take a photo of your fingers turning into prunes.

With 401ks zapped and layoffs mounting faster than your latest Twitter update, sure, there’s plenty of reason for anxiety. Just about every segment of the economy is suffering, even Mickey and Minnie.

Many people are choosing to abbreviate or abandon their vacations altogether, according to USA Today, citing a report by D.K. Shifflet & Associates and IHS Global Insight that Americans will travel 9.7 percent less in April and 9 percent less in July, August and September.

With negative outlooks like this, there’s a tendency to buy into all the paranoia, but you don’t have to.

You could just choose to be a smarter traveler. Hundreds of vacation home owners need renters right now, and teasing bargains. From Florida rentals to Caribbean vacation homes, the deals are available.

If you’re 99.7 percent sure that your job won’t be spared in the next round of cuts, now is definitely not the time to be syncing up your vacation plans. But if your job is somewhat secure and you had already arranged to take that time off anyway, you may as well go for it.

Accept the bad news–just don’t let it consume you. And definitely don’t cancel that badly needed, well-deserved getaway.

In honor of National Margarita Day (and where else, besides the aforementioned Keys, would you want to be sipping the cocktail anyway), let’s take a trip to this Tulum vacation rental.

Dubbed “Blue Sky,” this Mexican getaway is boutique chic with its cool palette of periwinkle, cornflower blue and white suites, plus ocean views to keep your camera’s memory card full. Rent a room for two to four people or the whole hotel for up to 20 guests.

Brides on a budget, consider having a beachfront ceremony here, then an intimate reception complete with mariachi singer. And talk about convenience: If you keep your affair small, all your guests can stay at the hotel.

While other Cancun vacation rentals boast all-inclusive packaging, where drinks, meals and accommodation are factored into the price, this hotel does not offer such pricing, but the rates are still affordable, averaging $140 a night for most of the year. Choose from a standard room for two with beach and pool access, a junior suite or a two-bedroom master suite on the second floor.

But don’t go stuffing that suitcase with Ramen noodles just yet. There’s on-site restaurant with a decent-sized menu of Italian and Mexican classics, from Huevos Rancheros to Pasta Carbonara.

A continental breakfast comes with the stay if you don’t mind just toast, fruit, granola and yogurt. That’s OK. A lighter meal means you’ll look trimmer in that bikini.

Sunday is National Margarita Day, which naturally (or maybe unaturally to you lovers of Mexico) made me think of Jimmy Buffett and the Florida Keys.

After all, wouldn’t you love to be wastin’ away again with your shaker and salt in a Keys vacation home? The crooner would certainly approve of these three beauties, which are listed in order of preference.

1. Key West vacation rental
This one had me at the deck, where sweet, unobstructed views of the Gulf and the Atlantic bringing sunrise and sunset to its visitors everyday. The two-bedroom home is halfway between Key West and Marathon in Venture Out Resort, a gated community that moves only as fast as the bocce balls rolling down the court. The owner assures that if there’s work to be done, renters can jump on the Internet via DSL, but surely you’ll have more pressing matters to consume your time. Like how to even out your tan.

2. Long Key vacation home
It’s hard to decide what’s more likeable: The canal-front patio or the rooftop deck. Either way, time would be well spent outside–with cocktail in hand–on the chaises or having dinner (I’ll take my grouper grilled, please.) with your party of 10. And how’s this for pimp factor? You can park your boat in front of the property as long as it’s less than 50 feet.

3. Marathon vacation home
No man is an island, but your digs can be. Yes, your very own private island. This three-bedroom diamond–with a price tag of $5,500 a week through the end of the year–sits on a coral reef. Water babies will love the snorkeling, diving and fishing access, but the hammock is all I’d need. One thing is certain: With 19 sliding glass doors and a 12-foot veranda, the home will always keep the salt air brushing against your sunkissed skin.

Yes, believe what you read: A two-bedroom vacation cabin in Branson, Mo., for $500 a week. The catch: Book by the week of March 13.

The darling home–which only opened in October–speaks to anyone who ever made the excuse that they couldn’t go on a vacation because they didn’t have the money. Split it with five friends and you’re talking $25 a night. You’d spend more on beer or wine and definitely a fortune more on a hotel without the same amenities.

Check this out:

1. Access to Branson Woods’ indoor pool
2. A full kitchen
3. Double master suites with luxury linens
4. Fireplace
5. Double porch swings

Again: $25 a night when split with your pals.

I challenge you to find a better last-minute deal.

The economic downturn has taken down many victims in its warpath–the auto industry, housing–but one sector appears to be going strong: vacation home rentals on the Jersey Shore, according to this news story.

So there’s hope for places like this Long Island Beach vacation home.

Families and executives who consider this serene coast a spring or summer ritual won’t have to sacrifice it this year either–VacationHomeRentals.com is rich with listings at every price point. For this particular home, which has direct access to a private beach, two outdoor showers, beach chairs, Internet, tasteful nautical-inspired furnishings and three bedrooms, you’ll want to get away before the official start of summer to take advantage of lower prices. The weekly rate goes up progressively in May, ranging from $1,400 to $1,700. In June, that sticker rises from $1,800 to $3,700 so get your schedules coordinated quickly.

Planning now will score a payoff!

These folks have the right idea.

Pack up your wetsuits and go with them (in this case to Dana Point, Calif.) for the rush of surf, sand and sunsets. It’s time to get beach on the brain.

From the laid-back shores of Southern California to the family-friendly coastal towns of North Carolina, there’s a vacation home waiting for you. We snatched up three on both coasts that won’t force you to a diet of Cheerios and Ramen noodles.

1. Dana Point vacation rental
This comfortable vacation condo–sitting in the front row of the Niguel Beach Terrace complex on the oceanside of Pacific Coast Highway–shares the same sands as the guests of the Ritz-Carlton: the Salt Creek Beach. You’re wiser than those VIPs, though, because your two-bedroom place, complete with a full kitchen, barbecue grill, cable and more, costs just $900 week until the end of May. Plus, the owners once left a bottle of Two Buck chuck for previous guests, according to the first user review. Score!

2. Outer Banks vacation home
Three words: Spring break specials. The Whispering Sands, a king-sized house with seven bedrooms and space for 15 guests, falls in price to $820 a week from Feb. 28 to March 7 and March 7-14 and $845 a week from March 28 to April 4. Time to call the extended family and divvy up that price. What a deal. Don’t forget to bring a good cook or three.

3. Fort Myers vacation condo
Miami, Jacksonville, Orlando … Everyone falls for the obvious spots in the Sunshine State, but visitors shouldn’t discount the seduction of the Southwestern part. Wait until May and rent this puppy for just $50 a night. It’s only one bedroom, but that just means someone else will have to take the kids that weekend. The beach and purple pink skies shouldn’t be denied.

I’ve not been fortunate enough to know people who offered to let stay at their mountain cabins for the weekend, but if anyone is out there: This is what I’m looking for.

A jaw-dropping view.
This Tennessee vacation home peers out to Mt. LeConte and Clingsman Dome in North Carolina at the highest point of the mountains. You literally are on cloud nine here. During spring and summer, enjoy that vista from the hot tub on the deck. Is this what Thoreau meant by being one with nature? Something to contemplate when the jets are on full blast and the mist sails over the peaks.

Furnishings that bring the outside in.
Let’s face it. You didn’t come to the mountains for the twinkling skyline or the colorful chaos of taxis and pedestrians. This Georgia vacation home answers with miles of wood, from log furniture to knotty wood floors, walls and ceilings. Two stone fireplaces cozy it up even more.

Access.
If exploration is your middle name, then you’ll want to be close to outdoor activities like hiking, skiing, kayaking, rafting–all super fun distractions to keep your heart rate up. This Alberta vacation rental sits near the Three Sisters Mountains in the town of Canmore near the Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies. If you’re planning to spend most of your trip outdoors, make this your headquarters. A full kitchen, stone fireplace and balcony round out your mountain getaway.

Check out more mountain vacation rentals here.

For many of us, Monday will be the last Monday off until Memorial Day, which brings us to the perfect time to pose the question: What was the best four-day vacation weekend you ever had, and where did you go?

Folks who stayed at home need not apply. We’re talking July 4th at an Orlando vacation home or Labor Day at your cousin’s California beach rental. You tell us.

For our money, there’s nothing like New York City (And to get your planning started, here’s a cute Chelsea vacation rental.) for a quickie trip. The buzz, the nightlife, the restaurants–there’s no city that inspires more awe, more excitement especially in those who’ve never been.

Las Vegas and Miami Beach stand as runners up. Tanned bodies, high-rollers, sexy club scenes. What more could you ask for in a compact weekend?

Now it’s your turn. Spill your secrets on where American taxpayers should be planning their next four-day getaways. Don’t be ashamed. No one is going to mock you if your favorite place on earth is Branson, Mo. Surely there’s a fabulous vacation home there waiting to be rented.