Vacation Home Rentals Blog

Sometimes it’s perfectly OK to come in second.

Just take it from Stephen Leatherman, or as he’s known at Florida International University and the rest of the coastline-loving world, “Dr. Beach.”

The man is so devoted to his craft that every year he releases a list of the most beautiful beaches in the world, analyzing things like sand quality and water temps. He named Siesta Key as his No. 2 pick on his roundup of America’s best beaches.

“With some of the finest, whitest sand in the world, this beach attracts sand collectors from all over,” Leatherman says. “Siesta Beach has clear, warm waters that serve for ideal swimming.”

Beyond that, though, the town is a quiet community, where vacationers settle into Siesta Key rentals, a mix of cottages, homes and condos. Inside the home pictured, you might hear herons frolicking with sandpipers, and–if you’re lucky enough–perhaps a dolphin arching over the warm Gulf waters.

See. Visiting the No. 2 beach in America can’t be so bad.

The veranda above isn’t a lookout to Cabo or even the Caribbean. In fact, it’s millions more miles away.

Boracay, Philippines, the No. 1 beach in the world and a one-time vacation spot for Brangelina, according to the property lister. Hey, I’m just the messenger.

Whether you believe that, you can’t dispute the beauty of this Philippines vacation villa, priced $195 a night through the end of October. The all-inclusive resort boasts an infinity pool, ocean views from all rooms, a spa, on-site restaurant dishing up global cuisine and a free shuttle into town. (Not that you would want to leave with all those amenities at your tanned fingertips.)

If you were surprised to find the listing in our last-minute vacation rentals, don’t be. We have listings for Romania and the Netherlands, too.

Go international on your next trip. That passport is lookin’ pretty sorry with just one stamp to Mexico.

The Seattle Times is reporting that the owners of some Washington Coast vacation rentals are reducing prices to winter rates (like $150 a night) to ensure bookings. Like the rest of America, travel-associated spending has faltered, dropping to $15.7 billion, according to the article.

Apparently restaurants are falling suit, making their establishments more kid-friendly and ditching higher-end items like steak and peppering their menus with affordable soups, salads and sandwiches.

I’m all for it.

Local proprietors are speculating that folks are being more discretionary about their income. Instead of booking months in advance, they’re waiting until the last minute. Rather than reserving full weeks, they’re staying for long weekends.

On our site, travelers will score deals on everything from luxury beach houses to comfortable oceanfront condos with all the extras. Prices range from $92 a night to the mid-$300s. Not out of reach considering you can divvy up costs among friends.

To Washington landlords: What are you seeing lately, and what kind of deal can you make for the next vacation home renter? Three nights with a fourth free? Anyone, anyone?

Once a year my office building hosts a guess-how-many-gumballs-are-in-the-jar contest. Everyone enters because the grand prize is season opener tickets to Wrigley.

I lose everytime.

While I can’t dangle Cubs tickets as a reward (I can only offer a nod on this blog–doh!), how many people do you reckon that the Maine vacation rental above can host? And no cheating, please. I see you jumping ahead to the listing.

If you answered 25, you nailed it.

Kossow Lodge, an eight-bedroom home on Crescent Lake, has seen its share of reunions, weddings, fishing trips and snowmobiling outings. It’s a true all-season house, thanks to its access to water, state parks and the Appalachian Trail. Park your 20-foot boat in the dock during summer, then hit the slopes in winter at Shawnee Peak.

If you are brave enough to vacation with 24 of your closest friends or family (And why the heck not? It’s a way to pinch pennies.), don’t worry: Indoor activities abound. There’s a gazebo for card or board games, plus a basement with a slate pool table, ping-pong table, Foosball and air hockey.

Brides and grooms, is your budget holding you back from throwing the splashy reception of your dreams? Full-scale hotel shows are precisely that, and so predictable and passe. This is 2009. Have your ceremony and reception here. The property owner encourages couples to call for rates and limits the guest list to 90 people.

That could be a godsend, though, because after a week with your nearest and dearest, you may be ready to jump in the lake.

Just kidding, mom.

If you’re a bride and groom on a budget, don’t forgo the honeymoon. Make the magic happen in a Poconos house rental.

The mountainous region comprised of 2,500 square miles is Mother Nature’s gift to the outdoorsy couple. From fishing to cascading waterfalls, you’ll both be mesmerized by the glory surrounding you. Take the boat out on Tobyhanna Lake or the Delaware River, or snowmobile on Camelback Ski Mountain if you say your I do’s in winter.

There’s outlet shopping for the thrifty bride at The Crossings Outlet Center and golf for the groom who’d love to teach his new Mrs. the proper swing.

And if you’re the gambling types, hit the tables at local casinos.

Just don’t lose that wedding loot or there’ll be trouble.

I know I just went on vacation, but is it greedy to already be thinking about next summer’s lake house?

Friends who just booked their Michigan vacation rental say no. They found a lovely lake house with a private beach for their whole family–13 total–for the first week of August. But, and this is a big but, they said they were late in the game. They almost did get it. The owner said that all the best, biggest lakefront properties book a year in advance and suggested that we do the same.

Really?

Wondering if any of you regular renters out there follow the early bird rule of thumb or if it’s possible to wait until next spring.

Talk to me.

A fire pit. Two red chairs. Low tide at Carpinteria.

Your own hideaway in the millionaire mecca near Montecito, where California vacation rentals shed light on what it must be like to live like Oprah, or at least, her struggling neighbors. And when I say struggle, for most of us, it’s hardly slummin’ when your temporary nest a three-bedroom, two-bathroom cottage with views of the Pacific.

Carpinteria is a classic California coastal town with quaint cafes, gorgeous lookouts and lots of chances to catch glimpses of seals, and birds like the American Kestrel and Red-Tailed and Cooper hawks. Pack a surfboard, skateboard or golf clubs to practice your swing at the driving range. Or do something very Santa Barbara: Watch a polo match at The Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club on Sunday, when the events are open to non-members.

Yes, at least during your vacation, you can be part of “the club,” too, without having to pay the mortgage on that gorgeous piece of Mother Earth.

Consider yourself lucky.