Vacation Home Rentals Blog

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.

So I’m back from vacay four shades darker, my wallet a little emptier, my body a lot lighter from the 100 degree temps, but boy, I can’t wait to get back.

A week in Tampa Bay, Fort Myers Beach and Madeira Beach did the soul good. While I had the accommodation hookup with friends and relatives, next year we’re talking about renting a Fort Myers Beach vacation rental just to stay in one place. You know how it is. When people know you’re in town, the brewskies never stop flowing and the gas grill sizzles a lot of burgers. Couple that with a wedding, a kid’s birthday and Father’s Day and it was non-stop action.

I need a vacation from my vacation.

Among the highlights in Fort Myers Beach:

Pina coladas at my friend’s wedding reception.
Scallop scampi and grilled grouper sandwiches at the Yucatan.
Shopping for a tankini at San Carlos Boulevard.
Having the sense not to arrive early to join friends at SOB.

Four words: Double shots of Patron.

No thank you. I’m proud of my wimp status.

If there’s an upside to the recession, it’s the bargain pricing for Maine vacation homes.

Property owners normally slammed with bookings are slashing rates to snag travelers in search of that quintessential New England holiday spent eating lobster, combing private beaches or jumping into pristine lakes. There’s no reason you shouldn’t be doing that still, especially with prices for rentals like the one above set at an affordable $875 a week.

Divvy up the cost with two other couples or one other family with two kids, and you’ll likely have money left over from your trip.

Because where else will you spend your dollars?

People who frequent these parts tend to appreciate the simpler things in life anyway: barbecues under the stars, lounging on inner tubes, watching closely for local wildlife.

And I don’t mean your Uncle Jared’s hairy back.

It’s advice I’m always dishing out but never taking: Go on vacation.

So for once, I’m doing it. I’m checking out. For a week, I’ll be sunning on Clearwater Beach and scoping out the Florida vacation rentals of my dreams from the top down in a Chrysler Sebring convertible. Maybe I’ll coerce my friend to take me on her boat. Because that’s what folks do in the Sunshine State.

And while it may be tempting, I will not tweet or update my Facebook status while enjoying said activities.

Now that would just be rude.

Ocean City Maryland rentals are certainly hot Internet real estate properties–our search results showed that users pulled up the term a lot in recent months. But how many of you are actually booking vacation homes?

The building pictured–which houses a three-bedroom, three-bath new construction condo for $1,275-$1,775 a week, a discount of $500 a week–is one of many vacation condos in this family-friendly town by the seashore, also dubbed the O.C. VacationHomeRentals.com currently lists 33 homes for rent, as travelers’ demand for modest, low-key beach living hits its peak during this time of year.

Ocean City appeals to folks on many levels: its nearness to Rehoboth Beach, its lively three-mile boardwalk stocked with arcades, rides, musicians, restaurants (Don’t miss out on Fisher’s popcorn, Kohr’s Brothers silky frozen custard and the hunky crabs that are legendary in these parts.) and a concrete path ideal for rollerblading and biking. Skateboarders should leave their gear at home because boards are not allowed on the boardwalk, sorry.

Moms and dads, when the kids could use a break from the funnel cake, take them to the Fenwick Island lighthouse for that ever-important scrapbook photo or Assateague Island to catch a glimpse of the wild ponies. Yes, wild ponies running free.

And that piece of trivia makes it even cooler than the “real O.C.” So take that, Lauren Conrad.

No more pencils, no more books, no more teachers, dirty looks.

So now what?

Myrtle Beach condo rentals bring the conveniences of high-rise living to families in dire need of an affordable summer vacation just in time for the end of the school year. The towering building above–christened Prince Resort at Cherry Grove Pier–is a modest $1,550 a week through Aug. 22. Appointed with a granite counter tops, a full kitchen, sophisticated furniture, a private balcony and sweeping views of the Atlantic, it’s that dream suite that you thought was out of your budget. These flats even have their own dining room tables! No need to eat leftovers in front of the TV.

When Megan and Bobby get sick of playing in the sand, there’s a ninth-floor sundeck fitted with one of those cool mushroom-like canopies that cascades water into the kiddie pool. And how’s this for more little people pleasers? A lazy river and game room to round out the fun.

To save dinero on feeding your family of four, drive to the grocery store near the resort to load up on groceries for the week. Would rather have someone else do the cooking for you, but don’t feel like traveling that far? Kick it at the on-site 3500 Oceanfront Grill or the more casual hangout called the Boardwalk Beach Cafe.

And for those hard-to-please teens and tweens, there’s Ripley’s Believe it Or Not Museum, the Family King Amusement Park and many more attractions nearby.

Save me a seat on the Ferris wheel.

Now this is a nice marketing move by the owner of this Manhattan vacation rental: Peppering the listing with the word “suite.”

Suite sounds so, well, sweet, doesn’t it? It conjures image of sweet views and your own private hideaway from the bustle below. Coupled with photos of sleek furniture, a gourmet-style galley kitchen, booze for cocktailing, plus amenities like an on-site gym, laundry room and a boutique-style lobby manned by a 24-hour concierge, this is a New York City vacation rental that’s bound to be scooped up.

Within walking distance to Time Square, Madison Square Garden, Empire State Building, Broadway, Grand Central Terminal and Bryant Park, the vacation home appeals to tourists seeking to knock out the major tourist destinations during a long weekend or even a single professional who makes frequent trips to the city.

In your offtime, catch “In The Heights,” visit the Empire State Building Observatory, take a photo by the JumboTron, order grub from a food cart or street vendor.

What you obviously should not do: Complain about lodging. At $200-$250 a night, your immaculate apartment is a steal by New York standards. Trust me, I checked.

When you’ve walked a jillion miles from Cinderella Castle to Frontierland, the last thing you need is another jillion miles to walk on a sprawling resort. You’ve just pushed a stroller and stood in lines in 90-degree heat for eight hours straight. You’re sore, hungry and in dire need of a shower.

Suddenly those five-minute highs from spinning yourselves silly on the tea cups have turned you into a cranky, stinky you-know what.

In preparation for that literal crash–sugar and otherwise–you’ll want to find a nice place to stay. But not that standard, identity-free hotel room, but a real cozy, intimate retreat.

Disney Area vacation homes at Tropical Palms Resort will feel like home. The Kissimmee vacation rental above is a real-life dollhouse, perfectly sized for families with small children. Brimming with the charm of a Key West cottage, the house sports a loft, tiny kitchen, bathroom, TV and wireless access. For the tykes: a kiddie pool and game room.

And there’s something else miniature about the spot, too: the price.

Just $59 a night.

Yes way.

Lagoon-style pools. Manicured grounds with palm trees and exotic flora and fauna. Pearly white beaches. Golf courses, tennis courts and oh, the conveniences of home, in the forms of full-sized kitchens and Starbucks.

In a nutshell, those are the many virtues of Destin condo rentals, where families, couples and singles co-vacay in spaces nestled on resort-like settings. Sure, you can always default to Orlando vacation homes for Mickey Mouse, but Panhandle vacation rentals are just-as-affordable and nice breaks from hearing “It’s a Small World” 5 million times and the $15 lunches inside Magic Kingdom.

Fares to Northwest Florida Regional Airport (VPS), the closest airport to Destin at just 20 miles, are especially thrifty from Wisconsin right now, according to AirfareWatchDog.com. Fly from Appleton or Green Bay on Northwest Airlines for only $158 roundtrip.

If you’re willing to drive a little, search flights to Pensacola and Panama City Bay County International Airports–60 miles east or west of Destin, respectively–on airlines like America West, American, Delta, United and more.

One final piece of trivia: Before the reigning pop queen became Bald Britney became Comeback Britney, she vacationed in Destin with ex-husband Kevin Federline. She had a home there.

What are the chances you’ll run into her this summer? Not likely, because she’ll be on tour in Europe, but still a cool story to tell when you’re bragging about the blast you had in the Panhandle.

When was the last time you saw a rainbow?

For me, it was 2002 during my honeymoon in Co. Kerry, Ireland. (Cue cheesy, tin-whistle soundtrack here, preferably with a strapping Colin Ferrell emerging from the bog in nothing but a kilt.) Fantasy aside, the image was spectacular: An afternoon shower misting into that green grass grazed by–what else–sheep and dotted with cottages. Above, that perfect arch of ROYGBIV. And damnit, the camera failed to get an image worthy of the memory, but oh well. At least I was there.

On MSN’s feature of the world’s best places to see the most gorgeous waterfalls and rainbows, Ireland misses placement, so you’ll have to head to Jamaica, Norway, Brazil, Zimbabwe, India, Vietnam, New Zealand, Venezuela, Canada and closer to home, Hawaii, Oregon or California to capture Mother Nature at her most heavenly.

With airfares to Hawaii so value-priced right now (Under $400 from Minneapolis on Northwest Airlines, wow!) , my choice would be Nanue Falls on the Big Island. The 1,200-foot waterfall is swathed in a lush rainforest on the Hamakua Coast. To get your heart even more aflutter, I found this Volcano Vacation rental for $100 a night. Close your eyes and smell the Hapu’u ferns, Lehua flowering Ohia trees and aromatic ginger. Imagine yourself lounging in a hammock on one of three lanais after frolicking through steaming craters on Hawaii Volcano National Park.

Need to shop around? Check out our other Hawaii vacation homes.

You’ll be happy that you did go chasing waterfalls.