Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Top Tips for Renting a Vacation House With Small Children

Renting a vacation house on your holiday is a great idea. You will get to enjoy the freedom that you don't get in a hotel, and you can find somewhere perfectly situated to enjoy all of the things to do in the area and make it into a home away from home.
Pensacola, Florida 2006
But traveling with kids brings its own challenges. So how can you ensure you find the right accommodation for everyone? Here are some tips to keep in mind.

Find Somewhere with Plenty of Space

Kids need lots of space when you go on vacation, so this is one thing to keep in mind. Ideally, search for somewhere that as plenty of outside space to play in, but inside space is also welcome. If there is not much space, try to find somewhere near to a park or the beach.

Ensure It's in the Right Location

Location is essential when choosing a vacation home. You may want to be as near to the main amenities as possible, whether that is a beach, local attractions, or the ski slopes. Always factor in the extra traveling time required to get to these places. Find out about distances involved and don't be duped by a map that makes them seem nearby when they are far away.

Look for a Good Selection of Facilities

You will probably want a good selection of facilities where you stay, and these should be listed on the website. Things like a television, Wi-Fi, DVD player, washer, and perhaps a highchair and cot are great, as well as other things like board games and outdoor games for the beach.

Address Safety Concerns

Safety is paramount on vacation when you have young children. This is especially important if you have a swimming pool, lake, balconies, and stairs, although how concerned you are will depend on the age of your children.

Also consider the overall child-friendliness of the place. Is it advertised for families? Have families stayed there before? Some places may prefer adults only, so always keep this in mind.

Do some research of your own, and you may also want to read the guide in USA Today regarding other ways to prevent things from going wrong on your vacation.

Start Your Search ASAP

When you have a good idea about what you are looking for, don't hang around and instead get searching as soon as you can. The best places will go quickly, especially in popular resorts. For example, if you are looking for Park City lodging, you will want to book the best place you can before it gets snapped up.

Find Your Ideal Family Vacation House

Wherever you are going with your family, make sure you keep these tips in mind when looking for your vacation home. You will often have many options to choose from, but getting the right one can make a big difference to your vacation. So start looking early and book up your vacation home as soon as you find one that ticks all the boxes.

Joyce Evans has held a number of positions in the travel industry. She enjoys extensive travel herself and likes to share her thoughts and experiences online. You can find other articles written by her on a number of different sites.

24 travelers' comments:

Ria C said...

I agree and these tips are really valuable especially with unfamiliar territories. I always believe, better be safe than sorry. It may be too much for some but when my daughter was young, we had to book hotels, etc., I would bring my "baby proofing" stuff with me and stick them in corners. Just in case. :)

Masshole Mommy said...

My parents used to rent a beach house every summer when I was a kid, but I have never rented one with my own kids. I would love to someday,though.

Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle said...

Thanks so much for sharing these tips. Renting a vacation house is so much nicer than staying in a hotel.

Melissa Pezza said...

We've stayed in both hotels and rented homes on vacation. The rented home was so much nicer. I have kids, so a home means I don't have to keep sushing them so they don't bother other guests.

Jeannette said...

These are great tips! We are looking for a vacation home for next summer and I am trying to find a kid friendly place.

Dawn said...

I always opt for a rental home if I can find one for our trips. They're so much more relaxing than a hotel room.

Unknown said...

Those are very good tips! It is nice to find a vacation home with all of the amenities you would expect in a hotel room, and it is important for the place to be in a good location too.

Melissa said...

These are great tips, I have never done this before but now I know how to do it right!

Liz Mays said...

This is super helpful. I've never rented one before but I think it's an option we would consider.

Ourfamilyworld said...

These are very helpful tips. I prefer a vacation home whenever we go out of town. It's usually cheaper and I love that it has a lot of space. I get to cook, too, so we save up on meals as well.

Tatanisha Pitts-Worthey said...

Great tips! A home away from home sounds nice too. It is important to take everything into consideration to be able to provide a safe and memorable vacation for family members of all ages!

Deal Match Maker said...

This is a great article. We travel a lot and prefer to stay at the hotel for safety reasons.

Michele D said...

Oh I agree. Traveling with my children means constant worry. I've rented vacation homes and they're truly the way to go for my family.

Unknown said...

Love your tips. We always rent a house when we go on vacation, it's cheaper and so much more convenient for guests to come over to visit.

Lynndee said...

Thanks for the tips. I'll really keep them in mind. I hope we get to have a vacation soon. I definitely need some R&R. :)

Ann B said...

My friend has been thinking of doing this in a few months. These are great tips. I will have to share this with her.

Unknown said...

These are fabulous tips! I know I could have used them when we were renting. Im so happy to be out of that game, lol!

Unknown said...

I have never looking into rental homes for vacations! Thought never occurred to me! Great tips

Rebecca Swenor said...

These are great tips for renting the right vacation house for what fits you. It is so important to get exactly what you are looking for and want by doing the research yourself so you find what you are looking for indeed. Thanks for the tips.

Mimicutelips said...

Great tips, I'm thankful that my kids are getting older. They are almost 4 & 10 and traveling with them gets earlier.

Lisa said...

These are great tips for going on vacation. You can never be too safe.

krystal said...

It is much cheaper doing a vacation home versus a hotel. We are using one for Disney!

Unknown said...

These are such great tips! I don't vacation often but when I get the rare chance I want to save as much money as possible so I can better enjoy myself.

Jane@Cadieux et Langevin said...

I have done this many times. It is important when finding an apartment that charges by the person to make it clear that some of the guests are children and shouldn't be charged like adults, they don't have an income after all! Most people are cool with this, but then some don't care at all. I also do a quick kid check and put all fragile items out of reach and leave a note, that i did this and why.

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