Vacation Home Rentals Blog

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More specifically, give something away for free.

Yes, we’re talking to you vacation home owners. One night won’t hurt your bottom line that much, and in fact, may urge renters to book longer stays.

Take this Pacific Beach vacation rental, which is teasing us with two nights and a third free. The beauty, billed as a winter escape, sleeps nine guests for only $99 a night. Not even kidding. That’s a whole four-bedroom house–outdoor fire pit, gourmet kitchen, King Sleep Number Bed and all–for $22 a head (at full capacity assuming nine adults for two nights).

For bargain hunters, the package can’t be beat. You probably spent more on your last trip to the grocery store.

Better pounce on this deal before it expires on March 5 and don’t forget to mention that you found it on Check-In, Check-Out!

Maybe the last body of water you saw was the indoor pool at your gym.

Well it’s time you experience the real thing: The sparkling Caribbean, which begs for splash time while on winter break at this British Virgin Islands vacation home.

The luxurious estate, like many beach rentals in the area, is a playground for water sports, from snorkeling to kayaking. From the 30-foot seaside patio, launch 6 double sit-aboard kayaks, which come with the house.

All five bedrooms come with an outdoor shower–if you’re into cleansing in nature–and views of the stunning ocean. The home is within steps of four beaches on the coast of Virgin Gorda, a secluded escape studded with granite boulders and lush gardens.

“Nothing can be built taller than a palm tree on Virgin Gorda. There is no trash. There are no McDonald’s. Just beauty and wonderful Virgin Gordians to welcome you warmly.”

Sounds like paradise.

In the language of romance, nothing screams, “Let’s focus on us,” more than a weekend at a B&B.

This St. Martinsville, Louisiana vacation rental is in the heart of Cajun country on the grounds of historic Evangeline Oak, which inspired a poem by Henry Wadsworth-Longfellow. The Greek revival home–dubbed The Old Castillo Bed & Breakfast–sits under a cascade of moss next to the lazy Bayou Teche.

Listed on the National Register of Homes, the property is your gateway to that desperately needed time to reconnect away from the kids, the deadlines, the bills.

Inside, find all that you would expect from a vacation rental in the Deep South: hardwood floors, antique furniture, fireplaces and a large veranda for sipping your ice tea or curling up with a good book.

While everyday life isn’t the stuff of Longfellow poems, this place certainly feels like it.

Disney came up with a brilliant idea to boost its business: A free ticket on your birthday with valid ID.

Just fill out some paperwork at the will-call window of any park. (Feb. 29 babies, hit Disney World or Disneyland on Feb. 28 or March 1.)

After meeting Mickey and friends, chillax at this Davenport vacation townhouse (about 10 minutes away from Disney), where you’ll be winding down the lazy river or teaching your kids how to do underwater somersaults in the children’s pool. The Regal Palms just happens to be near a championship golf course, too, if perfecting your put is your thing. (To those who say golf isn’t by any stretch a kid’s sport, remember that Tiger Woods started working on that multimillion-dollar swing at age 2.)

This year, keep your all-business attitude in check. Whether you’re in an Orlando vacation home or Anaheim rental, parcel some time for play. Do a cannonball. Play some Foosball.

And don’t forget to get that picture with Minnie.

Happy New Year.

Hope last night’s celebration was as effervescent as your glass of Cristalino (which is what we were drinking, thank you very much).

In 2009, we won’t bore you with cliched resolutions to lose weight–that’s between you and your bathroom scale. What we will bring you: Seven days of vacation resolutions, because getting away is a proven formula for improving one’s outlook on life.

Need to better your golf game? A great reason to spend more time a Myrtle Beach vacation condo. Want to finally explore wine country? Whisk your wife away to a Napa vacation villa.

There’s no time like ‘09. So without further delay, the first resolution:

Be more spontaneous.

Apart from the initial planning, that’s what vacations are all about, right? In that spirit, we spun the veritable VacationHomeRentals.com globe and landed at this St. Maarten vacation home. The pool is prime for relaxation. Catch some rays while yachts and cruise ships sail by, then take the rental car that’s included in the reservation on a spin around Pelican Key.

For the best value, book for April 16 and on and save almost 50 percent off the winter price at $1,700 a week.

Now that’s a first resolution worthy of another toast.

We’re hours away from saying good riddance to 2008.

Why not spend it in the city that throws the best New Year’s Eve party in the world? Times Square, baby.

This Midtown Manhattan vacation apartment is on sale this week for $150 a night–unheard of in the city that never sleeps. This isn’t some dingy walkup either. It’s a luxury studio flat with hardwood floors, granite countertops in a full-size kitchen and its own terrace for guests to gawk at the circus that is New York City on NYE.

Can’t make it to the city?

While not nearly as thrilling as Manhattan, this Halcottsville vacation home is also slashing its price to $125 a night from Dec. 31 to Jan. 3. For those who want to be far away from the mayhem, this charming cottage is a place to pass time with family, read, play board games and possibly catch a glimpse of an otter in the stream at the rear of the property.

However you spend the opening to 2009, check here for more last-minute deals.

With budgets tighter for splashy vacations, let’s make a prediction: 2009 will be the year of long weekends.

Folks won’t abandon their plans–they’ll just cut their trips shorter.

For Southern Californians, a two-hour drive into the oasis that is Palm Springs is time well spent if the final destination is a vacation home like this retro rental by owner. Bring your best guide to classic cocktails and don your favorite Buddy Holly glasses or Marilyn Monroe halter dresses for an escape to 1952.

Palm Springs, long-known as a desert playground to the stars, is that postcard-perfect community, thanks to its kidney-bean shaped pools, manicured backyards and mid-century aesthetic that appeals to modern hipsters.

Shoot, even “The Hills” filmed there (so it must have cred, right?). Justin Bobby and Audrina took their first official vacation as a couple at a luxe hotel.

Singles, check your calendars for long weekends that could use a little swimming, cocktailing or golfing (So that’s what President’s Day is for.). Nothing against parents, but the house looks more like a bachelor pad than family-friendly getaway.

If you can find a babysitter–thank you, grandma–more power to you.

If you don’t deal with ice or snow that well, there’s a beach in Puerto Rico waiting for you.

Several airlines–Continental, American Airlines and US Airways–are dangling cheap flights to San Juan, with some going for as little as $119 each way. Depending on where you live, the airfare may be more affordable than a flight to the West Coast.

If you can swing February or March, when temps hang in the low 80s, we pinpointed two vacation rentals for your winter break.

This San Juan rental is just two blocks from Ocean Park beach. Completely rehabbed in January 2008, the house suits families and groups needing the room to cook their own meals, eat at their own dining table and spread out–there’s even another unit at the rear with one bedroom and an attached restroom. The look is clean and minimalist, from the granite countertops to the marble rain shower to the red leather couches in the living room.

Say you’re looking for more authentic character, a piece of Old San Juan.

This second-floor vacation home is made for the traveler who wants to live the life of a San Juanero. Located in the lively shopping/gallery district, the apartment is close to Cristo Chapel, Pigeon Park, the Governors Mansion, and Plaza de Armas. One former renter said, “It would be very hard to find a better apartment in San Juan, on so many levels: location, privacy, security and comfort.”

He mentioned eating at no fewer than 10 great restaurants within five minutes of the flat, which is key when you don’t want to rent a car (which the owner discourage anyway due to the lack of parking in the area).

While friends at home are fighting with their ice picks, you’ll be drinking rum cocktails and snapping photos of the Paseo, a mile-long pathway flanked by the sandstone walls surrounding the city.

Sucks for them, but good for you.

With the euro stronger than the American dollar, is it really the right time to go to Europe?

If your schedule is flexible and you do your online homework ahead of time, why certainly.

Just eight months ago, one euro equalled $1.60, according to this Associated Press story. Now, it’s down to about $1.40. While that’s not great, if you’re a smart shopper, you can find some incredible deals on European vacation rentals, including this two-bedroom Spanish vacation apartment. (The modern flat, complete with rooftop jacuzzi overlooking the city, is based in the bustling community of El Carme close to numerous paella bars and medieval architectural gems.)

Like home buyers scoping out the best purchases in a market of oversupply and diminished demand, travelers will easily be able to snatch an amazing vacation no matter the time of year–whether that’s for springtime in Paris, summer in Ibiza or fall in Berlin (which just happens to be the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall).

Stop dreaming and start clicking your way to your dream getaway.

You’ve heard the expression, “Wherever you go, there you are.”

Well hopefully that there is somewhere you want to be–i.e. a Winter Park vacation home or at a beach condo in Barbados. Or maybe this week is all about chilling in your own zip code, then doing it up on New Year’s Eve in Vegas vacation rental.

Wherever you’re drinking your eggnog or champagne this holiday season, here’s hoping you’re surrounded by friends and family. Cheers to you, and thanks for your company on this blog.

Back in a few days after the food coma wears off and you’re dreaming of somewhere warm to escape in January, say, Cozumel.

Happy holidays!