Related:<\/h3>\nThe 10 Best Hotel Booking Sites<\/a><\/p><\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n\nFor example, some of the top vacation rental websites are better if you\u2019re open to both hotels and rentals, while others are more specialized to suit those who already know they want a vacation home, rental apartment, or private room in someone else\u2019s space. Some vacation rental sites make it easier than others to browse properties on a map or to contact the owner of a property to ask questions before your stay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The following are the best vacation rental sites I found in my testing. Scroll down for more in-depth analysis of each.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Airbnb<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Booking.com<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Expedia<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- HometoGo<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Hotels.com<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Tripadvisor<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Tripping<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Vrbo<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Plum Guide<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Sonder<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Marriott Homes & Villas<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Agoda<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Getaway<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Airbnb<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"Digital](\"https:\/\/www.smartertravel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Airbnb-Vacation-Rental-Laptop-Image-1024x692.jpg\")
<\/a>guteksk7 | Adobe Stock & Airbnb<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe name of this site is almost synonymous with short-term rentals these days, and its reputation as one of the best vacation rental sites is well deserved: Airbnb<\/a> offers abundant listings in most popular travel destinations, and its site is cleanly designed and easy to use. There\u2019s a prominent map of properties accessible from the main listing page, so you can quickly browse by location. The main listings page offers useful filters right off the bat, including the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, price, key amenities, and type of accommodation\u2014such as \u201centire apartment\u201d or \u201cprivate room in house.\u201d You can also scroll through a listing\u2019s photos right on the initial results page.<\/p>\n\n\n\nOnce you click into a given listing, there\u2019s more than enough information to help you decide whether to book, including house rules, bed configurations, cancellation policies, amenities, reviews from past guests, and a full price breakdown (which typically includes things like a cleaning fee and Airbnb\u2019s own service fee). You can also contact the property\u2019s host through the platform if you have questions before you book.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Best feature:<\/strong> The site makes it easier to sort through hundreds of properties by identifying Superhosts (\u201cexperienced, highly rated hosts who are committed to providing great stays for guests\u201d) and Airbnb Plus listings (\u201ca selection of places to stay verified for quality and design\u201d). Because standards can vary so widely from one vacation rental to another, choosing properties with one or both of these designations can help travelers feel more confident in their selection.<\/p>\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.smartertravel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/airbnb_LOGO.png\")
\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tBooking.com<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"Digital](\"https:\/\/www.smartertravel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Booking.com-Vacation-Rental-Laptopp-1024x692.jpg\")
<\/a>guteksk7 | Adobe Stock & Booking.com<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nBooking.com<\/a> lists just about every type of accommodation imaginable, from hotels and B&Bs to vacation rentals and apartments. This is a perk for travelers open to a variety of lodging options, while those who know they want a vacation rental will have to take the extra step of filtering out extraneous search results. (That\u2019s easily done via a \u201cHomes and Apartments First\u201d button at the top of the results page or searching by property type.)<\/p>\n\n\n\nProperty listings offer plenty of information, including amenities, guest reviews, house rules, and an option to contact the host through the site. The site clearly labels whether your booking is nonrefundable or you can cancel without penalty up to a certain date. (In some cases, you\u2019ll pay less if you\u2019re willing to make a nonrefundable booking.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Keep an eye out for extra fees, which can be significant depending on the property. For example, one property\u2019s listed price was a seemingly affordable $689 for seven nights in the Outer Banks\u2014but when I clicked \u201cbook,\u201d the site added a 12.75 percent tax, $63.11 tourism fee, $105 resort fee, $130 cleaning fee, and $260 property service charge, taking my total charges to $1,406\u2014more than double the original quoted price. However, none of these were Booking.com\u2019s own fees; unlike Airbnb, Booking.com does not charge guests a service fee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One annoyance: The site sometimes clutters up the search results page with sold-out properties, complete with a little \u201cYou missed it!\u201d message. These are probably meant to spark a sense of booking urgency, but many travelers will find it irritating to see options that aren\u2019t actually available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Best feature: <\/strong>The sheer breadth of offerings on Booking.com means you\u2019re almost guaranteed to find something suitable, even if it doesn\u2019t end up being a vacation rental.<\/p>\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.smartertravel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/booking-logo-504475D532-seeklogo.com_-300x166.png\")
\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\nRelated:<\/h3>\nWhat to Do When a Host Cancels Your Rental<\/a><\/p><\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n\nExpedia<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"Digital](\"https:\/\/www.smartertravel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Expedia-Vacation-Rental-Laptop-Image-1024x692.jpg\")
<\/a>guteksk7 | Adobe Stock & Expedia<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nLike Booking.com, Expedia offers a variety of accommodation types, but it has a dedicated vacation rental search page<\/a> so you can skip the filtering step. The site offers a good selection of results, though for certain searches I got some listings that really didn\u2019t seem like vacation rentals (TownePlace Suites by Marriott, Outer Banks Motel).<\/p>\n\n\n\nExpedia also features a map to browse through listings in an area, which can be toggled on and off from the results page. Filters are also available while in map mode, so you can set your preferences without going back to the results listings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once you click into a listing, you\u2019ll find photos, amenities, policies, reviews, and a list of nearby attractions. However, there does not appear to be a way to contact the owner of a given property. The total price is not visible until you click \u201creserve,\u201d at which point you\u2019ll see an additional amount listed vaguely as \u201ctaxes and fees,\u201d with no detailed breakdown. On many properties, the site notes that you can save 15 percent if you log in as an Expedia member.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Best feature: <\/strong>The site has useful filters such as \u201cBusiness friendly,\u201d to help you find properties with Wi-Fi and breakfast, and \u201cFamily friendly,\u201d for listings that have \u201cin-room conveniences and activities for the kids.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.smartertravel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/41573_bcf965153b00b9a561bcb1b6d31c4d4b-300x224.jpg\")
\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tHometoGo<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.smartertravel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/HomeToGo-Vacation-Rental-Laptop-1024x692.jpg\")
<\/a>guteksk7 | Adobe Stock & HomeToGo<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe prime advantage of HometoGo<\/a> is that it\u2019s a hybrid marketplace, which means that you can book onsite or search through deals from many of the best vacation rental sites (including most of the others on this list) with one click. Persistent pop-ups and offers to sign you in with Google or Facebook are annoying, but once you\u2019ve cleared them away you can view tons of properties, visible in a clean listing format or on a map. Each listing features photos you can scroll through as well as user rating, type of lodging, and where you can book the property (such as Airbnb<\/a>, Hotels.com<\/a>, Vrbo, <\/a>or directly on HomeToGo<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\nOne handy feature: You can toggle the price filter to show you either the nightly rate or the total cost of your stay, and then adjust your price range accordingly. Other filters include accommodation types (including an \u201cinstant booking\u201d option), location, user rating, and amenities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In most cases, when you click on \u201cview deal,\u201d you\u2019ll be taken to the site where the property was originally listed. However, there are occasional properties where you will go to a HometoGo listing page and fill out a booking request that will then be fulfilled through one of the site\u2019s partners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I occasionally found that when I clicked over to a deal (particularly on Airbnb), I was not taken directly to the property I was interested in but rather to a list of other rentals in my destination. Unfortunately, travelers will be familiar with this from other meta-search sites; sometimes a given deal simply isn\u2019t available anymore. I also sometimes discovered that the price on HomeToGo didn\u2019t match what was advertised on the original listing site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Best feature: <\/strong>Despite the occasional pricing glitches, this site is the closest thing the vacation rental industry has to a one-stop shop, as it lists inventory from hundreds of other short-term rental websites.<\/p>\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.smartertravel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/HTG_mainlogo_color-1-300x181.jpg\")
\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\nRelated:<\/h3>\nVacation Rentals vs. Hotels: Which Is The Better Choice?<\/a><\/p><\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n\nHotels.com<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"Digital](\"https:\/\/www.smartertravel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Hotels.com-Vacation-Rental-Laptop-Image-1024x692.jpg\")
<\/a>guteksk7 | Adobe Stock & Hotels.com<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nLike Booking.com, Hotels.com<\/a> lists a wide array of accommodation options, so travelers who know they want a vacation rental have to use the \u201cProperty Type\u201d filter on the search results page to weed out hotels, hostels, and other options. I appreciated the honesty of the note at the top of the page: \u201cHow much we get paid influences your sort order.\u201d That said, you can sort your results by star rating, distance from a given landmark, guest rating, and price, and refine the list with a variety of other filters.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThere is a map view available, though I didn\u2019t find it very useful; it shows properties that don\u2019t<\/em> meet your criteria by default, and by the time you screen those out, you\u2019re often left with just a few options (even if the site is showing hundreds of listings on the main results page).<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe list view of results is better, displaying both the nightly rate and the total price for your stay, as well as guest rating and location information. Note that you may need to weed through occasional \u201cfully booked!\u201d listings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once you click into an individual listing, you can see amenities, policies, photos, guest reviews, and a list of attractions within walking distance. One drawback: There\u2019s no way to contact the owner or property manager directly. While there is a phone number given for \u201cmore info\u201d about the listing, this does not put you in contact with the owner but rather takes you to a general Hotels.com corporate phone number. Taxes and fees aren\u2019t visible until you click the \u201cLet\u2019s book\u201d button, and there\u2019s no detailed breakdown of where your money is going.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Best feature: <\/strong>Many vacation rental bookings are eligible for Hotels.com Rewards<\/a>, so you can count your stay toward a future free night at either a hotel or a rental.<\/p>\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t![\"logo_hotels.com\"](\"https:\/\/www.smartertravel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/zwv30Wbo-300x300.jpg\")
\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTripadvisor<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"Digital](\"https:\/\/www.smartertravel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Tripadvisor-Vacation-Rental-Laptop-1024x692.jpg\")
<\/a>guteksk7 | Adobe Stock & Tripadvisor<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nAlthough it\u2019s best known for hotel reviews, Tripadvisor<\/a> also provides vacation rentals thanks to its acquisitions of FlipKey<\/a> and HolidayLettings<\/a>. (The sites share inventory, so searching Tripadvisor will turn up properties from the other two sites.) There are plenty of listings, which you can filter by price, number of bedrooms\/bathrooms, distance from a landmark, and many other factors. The site also lets you change the order of your results based on traveler reviews and number of reviews, making use of its large base of user generated content.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe site has a mix of properties, some of which can be paid for online and others that require direct arrangements with the owner. (The former is generally preferable, as paying with a credit card is the safest way to go\u2014and you\u2019ll be backed by Tripadvisor\u2019s Payment Protection guarantee<\/a>.)<\/p>\n\n\n\nI found that photo quality could vary widely from one listing to another on Tripadvisor, whereas some other vacation rental sites have more consistently glossy images. Otherwise, Tripadvisor\u2019s listings are generally informative, with traveler reviews, house rules, and an owner profile. Prices and fees are spelled out in detail. However, cancellation policies are not as clearly stated on this site as on some others. There is an option to send a message to the owner through the site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Best feature:<\/strong> The price on the listing results page is the final price you\u2019ll pay, including taxes and fees\u2014rather than the base rate, which is what most vacation rental sites list. Tripadvisor also lists both the nightly rate and the total cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.smartertravel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/39561_tripadvisor.gif\")
\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTripping<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"Digital](\"https:\/\/www.smartertravel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Tripping-Vacation-Rental-Laptop-1024x692.jpg\")
<\/a>guteksk7 | Adobe Stock & Tripping<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nAcquired by HometoGo in 2019, Tripping<\/a> is another meta-search site for vacation rentals that turns up listings from hundreds of different sites, including many on this list. When I searched HometoGo and Tripping side by side, I found a lot of overlapping properties, but the results did not appear to be completely identical. (A Rome search turned up 8,800+ properties on HometoGo vs. more than 14,000 properties on Tripping, for example.) So even though the two sites are owned by the same company and offer virtually identical layouts and filters, it may be worth your time to check both.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTripping offers a prominent map view alongside the listings on its main results page. Like HometoGo, Tripping shows hotels and hostels in addition to apartments, homes, and other types of properties, so you can use the \u201cAccommodation types\u201d filter to trim your results. You can toggle between \u201cper night\u201d and \u201cper stay\u201d options for pricing, specify a minimum number of bedrooms, and filter for amenities such as internet, air-conditioning, and washer. And you can scroll through listing photos right from the results page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Clicking on \u201cview deal\u201d takes you to an external site for information and booking. As with HometoGo, there were occasional snafus in this process; prices didn\u2019t match, properties weren\u2019t available, or (in one case) I got a dead-end error page. But in most cases the listings were as advertised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Best feature: <\/strong>Both Tripping and HometoGo have a new \u201cflexible dates\u201d feature that lets you search with a date parameter of \u201canytime\u201d to see when the best deals are available.<\/p>\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.smartertravel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/tripping_LOGO.png\")
\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\nRelated:<\/h3>\nHow to Check for Hidden Cameras in Your Hotel Room or Vacation Rental?<\/a><\/p><\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n\nVrbo<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"Digital](\"https:\/\/www.smartertravel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/VRBO-Vacation-Rental-Laptop-1024x692.jpg\")
<\/a>guteksk7 | Adobe Stock & Vrbo<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nAcquired by Expedia Group in 2015 and then merged with its sister site HomeAway<\/a> in 2019, Vrbo<\/a> (originally stylized as VRBO, which stands for \u201cvacation rentals by owner\u201d) offers the strongest features of both sites. You can browse by property type, from condos to cabins, through their catalogue of over 2 million vacation rentals. If you have an idea of the type of trip you\u2019d like to take but aren\u2019t attached to a destination, you can check out their curated lists of properties by vacation type and nearby activities. The search results are displayed alongside a convenient interactive map to show how far your rental is from your target destination. While this is a great visual, if you move the map even slightly the site will recalibrate your search to show you new properties, which can be a bit of a nuisance.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe search results display the top amenities at a glance for each property along with both the nightly price and total price of the stay for the selected dates. Click into a result to see an in-depth and easily navigable description of policies and amenities, along with star ratings and traveler reviews.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Best feature: <\/strong>Vrbo highlights Premier Partners that offer great guest service.<\/p>\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.smartertravel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/vrbo_LOGO-300x115.png\")
\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tPlum Guide<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"Digital](\"https:\/\/www.smartertravel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Plum-Guide-Vacation-Rentals-Laptop-1024x692.jpg\")
<\/a>guteksk7 | Adobe Stock & Plum Guide<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nAimed at taking the hit-or-miss guesswork out of vacation home rentals, Plum Guide<\/a> has dedicated itself to what it refers to as \u201cthe science behind the perfect stay.\u201d This site is extremely selective in its properties, with only 3 percent of homes at any given destination passing its 150 criteria Plum Test conducted by their seasoned Home Critics.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\nWith a real person team of Plum Experts available seven days a week to assist with any questions and an easy to navigate, highly visual website, the Plum Guide\u2019s people-centric approach to booking will make your vacation rental experience easy and pleasant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Best Feature:<\/strong> Plum Guide\u2019s<\/a> best feature by far is their selective criteria. You can be sure you\u2019re getting what you see online. While this can be a blessing if you want the peace of mind that comes with knowing your accommodation has been given a professional seal of approval, it may restrict your options if your travel dates don\u2019t allow for flexibility.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.smartertravel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Plum-Guide-logo-300x40.jpg\")
\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\nRelated:<\/h3>\nIs Plum Guide Vacation Rental Worth It?<\/a><\/p><\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n\nSonder<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"Digital](\"https:\/\/www.smartertravel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Sonder-Vacation-Rental-Laptop-1024x692.jpg\")
<\/a>guteksk7 | Adobe Stock & Sonder<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nFocused on eliminating unnecessary steps in the rental process, Sonder<\/a> is a streamlined way to book your next vacation rental. Guests can check in, make requests, and ask for recommendations all through their phones. The site\u2019s layout is remarkably easy to navigate, with clearly marked amenities for each property and information on parking, accessibility, and house rules readily available.<\/p>\n\n\n\nBest Feature: <\/strong>Sonder offers a flexible cancellation policy<\/a> on their site and app. Select \u201cFlex Rate\u201d when booking for the option to cancel your stay up to three days before check-in for a full refund.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.smartertravel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/sonder_icon_logo-300x74.jpg\")
\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tMarriott Homes & Villas<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"Digital](\"https:\/\/www.smartertravel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Marriot-Homes-Villas-Vacation-Rental-Laptop-1024x692.jpg\")
<\/a>guteksk7 | Adobe Stock & Marriott Homes and Villas<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nIf you want the quality assurance of a big hotel brand without the big hotel feel, then Marriott Homes & Villas<\/a> may be the right site for you. All accommodations come with 24\/7 guest support, kitchen essentials, in-unit washer, bathroom amenities such as shampoo and soap, wi-fi, linens and towels, and a television.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe site has the same easy user interface you expect from Marriott. The search function allows you to filter by destination, with travel dates being optional criteria to narrow the search. This is great for those early in their trip planning process or travelers who like to let deals dictate their itinerary. No destination in mind? You can click the \u201cnear me\u201d option to see what weekend getaways are available right down the road. Properties on this site typically have upward of 30 photos in their galleries so you\u2019ll be able to see exactly what you\u2019re booking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Best Feature: <\/strong>Marriott Homes & Villas<\/a> <\/strong>ties into the larger Marriott Bonvoy rewards program. You can earn points when you book or redeem existing points on a vacation rental. Just check the box labeled \u201cShow in Bonvoy Points\u201d next to the search bar to see how many points a booking costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.smartertravel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Marriott-Homes-and-Villas-300x54.jpg\")
\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\nRelated:<\/h3>\nWhy Marriott Homes & Villas is the Best Place to Find Gorgeous Vacation Rentals<\/a><\/p><\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n\nAgoda<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"Digital](\"https:\/\/www.smartertravel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Agoda-Vacation-Rental-Laptop-1-1024x692.jpg\")
<\/a>guteksk7 | Adobe Stock & Agoda<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nAgoda<\/a> allows you to book both hotels and vacation rentals through its online services. With over 2 million hotels and rentals available, at first glance booking through Agoda can seem overwhelming (my cursory search for an August week in Kuala Lumpur returned just shy of 3,700 results).\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\nLuckily, Agoda allows you to refine its catalogue with highly specific search criteria. Travelers can filter by the typical destination, trip dates, and number of guests, but they can further narrow their search through options such as\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Deals and discounts<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Number of stars<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Payment options<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Guest rating<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Specific amenities<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Property type<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Proximity to local attractions\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
This is great for whittling down your options as well as sparking some inspiration for how to fill your days at your destination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Best Feature: <\/strong>Agoda<\/a> will match any competing online price for their properties or refund the difference (in AgodaCash credited to your account). Once you know where you want to stay, do your comparison research to make sure you\u2019re getting the best deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.smartertravel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Agoda-logo.png\")
\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tGetaway<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"Digital](\"https:\/\/www.smartertravel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Getaway-Vacation-Rental-Laptop-Image-1024x692.jpg\")
<\/a>guteksk7 | Adobe Stock & Getaway<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nIf a break from your hectic day-to-day is calling your name, there\u2019s no better option than Getaway<\/a>. Getaway makes it their mission to give people the \u201ctime, space, and permission to be off.\u201d Their thirty Outpost locations\u2014focused mostly in the eastern and central parts of the country with a few options on the West Coast\u2014are made up of minimalist cabins that range from about 140 to 200 square feet. The mini-kitchens at these properties provide only the bare necessities, but you can supplement your supply by opting for a $35 Sustenance Box, which includes some nonperishable meal and snack options. Other camping essentials, such as insect wipes<\/a> and log bundles<\/a>, are also available for purchase.<\/p>\n\n\n\nEach cabin has a firepit, grill grate, and picnic table. The neighbors are close enough to be seen but far enough away that everyone has their own outdoor space to enjoy. Check in starts at 3 pm with a personalized entry code sent to your phone, so it\u2019s possible you may not see another soul your entire trip. The trade-off for some time in the great outdoors is that cell phone service may be spotty or unavailable. However, there is a landline for emergencies and to contact the Getaway team. There\u2019s also no Wi-Fi (and \u201cnever will be\u201d according to their FAQ) so make sure to download those Spotify playlists pre-trip.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Best Feature: <\/strong>If you\u2019re looking for the feeling of an off-the-grid escape but aren\u2019t truly ready to pitch a tent in the middle of the wilderness, this is the right rental experience for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.smartertravel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Getaway-Logo.png\")
\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tBook Your Stay With SmarterTravel Hotels<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
While vacation rentals are great options for a little more privacy and living space, some travelers miss the perks and conveniences that a hotel can offer. If you\u2019re dreaming of room service and a poolside bar, book your hotel stay for a great rate with SmarterTravel Hotels<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\t
For example, some of the top vacation rental websites are better if you\u2019re open to both hotels and rentals, while others are more specialized to suit those who already know they want a vacation home, rental apartment, or private room in someone else\u2019s space. Some vacation rental sites make it easier than others to browse properties on a map or to contact the owner of a property to ask questions before your stay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The following are the best vacation rental sites I found in my testing. Scroll down for more in-depth analysis of each.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Airbnb<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Booking.com<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Expedia<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- HometoGo<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Hotels.com<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Tripadvisor<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Tripping<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Vrbo<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Plum Guide<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Sonder<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Marriott Homes & Villas<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Agoda<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Getaway<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Airbnb<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>guteksk7 | Adobe Stock & Airbnb<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n The name of this site is almost synonymous with short-term rentals these days, and its reputation as one of the best vacation rental sites is well deserved: Airbnb<\/a> offers abundant listings in most popular travel destinations, and its site is cleanly designed and easy to use. There\u2019s a prominent map of properties accessible from the main listing page, so you can quickly browse by location. The main listings page offers useful filters right off the bat, including the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, price, key amenities, and type of accommodation\u2014such as \u201centire apartment\u201d or \u201cprivate room in house.\u201d You can also scroll through a listing\u2019s photos right on the initial results page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once you click into a given listing, there\u2019s more than enough information to help you decide whether to book, including house rules, bed configurations, cancellation policies, amenities, reviews from past guests, and a full price breakdown (which typically includes things like a cleaning fee and Airbnb\u2019s own service fee). You can also contact the property\u2019s host through the platform if you have questions before you book.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Best feature:<\/strong> The site makes it easier to sort through hundreds of properties by identifying Superhosts (\u201cexperienced, highly rated hosts who are committed to providing great stays for guests\u201d) and Airbnb Plus listings (\u201ca selection of places to stay verified for quality and design\u201d). Because standards can vary so widely from one vacation rental to another, choosing properties with one or both of these designations can help travelers feel more confident in their selection.<\/p>\n\n\n\t
\n\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tBooking.com<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>guteksk7 | Adobe Stock & Booking.com<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Booking.com<\/a> lists just about every type of accommodation imaginable, from hotels and B&Bs to vacation rentals and apartments. This is a perk for travelers open to a variety of lodging options, while those who know they want a vacation rental will have to take the extra step of filtering out extraneous search results. (That\u2019s easily done via a \u201cHomes and Apartments First\u201d button at the top of the results page or searching by property type.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Property listings offer plenty of information, including amenities, guest reviews, house rules, and an option to contact the host through the site. The site clearly labels whether your booking is nonrefundable or you can cancel without penalty up to a certain date. (In some cases, you\u2019ll pay less if you\u2019re willing to make a nonrefundable booking.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Keep an eye out for extra fees, which can be significant depending on the property. For example, one property\u2019s listed price was a seemingly affordable $689 for seven nights in the Outer Banks\u2014but when I clicked \u201cbook,\u201d the site added a 12.75 percent tax, $63.11 tourism fee, $105 resort fee, $130 cleaning fee, and $260 property service charge, taking my total charges to $1,406\u2014more than double the original quoted price. However, none of these were Booking.com\u2019s own fees; unlike Airbnb, Booking.com does not charge guests a service fee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One annoyance: The site sometimes clutters up the search results page with sold-out properties, complete with a little \u201cYou missed it!\u201d message. These are probably meant to spark a sense of booking urgency, but many travelers will find it irritating to see options that aren\u2019t actually available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Best feature: <\/strong>The sheer breadth of offerings on Booking.com means you\u2019re almost guaranteed to find something suitable, even if it doesn\u2019t end up being a vacation rental.<\/p>\n\n\n\t
\n\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\nRelated:<\/h3>\n
What to Do When a Host Cancels Your Rental<\/a><\/p><\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
Expedia<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>guteksk7 | Adobe Stock & Expedia<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Like Booking.com, Expedia offers a variety of accommodation types, but it has a dedicated vacation rental search page<\/a> so you can skip the filtering step. The site offers a good selection of results, though for certain searches I got some listings that really didn\u2019t seem like vacation rentals (TownePlace Suites by Marriott, Outer Banks Motel).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Expedia also features a map to browse through listings in an area, which can be toggled on and off from the results page. Filters are also available while in map mode, so you can set your preferences without going back to the results listings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once you click into a listing, you\u2019ll find photos, amenities, policies, reviews, and a list of nearby attractions. However, there does not appear to be a way to contact the owner of a given property. The total price is not visible until you click \u201creserve,\u201d at which point you\u2019ll see an additional amount listed vaguely as \u201ctaxes and fees,\u201d with no detailed breakdown. On many properties, the site notes that you can save 15 percent if you log in as an Expedia member.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Best feature: <\/strong>The site has useful filters such as \u201cBusiness friendly,\u201d to help you find properties with Wi-Fi and breakfast, and \u201cFamily friendly,\u201d for listings that have \u201cin-room conveniences and activities for the kids.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t
\n\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tHometoGo<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>guteksk7 | Adobe Stock & HomeToGo<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n The prime advantage of HometoGo<\/a> is that it\u2019s a hybrid marketplace, which means that you can book onsite or search through deals from many of the best vacation rental sites (including most of the others on this list) with one click. Persistent pop-ups and offers to sign you in with Google or Facebook are annoying, but once you\u2019ve cleared them away you can view tons of properties, visible in a clean listing format or on a map. Each listing features photos you can scroll through as well as user rating, type of lodging, and where you can book the property (such as Airbnb<\/a>, Hotels.com<\/a>, Vrbo, <\/a>or directly on HomeToGo<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One handy feature: You can toggle the price filter to show you either the nightly rate or the total cost of your stay, and then adjust your price range accordingly. Other filters include accommodation types (including an \u201cinstant booking\u201d option), location, user rating, and amenities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In most cases, when you click on \u201cview deal,\u201d you\u2019ll be taken to the site where the property was originally listed. However, there are occasional properties where you will go to a HometoGo listing page and fill out a booking request that will then be fulfilled through one of the site\u2019s partners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I occasionally found that when I clicked over to a deal (particularly on Airbnb), I was not taken directly to the property I was interested in but rather to a list of other rentals in my destination. Unfortunately, travelers will be familiar with this from other meta-search sites; sometimes a given deal simply isn\u2019t available anymore. I also sometimes discovered that the price on HomeToGo didn\u2019t match what was advertised on the original listing site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Best feature: <\/strong>Despite the occasional pricing glitches, this site is the closest thing the vacation rental industry has to a one-stop shop, as it lists inventory from hundreds of other short-term rental websites.<\/p>\n\n\n\t
\n\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\nRelated:<\/h3>\n
Vacation Rentals vs. Hotels: Which Is The Better Choice?<\/a><\/p><\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
Hotels.com<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>guteksk7 | Adobe Stock & Hotels.com<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Like Booking.com, Hotels.com<\/a> lists a wide array of accommodation options, so travelers who know they want a vacation rental have to use the \u201cProperty Type\u201d filter on the search results page to weed out hotels, hostels, and other options. I appreciated the honesty of the note at the top of the page: \u201cHow much we get paid influences your sort order.\u201d That said, you can sort your results by star rating, distance from a given landmark, guest rating, and price, and refine the list with a variety of other filters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There is a map view available, though I didn\u2019t find it very useful; it shows properties that don\u2019t<\/em> meet your criteria by default, and by the time you screen those out, you\u2019re often left with just a few options (even if the site is showing hundreds of listings on the main results page).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The list view of results is better, displaying both the nightly rate and the total price for your stay, as well as guest rating and location information. Note that you may need to weed through occasional \u201cfully booked!\u201d listings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once you click into an individual listing, you can see amenities, policies, photos, guest reviews, and a list of attractions within walking distance. One drawback: There\u2019s no way to contact the owner or property manager directly. While there is a phone number given for \u201cmore info\u201d about the listing, this does not put you in contact with the owner but rather takes you to a general Hotels.com corporate phone number. Taxes and fees aren\u2019t visible until you click the \u201cLet\u2019s book\u201d button, and there\u2019s no detailed breakdown of where your money is going.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Best feature: <\/strong>Many vacation rental bookings are eligible for Hotels.com Rewards<\/a>, so you can count your stay toward a future free night at either a hotel or a rental.<\/p>\n\n\n\t
\n\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTripadvisor<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>guteksk7 | Adobe Stock & Tripadvisor<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Although it\u2019s best known for hotel reviews, Tripadvisor<\/a> also provides vacation rentals thanks to its acquisitions of FlipKey<\/a> and HolidayLettings<\/a>. (The sites share inventory, so searching Tripadvisor will turn up properties from the other two sites.) There are plenty of listings, which you can filter by price, number of bedrooms\/bathrooms, distance from a landmark, and many other factors. The site also lets you change the order of your results based on traveler reviews and number of reviews, making use of its large base of user generated content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The site has a mix of properties, some of which can be paid for online and others that require direct arrangements with the owner. (The former is generally preferable, as paying with a credit card is the safest way to go\u2014and you\u2019ll be backed by Tripadvisor\u2019s Payment Protection guarantee<\/a>.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I found that photo quality could vary widely from one listing to another on Tripadvisor, whereas some other vacation rental sites have more consistently glossy images. Otherwise, Tripadvisor\u2019s listings are generally informative, with traveler reviews, house rules, and an owner profile. Prices and fees are spelled out in detail. However, cancellation policies are not as clearly stated on this site as on some others. There is an option to send a message to the owner through the site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Best feature:<\/strong> The price on the listing results page is the final price you\u2019ll pay, including taxes and fees\u2014rather than the base rate, which is what most vacation rental sites list. Tripadvisor also lists both the nightly rate and the total cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\t
\n\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTripping<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>guteksk7 | Adobe Stock & Tripping<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Acquired by HometoGo in 2019, Tripping<\/a> is another meta-search site for vacation rentals that turns up listings from hundreds of different sites, including many on this list. When I searched HometoGo and Tripping side by side, I found a lot of overlapping properties, but the results did not appear to be completely identical. (A Rome search turned up 8,800+ properties on HometoGo vs. more than 14,000 properties on Tripping, for example.) So even though the two sites are owned by the same company and offer virtually identical layouts and filters, it may be worth your time to check both.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tripping offers a prominent map view alongside the listings on its main results page. Like HometoGo, Tripping shows hotels and hostels in addition to apartments, homes, and other types of properties, so you can use the \u201cAccommodation types\u201d filter to trim your results. You can toggle between \u201cper night\u201d and \u201cper stay\u201d options for pricing, specify a minimum number of bedrooms, and filter for amenities such as internet, air-conditioning, and washer. And you can scroll through listing photos right from the results page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Clicking on \u201cview deal\u201d takes you to an external site for information and booking. As with HometoGo, there were occasional snafus in this process; prices didn\u2019t match, properties weren\u2019t available, or (in one case) I got a dead-end error page. But in most cases the listings were as advertised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Best feature: <\/strong>Both Tripping and HometoGo have a new \u201cflexible dates\u201d feature that lets you search with a date parameter of \u201canytime\u201d to see when the best deals are available.<\/p>\n\n\n\t
\n\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\nRelated:<\/h3>\n
How to Check for Hidden Cameras in Your Hotel Room or Vacation Rental?<\/a><\/p><\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
Vrbo<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>guteksk7 | Adobe Stock & Vrbo<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Acquired by Expedia Group in 2015 and then merged with its sister site HomeAway<\/a> in 2019, Vrbo<\/a> (originally stylized as VRBO, which stands for \u201cvacation rentals by owner\u201d) offers the strongest features of both sites. You can browse by property type, from condos to cabins, through their catalogue of over 2 million vacation rentals. If you have an idea of the type of trip you\u2019d like to take but aren\u2019t attached to a destination, you can check out their curated lists of properties by vacation type and nearby activities. The search results are displayed alongside a convenient interactive map to show how far your rental is from your target destination. While this is a great visual, if you move the map even slightly the site will recalibrate your search to show you new properties, which can be a bit of a nuisance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The search results display the top amenities at a glance for each property along with both the nightly price and total price of the stay for the selected dates. Click into a result to see an in-depth and easily navigable description of policies and amenities, along with star ratings and traveler reviews.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Best feature: <\/strong>Vrbo highlights Premier Partners that offer great guest service.<\/p>\n\n\n\t
\n\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tPlum Guide<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>guteksk7 | Adobe Stock & Plum Guide<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Aimed at taking the hit-or-miss guesswork out of vacation home rentals, Plum Guide<\/a> has dedicated itself to what it refers to as \u201cthe science behind the perfect stay.\u201d This site is extremely selective in its properties, with only 3 percent of homes at any given destination passing its 150 criteria Plum Test conducted by their seasoned Home Critics.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With a real person team of Plum Experts available seven days a week to assist with any questions and an easy to navigate, highly visual website, the Plum Guide\u2019s people-centric approach to booking will make your vacation rental experience easy and pleasant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Best Feature:<\/strong> Plum Guide\u2019s<\/a> best feature by far is their selective criteria. You can be sure you\u2019re getting what you see online. While this can be a blessing if you want the peace of mind that comes with knowing your accommodation has been given a professional seal of approval, it may restrict your options if your travel dates don\u2019t allow for flexibility.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\t
\n\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\nRelated:<\/h3>\n
Is Plum Guide Vacation Rental Worth It?<\/a><\/p><\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
Sonder<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>guteksk7 | Adobe Stock & Sonder<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Focused on eliminating unnecessary steps in the rental process, Sonder<\/a> is a streamlined way to book your next vacation rental. Guests can check in, make requests, and ask for recommendations all through their phones. The site\u2019s layout is remarkably easy to navigate, with clearly marked amenities for each property and information on parking, accessibility, and house rules readily available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Best Feature: <\/strong>Sonder offers a flexible cancellation policy<\/a> on their site and app. Select \u201cFlex Rate\u201d when booking for the option to cancel your stay up to three days before check-in for a full refund.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\t
\n\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tMarriott Homes & Villas<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>guteksk7 | Adobe Stock & Marriott Homes and Villas<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n If you want the quality assurance of a big hotel brand without the big hotel feel, then Marriott Homes & Villas<\/a> may be the right site for you. All accommodations come with 24\/7 guest support, kitchen essentials, in-unit washer, bathroom amenities such as shampoo and soap, wi-fi, linens and towels, and a television.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The site has the same easy user interface you expect from Marriott. The search function allows you to filter by destination, with travel dates being optional criteria to narrow the search. This is great for those early in their trip planning process or travelers who like to let deals dictate their itinerary. No destination in mind? You can click the \u201cnear me\u201d option to see what weekend getaways are available right down the road. Properties on this site typically have upward of 30 photos in their galleries so you\u2019ll be able to see exactly what you\u2019re booking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Best Feature: <\/strong>Marriott Homes & Villas<\/a> <\/strong>ties into the larger Marriott Bonvoy rewards program. You can earn points when you book or redeem existing points on a vacation rental. Just check the box labeled \u201cShow in Bonvoy Points\u201d next to the search bar to see how many points a booking costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\t
\n\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\nRelated:<\/h3>\n
Why Marriott Homes & Villas is the Best Place to Find Gorgeous Vacation Rentals<\/a><\/p><\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
Agoda<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>guteksk7 | Adobe Stock & Agoda<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Agoda<\/a> allows you to book both hotels and vacation rentals through its online services. With over 2 million hotels and rentals available, at first glance booking through Agoda can seem overwhelming (my cursory search for an August week in Kuala Lumpur returned just shy of 3,700 results).\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Luckily, Agoda allows you to refine its catalogue with highly specific search criteria. Travelers can filter by the typical destination, trip dates, and number of guests, but they can further narrow their search through options such as\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Deals and discounts<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Number of stars<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Payment options<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Guest rating<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Specific amenities<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Property type<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Proximity to local attractions\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
This is great for whittling down your options as well as sparking some inspiration for how to fill your days at your destination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Best Feature: <\/strong>Agoda<\/a> will match any competing online price for their properties or refund the difference (in AgodaCash credited to your account). Once you know where you want to stay, do your comparison research to make sure you\u2019re getting the best deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\t
\n\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tGetaway<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>guteksk7 | Adobe Stock & Getaway<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n If a break from your hectic day-to-day is calling your name, there\u2019s no better option than Getaway<\/a>. Getaway makes it their mission to give people the \u201ctime, space, and permission to be off.\u201d Their thirty Outpost locations\u2014focused mostly in the eastern and central parts of the country with a few options on the West Coast\u2014are made up of minimalist cabins that range from about 140 to 200 square feet. The mini-kitchens at these properties provide only the bare necessities, but you can supplement your supply by opting for a $35 Sustenance Box, which includes some nonperishable meal and snack options. Other camping essentials, such as insect wipes<\/a> and log bundles<\/a>, are also available for purchase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Each cabin has a firepit, grill grate, and picnic table. The neighbors are close enough to be seen but far enough away that everyone has their own outdoor space to enjoy. Check in starts at 3 pm with a personalized entry code sent to your phone, so it\u2019s possible you may not see another soul your entire trip. The trade-off for some time in the great outdoors is that cell phone service may be spotty or unavailable. However, there is a landline for emergencies and to contact the Getaway team. There\u2019s also no Wi-Fi (and \u201cnever will be\u201d according to their FAQ) so make sure to download those Spotify playlists pre-trip.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Best Feature: <\/strong>If you\u2019re looking for the feeling of an off-the-grid escape but aren\u2019t truly ready to pitch a tent in the middle of the wilderness, this is the right rental experience for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\t
\n\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tBook Your Stay With SmarterTravel Hotels<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
While vacation rentals are great options for a little more privacy and living space, some travelers miss the perks and conveniences that a hotel can offer. If you\u2019re dreaming of room service and a poolside bar, book your hotel stay for a great rate with SmarterTravel Hotels<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\t
- Booking.com<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
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