Renting a Villa, Not a Dump

Althought I'm thrilled to see vacation rentals getting a lot of mainstream press lately, what is so discouraging is the sensational headlines like this one that the Wall Street Journal use.

Regardless, the article is a good one to read for those in the business and those considering renting a vacation home from a stranger for the first time. I was at the Vacation Rental Managers Association meeting last week and learned that finally, TripAdvisor is going to have a good medium for reviews of vacation rentals. I've been routinely writing emails and begging them for a few years now! The fact is, most guests at vacation rentals would come back again according to some new research - incredible satisfaction ratings can be found in this business!

So, relax, read the whole article (there's just and excerpt here, and start looking for an affordable alternative to hotels for your next vacation.

Renting a Villa, Not a Dump - WSJ.com: "Renting a vacation home may be cheaper and provide more space and privacy than the typical hotel room, but some travelers still hold back for fear of falling victim to the phenomenon industry insiders call SNAD: significantly not as described. You know, the property that looks like a slice of paradise in the photos, but when you get there, it's all leaky roof, blocked views and bad plumbing.


What advice would you give travelers considering a vacation rental? Have you rented a vacation home or condominium? What was your experience, and would you do it again? Share your thoughts.

Now, hospitality companies are trying to find ways to make booking a vacation rental less mysterious and more reliable, to compete more directly with the familiar brand-name hotel experience. The industry is also betting that the often lower cost of staying in a vacation home will hold particular appeal as the economy heads south.

Homeaway Inc., the world's largest vacation rental booking company by the number of properties listed, is moving to increase reliable user reviews on its Web sites, so potential renters can have more confidence in their choices. Tripadvisor, a unit of Expedia Inc. that is the market leader in hotel user reviews, plans to add vacation-rental reviews to its site by the end of the year.

Other companies are trying to make"