Avoiding Vacation Rental Scams - Shop Smart For Vacation Rentals | Daddy Dewberry

Some interesting points given here. Always good to have some more perspective. A few comments though:
I would recommend FlipKey.com (owned by TripAdvisor) or VRConnection.com for both professionally managed and private vacation rentals managed by owner with plenty of online reviews. I've never REALLY heard of a confirmed bait and switch, but property managers who are members of VRMA are listed on Discover Vacation Homes, and tend to be the best of breed. You might also look to see if the vacation rental property manager is licensed by the state real estate board (we at BETTER Vacation Rentals are even though it isn't required for stays of less than 30 nights, and we have to pass plenty of educational requirements, background checks, and audits). In short: do your research, pay by credit card, and have fun.

Avoiding Vacation Rental Scams - Shop Smart For Vacation Rentals | Daddy Dewberry

Travel Trends for Europe’s Popular Vacation Rental Destinations by Lodging Directory Rentalo.com

It's interesting to see the stats on European vacation rental guests. I'd love to see the same information for US travelers.

I never would have guessed that Barcelona was a vacation rental (or holiday home) mecca. I think European travelers are much more comfortable with the self catering experience in general and that North Americans have been slower to embrace this fantastic value for travel. I was especially impressed that so many couple going to Paris were looking at the vacation rental alternative. Next time we go to Paris, it'll definitely be in a vacation rental flat. The hotels there are really a very poor value.
To read the entire release go to: Travel Trends for Europe’s Popular Vacation Rental Destinations by Lodging Directory Rentalo.com

Super Bowl Ad Brings Vacation Rentals to Hotel Guests

Did you catch it? Super Bowl 44, 3rd Quarter, 2nd "time out" aka commercial: The Griswolds visited "Hotel Hell" and America was introduced to vacation rentals as a lodging alternative to hotels, at a cost of 50% less than those hotels.




Funny thing is, the HomeAway Video has started to spurn other videos...could vacation rental videos go viral?

Here's a Super Bowl Vacation Rental Ad from the kids of Second Porch's founder:




Here's an ad from VacationRental.org - funny, says banned from the Super Bowl.


Here Escapia, a leading vacation rental management system provide, starts to address what "mainstreaming" of vacation rentals might mean to the professional manager (and owners):
Escapia Blog - Vacation Rental News and Trends: Super Bowl Vacation Rentals

So what do you think? Will guests leave their tiny over priced hotel rooms and flock to vacation rentals? Will these same guests be willing to change their own lightbulbs or empty the trash? What's the best way to position vacation rentals to hotel guests? After all only approximately 10% of US travelers have stayed in vacation rentals in the last year surveyed.(Source PhocuWright)

What to Do When Things Go Wrong in a Vacation Rental or Hotel

Daniel Craig must have been listening to my mind this morning. I have been mulling over a review (3 star which is not up to our usual standards) that mentioned one of our places (in fact MY place in the desert) was not clean enough. Now anyone that has known me since I've owned and managed vacation rentals wants to yell at me to just "shut up" when I talk about "deep cleaning." In fact my husband made a funny candid video about deep cleaning when I tested my Flip video camera on him last Christmas. So when a guest I just spoke to a few days ago left public reviews that I requested and said the place wasn't clean enough I winced; I lost sleep; I can't stop thinking about it. I've had the same cleaning crew for several years on that property. I pay a lot higher than the going rate for real clean. They deep clean 1 room every time they clean. I replace towels once a year or more. We deep clean at the beginning of the season, end of the season, and every time we visit the place ourselves. We spent thousands upgrading the place, get the upholstery, carpets, and windows cleaned regularly, hire the exterminator, repair everything, and owe more money than the place is now worth... I contacted the cleaners right away, not giving them the benefit of any doubt, but since then I've wondered a couple of things:

1. Why didn't the guest tell me there were dust bunnies under the furniture when I called him? Or better yet when he discovered them? After all we provide free long distance phone service, wifi, and an 800#.
2. Why is the guest looking under the couch instead of golfing or even watching one of the 3 HDTV's? (Insert smiley avatar here and laugh).
3. Do vacation rental guests expect more from vacation rentals than they do from hotels? I've never been in a hotel room as clean as our vacation rentals. I've rarely been in a vacation rental as clean as ours! Plus we are cleaning far more rooms and a kitchen to boot!
4. Why don't guests complain to us when we can fix the problem? If something isn't clean, we'll send a crew out to make it right!
5. If the issue didn't matter enough to mention it to the owner or manage, does it matter enough to leave on a public review site where it will be archived for eternity?

So please dear guests. We take you seriously. We take pride in what we offer. We want to please you. Please treat us fairly and:
Let us know if something is not to your satisfaction.
Contact us at a reasonable hour (since you know we aren't a hotel with 24/7 desk staff) unless it's an emergency.
Be nice.
Be reasonable.
Remember you are a guest in someone's vacation home. You looked at the photos before you came, so if you think the walls should be a different color, perhaps complaining about the color is a bit frivolous.
Relax; you're on vacation. Have fun.

I like the article below from Daniel Craig. It applies to all lodging in my opinion.

What to Do When Things Go Wrong in a Hotel | ehotelier.com News Archives

Shoes That Make Travel Better

When I departed for a networking event tonight I never dreamed I'd walk out and have to write a post about shoes, but I did! Tonight I discovered a shoe that is only 5.5 oz light: so light you'll think you are barefoot! More importantly these shoes are so light that you can pack them and they won't make your bags rock heavy.

So why do I love these shoes (even though I haven't tried them on...just held in my hands) for travel?

1. Glagla shoes slip on & off: great for the airport security check point;
2. These light shoes keep your feet cooler and dryer even without socks;
3. The shoes dry quickly and come in tons of colors so can go from water, to walk, to casual wear!

If you've read my last blog post on traveling lightly, you know that I think women just bring too many shoes. Not only can this shoe do double and triple duty, you can even cheat and bring these as an extra pair because they are so light!

I'm either going for the understated silver or olive color. What color will you pick?
If you order these, be sure to leave some feedback here after you've worn them a while. It's been some time since I got excited about a shoe. You've GOT to pick these up to believe how light they are.

Disclosure: I am in no way affiliated with The Coolest Shoes in California or GlaGla shoes. I met Christina Davis, who is distributing these shoes in the San Diego area at a networking event tonight where she brought a few samples and just had to share the news with fellow travelers.

Fight Back by Packing Light-Tips to Slay Airlines' Baggage Fees

I have had the pleasure of taking two trips in the last few months with other female traveling companions: one for business and one for pleasure. The trip for business was for just 6 nights and 7 days to a slightly cooler climate to Washington DC with one of my colleagues. The trip for pleasure was with my teenage daughter. My teen was traveling for just under a month to two very different destinations: the city of Cape Town South Africa, and the bush of Botswana-one warm and one hot. I was going for just about 10 nights, 3 spent on airplanes, and just to Cape Town. Can you guess who had the most luggage, heaviest bag(s) and who needs lessons on packing and traveling lightly: me, my colleague, or my teenage daughter?

If you guessed the teen, you were wrong! It's my middle aged, professional colleague! What is it about women and shoes?

First, I forgot to tell her that I didn't rent a car and we'd be catching a subway from the airport to the hotel since it was just a few blocks of walking. However, I did tell her to pack lightly and she has traveled with me before and knows my passion for public transit (and frugality since it's my company).  Of course I asked her about the rocks in her suitcase which was fortunately a roll around, but one of those meant for round the world cruise ship journeys, not a week on business in the US.  We flew Frontier airlines San Diego to Dulles, and she didn't have to pay a fee... but that was in October.  The funniest part for me though, was when we left the subway near the National Zoo, and we had to navigate a few steps and some cobblestones.  She laughed as I paid the taxi bill for the ride back to the airport.

I always pack too much. The problem for me is different though. It's a three-fold problem:

1. I don't want to waste time shopping for necessities when I travel. I want to spend it siteseeing, learning, doing, eating, or sleeping.
2. I'm a big girl. I can't just buy my clothes as easily or cheaply as the perfect size 8.
3. I have big feet. Size 11 womens US. Shoes are very hard to find. Comfortable shoes even harder. Comfortable, cute shoes, nearly impossible.

After my last trip to Paris, though, I vowed to lighten up. Even though I can fit everything in a standard rollaboard bag, and not go overweight, 40 lbs is just too much to lug around Paris subways!  For me it's not so much about the checked baggage fee, it's about the freedom to move.

My daughter, nearly 17, has been traveling since she was 6 months old. She was never a light traveler since she tended to get cranky easily. However, I did one thing right: as soon as she could walk, she had her own backpack for every trip. She could put whatever she wanted in that pack, but she had to carry it NO MATTER WHAT.  I confess dad and I bailed her out a few times, but not often. I knew we had succeeded during that trip to Paris when she was so proud that she needed no help with her bag, when her younger sister just stopped moving! She laughed hardest when my suitcase got stuck in the turnstyle and broke, and she had every right to laugh.  This girl managed to pack for a month in two climates and types of trips in one duffle bag and a backpack, and well under the baggage weight!  She even lightened the load when we split company, and sent me home with those clothes she didn't need in the bush, and I proudly passed the weight limit with my one duffle bag too. I could have carried on, but I chose to check since I'm old.  She even had plenty of room for gifts from Cape Town to Botswana too!

What are the teen's secrets?

• Layers: tanks, solid tees, cardigan, light jacket
• Only enough clothes for 5 days regardless of how long the trip
• Take time at night to wash out undies, socks, and light tops every 3 days which leaves drying time. When we stay in vacation rentals, we use the laundry facilities.
• Shoes: 4 pair only: flip flops, hiking boots, Toms (they give 1 pair for every pair purchased)-the 4th pair is optional and were nice leather boots that she could dress up or down - often this would be a pair of heels for nights out
• Bottoms: plan on wearing each bottom piece at least 3 times 
• PJ's sleep in a big t-shirt and yoga pants-they can be used for exercise
• 1 bathing suit-no matter wear you go

She even managed a sleeping bag this time!

My secrets to add:

• Pack a scarf or wrap-you'll be able to use it for warmth or sun protection
• Purchase good 3 oz containers for beauty products or just use what your provided
• Leave the hair appliances at home and invest in a good style and 1 styling product instead
• Put everything out on your bed and then remove at least 1/3 of it
• Pack an empty small duffle for anything you purchase enroute
• Leave your big purse at home and put the one you do bring inside your carry on
• Choose 1 pair of versatile earrings, 1 necklace, 1 bracelet if you must: my colleague had pounds of jewelry
• If you are going on a casual or active vacation consider bringing older clothes and throwing them away or donating them before heading home to avoid excess baggage charges on the way home
  

If you aren't traveling a long haul, wear your heaviest items on the plane: jeans, boots, jacket.

Remember, people manage every day with far less than what most Americans pack in their suitcase for a one week trip.

If you want some more tips, here's the article that inspired me to write this post.
Tips On Traveling Light To Save On Baggage Fees

The Benefits of a Vacation Home-Cooked Meal

The Benefits of a Vacation Home-Cooked Meal
Traveling doesn't have to mean ruining dedicated diets or budgets

Budgeting for food expenditures during travel to any destination can be almost as difficult as forecasting the week's weather. When staying at a traditional hotel, the challenge is multiplied as travelers face the added expense of dining out for breakfast, lunch and dinner. While the majority of quality hotels do not offer full kitchens, professionally managed vacation rentals allow guests to enjoy their favorite (and often healthier) meals and snacks, as each property provides a full kitchen stocked with clean utensils, pots, pans, plates and ample cabinet/refrigerator space for food storage.

"For my family, including grandkids, the best part of staying in a vacation rental was having breakfast in our jammies," explains Kathy Ogden, a traveler from Clovis, Calif., who stayed with Monterey Bay Property Management. "We loved the freedom to have meals at our leisure and have home-cooked meals instead of dining out."

Often costing less than a single hotel room, vacation rentals afford travelers an accommodations lifestyle unlike any other, providing considerably more space (both for living and dining), amenities, guest services and privacy than other, more traditional lodging options. For answers to common questions, along with additional tips and tools for choosing a rental that fits travelers' needs and budgets, visit Discover Vacation Homes.


Dining on a Dime

The average daily cost for lunch at a full-service restaurant for a family of four is approximately $40.00; dinner prices can jump as much as $6/person totaling $64/day. As the majority of traditional hotels do not offer in-room kitchens or adequate amounts of pantry space, many families are forced to dine out for all three meals per day. Access to a full kitchen adds up to major savings throughout trips of any duration - For example, enjoying cereal for breakfast or sandwiches for lunch, rather than a full-scale restaurant meal, can save enough for additional activities, a nice night out, or more!


Sticking to a Healthy Living Meal Plan

While on vacation, travelers can easily consume more than 4,000 calories a day, translating into an average 5-pound weight gain for a one-week trip. With an in-home kitchen, vacation rental guests are no longer slaves to fast food or other high fat dining options, but are now back in control of their personal menu, allowing them to cook their food, shop for healthy snacks and accurately monitor their caloric intake.

BETTER Vacation Rentals is a member of Discover Vacation Homes and the Vacation Rental Managers Association. We are dedicated to providing professional property management with the pride of ownership associated with "rent by owner" properties. All of our vacation rentals offer fully appointed kitchens. Most have microwaves, full refrigerators, ranges, ample cook and serve ware, and food storage. Many have disposals, dishwashers, full pantries, ice makers, and full gourmet appointments including slab granite counters. We provide all of our guests with common starter supplies like coffee, salt, sugar, oil, and spices, making our vacation rentals and even greater "kitchen value." Perhaps more importantly, our owners and staff choose vacation rentals for their own travel plans for the convenience and cost savings associated with having breakfast, packable lunches, and snacks available at our fingertips!

About Discover Vacation Homes

Discover Vacation Homes is the trusted public voice and an expert resource on behalf of the professionally managed vacation rental industry. As the awareness initiative of the long-standing Vacation Rental Managers Association (VRMA), it represents approximately 150,000 rental homes, condos and villas from more than 500 of the most well established vacation rental management companies in North America and the Caribbean. Often costing less than a single hotel room, vacation rentals afford travelers an accommodations lifestyle unlike any other, providing considerably more space, amenities, guest services, and privacy than other lodging options.

Much of the content in this article was supplied by Discover Vacation Homes, with their permission.