GREAT ARTICLE ON VACATION RENTALS - FINALLY:
Read the whole thing at this link:Tight Budget? Save Big With Vacation Rentals - SmarterTravel.com: "Tight Budget? Save Big With Vacation Rentals
by Sarah Pascarella, SmarterTravel.com Staff - March 9, 2009
Cottage RentalIf your idea of a vacation consists of staying in a private cottage on an island, then look no further than Nantucket. This New England island offers the best of both worlds with its quaint downtown area filled with shops and fine dining, and miles of white, sandy beaches. Cottages typically rent by the week, and can start at about $750. This can be the perfect getaway for those who want to escape from it all, and be completely self-sufficient. (Photo: iStockphoto)
If you've never stayed at a vacation rental before, this may be the year to try one. Economical, spacious, and often in stellar locations, vacation rentals can be an ideal money-saving option for all types of travelers. In these tough economic times, finding a great property that matches your taste and budget can be only a few clicks away.
'Most people always save when going the vacation rental route, especially in a group of four or more,' says TJ Mahony, CEO and co-founder of SmarterTravel sister site FlipKey.com. 'And they can be some of the nicest accommodations around.'"
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Love - It's in the Towel Origami!
Who needs the Four Seasons anyway?
We've had the great fortune to work with Sue Strandberg of The Final Touch in Oceanside CA. She came to us this fall just when we were in search of a sort of quality control and detail person for our vacation rentals at the beach in Oceanside. Sue's attention to detail was just the missing piece we were looking for to help make the promise of a "BETTER" Vacation Rental come to life. What do you think? Has she done it? Enjoy these photos of some towel origami (she taught herself from a YouTube Video) that she leaves for our guests in Oceanside CA. You won't get this at the local hotels or motels - and certainly not in our price range!
Call 1-800-277-2734 or go to BETTER Vacation Rentals for reservations to make your next holiday memorable.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Groups? Endured or Embraced? BVR Embraces.
It's a conversation I've heard among vacation rental owners and managers many times: "We don't like family reunions. Weddings are too hard. Our stuff all gets mixed up with other condos' stuff."
We at BETTER Vacation Rentals disagree. Groups are more work, but groups are important. Groups mean memories in the making. We embrace them. We help them rent condos from other owners and agents, we set them up to rent the party room, we retrieve our towels from the other condos.
Here are some good posts on the subject:
Groups? Feared or Endeared by You? | The Pulse of Online Vacation Rentals: "Read the article: Big spring break group? Try renting a house!
“It was the perfect option. With a full kitchen, our meals weren’t subject to the whim of the hotel restaurant, especially when it came to the demands of two toddlers who preferred boxed mac-and-cheese over fish tacos. Everyone had their own room and bathroom. No bunking up. No fighting over who got to shower first before the wedding.
And, with a full house, it turned out to be a cheaper and more flexible option than most hotels.
We could hang out with the wedding guests at Costa Azul’s pool, or wander home and relax with homemade margaritas on our rooftop terrace overlooking the ocean. “
…..we know all the reasons……Now I insert the challenges.
1. The only option for finding a vacation home that is mentioned in the article is www.vrbo.com . Unfortunate. WE as a vacation management industry need to step on the gas to get the vacation home management company message out there.
2. Groups are often feared by many of us. They definitely require more due diligence and care to ensure proper care for the property, limiting liabilities, and ensuring safety."
We at BETTER Vacation Rentals disagree. Groups are more work, but groups are important. Groups mean memories in the making. We embrace them. We help them rent condos from other owners and agents, we set them up to rent the party room, we retrieve our towels from the other condos.
Here are some good posts on the subject:
Groups? Feared or Endeared by You? | The Pulse of Online Vacation Rentals: "Read the article: Big spring break group? Try renting a house!
“It was the perfect option. With a full kitchen, our meals weren’t subject to the whim of the hotel restaurant, especially when it came to the demands of two toddlers who preferred boxed mac-and-cheese over fish tacos. Everyone had their own room and bathroom. No bunking up. No fighting over who got to shower first before the wedding.
And, with a full house, it turned out to be a cheaper and more flexible option than most hotels.
We could hang out with the wedding guests at Costa Azul’s pool, or wander home and relax with homemade margaritas on our rooftop terrace overlooking the ocean. “
…..we know all the reasons……Now I insert the challenges.
1. The only option for finding a vacation home that is mentioned in the article is www.vrbo.com . Unfortunate. WE as a vacation management industry need to step on the gas to get the vacation home management company message out there.
2. Groups are often feared by many of us. They definitely require more due diligence and care to ensure proper care for the property, limiting liabilities, and ensuring safety."
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Lodging for Coachella and Stagecoach Still Available
Coachella - Official News
COACHELLA VALLEY MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL 2009 SET FOR APRIL 17, 18 AND 19;
STAGECOACH: CALIFORNIA'S COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL TO TAKE PLACE THE FOLLOWING WEEKEND, SATURDAY, APRIL 25 AND SUNDAY, APRIL 26
Goldenvoice has confirmed the dates for this year's COACHELLA VALLEY MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL--Friday, April 17, Saturday, April 18 and Sunday, April 19--to be followed a weekend later by STAGECOACH: California’s Country Music Festival, set for Saturday, April 25 and Sunday, April 26. The two critically acclaimed events will again take place at the breathtakingly beautiful Empire Polo Field in Indio, CA, the same grounds where the COACHELLA VALLEY MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL debuted in 1999.
Additional details about both the STAGECOACH and COACHELLA line-ups and ticket sales will be available in the coming months.
Lodging for both Coachella and Stagecoach is still available in Palm Desert at Palm Valley Country Club - approximately $300/nt - sleeps up to 6 people. Responsible adults 25 and over only - no party houses! If I'm booked - I will provide referrals until all condos are booked that I used to manage.
COACHELLA VALLEY MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL 2009 SET FOR APRIL 17, 18 AND 19;
STAGECOACH: CALIFORNIA'S COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL TO TAKE PLACE THE FOLLOWING WEEKEND, SATURDAY, APRIL 25 AND SUNDAY, APRIL 26
Goldenvoice has confirmed the dates for this year's COACHELLA VALLEY MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL--Friday, April 17, Saturday, April 18 and Sunday, April 19--to be followed a weekend later by STAGECOACH: California’s Country Music Festival, set for Saturday, April 25 and Sunday, April 26. The two critically acclaimed events will again take place at the breathtakingly beautiful Empire Polo Field in Indio, CA, the same grounds where the COACHELLA VALLEY MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL debuted in 1999.
Additional details about both the STAGECOACH and COACHELLA line-ups and ticket sales will be available in the coming months.
Lodging for both Coachella and Stagecoach is still available in Palm Desert at Palm Valley Country Club - approximately $300/nt - sleeps up to 6 people. Responsible adults 25 and over only - no party houses! If I'm booked - I will provide referrals until all condos are booked that I used to manage.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Obama's Choice for Lodging? Vacation Rentals of Course!
According to the Associated Press, President Elect Obama has stayed in Oahu vacation rentals at least twice in 2008 while staying on the island with his family. Oahu is where Obama grew up, and it makes sense he'd bring his family back there on vacation. Who wouldn't? What many people don't realize, is that he doesn't have an estate, and the US government doesn't have on there. Often President's will stay on local military installations, but for a family...is that really a vacation? It's hard enough with all the needed security for them. I don't envy them as a family, but I am happy for them that they could stay in this beautiful estate. It's far higher priced than we could afford (and unless I'm terribly naive that the Obamas could afford until recently), it's a great option for them. To see more about the house take a look: Oahu Vacation Rental for Obama family Christmas 2008
To see a bit more about his stay and the history of the home (notice how the media focuses on the fact it's a $9mm house, but not on the rent for his stay) at APNews from The Associated Press: "Obamas rent beach home in low-key Hawaii town
Later news posts have Obama working every day but Christmas, working out at the local Marine Base gym, having a power outage (generators on site for him), and dealing with paparazzi.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Vacation rentals: Gunning for the leisure hotel shopper
Lot's and lots of vacation rental press now coming out after PhocusWright 2008 and the upcoming ground breaking vacation rental industry research report.
Read more: Vacation rentals: Gunning for the leisure hotel shopper: "Vacation rentals: Gunning for the leisure hotel shopper
November 18, 2008 | Online Travel
OTAs take notice. Hotels watch out. And online travelers… get ready for an upgrade. The vacation rental marketplace is gearing up to go after all of you, according to PhoCusWright."
Read more: Vacation rentals: Gunning for the leisure hotel shopper: "Vacation rentals: Gunning for the leisure hotel shopper
November 18, 2008 | Online Travel
OTAs take notice. Hotels watch out. And online travelers… get ready for an upgrade. The vacation rental marketplace is gearing up to go after all of you, according to PhoCusWright."
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Worldwide Guide to Affordable Villa Vacations - Great Resource
Condé Nast Traveler: "Worldwide Guide to Affordable Villa Vacations
by Wendy Perrin | Published June 2008 | See more Condé Nast Traveler articles ›
Travel photo: Concierge.com
Affordable Villa Vacations
* Worldwide Guide to Affordable Villa Vacations
* Wendy's Rolodex ›
* Villa Rental Guide Worksheets ›
An unfavorable exchange rate need not turn a dream rental into, well, just a dream. With the challenge of stretching the weak dollar in Europe, Consumer News Editor Wendy Perrin honed strategies for getting the most value out of a villa vacation. She shares her field-tested tips—and renders the process foolproof with a directory of 50 villa rental specialists who hold the keys to an array of properties on six continents, from modest beach cottages to opulent castles"
by Wendy Perrin | Published June 2008 | See more Condé Nast Traveler articles ›
Travel photo: Concierge.com
Affordable Villa Vacations
* Worldwide Guide to Affordable Villa Vacations
* Wendy's Rolodex ›
* Villa Rental Guide Worksheets ›
An unfavorable exchange rate need not turn a dream rental into, well, just a dream. With the challenge of stretching the weak dollar in Europe, Consumer News Editor Wendy Perrin honed strategies for getting the most value out of a villa vacation. She shares her field-tested tips—and renders the process foolproof with a directory of 50 villa rental specialists who hold the keys to an array of properties on six continents, from modest beach cottages to opulent castles"
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