How to Find the Perfect Beach Rental for Your Next Vacation
Getting your vacation set up can take a lot of work. Not only do you have to arrange the activities you do, travel, and pack your luggage, but you also need to set up your temporary housing. While some people go for hotels, you may get more out of renting a beach house for a week.
There are several benefits to renting a beach house. They have more space, grant easy access to the beach, and are generally high-quality. A beach house can be the best way to feel comfortable throughout the entirety of your vacation. Find one that suits your family!
Book Early
One unfortunate thing about beach rentals is that other people are aware of how nice they are too. Because of this, you are unlikely to rent a beach house in the spur of the moment. You need to book early on—possibly even a year in advance if your destination is particularly packed.
As soon as you have decided you are vacationing, search for a beach house immediately. Check out different house options to see what works best for your family or party and then send in the down payment. It is essential you start looking far in advance or you will never have a chance to get a beach rental.
Read the Reviews
Living in a digital world has its fair share of advantages. Not the least of which is the ability to read reviews about anything. When you think you have found the perfect beach house, read the patron reviews. This can tell you a lot about what to expect, the management, and if online pictures were close to reality.
You want the best of the best. If a house gets 4+ stars on Google Reviews or other platforms, you should feel confident in its quality. Anything less starts to become questionable for a “dream vacation.” It is better to be disappointed online than on your vacation.
Find the Perfect View
You are on a vacation to relax and take everything in. What could be more satisfying than a gorgeous view outside your bedroom window? Most beach homes are able to capitalize on the nice view with patios and their height. It shouldn’t be too hard to find one that has a great view.
Seeing the ocean waves crash on the beach is part of the beach home experience. Don’t let an insanely good price cloud your view of what you are missing out on. Again, check online reviews and maps of the area to see if there is a “perfect view.”
Look for Outdoor Features
Outdoor accessories can add even more value to your vacation experience. While the inside of the house may feel nice, you likely will want to spend more time outdoors. Most beach home websites will list the features they offer.
Deck features like outdoor kitchens can make a family reunion more enjoyable for large groups. A pool or hot tub in the backyard can also give your kids somewhere to swim if you want to spend time in the house. You may not think they are super important at the moment, but you might think throughout the week: “Man, I wish I could just relax in a hot tub!”
Perfect Size
One of the main benefits you get if you rent a beach house is that you have far more customization for your traveling group. Rather than shelling out money for several hotel rooms, most of these can accommodate more people.
Keep in mind the amount of people who are staying with you. If you have children, look into homes with bunk beds that can hold your kids. If you have another family staying as well, make sure you have enough beds and rooms that people can enjoy themselves. Your kitchen and living room should be able to hold the size of your party.
Location Matters
You might not think that location matters all that much when you are renting a beach house, but it is actually everything. Location dictates how close you are to the beach itself, stores for purchasing food, fancy restaurants, and the like. If you have a specific activity you want to make the main focus of your trip, rent a beach house near it. (It could be the beach, of course).
This will cut the amount of time you have to commute from place-to-place. You want to enjoy your vacation running as few errands as possible. Location is one of the critical areas you should be mindful of when planning out your beach house experience.
Cost-Effectiveness
Beach houses do not come cheap. After all, they are one of the most sought-after ways that people go on vacation. However, there are cost-effective ways to go about renting a beach home, and you don’t have to do it alone.
One popular thing people like to do is rent with a few other friends or family members. This reduces the overall price of the rental and can make the vacation even more fun. You can also shop around to see if there are other alternatives to renting a beach house, though you might be missing out on the novelty. You may want to go during months that are less desirable for others because of busy work and school schedules, too.
Helpful Property Manager
Probably the most oft-overlooked element of the beach home rental, the property manager can make or break your experience. Though you should focus most of your research on whether a specific home suits your budget and needs, a great property manager can make sure your experience is a walk in the park.
Read reviews of the beach house you want to rent. Check to see if the property manager was helpful and communicative. If they are, you can be certain the home will be clean, and the amenities will be in great condition.
Once you get this settled, you are likely to be in for an excellent treat of a vacation. You will not regret the quick jogs on the beach, the nice breeze by the pool, and the excellent décor in your beach house. It makes the planning all worth it.
If you are looking for your perfect next rental, check out our options!
