| It is again time to plan your next holiday. This of | | | | much more flexible than hotels when providing |
| course does not feel like a chore. It's one of | | | | services. If you need a special delivery, or would |
| those relaxing mind activities that get you | | | | like to have a special dinner catered for you and |
| daydreaming during those drowsy Monday | | | | your family or your group, at your villa or |
| mornings at work. Glancing out of the window, | | | | apartment it can be arranged just with some |
| the sky returns a solid gray (or do you work in a | | | | prior notice. |
| cubicle?), the chair is uncomfortable, and the | | | | Booking conditions. |
| computer screen too bright. Yes, you deserve | | | | Hotels apply a very flexible booking policy. All |
| that holiday. You start thinking about it more and | | | | hotels accept any length of stay and provide you |
| more consistently as your work holiday | | | | with the freedom of renewing your booking for |
| approaches. And all of the sudden the planning | | | | the next 24 hours, given they have availability. |
| process is at full regime, with plenty of questions | | | | You will usually be able to reserve a room without |
| coming up and very little answers. | | | | any down payment and cancel the reservation |
| This is usually the time when you sit down and, | | | | without any cancellation fees until up to 24 hours |
| above all other questions, ask yourself: do I want | | | | prior to your intended arrival date. |
| to stay in a hotel or in a vacation rental? Do I | | | | Vacation rentals often have a much stricter |
| want the convenience and service of a hotel or | | | | booking policy. Especially during the high season, |
| the freedom and larger space of a vacation | | | | they may apply a Saturday to Saturday only |
| rental? And what will ultimately be cheaper, yet | | | | rental condition, which may be quite frustrating in |
| pleasant? | | | | terms of flight availability and fares. Even in |
| When comparing hotels and vacation rentals you | | | | medium season many apply a weekly rental only |
| are really comparing pears and apples. But you | | | | condition, while others have a minimum stay of |
| have to choose eventually. In order to make the | | | | fewer days. Although discounts may apply, you |
| right decision you should look at the following | | | | often have to pay for the full stay even if you |
| factors and prioritize depending on your needs. | | | | leave earlier. There usually is a down payment to |
| Location. | | | | be paid to secure your holiday rental. Cancellation |
| Usually hotels are set in more convenient locations | | | | policies are much stricter, with no refund given if |
| than holiday rentals. Hotels rise in high service | | | | the booking is canceled 15 days prior to arrival. |
| areas (such as airports) or very convenient and | | | | Some are stricter than others, take this as a |
| central locations (such as city centers) because | | | | general rule of thumb. |
| that is going to be one of their major selling | | | | Freedom and living space. |
| pitches. Provided minimum standards are met, one | | | | This factor for some people is a biggy. Hotels are |
| primarily books a hotel room out of its location, | | | | left a bit astray on this one for obvious reasons. |
| while other factors, such as decor and services | | | | Unless you have the money to pay for the |
| may be lower tier factors. | | | | imperial suite, any vacation rental will beat any |
| For vacation rentals, on the other hand, there is | | | | hotel, given the same price range. Hotels usually |
| much more variation. You could find one you like | | | | offer one bedroom and one en suite bathroom. |
| in a far-off location, or a very central, very noisy, | | | | Although you might get a large room at a good |
| one. As an example, there are Tuscany | | | | price, there will not be much left to do in there |
| apartments located in the heart of Florence | | | | for you after your daily morning routine. After a |
| overlooking trafficked streets, while others are in | | | | few hours it will feel like a cage. Many hotels do |
| quiet, wonderful remote country locations. What is | | | | provide wonderful communal areas, although you |
| your priority, convenience or tranquility? | | | | can never fully relax in them, and never make |
| Services. | | | | them "your private space". Even outdoor |
| When thinking of vacation services the natural | | | | swimming pools, gyms, or sun bathing areas do |
| winner between hotels and holiday rentals would | | | | not provide that sense of comfort necessary for |
| be the hotel. Hotels are great at making you feel | | | | you to fully relax and enjoy. |
| pampered and taken care of. Let's face it. Coming | | | | For the same price range, holiday rentals offer |
| back from an abundant breakfast to find your | | | | much more freedom, independence, and space. |
| bed in mint conditions and your fluffy bathroom | | | | Most of the time interiors are personable and |
| towels freshly changed makes you feel great. | | | | cozy. You will have plenty of room to stay |
| While in a hotel you do not have to worry about | | | | indoors without feeling constrained, yet with all the |
| hundreds small details that make your everyday | | | | comforts and the liberty to be in your underwear, |
| life a bit tedious. No food preparation, no house | | | | if you wish so. In a rental apartment or villa you |
| chores. It feels like the real vacation. Moreover, | | | | can create your personal space, even if you are |
| hotels can provide extra services at little or no | | | | there for just a week. If you rent an apartment |
| extra charge. Depending on their location, they will | | | | off a city center, the property will usually come |
| organize daily excursions, beach activities, or | | | | with a private garden area to eat outside and |
| guided city tours. | | | | other communal areas. Private villas also provide |
| Vacation rentals do not provide these kind of | | | | complete outdoor freedom. Additionally, vacation |
| services, as they usually are self-catered | | | | rentals give you the often sought freedom and |
| apartments or villas. You will have to do all your | | | | space to organize a self catered dinner, or even a |
| house chores, just like at home. You will also have | | | | small event. |
| to plan for your activities and daytrips. Holiday | | | | Have you decided what is the best choice for you |
| rentals do provide services, however. There | | | | yet? I hope I made it a little easier for you by |
| usually is a discreet presence of the owner who | | | | spelling out the common pros and cons of staying |
| will provide a very personalized service if | | | | in a hotel Vs a vacation rental. |
| requested to. Usually, property owners tend to be | | | | |