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Here are the 9 best websites for finding vacation homes
Should you stay in a vacation home or hotel? Which is the best of the two is like comparing apples and oranges. Both have their perks. Booking a vacation rental, the property is all yours and you have the comfort of a home. On the other hand, hotels offer a higher level of service.
Whether to stay in a vacation home or hotel is a personal choice. It depends on what you want for your stay. As far as vacation rentals go, many travelers rely on Airbnb or Vrbo. They are not the only ones though. In fact, there are just so many to go through that it can be very overwhelming.
To save you time, this is a compilation of the 10 best vacation rental sites. Airbnb and Vrbo are the leading players. Others may not be as familiar but well known in their own niche. Without further ado, here are the websites for renting vacation homes. They range from websites that offer a wide range of properties to specialty sites.
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Best For All Kinds of Vacation Homes
These rental sites have a huge list of vacation homes. They are a marketplace for individual owners and property companies to promote their lodgings. And you can expect a wide range worldwide catering to all budgets and travel styles. So, don’t be surprised they are the top websites for renting vacation homes.
Airbnb
Airbnb often comes to mind when you think of vacation rentals. It’s been around since 2008 and is the number one rental site with over 80 million visits each month. Besides vacation homes, Airbnb also lists homestays where the hosts rent out rooms in their homes instead of an entire place.
Airbnb has a huge inventory of nearly 6 million in over 200 countries and regions. You can pretty much find a place to stay anywhere in the world at Airbnb. Vacation homes are not just in the cities and top tourist spots. You’ll also find them in the countryside, mountains, woodlands, and farms to name a few.
Besides having the largest inventory, the travel site offers a wide range of lodgings catering to every budget and travel style. You can search from budget-friendly apartments to luxury villas and penthouses. You can even find unique homes like treehouses, log cabins, houseboats, lighthouses, and yurts.
The website has a clean design and is simple to use. Key in where you want to go, check-in and check-out dates, and number of guests. The search is often a big list and a broad range of stays. There are filters to narrow down your search for cancellation policy, price range, type of stay, number of rooms and beds, and amenities.
Owners and not Airbnb set the rental rates. Many also add extra fees like cleaning fees, charges for linen, and utility fees. So, examine the actual cost before you decide. Owners also set the house rules, like check-in and check-out instructions and if kids are welcome. Again, take note of their terms.
There are plenty of details and photos about each property to help you decide. Owners write their own listings and some tend to overstate. The key is to read the guest reviews and contact the owner through the website’s messaging service. For more confidence, use the following search filters.
- Superhost – verified for their outstanding hospitality
- Airbnb Plus – verified by Airbnb for quality and design
- Airbnb Luxe – verified luxury homes with arranged services
KEY FEATURES:
- The largest listing of properties around the world
- Offers a broad range of properties
- Caters to a wide range of travel budgets
- Very good info about each property
- 24/7 customer support
VRBO
Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner) began in 1995 – earlier than Airbnb – and is part of the Expedia Group. It was acquired by HomeAway in 2006. Later the Expedia Group acquired HomeAway in 2015. It’s the second most popular rental site after Airbnb with over 40 million visits each month.
The booking site has over 2 million properties in 190 countries. It’s a smaller inventory compared to Airbnb. Having said that, Vrbo only list entire homes while Airbnb lists both homes and rooms (homestays). A big slice of Vrbo’s inventory is in North America and Europe. But still decent outside the two continents.
Vrbo is especially popular with families with many rentals promoted as family-friendly. Those traveling solo or with a partner shouldn’t feel left out. There are plenty of suitable lodgings. Like Airbnb, you’ll find all kinds of stays including apartments, penthouses, single homes, and villas as well as cabins and cottages.
Vrbo has in-depth filters for a focused search. This makes it easy to find the rental you want. Filter by price, type of home, amenities, neighborhood, nearby activities, accessibility, and cancellation policy. You can even filter for hosts offering weekly and monthly discounts. And properties that specifically welcome families and kids.
There are in-depth details and photos of each vacation home. Each property clearly shows the number of rooms and beds, type of amenities, cancellation policy, and house rules. Also, check the guest reviews for more insight about the rental. If you have queries, use Vrbo’s messenger service to contact the host.
Check out rentals with “Premier Host” status. They are awarded for providing great experiences to their guests. They have high guest review scores, booking acceptance, and low cancellation rates. To find these rentals, look for properties displaying the “Premier Host” badge. You can also use the search filter.
The “Book with Confidence Guarantee” begins once you’ve made a booking. Under the guarantee, Vrbo’s customer support will assist you if you encounter the following.
- Help you if you’re unable to get in on arrival and can’t contact the owner.
- Protect your payment if the owner wrongfully withholds your damage deposit.
- Protect your payment in case the rental promoted on Vrbo is a fraud.
- Find a similar home if the owner cancels your booking within 30 days before arrival.
- Find you a new place if the owner gave untruthful info about the property.
KEY FEATURES:
- Has a large inventory all over the world
- Offers only entire homes
- Wide range of properties for all budgets
- Search homes that specifically welcome families
- Protected with “Book with Confidence Guarantee”
Tripadvisor
Tripadvisor is the most popular travel review site. Here you can write and read about the experiences of millions of travelers. Here travelers give their personal views about destinations, attractions, hotels, airlines, and cruises. Tripadvisor is also a metasearch site for all sought travel bookings including flights, car rentals, hotels, and rentals.
Though not as large as Airbnb or Vrbo, it’s still a big inventory of more than 800,000 properties in over 190 countries. Most belong to individual owners rather than property-related companies. It’s a mix of budget-friendly to luxury properties. Besides its own inventory, Tripadvisor also lists vacation homes (not all) from Vrbo.
Click the “Vacation Rentals” menu at the top of the page and key in the details to start your search. It’s often a big list but there are in-depth filters to find the home you prefer. Filter by price range, neighborhood, property type, features, amenities, and suitability. You can even sort the result by price and guest ratings.
There’s useful information about each listed home including the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, amenities, house rules, guest reviews, photos, and location map. Uses the button to send a message to the host if you need to inquire. Not to mention, a helpful calendar that shows the available dates for bookings.
The total price (including fees) for the duration of the stay is clearly shown on the property page. For peace of mind, Tripadvisor has a “Payment Protection” plan if you book via its platform. The plan covers you for up to U$10,000, £7,000, or €7000 – depending on the currency you use – if you face the following.
- Info about the property was misleading or notably different when you arrived.
- Denied access or couldn’t enter the property though you had a confirmed booking.
Tripadvisor doesn’t take bookings for properties sourced from Vrbo. What it does is redirect you to the Vrbo site where you can make all your booking arrangements – there’s no extra fee. Booking terms are under Vrbo and rest assured your payment is protected by its “Book with Confidence Guarantee”.
KEY FEATURES:
- Great review site about the experiences of other travelers
- Over 800,000 vacation homes in more than 190 countries
- Also, list properties by Vrbo if unavailable from Tripadvisor
- Wide range of properties for all budgets and travel styles
- Bookings protected by a “Payment Protection” plan
Best for Upscale Vacation Homes
There are rental sites that offer only top-rated vacation homes for travelers who want the most from their stay. The inventory is smaller compared to Airbnb, Vrbo, and Tripadvisor. But then you’re only looking at upscale properties that offer more than the standard level of service and amenities.
Marriot Homes & Villas
Marriot International is the largest hotel chain in the world, with 30 renowned brands in more than 130 countries. Marriot’s hotel brands are well-known for their upscale accommodations that offer a high level of service. Familiar Marriot brands include JW Marriot, Ritz Carlton, St Regis, Sheraton, Westin, and Renaissance.
Homes & Villas is Marriot’s brand for vacation rentals. Launched in 2019, it has more than 30,000 premium and luxury homes in over 200 locations. It’s a big spread in North America and Europe. You’ll also find them in popular holiday spots across Latin America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific.
These curated homes are not only in the cities. You’ll also find them at ski resorts, mountain retreats, beach getaways, and in the countryside. Each home is different and thoughtfully designed. The list includes penthouses, villas with pools, beach homes, lakefront chateaus, and country estates to name a few.
Many homes belong to individual owners who frequently travel with their families. Some use them as a second home. Guests are welcomed when their homes are unoccupied. Marriot checks each home before listing it on the website. It then partners with local experts to manage the homes following Marriot’s quality guidelines.
Booking at Homes & Villas is simple and easy. Just key in the destination and dates. If you’re thinking of an exotic holiday but unsure where go to the bottom of the page and click the “destination” link. On the page, you’ll find destinations all over the world where Marriot offers curated vacation homes.
There’s a good amount of information about each home but no reviews from past guests. Then again, you’re only looking at expertly curated homes vouched by Marriot. In each home, you can expect 24/7 support, high-speed WiFi, equipped kitchen, bathroom amenities, premium towels, and linens, a washer, and a television.
Marriot Bonvoy loyalty rewards earn you points for booking any accommodation under Marriot’s range of brands. Redeem the points for discounts when you book a vacation rental from Homes & Villas. There’s no fee to become a Marriot member.
KEY FEATURES:
- More than 30,000 homes in over 200 locations worldwide
- Properties located in major cities and leisure destinations
- Only premium and luxury homes that meet Marriot’s standards
- Homes managed by local experts backed by Marriot
- Redeem Marriot Bonvoy points for discounts on bookings
Plum Guide
Plum Guide is based in London and launched its website in 2016. Rentals here are for affluent travelers who want luxury holiday homes. All the listed homes have to pass a rigorous evaluation process. Standards are so high that only 3 in 100 homes pass the test. 500,000 homes have been reviewed but just over 12,000 pass the test.
Most listings are in Europe including the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Croatia, and Switzerland. Outside Europe, the largest inventory is in the United States. You’ll find them not only in the cities but also in hideaway locations by the coast, countryside, lakes, and mountains to name a few.
To meet Plum Guide’s standards, each home has to pass a set of 150 criteria! A staff member evaluates each property. The review includes design aesthetics, quality of the home, condition of the furniture and bedding, and level of service. Not to mention the character of the neighborhood and the reliability of the host.
Key in the destination, travel dates, and number of guests. There’s often a good selection of homes. But there are limited filter options. You can only filter for price range, instant bookings, and free cancellation. And only sort by recommended homes, price, and number of bedrooms. The filter and sorting features could be improved.
Each property has all the key information you need. These include an introduction about the neighborhood and where the home is. Other information includes what it’s like staying in the area, nearby transport links, and what’s there to see and do. You can always contact the host or even a Plum Expert if you’ve any queries.
Details and photos are not from the hosts. There are also no reviews from past guests. Since hosts might exaggerate, Plum Guide prefers to write and provide its own photos of the homes. It even mentions any downside. So you can count on an honest and unbias review of the property from Plum Guide.
KEY FEATURES:
- 12,000 homes in 20 countries across Europe and the US
- Only curated homes that meet Plum Guide’s criteria
- Homes personally vetted by Plum Guide expert
- Unbias review about each property from Plum Guide
- Directly contact Plum Guide for info about the home
Sonder
What Sonder offers isn’t someone’s home and is not quite a hotel either. It’s a blend of the two. Sonder is a hospitality company that began in 2014 as a small start-up in Montreal, Canada, and is now based in San Francisco, California. In January 2022, Sonder’s shares began trading on the NASDAQ stock market.
Sonder doesn’t own the vacation home but leases them from property-related companies, hotel owners, and investors. Most rentals are in multi-unit buildings like apartments, hotels, and large converted houses. Sonder renovates and converts all the properties it leases, and then rents out the units.
It’s a list of more than 6,000 upscale units in over 35 cities in 10 countries. The units include suites, studios, and apartments. Most are spread across North America, Europe, and Dubai. Top cities include New York City, Chicago, New Orleans, Miami, Montreal, Toronto, Mexico City, and London.
The units are 4-star lodgings. They are stylish, have modern furnishing, and like staying in a home. But it’s not someone’s home. So there are no unwelcome surprises. The units have no standard designs as you’d get from a hotel brand. So staying in an apartment in New York City is different than in London.
People who stay with Sonder include business travelers, couples, families, and even long-term renters. These travelers want more space than a hotel room. They also want modern room amenities that an upscale hotel provides. Apartments come with a fully equipped and stocked kitchen as well as a laundry unit with a washer and dryer.
The Sonder app is a 24/7 concierge service with full-service features. Check-in and check-out is digital using the app. The building may or may not have a front desk but you can always contact the local concierge team through the app. Use the app if you need fresh towels or request cleaning. The app also has a helpful neighborhood guide.
Join as a member and you’ll enjoy 15 percent off from the listed rates. Search the web for promo codes to find more discounts. Sonder has a generous cancellation policy. You can cancel your booking up to 3 days before arrival for a full refund. Depending on availability, you can use the app to request for early check-in and late check-out.
KEY FEATURES:
- Over 6,000 units in 35 cities across North America, Europe, and Dubai
- Units are a blend between a home and a hotel
- Offers upscale suites, studios, and apartments with hotel amenities
- Guests use an app for concierge service
- Generous cancellation policy for a vacation rental
Best Hotel Sites for Vacation Rentals
There are hotel booking sites that also include vacation rentals. Finding and booking a rental is similar to a hotel search. The result is often a big list of rental properties. The edge is you can compare rentals with other properties such as hotels, guest houses, and inns before making your choice.
Booking.com
Booking.com is part of the Booking Holdings group of companies. It’s the leading hotel booking site with a huge inventory around the world – caters to all budgets and travel styles. Best known for hotels, the website also offers hostels, bed and breakfast inns, and homestays. As far as vacation rentals go, it’s a growing list.
Booking.com does well searching for vacation homes in Europe. After all, it’s the biggest online travel agency (OTA) on the continent. It’s still a big inventory for major destinations in Asia. Sure, you can find rentals in North America but at most decent. Hotels.com makes a better choice if you’re looking for more options.
There’s just about every type of rental that you can think of at Booking.com. It has over 750,000 apartments (including service apartments and apartment hotels), 380,000 villas, 130,000 cottages, and 30,000 cabins. They are in the cities and towns as well as farms, mountains, countryside, lakefronts, and beaches.
Finding a rental at Booking.com is easy. Key in the destination, travel dates, and number of guests. If you only want rentals, check the “I’m looking for an entire home or apartment” box. Leave it unchecked if you’re looking at other options as well. Prices on the search result page include taxes and fees.
There are filters on the search result page to narrow down your search. Filter according to your budget, distance from the city center, type of property, preferred facilities, cancellation policy, star rating, and review score. You can even filter by area, which comes with a very useful location map.
There’s a good deal of information about each property. Details include facilities, house rules, nearby places of interest, guest reviews, and FAQs. If you have queries, contact the host or property manager via the website.
Airbnb and Vrbo don’t have a low price guarantee but Booking.com does. If you’re a Booking.com Genius member, you’ll enjoy discounts on selected properties. During the booking process, you can even book in advance for a taxi or shuttle to pick you up at the airport (charges apply) or rent a car.
KEY FEATURES:
- The largest hotel booking site but it’s for all kinds of stays
- Huge inventory of vacation homes in Europe
- Has a wide range of rental properties
- Members enjoy discounts on selected properties
- Bookings come with a low-price guarantee
Hotels.com
Hotels.com is part of the Expedia Group, which also owns the Expedia hotel booking site and Vrbo vacation rental site. Though Expedia offers vacation rentals, Vrbo manages the inventory and bookings – you might as well go directly to Vrbo. Not the same at Hotels.com. It has its own rental properties and manages its own bookings.
There are lots of great vacation homes at Hotels.com. The website has an extensive list spread across North America and Europe. Outside the two continents, it’s still decent but only in the major cities and top tourist spots.
Rentals include apartments, townhouses, family homes, villas, chalets, lodges, cabins, and cottages. As for apartments, they include private homes, serviced apartments, and hotels with apartment units. Serviced and hotel apartments are great choices if you want a self-catering unit with the services and facilities of a hotel.
If you’re only looking for rental properties, click the “Vacation Rentals” menu at the top of the page. Leave it unchecked if you want to compare it with other lodgings like hotels, inns, and guest houses. Key in the destination, travel dates, and number of guests. The search result is often an array of vacation properties.
The result shows both the cost per night and the total cost (including taxes and fees) for the length of the stay. Sort the result by price, star rating, distance from the location, and guest rating. If you’re looking for specific properties like apartments and apartment hotels, use the filter for “Accommodation Type”.
There are good details about each property. Amenities and services are clearly mentioned. There’s good information about places of interest within walking distance. There are also guest reviews you can read. One snag is you can’t contact the host or property manager if you have any questions to ask.
Hotels.com has a low price guarantee, which will price match if the same property is cheaper on another website. Join as a member for loyalty rewards. Stay 10 nights and claim one night free. You’ll save up to 10 percent on selected rentals with “Secret Prices”. Also, search the web for Hotels.com coupon codes for more savings.
KEY FEATURES:
- Big inventory of rentals in North America and Europe
- Rentals cater to all budgets and travel styles
- Has a low-price guarantee
- Generous loyalty rewards program
- Pay less for “Secret Prices” and coupon codes
Agoda
Agoda is based in Singapore and is another subsidiary of Booking Holdings. The hotel booking site has been around since 2005, initially focused on Asia. Now you can book a place anywhere in the world but still has a big presence in Asia. In fact, three-quarters of its international offices are on the continent.
Agoda has more than 2 million properties. Besides hotels, you’ll also find hostels, inns, and guest houses. But Agoda doesn’t get much attention from travel reviews for vacation rentals. As a matter of fact, it has over 500,000 rental properties.
Compared to Booking.com and Hotels.com, Agoda outperforms finding vacation homes in Asia. Even in lesser-known places in Asia, your best bet for rentals is Agoda rather than Booking.com or Hotels.com. It’s a decent performer in Europe but you’re better off with Hotels.com in North America.
If you want to look at both hotels and vacation rentals, click the “Hotels & Homes” menu on the homepage. If you’ve only vacation rentals in mind, then click the “Private Stays” menu. You can bundle it with a flight booking and save. Then key in the destination and relevant details to begin the search.
The search result is a large list of rentals for Asia. Depending on the location, you’ll find apartments, service apartments, houses, bungalows, and chalets. You can sort by price, ratings, and property facilities. Use the filters to narrow your search for payment options, your budget, room amenities, and more.
Rates are initially on a nightly basis and not for the length of the stay. And they don’t include taxes and fees, which you’ll find out on the booking page. Agoda also uses tacky gimmicks like “Only 4 left” to get you to book now. Having said that, details about the properties are informative and concise.
Agoda has a low-price guarantee and a generous loyalty rewards program. “Agodacash” gives you cash credit each time you book. And the more you spend, the more credit you get. Use the credit to redeem a discount for the next booking. You also enjoy 10-25 percent less on selected properties.
KEY FEATURES:
- Hotel booking site with the largest inventory of rentals in Asia
- Your best bet to find rentals in Asia’s lesser-known places
- You can bundle with flight bookings for extra savings
- Generous loyalty reward program
- Bookings have a low price guarantee
