August is slipping away. School calendars are filling up, routines are creeping back, and that summer trip you meant to book is still sitting in the "maybe" pile.
Good news: it's not too late. These summer vacation rentals still have availability, and they're the kind of places worth rearranging your schedule for. From a historic mansion in Florida to a lakefront retreat in Montana, here's where to squeeze in one more trip before the season ends.
Ariadne at Metohi Georgila
This isn't a resort. It's a 1908 Cretan estate that's been in the same family for three generations, rebuilt into five independent residences that feel more like staying with friends than checking into a rental.
Metohi Georgila sits in Pyrgos Psilonerou, about 15 kilometers from Chania on Crete's northwest coast. The sandy beach is a 10-minute walk. Platanias, with its restaurants and nightlife, is a short drive. But the reason to stay here is the quiet. Stone walls, olive trees, mountain views, and the kind of stillness that makes you forget you brought your phone.
Summer and fall in Crete mean warm evenings, uncrowded beaches if you know where to look, and enough history within driving distance to fill a week. Start with the Venetian harbor in Chania, then work your way to Balos Lagoon or the ruins at Knossos. Come back to the estate, pour a glass of local wine, and watch the sun drop behind the hills.
Kiahuna Plantation Condo
Poipu Beach on Kauai's south shore gets more sunny days than almost anywhere else on the island. This updated one-bedroom condo at Kiahuna Plantation puts you steps from the sand, with partial ocean views from the lanai and air conditioning for the afternoons when you need a break from the heat.
The unit sleeps four with a California king in the bedroom and a queen pullout in the living room. The kitchen was updated in 2026; the unit includes a washer and dryer, and beach chairs and towels are complimentary at the resort's beach hut.
What makes Kiahuna work for a last-minute summer vacation is the location. World-class snorkeling right out front, two golf courses within minutes, historic Koloa Town for shopping and dinner, and free hula shows across the street at Poipu Shopping Village. You don't need a packed itinerary. Just show up, walk to the beach, and let the island do the rest.
Villa Paraiso
If your end-of-summer travel involves a group worth gathering, this is the place. Villa Paraiso is a seven-bedroom private estate on Palmilla Beach in Los Cabos, one of the few swimmable beaches on the Pacific side of Baja.
You book the entire property (no shared spaces, no neighbors, no hotel guests wandering through your morning coffee). The villa comes with a full staff, concierge service, and Pacific Ocean views that make you reconsider your whole life.
Palmilla Beach itself is the draw. Calm water, soft sand, dramatic cliffs. The villa sits within the gated Palmilla community, minutes from San Jose del Cabo and the Corridor's restaurants and golf courses. For family reunions, milestone birthdays, or the kind of trip where everyone actually wants to be in the same place, it's worth every dollar.
The Brent House
This 1904 Victorian in downtown Pensacola is 4,400 square feet of 11-foot ceilings, stained glass windows, ornate fireplaces, and wraparound porches on two levels. Six bedrooms, six bathrooms, and enough character to make everyone put their phones down and actually look around.
The house sits one block off Palafox Street in the North Hill Preservation District. Walk to restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and the Palafox Market. Park up to 10 cars in the back if you're traveling with a crew. The space works for bachelorette weekends, family reunions, or any group that wants more than a generic hotel block.
What makes the Brent House special is the history. It's been a family home, a hotel, a bed-and-breakfast, and an advertising agency. Rooted in Southern Living, it features seven original fireplaces, each with a hand-carved mantel, a movie theater room for rainy afternoons, and enough antiques and art to feel like you're staying in a museum that happens to have comfortable beds.
Lake Koocanusa Dream House
Montana in August is as good as it gets. Warm days, cool nights, and a lake that hasn't been discovered by the crowds yet. This four-bedroom house near Rexford sits minutes from Lake Koocanusa with enough gear included to fill a week without renting a thing.
Two master suites with king beds and private bathrooms, and two additional bedrooms with queen beds each. Six kayaks, a standup paddleboard, mountain bikes, a basketball hoop, ping-pong, disc golf, badminton, and a fire pit for the evenings. There's even an EV charger and RV hookup if you're road-tripping in.
The Pacific Northwest Trail runs along the lakeshore, about a five-minute walk from the house. Abayance Bay Marina hosts concerts through September and rents boats if you want to get out on the water with more horsepower. The Wilderness Club, Montana's top-ranked golf course, is nearby. And the Koocanusa Sand Dunes offer 20 miles of off-road trails if your crew is the adventurous type.
Book Before They're Gone
August and early fall availability doesn't last. The hosts behind these summer vacation rentals have openings now, but that window closes fast once Labor Day comes into view. Book direct on Houfy, skip the service fees, and lock in your last-minute summer vacation before the calendar decides for you. The trip you've been putting off is still possible. You just have to book it.
