VACATION RENTALS VS. HOTELS ................................by Guy Schlacter

IS THERE A DIFFERENCE?

Booking a vacation rental is still new to many people. For those not familiar, it is like staying at the house or condo you or a friend might own if you had a second home. Vacation rentals will provide much more space, privacy, convenience and amenities that feel like home. Expect a kitchen and a location that is more convenient than what most hotels can offer. Vacation Rentals also are typically lower cost and provide more value than a hotel that doesn't even provide comparable features. Most importantly, very often you will receive personalized information from the property's actual owner to get inside information for your stay.

These vacation rental benefits bring the need to understand the differences from hotels. With increased privacy, vacation rentals do not provide guests daily housekeeping. Typical is a single check-out cleaning and optional mid-stay cleaning for a extra fee. Vacation rentals are typically prepared with a basic supply or starter-supply for bathrooms, kitchens and laundry that include: toilet paper, paper towel, dish soap, sponge, coffee/filters, detergent, etc. Many vacationers, although they enjoy exploring local dining options also enjoy the ability to purchase groceries and use the kitchen to prepare meals, even the most lavish holiday dinner.

Although privacy is assured, this does not mean you are alone. The vacation rental owner or management is always available via phone to help resolve any maintenance issue or emergency.

Vacation rentals are so much more conducive for groups and families. They provide the convenience of multiple bedrooms, bathrooms and common living area for hanging out. Often children can gather in separate areas that afford them their own space away from adults. Many vacation rentals also provide use of a pool, hot tub and exercise areas, just like hotels. Be sure to check on the individual listing.

Most of all, vacation rentals provide the lowest cost for your vacation lodging accommodations when you factor in the space, amenities, and location for your whole group.

WHY IS THE CLEANING CHARGE ADDED SEPARATE FROM ROOM RATE AND WHY IS IT RELATIVELY EXPENSIVE?

You would not be the first guest or traveler to ask these questions. The answer is that unlike Hotels who provide daily cleaning with a known cost that can be and are included into their nightly rates; vacation rentals have one cleaning for varying lengths of stay. In other words, even though the cleaning is a known cost, the vacation rental nightly rate doesn't include the cleaning, because the length of stay is not known ahead of time when nightly rates are published.

In most resort or vacation areas, cost of labor and services are significantly higher than where you might live. This contributes to the higher cleaning rates and is especially true for ski areas throughout Summit County and all of Colorado. Additionally, travel costs from home to home for the cleaners, for linens & towels to get outsourced launderer locations, and starter supplies contribute to the costs as well.

WHAT WILL YOU CHOOSE FOR YOUR NEXT VACATION?

Hopefully this post has answered some of your questions about the difference between vacation rentals and hotels. We hope you will see the clear benefits of staying in a by-owner vacation rental for your next vacation. Most vacation rentals now offer direct on-line availability calendar search and booking, yet provide full owner or management contact information that lets you openly communicate to get all your questions answered.

For your next Keystone Resort vacation, please consider our 4br4ba penthouse condo in The Gateway.

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We have owned our condo since 2002 and have always enjoyed Keystone with family and friends.

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