Booking your family vacation is a ton of fun. Deciding where to stay while you’re there? Not so much.
For decades, hotels were the only real option for families. Show your reservation information, pay for your room, and you’re good to go.
Until recently…
Renting private villas has revolutionized travel for families. In fact, the vacation rental market reached $89 billion in revenue in 2023. That number is expected to reach $119 billion by 2030.
Vacation rentals aren’t slowing down anytime soon. Millions of families are realizing the benefits of renting private homes, condos, and villas instead of cramped hotel rooms.
So which should you choose for your family vacation? Let’s dive into it.
What you’ll discover:
- Cost Comparison: Hotels vs Vacation Rentals
- Space and Privacy Considerations
- Resort Amenities vs Kitchen Access
- Vacation Rental Locations vs Hotel Neighborhoods
- Hotels Still Have Benefits Too
Cost Comparison: Hotels vs Vacation Rentals
You may think hotels are less expensive than renting vacation property. Think again.
Booking hotel rooms for a family of five means you’ll likely need more than one room. Dining at the hotel restaurant 3 meals per day… Yup, you’ll spend more.
Vacation rentals calculate pricing differently. One three-bedroom vacation home will sleep your whole family for one flat price. Plus, having a kitchen means cooking meals instead of dining out all the time.
Vacation accommodation like Cabo condos for rent can include resort-style pools and oceanfront views for much less than a hotel room. And you won’t be paying extra for room service everything you order!
The verdict? Vacation rentals almost always cost less per family member than booking hotel rooms.
Space and Privacy Considerations
Here’s a question worth asking.
Would you rather stay with your family in a 300 square foot hotel room or a 1,500 square foot condo?
The answer is obvious. Everyone wants the bigger space when traveling with kids.
Children NEED space to move around. They’ll never stop bouncing off the walls if they have backyard to play in. Adults need space too. To finally unwind once the kids hit the sack.
With hotels, you get one room. If you’re lucky, the hotel will let you book two adjoining rooms. Sleeping, eating, watching TV, changing clothes… all happens in the same space.
Vacation rentals offer:
- Bedrooms for privacy
- Living areas to relax
- Patios and balconies
- Kitchens to prepare meals and snacks
- Laundry facilities (always needed when traveling with kids)
Plus, according to a Vrbo survey, 42% of vacation renters book properties based on amenities they can’t afford at home. Kids can splash in a pool. Families can unwind by the hot tub. Fun game rooms let everyone escape their devices for once.
Renting a vacation home means your family can enjoy luxuries you normally wouldn’t be able to.
Resort Amenities vs Kitchen Access
On that note, hotels have to make money somehow. Between covering bell hops, housekeeping, and restaurant foods tourist attraction fees; hotels simply mark up everything.
That “all inclusive” vacation package may sound nice in theory. But you’ll end up paying double for food and beverages you could prepare yourself.
Renting vacation property gives families incredible flexibility when budgeting for trips. Sure, you might spend more on groceries than eating out all the time. But you’ll also have more freedom to eat wherever you want.
Want to visit that All-You-Can-Eat-Buffet down the street? Go for it. Making dinner from your kitchen? Feel free too.
Kids can have snacks whenever they’re hungry instead of waiting for hotel dining hall hours. Parents can save money by packing lunch instead of eating out for every meal.
Vacation rentals are ideal for families on a budget who still want to experience luxury amenities.
Vacation Rental Locations vs Hotel Neighborhoods
Speaking of luxury amenities…
Hotel brands are typically located in specific areas. Downtown. Near tourist attractions. By the airport.
That’s fine if you’re planning a city vacation. But what about renting a beachfront condo? Cabins in the mountains? Houses located in residential areas?
Vacation rentals make residential and vacation home neighborhoods accessible to families. Hotels are few and far between outside of “tourist towns.”
Want to wake up and step outside directly onto the beach? You can with the right rental property. Prefer kitchens and mountain views? Vacation rental companies offer those homes too.
Due to high demand, many popular vacation towns will have private homes and villas with the best locations. Hotels typically don’t own oceanfront property along popular beaches.
Family vacation options are limitless when renting homes versus staying at a hotel.
Hotels Still Have Benefits Too
This isn’t meant to slut shame hotels. Hotels can be a great option for family travel in certain scenarios.
Staying one or two nights? Hotels win this competition. Spending more than a couple of nights? Rental property takes the cake.
Hotels make sense if you only need a bed to sleep in. You don’t have to worry about checking in/out like you would with a rental. And housekeeping will tidy up after you each day.
Traveling with the entire family on a business trip? Hotels can work better for those types of schedules too.
And if your destination just doesn’t offer vacation rental properties? Some areas have an excess of hotels and not enough rental homes.
You’ll still find:
- Housekeeping daily
- Dining at hotel restaurants
- Room service
- Points you can redeem with hotel loyalty programs
Hotels benefit families who prefer small spaces and larger budgets. It’s about picking the right option for your trip.
Making The Decision For YOUR Family
There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to your family’s vacations. Every trip has a different purpose.
Some families only take one big vacation each year. Others rent vacation homes multiple times per year.
The statistics show that more and more families are opting to rent homes versus booking hotel rooms. Large families need the space. Budget minded parents want to save on dining out. Everyone wants more privacy with young children.
Take inventory of your family’s needs before booking anywhere. Ask yourself:
- How many people are traveling?
- How long is your trip?
- Does your family need access to a kitchen?
- Is privacy a major factor with young kids?
- What is your overall budget, including food?
Once you know the answers, you’ll know where to stay.
Final Thoughts
Remember when hotels were the only option for family vacations? Times have changed.
Families wanted larger spaces. Hotels gave them rooms.
They wanted privacy. Hotels built higher walls between rooms.
And families wanted better value for their money. Hotels raised prices on restaurants and parking.
So families spoke with their wallets and started renting vacation property instead.
Hotels aren’t going anywhere. But if you plan on taking your family on vacation, you should at least look into vacation rentals too.