Last year was a challenging one for airlines, hotels, and other traveler suppliers.  But 2009 was a big winner for one segment of the travel industry.  It will likely go down as the year of the vacation rental.
 
PR Newswire reported in July 2009 that 43% of travelers planned to stay in a vacation rental in the next 12 months – 24% of travelers had already stayed in one last summer.  And 31% of vacation rental owners reported that their bookings were up this year.
 
And why not?  Vacation rentals offer fantastic value for money.  Usually your dollar buys a lot more square footage.  For the same price as a luxury hotel room – or maybe even less – you might end up with a bedroom, a living room, a fully equipped kitchen, and a terrace, patio, or lanai.

 
Of course, that’s on the small side.  Vacation home rentals are available with a limitless number of bedrooms and baths.  There truly is something for every need.
 
A vacation rental saves you money several ways.
 
Because a multi-bedroom vacation rental will let you split the cost of lodging with other friends or family, that drives the price down even more.  And because you have a kitchen, you’ll save on meals too.
 
With your own kitchen, you also gain a lot of flexibility.  Instead of having to get up and out for breakfast, you can sleep in, prepare whatever you like, and then linger over coffee and the local paper on your balcony or deck.
 
Most vacation rentals have everything you need to prepare anything from a pre-dinner snack to a gourmet meal.  And depending on your destination, your kitchen may have amenities like a Sub-Zero refrigerator, granite counter tops, and a blender for margaritas.
 
Vacation rentals and vacation home rental are available virtually everywhere – from Paris to Pago Pago.  And they’re available in every price range.  From a 12-bedroom villa in Tuscany to a studio in Soho, you can find a vacation rental wherever you want to go.
 
Before you rent, read the fine print.
 
Most house rentals have a seven-night minimum.  And many are available only for Saturday night check in.  Condos, studios, and vacation rentals in areas with a lot of competition are often less restrictive.
 
And if your dates are flexible, you can sometimes find a 3- or 4-day vacancy between booking.
 
As a rule, you’ll need to send a deposit of 25 – 50 percent of the total cost to the vacation rental owner to confirm the reservation, with the balance due 30 – 60 days before you arrive.  You may also have to pay a refundable security deposit.
 
If you have to cancel, most owners will refund your deposit if they’re able to rebook the space.  But if they can’t, you’ll probably be out your deposit.  So it’s a good idea to purchase travel insurance when you pay your deposit.
 
A vacation rental feels more like a home-away-from-home than a hotel room.  And many owners outfit their places with local guides, books on flora and fauna, CDs, and other special touches for their guests.
 
Next time you’re planning a vacation, consider a vacation rental instead of a hotel room. 
 
Read more trip planning tips here. and find valuable travel advice here.

Rental Villa Image Flickr: SarahC1978