Do you use any of these vacation rental apps? If so, which are your favorites?
VRBO…Vacation Rentals by Owner
This was acquired by Home Away in 2006, so you really don’t need to check both sites. They are almost identical as far as I can tell. You can add your dates, place, and amenities you are looking for.
HomeAway
This user-friendly site makes it one of the best for vacation rentals. You have access to a map view and a list of all the details of the property. Add your filters to find places that fit your needs. I found it to be transparent with all the fees, what they are for, and if they are refundable.
Airbnb
This site is easy to use, giving you a map of properties available. Add your filters and find the right place. It gives plenty of information about the place, including photos. It’s clear on whether you will have an entire house or a private room.
Booking.com
With this one, you can look for hotels and B&Bs, to vacation rentals, to apartments. They clearly label whether the booking is refundable or not. Do keep in mind to check if there are any extra fees not mentioned in the original price. I didn’t care for the little messages that say “you missed it” when I was looking for a certain place. I don’t need to be urged on to book.
TripAdvisor
This is SmaterTravel’s parent company…just in case you were wondering. They have also acquired FlipKey and HolidayLettings. You will find plenty of listings and options to book. Their listings are generally informative with traveler reviews and owner profiles. There is also an option to send a message directly to the owner.
Tripping
This is another meta-search site for vacation rentals. Sometimes they will overall with their parent company, HometoGo. They have hotels, hostels, apartments, home, etc. One thing they do offer in addition is a flexible date feature. For example, you can put in January to March to see when the best dates to book are for your destination.
Hotels.com
This one offers star ratings so you can see what others thought of a property. The map is not the best, in my opinion. You cannot see taxes and fees until you book…a real problem for me. I want to know what I’m paying before putting in my credit card.
Expedia
You have the option for many different accommodation types, as well as a dedicated vacation rental search page. If you are map oriented when browsing, this isn’t the best. When you click on a listing you will find photos, amenities, reviews, and nearby attractions. Total price is not available until you reserve…again fees and taxes not listed until then.
HometoGo
This is a meta-search site, allowing you to search most of the sites I already mentioned. Each list offers the type of rental and exactly where you can book it. Be sure you check the price once you leave this site and go to the booking site. It can be different. This is almost a one-stop shop.