Save Money: Book a Vacation Rental with Added Amenities Included

One of the things that makes a vacation rental so great is all the stuff that can come with a rental – boats, canoes, jet skis, hot tubs, pool tables, game consoles, kitchens, grills, cornhole, games, and much, much more.

Not all vacation-rentals include many of these items – what are known as “added amenities” – and that’s unfortunate because:

• They’re expensive for you to rent or buy;
• They can be hard for you to transport; and
• Without them, you’re probably going to be spending money on entertainment outside of your rental.

Even if you had a pool table, you’re not going to tow it behind the Prius on your way to Kitty Hawk. You want a pool table in your rental when you get there.

Here are some of the most popular amenities and what you can expect to save if your rental includes them as part of the rental fee.

In case you haven’t been paying attention to the Uberization of almost everything, you can rent someone else’s pool. The business is Swimply, and the cost averages $45/hour and up. While that’s not a huge amount of money by itself, do it a couple of days and it adds up.

Sure, the ocean is free and the nearest municipal pool is a roaring bargain, but having your own pool without a running meter is the ultimate luxury, and it can be yours … if you chose a rental with added amenities.

Dog-paddling is cheap. Just about everything else that takes place in or on water is not.

Jet skis, kayaks, paddle boards – not cheap. Renting a jet ski can cost up to $100 an hour or $400 a day, not counting the hold placed on your credit card.

If you can find a vacation rental that offers no-extra-cost jetskis, canoes, or kayaks as part of their package run, do not walk, to the “Confirm My Reservation” button.

This is without doubt the best way to enjoy these activities without breaking the bank.

Also read: Top 5 Travel Problems and How Travel Insurance can Help

In many resort areas, e-bikes are the best way of getting around. They’re quick enough, allow for a small amount of exertion, and are fun!

Renting an e-bike is cheap enough – generally $80-$100/day – unless you’re a family of five and not a circus act, in which case that balloons to $500/day. Human-powered bikes and e-scooters aren’t that much less.

Even having a couple of bicycles in the garage of your rental is a big deal, so the active types can have their activity. Bikes and scooters may seem basic and obvious, but they make a huge difference with a vacation rental.

One of the big reasons for choosing a vacation rental over a resort or hotel is the opportunity to save money by cooking your meals.

While this sounds great in theory, using the stove for everything you eat while staying in a beach house is sort of a vibe-killer. There is no Swimply for grills – yet – so your options are to head to the nearest grill-equipped park or eat out … or choose a rental with its own outdoor grill.

Pool tables, big-screen TVs, game consoles – all of these can elevate a good rental to a great rental, especially if the weather turns.

You can easily drop a couple hundred dollars at an arcade or a restaurant that combines these games with mediocre and overpriced food, or you can stay home, get Domino’s, and have twice the fun at one-tenth the cost.

You decide.

Consider getting Vacation Rental Damage coverage in case you or the kids break one of those amenities.

So how do you find these world-saving vacation rentals? It’s pretty easy, actually.

• Research and compare: Reputable vacation rental websites and platforms include a list of added amenities for their properties. Compare the prices and descriptions of different rentals and align them with your needs and budget.
  
  
• Read reviews: Does the jet ski really work, or is it a garbage disposal with a snowmobile body on top? Read reviews from real guests who have really used this stuff to make sure everything’s hunky-dory.
  
  
• Communicate with hosts: Direct specific questions to your hosts or property managers. If they’re good hosts, they’ll answer promptly.
  
  
• Read the rental agreement: Use glasses if you have to; don’t skim and don’t pretend you read it. Make sure you know what amenities are included.

Accidents happen, and damaged or broken items can quickly turn into unexpected expenses during your trip. That’s why it’s important to have vacation Rental Damage coverage that includes all the added amenities under the plan.

That way, if an included item gets damaged, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that it's covered by your Vacation Rental Damage coverage. To get Vacation Rental Damage coverage for your upcoming reservation, contact your vacation rental company today.

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