Whenever you’re planning a vacation, you should always consider staying in a vacation rental instead of a hotel. Many people still use a booking agent to help them find a vacation rental, but you no longer need to do that. You can find a rental on your own. Surf to Ski Retreats is just one such website that allows you to search and book a rental online.

Here is a quick list of things a vacationer should always do when looking for and renting a vacation rental:

1. Look at all the pictures (and ask for additional images). Unlike a hotel room, each vacation rental is unique. Even if you have stayed in the same condo complex before, every unit in that complex will have slightly different amenities, features and appliances. Make sure you can see pictures of both the inside and outside of the unit. Depending on the location, the surrounding area is important so you know what the pool area looks like, as well as nearby beaches, and complex amenities.

2. Read feedback or testimonials. Know what other vacationers think of the vacation rental. Is it a good fit for you?

3. Understand the contract. Make sure you know what the cancellation and refund policies are.

4. Buy travel insurance. You never know what will happen and most owners/managers have strict cancellation policies. Buy insurance to protect yourself. It costs so few dollars and it can save you thousands!

5. Get check in & out instructions before you leave. Know how to get to the rental and how to get into the rental. Most vacation rentals will have a lock box and you’ll need a combination to open it. When you’re ready to leave, make sure you know what you need to do when you check out. You may be required to do some laundry, dishes or other tasks so that you don’t pay extra cleaning fees. This is very normal and since you’re staying in someone’s home, we want to encourage you to keep the vacation rental clean and think of the owner and next guests.

Do your research! This quick list handles the basics of renting a vacation rental. If you don’t feel comfortable renting the vacation rental, then don’t. Keep looking until you come across the right rental for you.

Get more information on our main website about why you should choose a vacation rental instead of a hotel: Vacation Rental Education

Once you stay in a vacation rental, you’ll always rent one for every vacation and trip you take!

–

Michael

Surf to Ski Retreats - Vacation Rentals For Every Season

I recently spent some time on Kauai and stayed in the resort area of Princeville. The North side of Kauai has excellent golf, shopping and lots of sightseeing and activities, but most importantly - there are a lot of vacation rentals in the area.

Although there are almost 2 dozen condo complexes in, and around Princeville, I had the pleasure of staying at the Nihilani at Princeville. The unit was a two story condo with a living room, bedroom and bathroom on each floor. This makes for a great rental when staying with a second couple, or a family, as you get your own space and time away, even when you’re back from a day’s adventure.

The complex is very well maintained, lots of nice hedges, plants and palms. The community pool area is secure so that outsiders can not get in and while I stayed there, it was barely used and I quite enjoyed having the whole pool to myself! Even on days when other guests or residents were in the pool, it was still a pleasant time as everyone was respectful of each other.

If you plan to stay in this complex, find an inside unit (one not facing the road) as there is traffic and this could be a negative for some people. Nihilani has both permanent residents and traveler staying in the complex. Each building has 3 units and it was very, very quiet. This complex is not oceanfront, but it is within a five minute walk of the Princeville cliffs and shoreline. There are lots of good walking paths, especially around the golf courses. Runners, joggers and walkers will enjoy this area.

Other vacation rental complexes to consider in the Princeville area are:

Alii Kai
Hanalei Bay Villas
Pali Ke Kua
Plantation at Princeville
Sandpiper Village 1
The Cliffs
Villas on the Prince

As with any vacation rental - check the pictures and feedback of the unit as each one is unique!

Finally, I would recommend Nihilani to anyone. It was a good place to stay and had easy access to everything.

Enjoy your next stay in Kauai!

–

Michael

Surf to Ski Retreats - Vacation Rentals For Every Season

Today, Christmas Day, we launched our Vacation Rental Blog (Merry Christmas)! As our customers know, we make ourselves available to answer questions and help just about anytime, so launching our blog on a holiday is par for the course. Our team is a group that likes to work hard and provide the best possible service to everyone who uses our website.

It’s been a while in the design, but our team put together a great looking blog and everyone at Surf to Ski Retreats has been eagerly looking forward to writing stories about their experiences on trips, vacation rental stays, things to do, see and more.

Visit us often to see what we’re writing about. We’ll be posting articles often and everyone on staff thanks you for reading and posting your own comments.

–

Michael

http://www.surftoskiretreats.com