Most of us like to get away from the daily routine, whether it is a weekend away or a longer trip to exotic destinations. Accommodation options for any traveler can include vacation rentals and short-term stays ranging from hotels to home shares and hostels. A few factors to consider are local regulations, types of stays, payment, and amenities available. That said, there are still several options to choose from for everyone.

Types of vacation rental and short-term stays

Hotels
Hotels are the safest option having all the check-in and check-out times, bed, private bathroom, and a comfortable stay. Choose hotels even if they are a little costly if you are traveling with your kids or the elderly.

Hostels
If you are a solo traveler spending a month or more on a vacation, choose hostels. Most hostels offer shared rooms or single rooms with decent living space. Though hostels are a great option if you are on a budget, they often have small spaces and challenging living situations. Inspect the reviews and visit two or three alternatives before choosing where to stay.

House sharing
If you are traveling with a group of friends, sharing a house is a great option. Renting a home share is the safest option in case the budget hotels are in an unsavory area.

Motel
Motels are not the best option to choose regardless of the duration of the trip since they are usually lacking in amenities. Motels should be your last option unless you are going backpacking and won’t need it for more than the bedroom and bathroom offered. If you are lucky to find one with decent living options, it’s great for a short stay.

Tips for choosing vacation rentals and short term stays Things to remember when choosing vacation rentals and short-term stays are the amenities offered, the privacy it provides, whether the property allows kids and if it is pet-friendly. This will ensure that you get the right kind of stay with good conditions. A few other useful tips to keep in mind for vacation rentals and short-term stays are:

Read the reviews
The obvious first step is to scour through the reviews. Look at the rating and number of reviews to refer to the quality of the property. Reviews are good indicators of the experience previous customers have had and there is no hype or selling content. Also, visit the property website if they have one and contact the person-in-charge if you have any queries.

Amenities
Amenities such as room service, private bathroom, laundry, and availability of free water are not available in all types of vacation rentals and short-term stays. Making sure to enquire beforehand will prevent you from bad surprises down the road. Check the availability of laundry, clean sheets, cleaning of rooms, private toilette and paper towels and appliances that you may require. See recent pictures and talk to the owner to confirm.

Transportation
Transportation to and from the area and macro-location should be kept in mind. Investigate cab services, public transportation and distances from important landmarks or tourist places that you intend to visit. Choose a rental that is close to the main tourist attractions or close to major public transportation hubs.

Local laws about short-term rental
Places offering accommodation to tourists have to follow the laws and regulations of the state about owning a property and renting it out for the short term. As short-term rentals grow in popularity, residents can create local regulations and can the property owner. Be sure of these factors before renting.

On and off seasons
The off-season or on-season varies depending on the destination you are traveling to. However, vacation rentals and short-term stays in busy areas such as the beach area of San Francisco, California can attract tourists all year round. But for most cities, rental houses are operational in their best condition during high seasons. But choosing off-season can lower the cost of holiday homes.

Vacation rentals and short-term stays are the best types of accommodation if you are traveling for less than a month with family. Hotels are better for a stay up to a week. Hostels and house shares are also great options while traveling solo or with friends. Vacation homes are now growing at a rate of 5.1% annually due to the demand and popularity, and it is one of the best ones to choose if you will be considering a mix of work and pleasure in one trip.