When booking a vacation, many people naturally book their hotel accommodation or book a vacation package that includes their room. The alternative is to book a vacation home or condo, either privately with the owner, through a rental company or resort, or as part of a package. This can often work out cheaper both in terms of the cost of the rental and in terms of the amount of money you’ll spend during your trip.

There are several ways to reserve your apartment and each one has its advantages and disadvantages. First of all, it is possible to book an apartment, a villa or a holiday home as part of a package. As a family this is usually the best and most cost effective way to book. You can book through a well-known and trusted company and a certain level of accommodation will be guaranteed. For standard vacation destinations, this is usually the best thing to do. The hassle of booking is taken out and flights are often cheaper when booked this way, as is accommodation. The downside comes if you’re looking to go somewhere a little more unusual, or when you’d rather not be at a resort. Vacation packages are designed to appeal to the masses. If you prefer to avoid such masses, this method is not for you.

The second way to reserve your apartment is to go directly through the owner. Unless you know and trust the apartment owner, this can be risky. You don’t know if the apartment is kept clean and tidy or if all the amenities are working properly. That said, if you know the owner or are willing to take a chance, reserving your vacation home this way can be a great way to save money. People who use their own vacation homes regularly will take good care of them; this means that your home is likely to be kept to an excellent standard. They will often see the rent money they get from it as a small bonus, so they are unlikely to overcharge you for using it.

The other way to book your accommodation is to do it through the resort where the vacation home is located. If you are at a resort, the apartments are usually maintained by a management company. This means that a good level of cleanliness can be expected. Both the apartment and the complex will be maintained to a very particular standard to satisfy both the owners and the users of the rental. Renting through a resort is slightly more expensive than renting directly from the owner, but it can still be significantly cheaper than staying at a hotel. In addition, you will have the option of self-service. This can save you a fortune compared to eating at a restaurant every day.

Despite the risks, I would thoroughly research your options in the location you wish to visit and would seriously consider recommending renting a vacation home or apartment over staying in a hotel.