What to Look for in the Perfect Holiday Rental
The holiday rental you choose can make or break your time away. Here are some things to look for before booking
Ahhhh, holidays. A chance to take a deep breath, explore, connect with loved ones or with yourself. If you have a destination in mind (whether within Australia or overseas), it’s worth putting in some time to make sure you book a holiday rental that’s going to meet your needs and make your holiday as enjoyable as possible.
What you look for in a holiday rental will completely depend on what kind of holiday you’re after. If you want a totally chilled escape, then you’ll probably want to be out in nature, have adequate privacy and peace and quiet. If it’s an adventure you’re after, you’ll want to be in a more bustling location. You’ll also want to keep in mind who you’re going with (if anyone), and whether the rental suits you, your friends, family and/or pets. Here are some key things you’ll want to look out for before booking your holiday rental.
What you look for in a holiday rental will completely depend on what kind of holiday you’re after. If you want a totally chilled escape, then you’ll probably want to be out in nature, have adequate privacy and peace and quiet. If it’s an adventure you’re after, you’ll want to be in a more bustling location. You’ll also want to keep in mind who you’re going with (if anyone), and whether the rental suits you, your friends, family and/or pets. Here are some key things you’ll want to look out for before booking your holiday rental.
The right location
There’s nothing worse than rocking up to your rental to discover it’s either a million miles away from where you want to be, or in too busy an area. If you’re planning on renting or bringing a car, you can be a bit more flexible with the location. But if not, you should ensure you’re close to adequate transport and facilities (like a supermarket, if you’re planning on cooking).
The centrality or remoteness you choose will depend on what kind of holiday you’re after. Other things to find out are whether it will have phone coverage, if there’s an accessible path into the house and if there will be parking, if you’re bringing a car.
There’s nothing worse than rocking up to your rental to discover it’s either a million miles away from where you want to be, or in too busy an area. If you’re planning on renting or bringing a car, you can be a bit more flexible with the location. But if not, you should ensure you’re close to adequate transport and facilities (like a supermarket, if you’re planning on cooking).
The centrality or remoteness you choose will depend on what kind of holiday you’re after. Other things to find out are whether it will have phone coverage, if there’s an accessible path into the house and if there will be parking, if you’re bringing a car.
Views of your surrounds
Another thing that screams ‘holiday’ to me, is a house with a view. This will be particularly valuable if you’re planning on eating or entertaining outside, such as on a deck. Check out the location on street view of an online map so you can see how close it actually is to what it looks over (sometimes photos can be deceiving).
Holiday homes by the sea
Another thing that screams ‘holiday’ to me, is a house with a view. This will be particularly valuable if you’re planning on eating or entertaining outside, such as on a deck. Check out the location on street view of an online map so you can see how close it actually is to what it looks over (sometimes photos can be deceiving).
Holiday homes by the sea
Room with a view
If the home doesn’t have a deck or sweeping views, maybe you’ll want a good outlook from the bedrooms instead. Look at the size of the windows, and whether it looks like the rooms will have good natural light. Avoid views onto car parks or other apartment blocks if you can.
If the home doesn’t have a deck or sweeping views, maybe you’ll want a good outlook from the bedrooms instead. Look at the size of the windows, and whether it looks like the rooms will have good natural light. Avoid views onto car parks or other apartment blocks if you can.
Maximum relaxation
If you love lazing by the pool, you might be lucky enough to find a holiday rental with one. If there is, try to find one with a sunbed or two next to it. If there’s no pool, maybe look for a house with a spa or one that’s close to the beach if you love the water.
If you love lazing by the pool, you might be lucky enough to find a holiday rental with one. If there is, try to find one with a sunbed or two next to it. If there’s no pool, maybe look for a house with a spa or one that’s close to the beach if you love the water.
Good lighting
Don’t underestimate the power of good lighting to change a space. Avoid houses that look they have unflattering or fluorescent lighting. Gentle and warm lighting is a much better option. If you’re planning on getting home after dark, check that there is outdoor lighting to avoid any trips or falls.
Stress-free holiday departures
Don’t underestimate the power of good lighting to change a space. Avoid houses that look they have unflattering or fluorescent lighting. Gentle and warm lighting is a much better option. If you’re planning on getting home after dark, check that there is outdoor lighting to avoid any trips or falls.
Stress-free holiday departures
The right size
You don’t want to feel cramped in your holiday rental, but it doesn’t need to be huge either. Obviously you will need to consider how many people are coming along, but also whether you want it to be a more individual or social holiday. Look for open-plan spaces if you want a communal holiday, or separate rooms if you want more solitude. If it’s just you – do whatever you want!
You don’t want to feel cramped in your holiday rental, but it doesn’t need to be huge either. Obviously you will need to consider how many people are coming along, but also whether you want it to be a more individual or social holiday. Look for open-plan spaces if you want a communal holiday, or separate rooms if you want more solitude. If it’s just you – do whatever you want!
Chill-out zones
If you want your holiday to be at least partially restorative, designated ‘chill out zones’ can be really useful. This may be as simple as a chair outside, or a little reading nook in a corner of a bedroom. Having that sense of separation, with a space that is purely for relaxation, is really lovely.
If you want your holiday to be at least partially restorative, designated ‘chill out zones’ can be really useful. This may be as simple as a chair outside, or a little reading nook in a corner of a bedroom. Having that sense of separation, with a space that is purely for relaxation, is really lovely.
A tub to soak in
Nothing says holiday like a long bath. A bathtub is a great addition, but if not, a really good shower will do. I’m a big fan of rain showerheads to give you that holiday feeling.
See more freestanding bathtubs
Nothing says holiday like a long bath. A bathtub is a great addition, but if not, a really good shower will do. I’m a big fan of rain showerheads to give you that holiday feeling.
See more freestanding bathtubs
Reasonable fees and check in times
Always check all the fees involved with the booking, and the listed check in/check out times. You don’t want to be hit with a hefty booking fee or huge cancellation charges if you have to opt out. Look out for rentals that allow for generous check out times, and if you want a late check out you can always try and ask the owner (nicely).
Always check all the fees involved with the booking, and the listed check in/check out times. You don’t want to be hit with a hefty booking fee or huge cancellation charges if you have to opt out. Look out for rentals that allow for generous check out times, and if you want a late check out you can always try and ask the owner (nicely).
Outdoor space
An outdoor space is harder to find in urban locations, but even a small balcony can be really relaxing. If there’s no outdoor space, check if it is within walking distance to a park or beach. This isn’t crucial to everyone, but if you find being in nature an important part of a holiday then it’s one to double check.
An outdoor space is harder to find in urban locations, but even a small balcony can be really relaxing. If there’s no outdoor space, check if it is within walking distance to a park or beach. This isn’t crucial to everyone, but if you find being in nature an important part of a holiday then it’s one to double check.
A functional kitchen
For some, a good holiday means zero cooking. But for others, it means more time to spend cooking delicious meals. It also might be important if you have special dietary requirements that make it difficult to dine out all the time. If you’re the holiday-cooking type, check which appliances the kitchen has. At the very least you’ll want a fridge, stovetop and oven. Blenders, coffee machines and food processors are all added bonuses.
For some, a good holiday means zero cooking. But for others, it means more time to spend cooking delicious meals. It also might be important if you have special dietary requirements that make it difficult to dine out all the time. If you’re the holiday-cooking type, check which appliances the kitchen has. At the very least you’ll want a fridge, stovetop and oven. Blenders, coffee machines and food processors are all added bonuses.
Kitchen supplies
If you are planning to cook, or even just have breakfast at home, check which food supplies will be in the house. Often holiday rentals will include simple supplies such as cereal, bread and milk. Working out what’s already there will prevent you from scrambling to find a supermarket or buying items that are already there.
If you are planning to cook, or even just have breakfast at home, check which food supplies will be in the house. Often holiday rentals will include simple supplies such as cereal, bread and milk. Working out what’s already there will prevent you from scrambling to find a supermarket or buying items that are already there.
Bathroom appliances
It’s a big win if you can avoid lugging around a hairdryer in your suitcase. Many holiday rentals will have one, but best to check before you leave. I take any excuse not to blow dry my hair, but for lots of people the thought of bad hair on a holiday is not ideal.
It’s a big win if you can avoid lugging around a hairdryer in your suitcase. Many holiday rentals will have one, but best to check before you leave. I take any excuse not to blow dry my hair, but for lots of people the thought of bad hair on a holiday is not ideal.
Kid-friendly features
If you’re bringing the kiddies, check that the rental will be kid-friendly. This will all be dependent on the age of the kids, such as needing baby-proofing if they’re tiny. Teenagers? Rooms with doors and wifi! Also check if the kitchen has cutlery and plates suitable for little kids, or if you’ll need to bring these yourself.
If you’re bringing the kiddies, check that the rental will be kid-friendly. This will all be dependent on the age of the kids, such as needing baby-proofing if they’re tiny. Teenagers? Rooms with doors and wifi! Also check if the kitchen has cutlery and plates suitable for little kids, or if you’ll need to bring these yourself.
Pet-friendly spaces
If you’re planning on bringing your fur babies, always check that the house is pet-friendly. It’s not worth risking it without the owner’s permission. You’ll want to check on the outdoor space available and whether there’s fencing so your cheeky pet doesn’t go rogue.
A guide to dog and cat safety
If you’re planning on bringing your fur babies, always check that the house is pet-friendly. It’s not worth risking it without the owner’s permission. You’ll want to check on the outdoor space available and whether there’s fencing so your cheeky pet doesn’t go rogue.
A guide to dog and cat safety
Cleanliness
You want a holiday rental that is clean, and easy to keep clean. While this can be difficult to tell from photos, check for easy to wipe down surfaces and floors. Reviews for the owner and house are also indicators of the state of the rental. If you’re bringing kids (or are somewhat uncoordinated with a glass of wine like me), white couches and carpet probably won’t be a practical option. It goes without saying that the less cleaning required, the better.
You want a holiday rental that is clean, and easy to keep clean. While this can be difficult to tell from photos, check for easy to wipe down surfaces and floors. Reviews for the owner and house are also indicators of the state of the rental. If you’re bringing kids (or are somewhat uncoordinated with a glass of wine like me), white couches and carpet probably won’t be a practical option. It goes without saying that the less cleaning required, the better.
Temperature control
While you can’t really check the weather forecast too far in advance, you can get an idea of the temperature in the month you’re going. If it will be hot, make sure there is air conditioning or ceiling fans, or heating if it will be chilly.
Bring that ‘summer holiday feeling’ back home
While you can’t really check the weather forecast too far in advance, you can get an idea of the temperature in the month you’re going. If it will be hot, make sure there is air conditioning or ceiling fans, or heating if it will be chilly.
Bring that ‘summer holiday feeling’ back home
Laundry facilities
For longer stays, access to a washing machine and possibly a dryer is really useful. It’ll help you from having to pack a huge amount of clothes or lugging your dirty clothes to a laundromat. If it’s an apartment, there might be a shared laundry you can use.
For longer stays, access to a washing machine and possibly a dryer is really useful. It’ll help you from having to pack a huge amount of clothes or lugging your dirty clothes to a laundromat. If it’s an apartment, there might be a shared laundry you can use.
Peace and privacy
How’s the serenity? Hopefully pretty good. If you’re basically on top of the neighbours, it may be a little off-putting. Also check how close you are to busy roads or noisy schools, because who wants to be interrupted from their holiday by annoying school bells?
How’s the serenity? Hopefully pretty good. If you’re basically on top of the neighbours, it may be a little off-putting. Also check how close you are to busy roads or noisy schools, because who wants to be interrupted from their holiday by annoying school bells?
Modern-day comforts
Access to wifi/TV/Netflix is a really important thing to look in to. Either not having these things will annoy you for the entire trip, or provide an opportunity for a digital detox. Will you need to be checking your email, or searching online for places to eat? Or would you prefer to live ‘off the grid’ for a bit? Choose your facilities accordingly.
Access to wifi/TV/Netflix is a really important thing to look in to. Either not having these things will annoy you for the entire trip, or provide an opportunity for a digital detox. Will you need to be checking your email, or searching online for places to eat? Or would you prefer to live ‘off the grid’ for a bit? Choose your facilities accordingly.
Added extras
It can be worth checking if there will be a guestbook with things such as maps and takeaway menus – especially if you’re planning on going internet-free. Will there be any board games, surfboards, bicycles or books? Check out before you pack, you could save a lot of space in your suitcase.
TELL US
What do you look for in a holiday rental? Tell us in the Comments section below.
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It can be worth checking if there will be a guestbook with things such as maps and takeaway menus – especially if you’re planning on going internet-free. Will there be any board games, surfboards, bicycles or books? Check out before you pack, you could save a lot of space in your suitcase.
TELL US
What do you look for in a holiday rental? Tell us in the Comments section below.
MORE
Read more lifestyle stories
One of the most important things in a holiday rental, for me, is how it feels. You want to be staying in a happy home. While this can be hard to ascertain from photos, there are a few things you can look out for. Does it look well cared for? Has thought been put into decorating? Is there that little something special that draws you in?
Look to colour schemes and choose according to whether you prefer brighter or more neutral colours. If you enjoy greenery, take note if there are plants in the photos. The furniture should look comfortable, durable and low-maintenance.