Privately-Owned Vacation Property Offers Outstanding Value to Renters

In November, 2004, my wife Terry and I visited Paris for seven days. We stayed in a postage stamp sized hotel room in the Latin Quarter about two blocks from Notre Dame Cathedral.

We toured the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Versailles, Sainte-Chappelle, the Arc de Triomphe, the Musee d'Orsay, the Louvre (two days), and went to a show at Lido's.

We discovered, or rather stumbled upon another highlight of our trip ? an open air market half a block from our hotel. The market operated only three days a week and featured the freshest meats, poultry, seafood, cheeses, breads, and produce from the outlying farms and countryside. There was a black wild boar, or at least the hide, on display in the meat section. Pheasants and other game birds, feathers in tact, hung from the rafters of the butcher shop

While we had many great meals including a few gourmets dining experiences in Paris, we missed the opportunity to prepare some of our own dinners. Both Terry and I love to cook and we have never seen such quality, fresh ingredients. But, we had no facilities to cook for ourselves. Nor did we have much space in our hotel room.

This is one of those times when you hit yourself on the forehead with the palm of your hand. "Why didn't we rent a fully furnished apartment or condo rather than a hotel room?"

This revelation has prompted me to revisit some of my own writings. And here is some of my advice from years past:

Your vacation property provides value, fun, and excitement not just for you and your family, but for anyone who might rent your property.

Vacationers will find a "home away from home" with all the privacy and convenience they expect.

Consider the vacation options: a resort hotel room, a cramped cabin on a cruise, or a privately-owned vacation house or condo at the destination of your choice.

Count the following among the many advantages a privately-owned vacation property has over a resort hotel room:

1. Savings on Meals ? A furnished kitchen allows vacationers to prepare many of their own meals. During a week's vacation, dining in, rather than going to restaurants for every meal translates into several hundred dollars in savings on food alone.

2. More Room ? A vacation home, condo, or villa usually has more space than a resort hotel room. Often, the condo or villa has a living room, dining room, kitchen, and perhaps a porch, balcony, or deck. When you're on vacation, it's nice to have some space.

3. Beautiful Furnishings ? Many vacation properties reflect the good taste and pride of the owners with fine furnishings and decorator touches.

4. More Privacy ? Often the homes, villas, and condos are more secluded, more private than a room in a hotel. In a resort hotel, you may have revelers roaming the halls at all hours.

5. Fully Equipped ? In addition to a furnished kitchen with microwave and refrigerator, the vacation property may have a washer and dryer. Guests can wash their golf, tennis, ski, or beach wear each day. Hidden benefit: less luggage to haul on the trip.

6. Mini Bar vs. Refrigerator ? Take a single beer from the hotel mini-bar or take a six-pack from the refrigerator at the condo. Guess what? The cost is about the same. Mini-bars provide great profit centers for hotels. Refrigerators, microwaves, VCRs, washers and dryers provide excellent convenience and savings for vacationers.

7. Better Rates ? Despite these many advantages, privately-owned vacation property often costs less per week or per day than a hotel room at the same resort.

We had a wonderful trip to Paris. But, when we return ? and I hope it is soon ? we will take the extra step of finding an apartment or condo to rent.

Copyright© 2005, Christopher Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author -- Chris Cain wrote "Maximize Your Resort Property Investment" (1984), "Road Map to Your Vacation Property Dream" (1998), and dozens of articles on vacation property. He is a nationally-known speaker on the topic and he sells vacation property in Orlando, FL. Chris bases his writings and counseling on his 16 year ownership experience of a seaside villa at Kiawah Island, SC. "Road Map to Your Vacation Property Dream," is available for $9.95 plus $4 S&H when ordered direct by calling toll-free 1-888-822-6657. Contact Chris Cain at vacvalue@aol.com.

---

A Road Trip in Cyprus -- Blessed by the Gods

Aphrodite's Hot SpotEuropean Road Trip AdventuresCyprus. Yes, it is a... Read More

Coastal Vacations Club Offers Up to 85% off Week Long Condo Stays

When vacation time rolls around, some people choose to stay... Read More

Advantages of Bahamas Packages

For many people, the Bahamas is a dream vacation site,... Read More

Use Sydney Apartments, Not Hotels, To Save Yourself Money

If you're planning a visit to Australia, then you'll be... Read More

Lodging and Entertainment Deals in Orlando Florida

Disney Area Lodging DealsThe Orlando area communities of Lake Buena... Read More

How to Have 25+ Romantic Honeymoon Trips a Year, for a Lower Cost Than the Price of One

As our wedding anniversary looms near... and this one will... Read More

Choosing a Maui Condo Rental Agent

Choosing a condo in Maui is definitely a great investment.... Read More

Town Homes for ALL Your Pleasure in Orlando, Florida!

Have you ever done something spontaneous? Are you in love... Read More

Chiang Mai Guesthouses - What To Expect

No visit to Thailand is complete without visiting the city... Read More

Simple Ways to Stretch Your Orlando Lodging Dollars

You've thought and dreamed about it for months, planning each... Read More

Looking For Maui Rental Property?

Maui is one of the islands found in Hawaii. It... Read More

Orlando Vacation Homes - Comparing Homes to Hotels

When staying in Orlando, you really do have a lot... Read More

Florida Beachfront Rentals - Finding Florida Beachfront Vacation Homes

Florida beachfront rentals are a great way to enjoy a... Read More

Five Affordable World Travel Destinations

Five Affordable World Travel Destinations Locations That Offer... Read More

5 Tips To Spend The Most Luxurious Caribbean Vacation You Ever Dreamed Of!

Tip #1 : Buy a beach front Caribbean villa! ... Read More

Why The Vacation Home Sale Market Is Unsustainable

The rental market and Vacation Home sale market is unsustainable.... Read More

Finding The Best Timeshare For You ? Make The Search An Adventure!

Taking the plunge from average vacationer to vacation property owner... Read More

Looking For A Holiday With A Difference?

Fancy holidaying somewhere unusual? How about a 7 day tornado... Read More

Learn From My Personal Experience About Bahamas Vacation Rentals

Bahamas house rental or a hotel? Vacation rentals are becoming... Read More

European Car Rental - Top Ten Tips for Europe Travel: Tip #3 Insurance

Car rental insurance has to be one of the most... Read More

What Not To Wear

What makes certain styles of pants so popular? One reason... Read More

Villasin Algarve - No1 For Property Investors

The Algarve, and particularly the areas around Carvoeiro, Albufeira, Praia... Read More

Wiltshire - Stonehenge, Salisbury Cathedral, & Much More

Wiltshire is a large English county situated in central southern... Read More

Rent a Town Home in Orlando, Florida for LESS than Hotel

When you venture to Orlando, Davenport, or Kissimmee, Florida, why... Read More

The Cape Town Wine Route Wonders

Just drive out to one of these delightful wine estates... Read More

Honeymoon Cabins in Gatlinburg

Surrounded by the romantic and beautiful Smoky Mountains, a Gatlinburg... Read More

Amazon Lodges

I had always been told that if you wanted to... Read More

Seven Ways to Get the Most Out of Your Vacations

This may seem like a very strange title for an... Read More

Buying Real Estate in Cozumel

As beautiful and modern as Cozumel is, visitors must remember... Read More

Alternatives for Business Travelers

"I'm coming home. I've been away too long. Been away... Read More

A Dream Vacation

What is the meaning of a "dream vacation"? What is... Read More

Is a Vacation Rental Near Disney World the BEST Choice?

Orlando is calling to you and your family to come... Read More

You Only Have One Life, Let Your Caribbean Dream Come True

Turning your dream to Reality?Buying in the CaribbeanBuying a home... Read More