The growing popularity of home vacation rentals as an alternative to hotel stays has spurred a new and burgeoning industry led by companies like Airbnb, VRBO and HomeAway. Airbnb alone has more than four million listings on its website, meaning you are literally spoilt for choice whenever you want to indulge in a growing trend that blurs the lines between traditional hotel vacationing and the convenience of home living.
By the same token, having such a large pool to choose from can be overwhelming especially for people who are trying home vacation rentals for the first time. To make the selection process easier, many sites allow you to save your favorite properties to a wish list and also communicate directly with homeowners. Other sites serve as rental agents which, though more expensive than a basic booking site, are more willing to help you make a decision and step in if something goes wrong.
Here are some of the tips for finding vacations rentals in Central Paris:
1. Start early
If you want to find the largest selection of properties, start early. Many people start planning for their summer vacations several months in advance while popular destinations tend to have many loyalists who tend to rent the same house for the same block of time every year.
There’s an added bonus for booking early—many owners and agents offer discounts of as much as 10 percent for the security of knowing their property will be rented.
2. Know what you want
Do you have kids? Ask about children-centric facilities such as baby gates for the stairs. Is a family member sick or suffering from reduced mobility? Check for facilities that will meet their needs. Will you bring Fido along? Check whether pets are allowed. Plan on having some cookouts? Ask whether there’s a grill available. Have the contact number of someone who can help if anything goes wrong.
3. Be flexible
In many popular destinations in Central Paris, the supply of available homes outweighs demand. In such cases, it makes sense to delay booking up until the high season is about to peak. You can get good discounts by booking around this time because agents will be scrambling to fill their homes. Also, try and be flexible about your property of choice.
Finally, read guest reviews and feedback before booking. Remember to always read the fine print before making any rental commitments. Additionally, ensure that you can get to your new vacation rental Paris easily, so transport links and close proximity to necessary social amenities is always an important factor to consider.
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