Have you and your family come to a decision that you’d like to take a family vacation next year? That’s great, but let’s face it, planning that perfect vacation can take some work. We at Atlantic Vacation Homes know that planning a vacation and finding the perfect accommodations can be a daunting task, so we have come up with our top 5 tips for finding your perfect vacation rental home.
Set Your Vacation Budget
Now that you have made the decisions to go on vacation, the next question is do you have a budget? While renting a vacation home can often be the best way to save money in the long run and help you enjoy your trip a little more, there are many types of properties to choose from and setting up a budget will help you identify which homes will be the best fit for your needs.
If you aren’t sure as of what kind of budget you should have, look back at some of your past vacations and see how much you spent on them. Were you able to take advantage of any early or last-minute booking discounts? Be sure to factor in some additional costs such as travel expenses, dining, and activities.
Pick Your Location
Another major factor when you book your next vacation is to figure out where on Cape Ann you want to be. Do you have a specific beach that you would like to be close to? Is a water view a must-have, or would you rather be close to downtown restaurants and shopping? Would you rather be on one of the rivers, or be directly on the beach? For being a relatively small area, Cape Ann offers a huge variety when it comes to scenery and geography. Rocky coves, sandy beaches, dense forests, and lush estuaries can all be found within a few square miles of each other.
While we have plenty of vacation homes for you and your family to choose from, we want you to pick the right one. Sit down with your family and discuss what activities you will be enjoying and what sights you wish to see. This will help you narrow down locations that are the most convenient for your itinerary.
What Kind of Vacation Rental Home Will You Need?
After deciding on the general area you would like to be in, you will need to make some decisions about the type of home that will be best for your needs. It is very important that you and your family are honest with each other about your individual requirements when it comes to trying to choose a home. The planning phase of your trip is the time to discuss details like would you prefer a King bed or a Queen, do you absolutely require air conditioning, does everyone need their own bedroom, or will you be bringing a pet.
As you browse our selection of vacation rental properties, check the amenity lists of each house to see what features are available. The amenity lists will indicate whether a home has air conditioning or fans, what appliances are included (such as dishwashers, toasters, or coffee makers), and if there are other entertainment items such as Smart TVs, board games, or books. If you have any questions about the amenities at any given property, you can always contact our office and ask one of our Guest Experience Specialists who are familiar with the homes and their contents.
Should You Book Early or Wait?
The next question you must ask yourself is should you book early or wait? Ultimately, the decision is yours, but we feel that booking early is the best way to ensure that you get your desired vacation home for your desired time frame. Most of our guests like to begin planning for their summer vacation as soon as the winter holidays are over, but there are some that like to plan even before that. The most popular homes are the beachfront and riverfront homes, so if being directly on the water is important to you, you should make your reservation as early as possible. Note also that the major holidays (like July 4th and Labor Day) are already filling up fast.
Lastly, there are financial benefits to booking early, as when you book directly with us your final payment does not need to be made until 60 days before your arrival. So if you are booking in mid-December for your mid-August vacation, you would not have to pay the balance until June.
Book Direct with Atlantic Vacation Homes
Now that you have made all the necessary decisions, you can now officially book your vacation! Atlantic Vacation Homes has opened up the 2022 vacation rental calendar and it is quickly filling up with reservations.
If you have questions about properties, the local area, or anything else, please call us and speak with one of our Guest Experience Specialists. Our local team of Cape Ann experts are all very knowledgeable about our area and our properties and are ready to help you plan your best vacation ever. You can book over the phone, or you can book online on our website, atlanticvacationhomes.com.
Booking directly with Atlantic Vacation Homes is the best way to get the guaranteed lowest price for our vacation properties. By booking directly with us instead of through a 3rd party booking site such as VRBO, Airbnb, or HomeAway, you’ll save hundreds of dollars in middleman “service” fees.
Now that you have our best tips for finding your next vacation rental, we hope that you will take advantage of them and start planning your vacation. We hope to see you in 2022 as you travel for your next family vacation!