The role of vacation rental sites is increasing as people turn away from traditional hotel lodging for places that feel like a home away from home. With these platforms, it’s easier for guests to find unique and affordable accommodations that fit their needs and preferences.
For hosts, it is the perfect place to list their properties to reach their target audience at the right time. We have taken our time to evaluate the top ten vacation rental websites for both guests and hosts to suit their unique needs.
Top Ten Best Vacation Rentals Websites
Airbnb
We know you must have heard of this rental site at one point. With millions of listings in over 220 countries, Airbnb is easily the most popular vacation rental site.
Airbnb has the most significant listings, translating to endless options for guests. And because people love options, it is one of the most visited rental sites. This further translates to a broader audience for hosts who has their houses listed on their platform.
One of the benefits of using Airbnb is the wide range of properties available, from private rooms in shared apartments to entire houses and even unique accommodations like treehouses and houseboats.
However, there are some potential drawbacks to using Airbnb. Some hosts may not be as responsive or reliable as you’d like, and the quality of properties can vary widely.
For hosts, there is no fee to list a property. However, hosts have to pay a service fee per booking. The service fee depends on the location of your property, and it can be up to 15%.
Vrbo
Vrbo, short for “Vacation Rentals by Owner,” is another popular vacation rental site focusing on whole-home rentals. One of the critical differences between Vrbo and Airbnb is that Vrbo is more geared towards private and upscale properties. Hence, you’ll likely find beach houses, cabins, and other luxurious accommodations on Vrbo.
For hosts, Vrbo does not allow listing for shared spaces. If you have a spare room that you would like to open up to travellers, consider Airbnb.
While Vrbo may offer higher-end properties, it can be more expensive than other vacation rental sites. Additionally, Vrbo’s cancellation policies can be strict, so it’s essential to read the fine print before booking.
Booking.com
While primarily known for hotels, Booking.com offers many vacation rentals, including apartments, villas, and resorts. One of the benefits of using Booking.com for vacation rentals is the ability to earn and redeem loyalty points, which can add up quickly if you’re a frequent traveller.
Another thing that sets Booking.com among the best vacation rental site is its inclusivity. An advanced filter search feature is available for travellers who want to book eco-friendly and sustainable locations.
However, Booking.com’s vacation rental offerings may be more limited than other sites, and some properties may not be as well-maintained as you’d like.
For intending hosts, you should know that Booking.com charges a 15% commission on each booking.
TripAdvisor
TripAdvisor has been around since way back; it started as a review board for accommodations, businesses and attraction sites. Now it is one of the best vacation rental sites.
One reason that TripAdvisor stands out among other sites is the billions of reviews on anything, which aids travellers in their decision-making process. Plus, TripAdvisor owns some of the top vacation rental sites for homeowners, like FlipKey, VacationHomeRentals, and HouseTrip.
A host who lists their properties on TripAdvisor also gets automatically listed on FlipKey. And you know what this can mean for a business, more visibility and reach. Also, there is only 3% per booking, which is reasonable.
Homestay.com
Homestay is one of the best vacation rental sites that cater to low-budget travellers with its unique features and provisions.
Homestay stands out from other vacation rental websites because it offers a home barter system, and a guest can exchange house with a host at no cost except for a reached agreement. Homes are also negotiated for other services like housekeeping or cleaning services.
The platform also offers a provision for listing private rooms to rent in houses occupied by the host. This is an excellent deal for travellers who are on a budget.
There is a 3% service fee per booking for hosts.
Plum Guide
Whilst the other rental websites focus on the number of listings, Plum guide is doing the opposite. Their selection process is rigorous to ensure high quality – Quality over quantity on the platform.
Plum Guide offers only the very best properties with personalised service and local recommendations for things to do.
However, their focus on quality means their properties may be more expensive than other vacation rental sites. Additionally, their selection may be limited in some areas.
Plum Guide is an excellent option for travellers seeking a high-end vacation rental experience.
Expedia
Expedia is a popular online travel agency that offers a wide range of travel services, including vacation rentals. Their vacation rental site features over a million properties worldwide, including apartments, villas, and condos.
One of the main advantages of booking through Expedia is its extensive inventory. They offer many properties to fit any budget and travel style. Their user-friendly website makes searching and filtering for the perfect vacation rental easy.
It is free for hosts to list their properties on Expedia, but they have a commission rate between 10 – 30%.
Atraveo
Atraveo is a vacation rental website that offers over 300,000 properties in more than 30 countries worldwide.
Atraveo offers a range of features to help hosts manage their properties. They can easily list their properties on the site and receive assistance with pricing and availability. Atraveo also offers multilingual customer service and support, making it easy for hosts to communicate with guests worldwide.
Atraveo offers a range of vacation rental options, from small apartments to large villas across popular tourist destinations.
However, Atraveo charges a service fee for each booking, which can vary depending on the property and location.
9flats
9flats is a popular vacation rental site that focuses primarily on Europe. 9flats was launched in 2011 and have listings in over 104 countries. It allows for listing private rooms in an apartment, just like Airbnb.
The platform charges a service fee of 15% for listings that don’t take instant bookings and 12% for listings that do.
OneFineStay
OneFineStay has established itself as a luxury vacation rental website. Backed by the Accor hotel chain, OneFineStay offers over 5,000 luxury home listings.
For a host to have their property listed on the platform, they must send an application to the management. After which, it will go through a reviewing stage by the team to see if it is a good match.
OneFineStay offers a full-service property management solution to properties listed on their platform. In addition to managing it, they will also promote the listing through their vast network of rental websites.
Host income is dependent on a revenue-sharing strategy. Several factors influence hosting income, including the property’s size, design, and location.
There are no booking fees for guests who use their platform.
Conclusion
The best vacation rental site for you depends on your needs and preferences. Airbnb is an excellent option for many properties and unique accommodations, while Vrbo offers more upscale and family-friendly options. Booking.com is a good choice for earning loyalty points and finding affordable rentals, while HomeAway allows you to book directly with homeowners for a more personalised experience.
No matter which vacation rental site you choose, read reviews carefully, communicate with hosts before booking, and compare prices to ensure you get the best deal possible. With so many options, you will find the perfect place to stay on your next trip or start your hosting journey.