6 Reasons Vacation Rentals Are Awesome

As a timeshare owner, I've gotten used to having a larger space to crash in when I vacation. Unfortunately, I can't always get into a timeshare property, or there aren't any where I'm going. Usually, I check out Airbnb {<--use that link for $40 off!}. There's a time and a place to opt for a hotel, but as a budget traveler, being able to save money on food and saving my sanity by not being in everyone's pocket 24/7 is very important. Here are my 6 reasons to choose a vacation rental.

You get a kitchen

This means you can cook your own meals! Now, keep in mind, I don't go on vacation to cook, especially since cool new foods are the best part of traveling to me. I do, however, hate getting up super early, so I tend to load up on breakfast foods. This allows me to spend a little more time in bed, plus I save money on morning dining. We usually spend at least one dinner in, either making something easy or eating leftovers, which we were able to bring back, because we have a fridge and an oven.

In many rentals we've stayed in, they've also included grills, so we could BBQ if we wanted. This is great if you are traveling in the warmer months. If you travel with kids, having a place to prepare and store foods can be imperative for your sanity and saving money.

You (generally) have a separate bedroom

Listen, I don't need to have a different room with a bed, but it's nice. I'll settle for separate, defined spaces, just so I can get away from my travelmate(s) for a minute. I adore my husband, but we don't always want to be in each other's faces. A hotel room normally has a bed and one chair. If you're lucky, you get a tiny table or a desk. Even if you bring back leftovers, you can't really sit anywhere comfortable. If you have to do work or just want to play on your laptop, there's not a good place to do that either. 

I don't always go to bed at the same time as people I travel with. It's nice to have a table where I can type away, a couch to relax on, a bed for sleeping purposes that doesn't also double as a terrible chair, or a room where I can just hang out alone in that isn't the bathroom. 

You can choose your amenities

I have a small list of must-haves when I travel: WiFi, TV, a shower (if I'm traveling to Europe where not all places have one), and laundry facilities. I get these things in a timeshare property, but I can also choose these things specifically when searching for a vacation rental. For example, we're going to Edinburgh and London in the fall and I want to pack light. Because of this, it's especially helpful to have access to a washer and dryer. I've had to go to the laundromat in the past and while it wasn't the most annoying thing, it cost quite a bit in London. 

You can choose your price range

Sure, you can do this with hotels, but for the same price, you can search for a vacation rental that is in a location desirable to you, plus includes all the amenities you hope to get in a place to stay. If you can get all this for the same price or a little more, you're still saving money on baggage fees, food, laundry, and possibly entertainment, because you have room to spread out and play games and/or watch movies.

You can feel at home

This is the number one reason I enjoy a vacation rental over a hotel. Feeling weirdly displaced when you travel is hard. I like to feel like my space has a home. I don't need a maid to come in and clean up after me every day. I want my space to feel cozy and comfy and lived in. I can make a rental feel like my home until I leave. I can spread out my stuff, not worry about anyone coming in to clean (where I have to clear up things before I leave each morning). 

Having what equates to a small home or apartment makes me feel like I'm a traveler instead of a tourist. Like I'm living like a local. Some come with free parking, some are in buildings with extra security, some have pools or gyms. The best part is that if you don't want these things, you rent a different place and don't pay for them, unlike when you stay in a hotel that offers them for everyone.

You have a true local on-call

One thing you usually don't think about is having someone you can contact for an inside look at your destination. Yes, there's the front desk or concierge at a hotel, but when you rent from a local, it's easy to pick their brain to find out where they like to go and what they'd recommend seeing to an out-of-towner. They probably aren't rich and they certainly don't get kick-backs for pointing you in the direction of an activity or restaurant. Some live steps away or welcome calls/texts or leave detailed folders with all the cool stuff for you to peruse. I always get awesome suggestions this way. 

What are your favorite reasons to choose a rental over a hotel?

Lunar New Year Activities

This has been a very long, stressful week, so while I take a bit of time for myself before I come back with a full post of great things, I thought I'd show you a few highlights of the last couple of weeks that we've been doing Lunar New Year activities. It's been a lot of fun and I highly recommending doing things in your city if they are offered. 

This week we set aside some time to finally do our Lunar New Year Destination Date Night. I simplified with only one (really good, mind you) backdrop, but a fortune tree and some fun headgear. 

Sometimes, if I set things up and there aren't any accessories, Eric will ask where his hat is. LOL! We did those fun firecracker headbands last year, so this year we got dragon glasses. I had to buy a dozen, so I also shared at work, which was a big hit.

For some reason, there doesn't seem to be a restaurant around here that does delivery that offers both noodles and bao, so I went rogue on my weekly trip to Trader Joes and bought all the Asian things that I've seen mentioned being served on traditional Lunar New Year tables. 

I wasn't kidding. Here's my haul (sorry I didn't take a photo of the boxes before they were open.) This all, literally, cost about $20. Stay tuned, or check out my insta for our desserts (which I got at Uwajimaya, a local Asian market.)

Our local mall had a day of celebration, where I got to be a model on their Instagram Stories, but first we stopped by the Wishing Tree.

Here's Eric adding his wish.

There was this awesome storyteller, where we learned why fireworks and celebrations and the color red are so important to the holiday. He also told some great other tales and, as you can see, the kiddos loved it. We did, too.

 

They also had a fantastic dance troupe. They did three lovely traditional dances. There was also Chinese opera, which was...different. 

Last year we visited the Chinese Garden during the day and had a wonderful time. I was disappointed we missed out on the nighttime lantern show. This year I was able to get tickets before they sold out, but it was very crowded, but this was probably because they brought back the Dragon Dance this year.

The lanterns on the lake were beautiful, and I was still easy to see with all the people. There weren't many different things, besides the Dragon Dance than going during the day. 

I love this little pagoda though. It's stuffed to bursting with info on Chinese New Year, including the traditions and games and decorations.

If nothing else, everyone seemed to have an awesome time, even if you couldn't really walk anywhere during the Dragon Dance.

I hope you're all having a great February so far and, if you're celebrating the Year of the Tiger, I hope that's also full of prosperity, love, and success. 

Does your city have any cool holiday celebrations surrounding other cultures?

8 Alternative Budget Spring Break Destinations

Spring Break may be fast approaching, but non-essential travel is still kind of frowned upon, and you probably don't feel comfortable visiting a place that's packed full of drunken tourists. We all want to get away from home and have some fun, so if you're trying to take a trip that's somewhat safe and also budget-friendly, here are 8 options for you: 

• Washington, DC - With Covid restrictions finally lifted, most of the museums have reopened. The weather is generally nice during the spring, so eating outside will be pleasant, allowing you to dig in to the rich foodie scene. If you want to eat inside, right now you will need to show proof of vaccination. Here are some of the things we did on one of our previous trips.
• Phoenix/Tempe - Arizona isn't at the height of its hot temps in March/April, making it an ideal vacation destination. Get amazing hotel rates or spend a little extra for a luxury resort that may be offering up to 40% off. There are a lot of cool things to see and do there, and tons of delicious Mexican food, too.
• Palm Springs - While not as exotic as much of the rest of this list, and known mostly for their golfing, Palm Springs is a nature-lovers’ desert oasis. From hiking, horseback riding and swimming, there is something for everyone who loves to be outside. Steeped in Native American and Mexican culture, the city is now a resort paradise that draws regular travelers and celebrities alike. You can find great deals on accommodations, entertainment and even dining and spa services. Whatever you’re looking for, you can find it – and find it for less – in the desert of Palm Springs.
• Austin, Texas - While the city may be weird, it's also romantic and unique. Learn to get down and lose your two left feet on Saturdays at the White Horse for free with lessons from Two Left Foots. The Blanton Museum of Art stays open late on Third Thursdays, so it's the perfect post-dinner activity. The New Movement has free and affordable comedy shows all week long. And what's cooler than a speakeasy? Behind a false bookcase in Firehouse Lounge, you'll find a secluded bar for a drink with your travel companion(s).

• Los Angeles - California has some fantastic weather much of the year, or at least better than other parts of the country. I've never turned down a trip to LA, because Disneyland, Universal, Hollywood, delicious foods, amazing art. I mean, the list goes on and on. Couple that with flights that are almost 25% less than other times of the year and you really can't go wrong. My friend and I spent two days in LA last year when we did theme parks and we were never disappointed by what we found to do.
• New Orleans - I've traveled to New Orleans and have written several posts about it. With Mardi Gras behind them, Spring is a wonderful time to visit. Not only do you get to take advantage of the warm weather, but you also aren't wading through hoards of tourists.  Save on your trip to New Orleans with the Power Pass. Starting as low as $28 per day, gain entry to the must-see attractions of the city. Choose from places like the Musee Conti Wax Museum, Audubon Zoo, Cajun Pride Swamp Tour and much more! Available in 1, 2, 3 and 5 day durations. Add a 1-3 day MealTicket to eat at awesome restaurants for one low price. If you know you’ll be stuffing your face with étouffée, jambalaya and other Cajun deliciousness, this is definitely the way to go!
• San Francisco - This may seem like a really expensive destination, but if you look for hotels in the Union Square area, you can find rates as low as $120 for a 4-star hotel. Find awesome, and affordable, things to do there using this 48 hours post.

• Las Vegas - As long as you don't gamble away your savings in the casinos, you can totally make a trip to Sin City cheap. Rates at the MGM Grand can run you under $100 per night, and you can spend less at a less-luxurious hotel. Not sure how to keep your money in your pockets? Here are free and cheap ideas and what you can do if you have kids in tow.

Right now you'll find a lot of great airfare deals for the next several months. I've seen some really affordable Alaska flights, starting at just $59 each way, so if you're planning to take a trip, now's the perfect time to start booking airfare and accommodations for it.

Where are you hoping to go this Spring?