Find the Perfect Family Vacation Rental—and Save Money Too!

Planning a family vacation can feel like a puzzle—finding the right destination, the perfect vacation rental, and sticking to a budget (all while making sure both the grandparents AND the kids will be happy). One trick many families don’t know? You can often book the same vacation rental you see on big booking platforms—like Airbnb or Vrbo—directly through a small business’s website, saving money in the process.

Here’s a quick not-so-secret-actually- guide to help you book smarter, keep your trip protected, and support small business owners all at once.

Tip #1 - Use the OTAs to Your Advantage

Online travel agencies (OTAs) like Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com (to name just a few) are excellent discovery tools. They aggregate vacation rentals and offer user-friendly filters for price, bedrooms, amenities, and more. Start here and find a home that looks like it fits your family’s needs. These platforms are great for browsing and filtering for your family-friendly features (hello cribs and game rooms!), it’s also a great place to read reviews.(But a good direct booking site should also be Inclusive of reviews that span all the platforms, I'll link our for example) Once you find a property that fits your vibe, take a closer look at the listing!

Pro tip: Pay attention to the home’s name, the host or company name, and any branding or logos you might see in those listing photos.

Four different examples of how branding can found in various OTA images.

Tip #2 - Google THEN Is Your NEW Best Friend

Once you’ve found a place that catches your eye, take note of:

• The vacation rental name (e.g., The Sideline Club

• The host’s company (e.g., The Nest Collective)

• Any unique features or location keywords (like “Crystal Lake home with sauna” or "Pickleball Wellness Retreat by IMG")

Type these into Google to see if the rental has its own website (direct booking platform) or social media platforms. Many small companies and boutique property managers list their homes across platforms but also accept direct bookings. Check out our friends at D|B Dens in Colorado, they do an amazing job with their direct bookings too!

"WE SAW THE NAME OF YOUR COMPANY IN YOUR BIO AND JUST GOOGLED AND YOUR INSTAGRAM POPPED RIGHT UP." – DIRECT BOOKING GUEST

Tip #3 - Why Book Direct?

When you book direct, you’re often:

• Avoiding platform fees (which can save hundreds!) AirBnB for example charges about 15.5% on average and it usually gets passed onto the guest in some form or fashion.

• Building a relationship with the actual host or management team

• Gaining access to local perks or insider tips

• More flexibility with requests or special accommodations

Contrary to common myths, booking direct doesn’t mean you have less protection. Let’s explore that next.

Tip #4 - Travel Insurance = Peace of Mind?

You don’t have to sacrifice protection just because you’re not booking through a major OTA.

In this situation, many owners use a Property Management Software (PMS) that allows you to also have the option to purchase travel insurance (via a 3rd party) and trip protection independently, just like on AirBnB or VRBO.

Some Examples of these Trip Insurance Companies are:

• Rental Guardian

• Allianz Travel Insurance

• InsureMyTrip

• Squaremouth (compare multiple policies)

These policies often include:

• Trip cancellation or interruption

• Coverage for illness or emergencies

• Travel delay reimbursement

• Baggage/Personal Effects

*Be sure to look into the insurance you are purchasing, as many vary but just know its a very valid option for many guests.

Tip #5 - Vetting the Host

Still nervous about straying from the big-name sites? You don't need to book direct, you do you boo but...you can (and should!) do your homework:

Look for a secure booking website (https, padlock icon)

Check for guest reviews (many hosts link to Google, Facebook, or have AirBnB/VRBO Reviews that pull into their website from the OTA’s (you can compare too even for extra validity)

Browse their Instagram or Facebook if they have, for real-time interactions and guest stories

The Bottom Line: WE ALL Deserve to Save AND STILL Make Core Memories. LIFE IS NOT GETTING ANY CHEAPER, THAT'S FOR SURE.

For families planning a vacation, every dollar counts—and so does peace of mind. By using OTAs to discover great rentals, and then booking directly with confidence, you’re unlocking the best of both worlds.

Happy memory-making! And if you’re ever unsure, don’t hesitate to reach out to a host! (Just know that we can't talk direct booking via platform chats, it will get us kicked off...and they do serve as very useful marketing tools for us small business owners.)

Cheers,

Jilayne