Renting a condo versus staying in a hotel

There are lots of options of places to stay when going on vacation.  A lot of people wonder whether it may be better to rent a condo instead of staying in a hotel.  Here’s a look at the pros and cons of renting a condo versus staying in a hotel.

Condo Pros

A lot people really appreciate the extra space.  A condo usually has a full kitchen, a dining room, a living room, and several bedrooms and bathrooms.  The benefits of this are that two couples vacationing together can split the expense and it makes for more space for larger families.  Having extra room is always nice for relaxing and making the most of vacation.  Lots of people say that they like having more bedrooms in the condo because they can put their kids down for bed and the parents can stay up and enjoy a movie or some quiet time without interrupting the kids’ sleep.

Having a full kitchen is also a great benefit in a condo.  Eating is one of the major expenses during vacation, but having a kitchen can save a lot of money.  Instead of heading out to a restaurant for breakfast and snacks, these meals can very easily and quickly be taken care of in the condo.  Not only can meals be cooked to save money, but leftovers from restaurants can be kept in the kitchen instead of thrown out.  How much money is wasted when perfectly fine leftovers are tossed in the trash because there is no where to keep them in a hotel room?

Another benefit for renting a condo versus staying in a hotel is that condos often come with a washer and dryer.  Many people like being able to do some laundry before heading home.  It sure makes unpacking easier!  Some people say that they like that no one comes into the condo while they are away.  It makes them feel like their belongings are safer.

Condo cons

Staying in a condo also has its cons.  Hotels tend to have fancier grounds and fancier pools.  They also tend to have shops and restaurants closer by and sometimes even in the hotel itself.  It is also easier to stay for just one or two nights.  It is easy to move around to different cities and areas while a condo ties a vacationer down to a specific area.

Some people really just like the extra service at a hotel.  It’s nice to be able to call up the concierge and get recommendations about places to eat or things to see and do.  It’s also nice to have someone come in and clean up your mess; isn’t that what vacation is all about?  No one wants to bother with cleaning towels and sheets and bathrooms on vacation.

Condos also vary a lot more than hotels in their quality.  Sometimes it can be difficult to know for sure if a condo is well maintained and clean.  Hotels generally have a standard or reputation that makes it easy to know what to expect.

Finally, when checking out of a condo, there are generally some chores that must be taken care of.  Most condos require things like running the dishwasher, taking out the trash, removing the linens from the beds, and generally cleaning up a bit.  For some people, that’s not a problem.  But, for others that’s just something they’d prefer to do without.

So really, renting a condo versus staying in a hotel is all just a matter of preference.  Renting a condo can save a few dollars, especially on the food budget.  But for some people the added expense of staying in a hotel affords the service that they are looking for on their vacation.