As travel gets more expensive, many families seek to cut costs and boost conveniences wherever they can. For many, this means booking a vacation rental instead of a hotel room.
Instead of a pricy hotel room with every member of the family crammed in together, you can spend the same amount of money and rent another person’s entire home. Typically, vacation rentals from sites like Airbnb and VRBO come with amenities like laundry facilities and fully stocked kitchens, which is convenient when you’re wrangling young children.
To help, we found vacation rentals that are perfect for the ultimate family getaway.
1. Charming Apartment – Orlando, FL
Local Attractions: Disney World, Universal Studios Orlando, Vineland Premium Outlets
This riotously colorful Orlando-area apartment sleeps up to six guests at a time and is a great choice for families going to Disney World or Universal Studios. The suite is a private apartment within a hotel complex, so you’ll have access to hotel amenities like a pool and fitness center, but also get the benefit of amenities like a kitchen and free internet access.
The apartment has tons of great reviews, praising the décor, cleanliness, and ease of communication with the hosts. It’s only $95 per night and can be booked on Airbnb.
2. Beachfront Condominium – Myrtle Beach, SC
Local Attractions: Myrtle Beach Skywheel, Ripley’s Aquarium Myrtle Beach, Family Kingdom Amusement Park
This beachfront condominium is full of amenities that will make your vacation smooth and hassle-free. As soon as you arrive, you can check in with a keypad, so you don’t have to wait around for the host. Parking passes and pool wrist bands are waiting for you in your suite.
The home has one bedroom with two queen beds, as well as a sofa bed in the living room. The kitchen is fully stocked, and all linens (including towels) are provided. At night, after the kids have gone to bed, you can sip a glass of wine on your private balcony, overlooking the beach.
You can rent this condominium for only $190 per night.
3. Super Pleasant Cozy Apartment – San Francisco, CA
Local Attractions: San Francisco Zoo, the Embarcadero, the Golden Gate Bridge
This gorgeous condo is one of the best deals in San Francisco. For only $277 per night, this apartment comes complete with enough beds for four, along with a fully-stocked kitchen, private patio, and easy check-in via a keypad.
It’s located in the Glen Park neighborhood, where you can see spectacular views of the city and the beautifully painted homes that are central to San Francisco’s civic identity. The location is central enough that there’s plenty to do within walking distance or you can easily hop on transit and visit some of San Francisco’s most popular attractions.
4. Lakefront Landing Bed & Breakfast – Wasilla, AK
Local Attractions: Chugach State Park, Denali State Park, Iditarod Headquarters
This lakeside home in Anchorage, Alaska is the perfect summer getaway for families who love the outdoors. It’s close to many beautiful national parks within the Mat-Su valley, so you can fish, snowshoe, hike, or bike all day, then head home to your gorgeous rental to relax.
The home itself is a mother-in-law unit located on a lake, so you’ll have the owners close by if you need to ask questions, but the unit is secluded enough for you to enjoy your privacy. Don’t be fooled by the rustic look of the décor, this home is full of all the modern amenities you’ll need to enjoy a relaxing vacation.
This bed and breakfast is available to rent for $180 a night.
5. Charming Casita Cuatro – Santa Fe, NM
Local Attractions: Santa Fe Plaza, Ghost Ranch, Bandelier National Monument
This adorable casita (a traditional New Mexico-style home) can sleep up to five for a family getaway that balances arts and culture with outdoor adventures. The city of Santa Fe is full of historical sights, galleries, and museums, but right outside the city there are plenty of beautiful national parks and nature areas just begging to be explored.
This $250-per-night home has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a full kitchen that comes equipped with a dishwasher and oven. There’s a wood-burning fireplace in the living room, plus patio space on the main floor and a private deck in the top floor.
6. Key West Vibe at Crystal Tower – Gulf Shores, AL
Local Attractions: Gulf Shores Beach Park, Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, Waterville USA
This trendy condo is the perfect rental for a Gulf Shores beach vacation. For only $292 per night, it sleeps up to six guests at a time and has two separate bedrooms, so parents and kids can have their own space.
The condo complex is connected to a private beach club, with 100 feet of private beach, a hot tub, and sauna, plus both indoor and outdoor pools. There’s free Wi-Fi available, and the nightly fee includes parking, air conditioning, and access to an in-suite washer and dryer. It also has a stunning beach view.
7. Funtierland Suite Escapes 10 – Anaheim, CA
Local Attractions: Disneyland, Disney California Adventure Park, Knott’s Berry Farm
Visit Disneyland without spending a fortune on hotel fees by renting this cozy home for $225 a night. It sleeps up to nine guests at a time, in three separate bedrooms. It’s just a 15-minute walk from Downtown Disney or you can take the convenient shuttle for a small fee.
This rental is made for families. Therefore, in addition to the usual amenities like parking, air conditioning, and a washer-dryer, the owners of this condo also provide family-friendly extras like strollers, beach gear, and all the baby accessories you could ever need. Even better, there’s a Mickey Mouse-shaped pool in the complex and a fantastic shaded area for lounging.
8. Yosemite’s Craftsman Cottage – Yosemite National Park, CA
Local Attractions: Tunnel View Lookout, Bridalveil Falls, Giant Sequoias
This three-bedroom, two-bathroom Craftsman-style house is the perfect home base for a family who wants to get out in nature and explore Yosemite National Park.
The generously sized front porch is home to several rocking chairs, where you can watch the sun come up. Inside, the fully-stocked kitchen is connected to the spacious living room, which comes equipped with a huge 4K TV, Blu-Ray player, and river rock fireplace. Plus, it’s only 20 minutes from Yosemite Valley, so you can explore all day, and grill out on the beautiful patio every night.
Rent it for $566 per night.
Conclusion
If you’re thinking of booking a vacation rental this summer, it’s best to book well in advance since many of the prime locations sell out early. If you’re trying to save money, comparison shop diligently, and try and go mid-week, which will be much more reasonable than traveling on the weekend.