My First Experience Using VRBO for Vacation Rentals

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When it comes to planning a vacation, I usually spend a lot of time researching where we're going to stay. Hotels have always been the obvious choice, but sometimes you want a little more space, a kitchen of your own, and a place that feels more like home.

That's what led me to try VRBO for the first time.

I'll admit, booking a vacation rental felt a little different from reserving a traditional hotel room. There were more details to consider, more photos to look through, and definitely more reviews to read. But after going through the entire process when planning our trip to Cedar Point, I can see why so many travelers choose vacation rentals—especially for longer trips, family vacations, and destinations where you want to settle in and stay awhile.

If you're thinking about booking your first VRBO, here's what my experience was like and what I learned along the way.

Why I Decided to Try VRBO

One of the biggest reasons I wanted to try a vacation rental was space.

Hotel rooms are convenient, but after a few days, they can start to feel cramped. Having separate sleeping and living areas, a full kitchen, and a little room to spread out can make a huge difference.

I also liked the idea of experiencing a destination differently. Instead of coming back to a hotel every evening, you're returning to a house, condo, cabin, or apartment that can feel a little more like your own place.

For trips where we're planning to relax just as much as we're planning to explore, that sounded pretty appealing.

My First Experience Using VRBO for Vacation Rentals

I found the apartment very easily and contacted the seller to ask a few questions. Once I knew we were going to like the area, I put my deposit down and secured the stay.

Even though I was nervous because I had never used VRBO before, my fears were quickly put to rest.

We did have an issue when we first arrived, but the owner quickly took care of that and gave us a later checkout time to help accommodate us.

Honestly -- I could not have asked for a better place to stay while we were visiting Sandusky, Oh. The Chesapeake Loft apartment was perfect. It sleeps 10 and since we had 9 people in our group is was perfect

My favorite place was the balcony area where I sat every morning enjoying the view and my coffee 🙂

Why I Decided to Try VRBO

One of the biggest reasons I wanted to try a vacation rental was space.

Hotel rooms are convenient, but after a few days, they can start to feel cramped. Having separate sleeping and living areas, a full kitchen, and a little room to spread out can make a huge difference.

I also liked the idea of experiencing a destination differently. Instead of coming back to a hotel every evening, you're returning to a house, condo, cabin, or apartment that can feel a little more like your own place.

For trips where we're planning to relax just as much as we're planning to explore, that sounded pretty appealing.

Searching for a Vacation Rental on VRBO

The search process was probably the part I enjoyed the most.

You can narrow down properties based on the destination, travel dates, number of guests, bedrooms, bathrooms, amenities, and other features that are important to you.

But I quickly discovered that the pictures shouldn't be the only thing you look at.

A gorgeous rental can grab your attention, but the details matter just as much. I started looking closely at things like:

• Location
• Number and size of beds
• Parking
• Kitchen amenities
• Washer and dryer availability
• Wi-Fi
• Check-in and checkout times
• Cancellation policies
• House rules
• Previous guest reviews

I also paid attention to how recent the reviews were. Reading what actual guests experienced gave me a much better idea of what to expect than photos alone.

Understanding the Total Price

This was one of the biggest differences I noticed compared to booking a hotel.

The nightly rate you initially see isn't necessarily the final amount you'll pay. Depending on the property, the total can include additional fees and taxes.

That's why I recommend going all the way through the booking process far enough to see the total cost of the stay before deciding whether a rental fits your budget.

I found it much easier to compare properties based on the final trip price rather than simply comparing nightly rates.

For example, one rental might have a cheaper nightly rate but higher fees, while another property costs slightly more per night but ends up being similar—or even less expensive—once everything is included.

Reading Reviews Became My Best Friend

If you're booking your first VRBO, read the reviews.

And I don't mean just looking at the star rating.

I wanted to know what guests actually said about the property. Was it clean? Was the neighborhood quiet? Were the beds comfortable? Did the photos accurately represent the rental? Was the host responsive when guests had questions?

I especially paid attention when multiple reviewers mentioned the same thing.

One person complaining about something might simply be personal preference. But if several guests mention uncomfortable beds, difficult parking, cleanliness issues, or an inconvenient location, that's something I'm going to consider before booking.

The same goes for positive comments. If guest after guest talks about how spotless the rental was or how helpful the host was, that's reassuring when you're booking somewhere you've never stayed before.

Communication With the Host

Another thing that's different about vacation rentals is that you're dealing with a property owner or manager rather than a hotel front desk.

Communication is important.

Before the trip, you'll typically receive information about check-in, accessing the property, parking, house rules, Wi-Fi, and checkout instructions.

I liked having those details available because it meant we could arrive and get settled without standing at a hotel counter waiting to check in.

That independence is one of the things I ended up appreciating about staying in a vacation rental.

The Convenience of Having a Kitchen

One of my favorite benefits of a vacation rental is having access to a kitchen.

Don't get me wrong—I love eating my way through a destination. Trying local restaurants is one of my favorite parts of traveling!

But I don't necessarily want to eat every single meal at a restaurant.

Having a kitchen means you can keep drinks cold, make coffee in the morning, store leftovers, prepare breakfast, or throw together a quick meal when nobody feels like going back out.

It can also help save money, especially on longer vacations.

Even if you're only using the kitchen for breakfast and snacks, it's a convenience that's hard to give up once you've experienced it.

Having More Room to Relax

This may have been the biggest advantage for me.

When you stay in a hotel, your bedroom is usually also your living room, dining area, workspace, and everything else.

With a vacation rental, you can often spread out.

Someone can watch television while someone else reads. You can sit outside with your morning coffee. You can eat dinner around an actual table instead of balancing takeout containers on a hotel bed.

Those little things make a vacation feel more relaxing.

And when you're traveling with family or friends, having communal areas where everyone can hang out together is a huge plus.

A Few Things I Learned From My First VRBO Experience

There are definitely a few things I'll do every time I book a vacation rental from now on.

First, I'll always read the entire listing instead of relying on the photos and headline.

Second, I'll compare the total price, not just the nightly rate.

Third, I'll read both the great reviews and the not-so-great ones.

And finally, I'll look carefully at the location. A beautiful rental isn't nearly as convenient if it's 45 minutes away from everything you actually want to do.

Vacation Rentals Aren't the Same as Hotels

It's also important to remember that staying in a vacation rental isn't exactly like staying at a hotel.

You may not have daily housekeeping. There isn't necessarily someone sitting at a front desk 24 hours a day. And you'll probably have checkout instructions to follow before leaving.

Some properties may ask guests to take out trash, start the dishwasher, or place used towels in a particular location.

That's why reading the house rules before booking is so important. You want to know what you're agreeing to before you pay for the stay.

Would I Use VRBO Again?

After trying VRBO for the first time, yes, I would absolutely consider using it again.

I don't think vacation rentals will completely replace hotels for me. There are still plenty of trips where a hotel makes more sense—especially for quick overnight stays or vacations where we're barely going to be in the room.

But for longer vacations, family trips, girls' getaways, or trips where I want more space and the ability to cook some of our meals, a vacation rental is definitely going to be part of my search.

The key is doing your homework before booking.

My Tips for Booking Your First VRBO

If you're getting ready to try VRBO for the first time, here are the things I'd recommend:

1. Read the entire property description. Don't book based on photos alone.
2. Look at the total cost. Compare the final price after applicable fees and taxes.
3. Read recent reviews. Pay attention to comments that appear repeatedly.
4. Check the location carefully. Look at how far you'll be from the attractions and areas you plan to visit.
5. Review the cancellation policy. Policies can vary by property.
6. Check the sleeping arrangements. Make sure the beds actually work for everyone in your group.
7. Read the house rules. Know what's expected before you book.
8. Look at the amenities. Don't assume something like a washer, dryer, parking, or certain kitchen equipment will automatically be included.
9. Keep communication within the booking platform when possible. It keeps important trip information together.
10. Take photos when you arrive if you notice existing damage or problems. It's always better to document something right away.

Is VRBO Worth Trying?

For me, trying VRBO opened up another option when planning trips.

Sometimes I want the simplicity and amenities of a hotel. Other times, I want a cozy house, a cabin with a view, a condo near the beach, or simply somewhere with enough room that everyone isn't stepping over each other's suitcases.

Vacation rentals give you that flexibility.

My first experience taught me that booking one requires a little more research than simply choosing a hotel room, but the extra space, privacy, and conveniences can make it worthwhile.

If you've never booked a vacation rental before, don't be intimidated by the process. Take your time, read everything carefully, compare your options, and choose the property that makes the most sense for your trip.

And now that I've booked my first one, I have a feeling it won't be my last.