Why Book Your Next Vacation Rental Directly With the Owner Rather Than Airbnb or VRBO
When it comes to planning a luxury vacation, there are a plethora of options to choose from. One of the most popular (and best, if you ask us) choices for travelers is to book a vacation rental property, such as a villa, condo, or even a private home. Recently, rental sites like Airbnb and VRBO have become extremely popular. But booking with those companies can have its downsides. Did you know there is an alternative? That’s right, usually most rental property owners will allow renters to book directly with them, apart from the fee-heavy rental sites.
Seven reasons direct booking is better
Besides the obvious perk of saving money when you book directly with the owner rather than through Airbnb or VRBO, there are other benefits that make it the best option when booking a vacation rental for your next getaway. Let’s explore some of the key benefits of booking directly with the owner and why it's an excellent option for travelers looking to book a vacation to the southwest.
Better Communication - When you book directly with the owner, you can communicate with us directly and get all the information you need about the property and the surrounding area. This can help you plan your trip more effectively and ensure that you have all the information you need to make the most of your stay. We will happily provide you with detailed information about the property, as well as information about the surrounding area, including local restaurants, attractions, and activities.
Better Booking Options - When you book directly with the owner, you’ve got a direct connection to the person with control over the calendar, so if you don’t immediately see what you’re hoping for on the calendar, message the host! They’ll have the inside track on what is possible and there may be opportunity for flexibility with the dates of your stay. Sometimes we can shift things around to accommodate arrival a day earlier than what appears as available on our calendar, or we can suggest an alternate property that would also meet (or exceed!) your needs. This can be especially helpful if you're planning a last-minute trip or if you're looking to book a property during peak season. The owner may be able to work with you to find a date that works for both of you, which can be a huge relief for travelers who are trying to plan a vacation on a tight schedule.
Personalized Service - When you book directly with the owner, you typically receive more personalized service, such as getting recommendations for local activities or connection to unique local amenities. The owner will be able to provide you with tailored recommendations based on your interests and needs, which can make your vacation even more enjoyable. We’ve even been known to grab a drink or a bite to eat with some of our guests when schedule allows!
Avoid Fees - Did you know Airbnb makes their cut by adding 14% on top of the nightly rate? VRBO and Booking.com tack on plenty of fees, too! By booking direct you avoid the platform commissions. To further incentivize guests to cut out the middle man, some owners offer better nightly rates when booking direct, offering a compounded savings! This can be particularly beneficial for luxury travelers who are looking to book a high-end property. The owner may also be able to offer you special deals or discounts that are not available through a reservation site. We offer special savings just for our email subscribers from time to time, so sure you’re on our email list to get first access to those deals.
Reward Loyalty - While vacation rentals don’t have the loyalty programs of the big hotel chains, we love it when our guests choose to come back year after year to stay at our properties. Not only are they saving money, but we give our past guests early access to the best dates and an extra special offer from time to time. Once you stay at any of the Vacay in Tucson properties, you’ll be eligible for this perk.
Knowledge of the Property - When you book directly with the owner, you can ask them any question you have about the property, its history, the neighborhood, or the local area. This can help you better understand the property and make your stay more enjoyable. Need scent-free linens? No problem. Want to know the best place to walk in the neighborhood? We know that, too. The owner will be able to provide you with detailed information about the home, which can help you make the most of your stay, especially if you have any particular questions or requests.
Supporting Local - Finally, when you book directly with the owner, you support the local economy rather than padding the pockets of the big platforms. By supporting local businesses, you're helping boost the local economy and positively impact the community. Not only are you helping the owners with the growth of their small business, you’re also helping the many local vendors behind the scenes that help run a vacation rental including cleaners, pest control, landscapers, artists, and several others that your revenue helps support. This can be a more sustainable and responsible way to travel since booking with an international booking company sends much of that money to the corporation rather than the local owners.
As you can see, we wholeheartedly believe there are several benefits to booking a vacation property directly with the owner rather than through a reservation site like Airbnb or VRBO. From better communication and more flexible booking options to personalized service and better prices, booking directly with the owner can make your luxury vacation even more enjoyable and memorable. So, next time you're planning a vacation to Tucson, or any other location, consider booking directly with the owner for a truly unique and fulfilling experience.
So how do you find a place to book direct?
Your Vacay In Tucson hosts
Unfortunately there are scammers out there, so you do need to do some research and if an offer sounds too good to be true, it may be. It’s a good idea to check multiple listing sites for consistency of the property name, amenities, and host. Check out their website and social media to ensure they are well established. And don’t, we repeat DON’T find a rental on Craigslist.
Here’s where to start:
If you’re searching on Airbnb or VRBO to start, look for hints in the listing such as the company name or Instagram handle. A quick Google search can land you on their website! Since those platforms want to make their commission on the booking, they don’t allow the host to post their website link on the listing but the clues are probably there!
Houfy.com is a direct booking platform that you can search much like Airbnb, but the booking is direct with the owner. Houfy also takes the measure of verifying ownership of the property.
There are often Facebook groups for local areas where owners can post links to their website and guests can post what they are looking for.
Google to find the city name and “vacation rental”. You may have to scroll a page or two to find more options as Airbnb and VRBO are very good at SEO and ranking at the top of the first page.
Traveling to Tucson, Arizona? You can book all of our properties directly through this site by clicking Find Your Vacay above.