Should I book on Airbnb, VRBO, or direct?

Use platforms like Airbnb or VRBO for the first booking to leverage their protection policies. If you find a property you love, check if the host has a personal website for future stays to save on service fees.

How do I handle the security deposit?

Never pay security deposits outside of the booking platform. Keep all payments within the site's official portal to ensure you are covered by their damage protection programs.

What if the rental isn't as described?

Document everything immediately with photos or video upon arrival. If the property doesn't match the listing (e.g., missing beds, broken appliances), contact the platform’s support team within 24 hours to initiate a dispute.

Booking Vacation Rentals for Large Family Groups

To secure a rental for a large group, prioritize properties with verified floor plans and clear bathroom-to-bedroom ratios. Filter for 'instant book' properties to avoid lengthy approval wait times and always message the host before committing to confirm sleeping arrangements.

Define your 'hard' requirements. List exactly how many beds you need—not how many people. Ensure at least one bathroom per three guests. If you have mobility issues, confirm step-free access to the main living area and at least one bedroom.
Use platform filters strategically. On sites like Airbnb or VRBO, filter by 'entire place' and select the exact number of bedrooms. Ignore 'sofa beds' in your initial count; assume they don't exist to ensure everyone has a real mattress.
Message the host before booking. Send a standard message: 'We are a group of X adults and Y children. We are looking for a quiet stay and will respect all house rules. Is the property layout suitable for our group size?' Their response time and tone will tell you if they are experienced with large groups.
Verify the 'Extras'. Large groups put stress on infrastructure. Ask the host: 'Is the hot water tank sized for 10 people showering?' and 'Does the dining table seat our entire group?' If the answer is no, keep looking.
Read reviews specifically for group stays. Use the search function within the reviews tab to search for keywords like 'space', 'groups', 'crowded', or 'noise'. Ignore general feedback about location and focus on how the house handled a full occupancy load.

Should I book on Airbnb, VRBO, or direct?: Use platforms like Airbnb or VRBO for the first booking to leverage their protection policies. If you find a property you love, check if the host has a personal website for future stays to save on service fees.
How do I handle the security deposit?: Never pay security deposits outside of the booking platform. Keep all payments within the site's official portal to ensure you are covered by their damage protection programs.
What if the rental isn't as described?: Document everything immediately with photos or video upon arrival. If the property doesn't match the listing (e.g., missing beds, broken appliances), contact the platform’s support team within 24 hours to initiate a dispute.