Orlando is a beautiful city to visit at any time of the year. And with hundreds of things to do in Orlando, a weekend vacation just won’t cut it. If you want your vacation in this city to be meaningful even in the smallest sense, consider staying a week minimum. And to save money, consider renting a house instead of having to pay the expensive daily rates of hotels.

Housing rental vs. Hotel stay in Orlando

LOCATION: If you live close to where all the action is, hotels are usually strategically located downtown, but you may also find homes in the city proper. However, if you are looking for a suburban lifestyle during your Orlando vacation, renting a home would be more appropriate than staying in a hotel.

COSTS: If you’re staying a week or more in Orlando, you’ll find lodging costs more affordable when renting a home. Also, there are many costs included in hotel rates, whereas home rentals generally charge you only the cost of the place. Additionally, Orlando rental homeowners will rarely ask you to limit the number of people living on their property, but the same cannot be said for hotel management.

COMFORT – If you are going to rent a house in an exclusive residential community in Orlando, you may enjoy all the comforts and more that you can expect from a hotel. Of course, expecting 24-hour room service can be too much.

Tips for Finding an Orlando Home to Rent During the Vacation

During your vacation in Orlando, you will undoubtedly find several types of houses for rent, so the lack of choice will definitely not be a problem. Home rentals in Orlando can generally be divided into the following general categories:

Estates and Mansions: You can rent a mansion and live like royalty in Orlando for a week. Most of these home rentals will provide you with a variety of luxury services that will rival those offered in hotels. Better yet, you can enjoy all of this with maximum privacy.

Resort Home Rentals – Orlando resorts also offer home rentals to family vacationers who want to enjoy some fun in public places. These resorts typically provide guests with entertainment venues such as restaurants, clubhouses, game rooms, sports and fitness facilities, and of course, swimming pools and other water activities. This is also a good option for people traveling with multiple families who want to reside in a community or common area.

Condo and Townhome Rentals – If residing in a place that reminds you of home is what it takes for you to enjoy your Orlando vacation, then you need not worry as this city also offers affordable condo and townhome rentals .

Consider the following factors to further narrow the field:

SIZE OR SPACE – How much space do you need or want? Living in a cramped hotel room or rented apartment can make you lose some of your enthusiasm for your Orlando vacation.

LOCATION – Try to find a house that is as close as possible to most of the tourist attractions you plan to visit.

CHARACTERISTICS – How many bedrooms does it have? Is your dining room separate from the kitchen? Does the rental house have a pool? How about a garden? How many car spaces do you need in a garage? How many bathrooms are there?

SERVICES – What kind of services do you think you can’t live with? Do you want 24 hour security? Looking for 24 hour room service? What about clothes and cooking? Are you willing to do these tasks or would it be better for you to live in a hotel environment without problems?

Once you have decided to rent a particular house, be sure to pay a visit before your vacation or to have photos of the rental house sent to you. Negotiate diligently with your agent and hint that you have other options to consider. Please review the house rental agreement provided and feel free to ask questions if you find any of the stipulations confusing. Ask about reservation and payment requirements.

And finally, if you’re really sure of your choice, what else can you do but sign the check?