Shannon Gomes•Apr 3, 2025Finding the perfect vacation home starts with choosing the right vacation rental platform.
Wander and Vrbo are two big names in the short-term rental game. While Vrbo offers a wide range of properties, including plenty of budget-friendly options, Wander is a luxury Vrbo alternative that curates high-end homes.
But how can you decide which platform best suits your travel style? In this guide, we’ll compare Wander vs. Vrbo's properties, amenities, pricing, customer service, and overall experience to help you decide!
Wander is a platform pioneering the ‘hotelification’ of luxury vacation rentals, offering a curated selection of standout homes in unique locations. A Wander stay combines the privacy and uniqueness of vacation rentals with the quality, service, and amenities of five-star resorts.
Learn about Wander here.
Vrbo is a popular vacation rental platform that operates as a third-party property directory, with hosts listing and managing their own properties. Vrbo features thousands of homes and apartment listings to suit different budgets and travel styles.
Properties: Wander offers a curated selection of luxury properties, including estates, oceanfront villas, and chalets, in unique locations, such as Yosemite Park and the Coachella Valley. Meanwhile, Vrbo provides a broad range of properties in various destinations, ranging from modest apartments to entire estates.
Amenities: Wander’s properties feature premium amenities like private pools, relaxing saunas, and gourmet kitchens. Vbro’s amenities vary from property to property, with most offering standard conveniences and a select few offering high-end features.
Pricing: Wander’s pricing reflects its quality; homes are generally higher-end due to their luxury features. Vrbo’s pricing includes plenty of budget-friendly properties as well as pricier options.
Customer experience and service: With 24/7 concierge service, seamless check-in, and consistency across its properties, Wander puts customer experience first. As Vrbo’s customer service depends primarily on the host, rather than the company, customer experience can vary significantly by property.
Business model: Wander owns and operates many of its properties and maintains a strict quality standard for its property managers. This means you’re guaranteed the same exceptional standards in every home. Vrbo operates as a third-party marketplace, with individual hosts and property owners taking responsibility for each vacation rental, so quality can vary.
Let’s dive deeper into the key differences between Wander and Vrbo.
Wander offers a carefully curated selection of luxury properties, only featuring the top 1% of vacation rentals on its site. Prioritizing quality over quantity ensures that the people looking for the most luxurious homes on the market can easily find them.
Frequently featured in Architectural Digest, Wander’s homes are meticulously designed with modern architecture, stylish decor, and high-tech amenities to guarantee an unforgettable stay.
Wander’s collection includes beachfront villas, lake houses, estates, and ski-in/ski-out chalets, all in scenic locations with dramatic views. Most are family-friendly, and many are pet-friendly.
Vrbo, on the other hand, offers a very large range of rentals, from modest apartments to luxury estates, making it ideal for travelers with varying budgets. You’ll find plenty of affordable options in many destinations.
However, since Vrbo doesn’t own or manage the properties, quality and consistency vary. While you might find some exceptional homes, others may feel dated, requiring more research to ensure a quality stay.
Wander properties are designed to offer an exceptional guest experience with amenities that go beyond the typical vacation rental. They combine the state-of-the-art technology, modern appliances, and indulgent extras that you’d find at a five-star hotel with the privacy of your own home.
Each Wander is unique, but expect features like private pools, hot tubs, fire pits, saunas, hotel-quality linens, high-speed Wi-Fi, and spa-like bathrooms to enjoy the property and its surroundings in style.
Because Vrbo properties are individually owned, amenities vary significantly from listing to listing. Most offer standard comforts like Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and basic entertainment options.
Some higher-end rentals may include pools or hot tubs, but luxury features aren’t guaranteed. Smart home tech and EV chargers are rare, making Vrbo less appealing for travelers seeking premium perks.
Wander’s properties are higher-end, but the pricing reflects their premium quality. You’re not just paying for a bed, but for a luxurious experience with high-end amenities and a dedicated concierge team.
However, rates can be more affordable for larger groups. For example, a large group vacation rental like Wander Santa Rosa Shores can cost as little as $885 per night (dynamic pricing dependent). When split between the 30 guests it accommodates, that’s only $29 per person – cheaper than most hotels.
No hidden fees or surprise costs are added – you’ll get full access to the home and all its luxurious extras at this rate.
If you need to cancel your booking, you can do so up to 14 days before your check-in date. You can move your stay or receive Wander credits to the total value of your trip, which you can spend on any future stay at any Wander property (see our rules for full T&Cs).
Vrbo offers more flexible pricing, with budget-friendly apartments starting at low prices ranging to massive estates costing thousands. If you’re looking for basic, affordable accommodation without the bells and whistles, you’ll find it on Vrbo.
However, hidden fees like cleaning charges and service fees can significantly increase the total cost. Plus, cancellation policies vary by host, and some properties ban cancellations entirely, so reading the fine print is essential.
Wander’s commitment to luxury extends to its seamless customer service. From booking to check-out, guests can expect a hassle-free, tailored experience, complete with advice, recommendations, and answers to all questions.
Check-in is simple: the Wander app allows for contactless check-in with a digital key, so you can enter the property without waiting for a host. Wander’s 24/7 Concierge Service is available to assist with any requests, whether it’s organizing car hire, solving a problem in the property, or arranging for a private chef.
Because Wander properties and hosts are carefully curated for professional management, this service is polished, reliable, and of a consistently high standard.
Vrbo’s service depends on individual hosts. While Vrbo offers platform support, most issues are handled by the property owner, making service quality inconsistent. Some hosts provide excellent service, while others may be less responsive.
Vrbo does provide a “Book with Confidence” guarantee, which offers some protection against scams or fraudulent listings, but it doesn’t cover minor inconveniences or dissatisfaction with the property.
If the property is operated by an individual host, they’re unlikely to be available 24/7. While a concierge team is on hand around the clock, a single person cannot offer this same level of service.
For travelers who prioritize personalized service and reliability, Vrbo’s host-dependent model can be less appealing.
One of Wander’s greatest assets is its ownership and management model. Unlike Vrbo, which acts as a third-party listing platform, Wander has a careful curation process in place. It owns or operates many of its properties, and only upholds strict standards for the property managers it partners with. This ensures:
Uniform standards across all homes
Consistent cleanliness, design, and amenities
Reliable service and customer experiences
This hotel-like consistency makes Wander a trusted choice for travelers who want guaranteed luxury-level stays every time.
Vrbo operates as a marketplace, connecting travelers with individual property owners. The hosts, not Vrbo, are responsible for ensuring their vacation rentals meet guests' expectations.
While this model offers more variety, it comes with fewer guarantees. The quality of the experience depends entirely on the individual host and property, making it less reliable for those seeking consistent luxury.
Now that you understand how Wander and Vrbo operate and what they provide, here’s a breakdown of their key pros and cons to help you decide which best suits your travel needs.
Pros:
The top 1% of properties in exclusive locations
High-end amenities and smart home features
Round-the-clock concierge service
Easy contactless check-in
Consistent high standards across all homes
Cons:
Luxury experience creates a higher price point
The curation aspect means a smaller selection of homes are available
Pros:
A wider range of properties
Low-price options to suit budget travelers
A large selection of destinations to choose from
Cons:
Price of budget-friendly properties often reflects the quality
Final price could be inflated by cleaning fees, taxes, and service charges
Customer experience mainly depends on the host, not the company
Check-in experience can be awkward
When it comes to choosing a vacation rental platform, there’s no one-size-fits-all. The best choice for you depends on your personal priorities.
Wander is ideal for high-net-worth travelers seeking one-of-a-kind premium experiences in thoughtful locations. If you prioritize luxury, consistency, and high-end service, or are traveling as a large group, Wander is for you.
With Vrbo, every property is different, so you’ll need to work a little harder to find the best ones. However, there are lots of excellent properties at reasonable prices, so choose Vrbo if you value affordability and flexibility and don’t mind the slight inconsistencies.
Looking for a luxury Vrbo alternative? For a one-of-a-kind, stress-free escape with world-class service and breathtaking properties, choose Wander for your next trip.
From wine tasting in the rolling hills of Sonoma, California, to soaking up the sun at a beachfront rental in Mexico, to hitting the slopes from a ski-in, ski-out chalet in Colorado, we’ve got the perfect property for you.
Expect hotel-grade amenities, inspiring views, a 24/7 concierge service, and consistently high standards across our homes. That’s the Wander difference.
Browse our curated collection of Wanders today and find your happy place.
By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
