Rachel •Mar 31, 2025When planning a trip, choosing a vacation rental shouldn’t be an afterthought – it should be a priority. The perfect rental home can elevate your entire travel experience, turning a great trip into an unforgettable one. From stunning locations to premium amenities, the right vacation rental can make all the difference.
But how do you know what to look for in a vacation rental? With so many options available, narrowing down your choices can be overwhelming, and you don’t want to jeopardize your trip by forgetting anything important.
Whether you’re planning a romantic honeymoon, a family reunion, or a getaway with friends, we’re breaking down the 8 most important things to look for in a property. Here’s how to choose the perfect vacation rental for your trip:
Here are some of the main factors to consider as you browse our luxury vacation rentals:
When it comes to booking a vacation rental, location is everything. The best rental for your trip depends on what kind of experience you’re looking for.
If you plan to spend a week exploring a bustling city, opt for a centrally located space to stay close to the action. Dreaming of lazy beach days? A luxury beachfront rental is the way to go. Prefer a peaceful escape? A secluded cabin in the woods or mountains will bring you closer to nature.
If your trip revolves around Disneyland, don’t choose a rental hours away! Book a vacation rental near Disneyland Park in Los Angeles or Hermosa Beach for easy access. Foodies eager to explore the local dining scene should look for a rental in a culinary hotspot, not a remote area with limited options.
To make sure you pick the perfect location, keep these tips in mind:
Check proximity to attractions: Use Google or Apple Maps to see how far your rental is from the places you want to visit. All our properties are listed on Google Maps, so you can easily check travel times by car, foot, or public transport.
Figure out transportation: Think about how you'll get to and from your rental and get around once you're there. If you’re renting a car, you can stay somewhere more secluded. But if you’ll rely on public transport, choose a well-connected area with bus or train links.
Consider the surrounding area: If you’re planning to stay local, make sure there are enough shops, cafes, and restaurants nearby to enhance your experience.
A little planning goes a long way in ensuring your vacation is as smooth and enjoyable as possible!
So you’ve found an ideally located vacation rental, but is that enough? Not quite. A great property isn’t just about placement; it’s about what’s on offer. For a comfortable stay, certain essentials are non-negotiable:
A comfortable bed and bedding
Reliable Wi-FI
Air conditioning/heating (depending on the climate)
Kitchen and bathroom essentials
A TV
Comfortable living and dining areas
These are the must-haves for any vacation home. But are they going to make for a memorable stay? Probably not.
A truly exceptional vacation home is more than just a place to sleep. That’s why our luxury rentals go above and beyond, with premium amenities designed to take your trip to the next level. Think private pools, hot tubs, ultra-fast Wi-Fi, and smart mattresses for ultimate comfort.
Here are just a few standout amenities you might find at our properties:
Home gyms
BBQ areas and BBQ utensils
Home theaters
Dedicated workspaces with standing desks, ultrawide monitors, and microphones
Saunas
Smart home technology
Sports courts, including pickleball, basketball, & tennis courts and soccer pitches
Firepits
Games rooms with pool, foosball, ping pong tables, and arcade games
Elevators
An electric car and charging port to use during your stay
Outdoor showers
Swim-up bars
Fully equipped state-of-the-art kitchens
Boat docks
Coffee machines
And that’s just the beginning! Check individual property listings for a full breakdown of the premium amenities available at each home.
Space matters – especially when traveling in a group.
First, make sure the rental has enough bedrooms to accommodate everyone comfortably. But it’s not just about having enough beds – your group needs space to spread out and enjoy the stay.
A vacation home with 10 bedrooms might technically sleep 20 people, but things will feel cramped fast if there’s only one living area and no outdoor space. Also, don’t overlook bathrooms. Five people sharing one bathroom? Not ideal, especially after a sandy beach day!
Our large group vacation rentals are perfect for everything from bachelorette parties to corporate getaways. With multiple indoor and outdoor communal areas, well-balanced bathroom-to-guest ratios, and amenities that cater to everyone, you’ll have all the space you need.
Another key factor? The layout. Will it suit your group’s needs? If you’re working remotely while vacationing with kids, a dedicated office space is a must. Planning a company retreat? Colleagues probably won’t want to share beds, so even if a home technically sleeps 18, consider whether the setup is practical for your group.
Photos and descriptions can give you a feel for a vacation rental, but let’s be honest – they don’t always tell the full story. When booking through private hosts, be especially cautious. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. That’s why choosing a trusted vacation rental platform (like Wander) is key to ensuring your stay meets expectations.
Guest reviews and ratings are a surefire way to know if a vacation home is right for you. These help you get an idea of other people’s experiences. A rental with consistently high ratings and glowing reviews is usually a safe bet. But don’t stress over one or two negative reviews – it happens! Instead, watch for repeated complaints about the same issue. That’s a red flag.
At Wander, we’re committed to creating seamless stays. With an average trip rating of 9.4/10 across 30,000+ nights booked, guest satisfaction is at the heart of everything we do. We read every review and make improvements based on feedback to ensure every stay is even better than the last.
Want to see what past guests have to say? Check out our customer reviews or visit our Trustpilot page (spoiler: they’re really good!).
Cost is always a factor when booking a vacation, but cheaper doesn’t always mean worse – and expensive doesn’t always mean better. That said, you usually get what you pay for. Budget-friendly rentals tend to be more basic and in less convenient locations, while luxury rentals offer premium amenities in the most sought-after spots.
Like hotels and flights, vacation rentals usually use dynamic pricing, meaning rates fluctuate based on seasonality, demand, and market conditions. You’ll often find significant price differences between peak and off-season stays and weeknights and weekend breaks.
Here are a couple of tips for getting the best bang for your buck:
Take advantage of dynamic pricing: Many vacation rentals are significantly cheaper in the off-season. Visiting a ski resort (like Jackson Hole) in the summer and a beach destination in the winter can save you a lot. Plus, booking off-season can mean avoiding the crowds of tourists.
Think about value for money: A higher-priced rental might actually save you money in the long run. A central location can cut down on transportation costs, and a fully equipped kitchen means fewer pricey restaurant meals. Plus, a standout rental can take your trip from good to unforgettable, making it well worth the investment!
Maximise the space: Renting a large group vacation rental can be super affordable if you have enough guests to fill it. For example 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.
Cleanliness is an essential feature of any vacation rental. It’s hard to have a pleasant stay in a home that feels dusty or dirty, so this should be high on your list of things to look for in a vacation rental.
But how can you tell if a home will be clean before you arrive? Here are a few tips:
Check the listing description or website for cleaning details: Look for notes on professional cleaning, fresh linens, and stocked essentials.
Find out about mid-stay services: Some rentals offer mid-stay housekeeping, which works great for longer trips.
Check the photos of the property for any obvious signs of dirtiness: If they show signs of neglect (think dusty shelves, grimy kitchens), that’s a red flag.
Read guest reviews: if multiple guests mention cleanliness concerns, take note.
At Wander, cleanliness is one of our top priorities. We’ll never let you check in to a dirty house with remnants of the last guests as a welcome gift! Our cleaning teams are meticulous about quality. We won't leave you a list of chores at check-out, either: It’s like a hotel stay, but better.
Imagine arriving at your vacation rental, only to realize you have no idea where it is. You finally find it, only to wait an hour for the host to drop off the keys. A few days later, the oven breaks and the host is nowhere to be found! Sound appealing? Not ideal, right?
Smooth communication and an easy check-in process make all the difference. A great host should be responsive, reliable, and available when needed. But a single person can’t be on call 24/7.
With Wander Concierge, you get round-the-clock support. Whether you have an issue at the property, a question about an appliance, or local restaurant recommendations, just text us, and we’ll reply as soon as possible!
Another factor to consider is the check-in process. While some properties still use a traditional key handoff, many vacation rentals now offer contactless check-in via a lockbox, a pin, or smart lock access.
Wander offers seamless contactless check-in via our app. Download it ahead of your visit, retrieve your trip details, and read our check-in guide. When you arrive, simply navigate to the trips tab, click the ‘check-in now’ icon, and your mobile transforms into your magic key!
Every traveler is different, and the best vacation rental is one that meets your specific needs.
If you’re bringing your four-legged friend, make sure to choose a pet-friendly vacation rental. At Wander, we love animals! In fact, we have a whole range of pet-friendly luxury properties on our site that include ample space and special features to accommodate cats and dogs.
If anyone in your group has mobility issues, make sure to choose a suitable home. Look for features like ramps, elevators, and wider doorways to ensure everyone has a great stay, regardless of ability.
Got young kids? Consider safety and entertainment. A rental perched on a cliff or near a busy road might not be ideal, while a secluded retreat with sports courts and a game room – like Wander Dia Del Sol – could be perfect.
The perfect vacation rental is more than just a place to stay – it’s the backdrop for unforgettable experiences. Whether you’re searching for a serene retreat in Sonoma wine country or a spacious home for a family reunion in Florida, Wander offers luxury rentals designed for comfort, convenience, and style.
With stunning locations, high-end amenities, and a seamless booking experience, finding your dream stay has never been easier.
Browse Wander’s curated collection of vacation rentals today and discover the perfect place for your next adventure.
Essential amenities vary depending on the type of trip you’re taking, but everyday must-haves include Wi-Fi, a well-equipped kitchen, comfortable sleeping arrangements, parking, and spacious communal areas. If you’re looking for a luxury experience, vacation rentals with pools, hot tubs, sports courts, and smart home technology can elevate your stay.
Contactless check-in allows guests to access their vacation rental without meeting the host in person. This typically involves keyless entry systems, smart locks, or digital codes, making arrival seamless and convenient. Wander rentals offer secure, contactless check-in via our mobile app so you can start your stay without delays.
Dynamic pricing is a strategy where vacation rental rates fluctuate based on demand, seasonality, and market trends. This ensures competitive pricing for guests while maximizing occupancy for hosts. Wander’s pricing model reflects real-time market conditions, offering fair and transparent rates for every stay.
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