Vacation Rentals Blog

Dec. 31, 2006. Ski Resorts are spending billions to add new amenities and luxuries amid the current boom. “Throughout the West, ski resorts are investing billions of dollars in upgrades as facilities age and visitors come looking for luxuries never imagined when skiers on wooden boards defined a ski vacation as a rope tow and a bed with a bathroom down the hall�, according to an article by David Frey in NewWest.Net. He reports that “The industry is booming. So are resort towns. And visitors to both come with high expectations.�

The article points out the significant renovations and building being done throughout the Western ski areas at places like Sun Valley, Idaho, Colorado, and Utah. “Resorts across the West are scrambling to cater to luxury-seekers, refurbishing aging buildings and building whole new communities.�

This quest for more luxury and amenities is quite consistent with the advice we regularly give our members in VacationRntal.org. It is covered in our current newsletter, “Ten Proven Tips to Keep Your Luxury Vacation Rental on Top in 2007--An Owner’s Manual for the Operation of Luxury Vacation Rentals.� We have found that vacation rentals that offer true luxury experience a better rate of occupancy than those who don’t.

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December 29, 2006. Have you ever seen a vat of chocolate the size of a small swimming pool? Ever tasted a freshly brewed beer? Do you wonder what makes your favorite ice cream so delicious (and expensive)? Try taking a tour of a factory that makes these special products on your next vacation. It will change the way you think about many of the things you come in contact with every day.

A Boston Herald article on New England factory tours offers some great suggestions. Companies in Massachusetts and Vermont include Cape Cod Potato Chips and Ben and Jerry's. According to the article, the latter tour includes generous free samples of ice cream.

We would also like to suggest some other interesting tours. If you're staying in the San Francisco Bay Area, check out Anchor Steam Brewing Company, one of the first modern microbreweries in the United States, or Levi Strauss, home of the iconic jeans. Wisconsin has more than 68 cheese factory tours. All of thse tours can be more enjoyable if you stay at a luxury vacation rental such as the ones listed on VacationRental.org.

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December 28, 2006. The Chicago Tribune's feature, "A World of Events For 2007," gave us some great vacation ideas. The list includes everything from rural festivals to international sporting events. Here are some of our favorites:

April 20-29: Fiesta San Antonio (San Antonio, Texas). The Riverwalk in San Antonio is always lively, but we imagine the parades, pageants and parties during Fiesta time will make this one of your most fun vacations ever. The Riverwalk is a pedestrian district of shops, restaurants and entertainment venues that edge right up to the river.

May 25-June 10: Spoleto Festival USA (Charleston, S.C.). Take a great town like Charleston, full of amazing historic architecture. Add 120 performances, from " Swan Lake" to "The Constant Wife." Season with a wide variety of restaurants, including some of the best seafood joints in the country. You've got one busy week.

June 27-July 8: Smithsonian Folklife Festival (Washington, D.C.) . History buffs will find heaven with reenactments of the founding of Jamestown on the National Mall and a cornucopia of great museums, including the legendary Smithsonians.

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December 27, 2006. Travelers who signed up for hotel reward programs have begun to voice their frustrations with recent spikes in the cost to redeem their reward points. As the New York Times' "Practical Traveler" pointed out, the recent rise in lodging costs has increased the amount of points needed to earn a free stay. In many cases, however, the changes have outpaced the true increase in hotel room rates.

National average daily room rates have increased by about 14 percent in the last six years, according to Smith Travel Research, a firm that examines lodging industry information. The Hilton's awards program, however, has required up to 33 percent more reward points, according to the article. A Hilton spokesperson told the Practical Traveler that the seemingly unfair hike comes from an increase in specific demand for certain types of hotels and rooms.

Whatever the case, the story highlights the need for consumers to be aware when staying at hotels for the sake of reward points programs.

Vacation rentals offer a great alternative to the large hotel chains. They may not have frequent user programs, but their advantages lie in amenities, quality and spaciousness. We recommend using companies such as VacationRental.org, which require rentals to meet a standard of excellence.

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Dec. 24, 2006. The year began with a bang in the lodging industry, with increased demand outpacing the limited supply of rooms available in large cities and vacation destinations. Hotels were able to institute large rate increases, which resulted in substantially increased revenues.

According to Smith Travel Research, average daily rates are up 7 % over the first eleven months of his year compared with the same period year ago. Occupancy rates started the year on a strong note, but the higher rates have taken their toll over the past few months. For November, occupancy was down 2.2% over the same month a year ago.

For vacation rentals, we don’t have the kind off data that is available for the hotel industry. However, anecdotal evidence indicates that it has been a good year, especially for those properties that are true luxury vacation rentals that are reasonably priced.

The slip in occupancy rates at the end of this year indicates that we should not expect the same level of travel industry growth that was experienced in 2006. Vacation property owners will need to take care that they distinguish themselves from the competition. The December-January edition of the Vacation Rentals Newsletter, available only to members of VacationRental.org, will offer ten tips for keeping luxury vacation rentals on top in 2007.

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December 22, 2006. We love staying at Caribbean vacation rentals for the great weather and the relaxed island ambience. So many great resort towns and communities have evolved to serve the needs of vacationers, offering everything from restaurants and bars to shopping to golf and other activities. Some travelers, however, come to the Caribbean in search of tropical rain forests and coral reefs – two amenities which have existed before the travel and tourism industry was developed.

Josh Roberts' USA TODAY column on Tobago, a Caribbean island with plenty of both natural attractions, makes a great case for visiting this often-overlooked island.

"For more than 200 years, the island's tropical rainforest has been legally protected from human interference. That's allowed more than 210 species of birds, 23 types of butterflies, 16 lizards and even some fish-eating bats to thrive."

Roberts recommends taking a guided tour to enjoy the local flora and fauna to their fullest. Argyle Falls should also be on every visitor's to-see list, he wrote.

We recommend staying in a Tobago luxury vacation rental to bring you even closer to the island's charm. The homes listed on VacationRental.org lie within walking distance of the beach and one, the Jemas Guesthouse, is just a short hike away from a waterfall.

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December 21, 2006. The Washington Post had a great last-minute gift idea for globe trotters: travel picture books. An article in their travel section featured five great books that photograph everything from the American West to the North Pole. Even if you don't see the right book on their list, the ideal selection will surely jump out at the bookstore.

We would like to recommend another gift idea for that special someone: a week in a luxury vacation rental. If you and your spouse have been working long hours, or just need a break, some time in a romantic getaway could be the best Christmas present ever. If you want to get crafty, hide the reservation confirmation in a photography book of the special destination!

Here are some ideas for romantic escapes:

Bahamas

Baja, Mexico

Sanibel Island, Florida

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December 20, 2006. David Laskin wrote a great article in the New York Times on the Portland Classical Chinese Garden in Portland, Oregon. He goes beyond simply describing what he saw, however, and delves into some deeper lessons about travel. Here's how the story begins:

"It's a chilly Sunday in late autumn and a steady shower is falling on the Portland Classical Chinese Garden. Rain silvers the pebble mosaic in the Court of Tranquility and dimples the surface of Zither Lake. Budding camellias shine, bamboo shoots nod and recover…

'Too bad it's not raining harder,' our smiling guide, Frances Chin, murmurs… 'In a real downpour, rain streams off the roof and forms a curtain in front of the pavilion like strings of pearls.'"

How many of us have been stuck in the rain on vacation? It happens, right? Laskin begins the story with an ambiguous mood – are we supposed to be grateful that it's raining, or wishing for more bad weather? He ends up showing us how to find beauty in unexpected ways and offers some great tips on what to see in Portland.

If you go, we recommend a luxury vacation rental in the city or somewhere near the flanks of Mt. Hood. Portland is also an easy day's drive from the seaside Oregon vacation rentals .

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Dec. 19, 2006. It is always intriguing to ponder what the future holds for the travel industry in general and particularly for the luxury vacation rental market. Therefore, we thought we should share the predictions of futurist Marvin J. Cetron in Travel Weekly.

Mr. Cetron believes another trade boom is at hand. He says that we should consider five factors that will shape the prospects for travel and tourism in the next decade: (1) the growth of tourism in Asia, (2) the benefits of technology, (3) developments in air travel, (4) terrorism/security issues and (5) the aging of the baby boomers.

The entire article is worth reading, but we will focus on two items which point out the great potential for growth in the travel industry. The first is the explosion of travel from Asian nations. “The Pacific Asia Travel Association estimates that Chinese spending for international travel will reach $100 billion by 2008. By 2020, when 100 million Chinese are expected to fan out across the globe, they will replace Americans, Japanese and Germans as the world's most numerous travelers, according to the World Trade Organization. That same year, 50 million Indians are expected to venture overseas.�

The second most important item in the Cetron article deals with the aging on populations in the developed world. He says, “For travel and tourism, the most important age-related event in history is just five years away. That is when the oldest members of the baby boomer generation will reach 65, the traditional age of retirement. Born between 1946 and 1964, this is the vast age group that has powered the growth of tourism and travel for decades. They will continue to drive it through the years of their greatest wealth and leisure time.�

Particularly important for owners of luxury vacation rentals is Cetron’s observation that “Their aging has important implications for travel and tourism because many boomers will remain healthy and vigorous, still interested in adventure travel and participant sports even late in life. Many will continue to seek out new experiences, even when their health no longer allows wilderness treks or taxing travel to novel destinations, and the industry will need to accommodate them.�

Luxury vacation rental owners who can provide all the luxuries that older travelers enjoy as well as the opportunity for recreation and new experiences should do well. In addition they will do well to include a translation bar on their web site that includes Chinese. We have done so on our own web site and are now in the process of doing so on VacationRental.org.

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December 18, 2006. What started with news from U.S. Airways and Delta has spread like wildfire throughout the airline industry. Now, travelers are wondering how the mergers will affect their next trip to a vacation rental. Anticipating these concerns, the media has jumped on the topic this week.
An article in USA Today summed up the recent activity. Last month, U.S. Airways announced a bid to acquire Delta. This week, several more acquisitions came int o play. Reports surfaced on Tuesday of a possible combination of United and Continental. The next day, AirTran Holdings said it made a bid for Midwest Air Group. Even in Australia, private interests made unsuccessful bids on Qantas Airways.

CNN’s Money.com posted a story predicting “fewer choices, higher fares.� A quote from airline consultant Michael Boyd sums up critics’ fears:
“Any merger that takes out a brand takes out an option. Whenever a consumer has less options, you’re going to have higher fares. That’s all there is to it.�

A story in the New York Times, however, points out that traditional wisdom may not necessarily be true, depending on which mergers play and how. The article cites a study by a Brookings Institution economist who found that the exit of some inefficient airlines may allow low-fare carriers to step up and improve the industry.

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Dec. 17, 2006. As we have previously reported, occupancy rates for US lodging have leveled off or suffered a small downturn in the last few months of 2006. We have speculated that this is due in part to the steep increases in hotel room rates this year, as well as a surge in the number of new rooms being added.

However an article by Mark Lomanno in HotelMotel.com points out the luxury segment of the lodging industry is still enjoying strong performance at the end of the year: “While most industry segments have seen the rate of average daily room-rate growth plateau in the face of the above stated fundamentals, luxury hotels not only have been able to maintain their already segment-leading room rate increases but have, it appears, not yet reached the peak experienced by their counterparts. Lomanno goes on to say that, “From a demand perspective, luxury hotels also have shown the most growth of any of the chain-scale segments�.

This report on the hotel industry is positive for owners of luxury vacation rentals that try hard to please travelers looking for an extra level of amenities and comfort. It is consistent with the philosophy of VacationRental.org. We have always urged our owners to compete on quality and service rather than price. We always advocate that owners strive to exceed our VRO Standards of Quality and point out the ways to do this in our members only Vacation Rentals Newsletter.

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Dec.16, 2006. We look forward every year to the January edition of Travel+Leisure, which contains the T+L 500, the guide to the world’s best hotels. This year’s edition is the best ever, because it contains both the rates compared with other properties on the list and what distinguishes each hotel from the competition.

The list now contains more properties from Asia. The United States and Canada represented 55 percent of the list in 2003, but now account for 43 percent. Of the 213 hotels on the list from the United States and Canada this year, 91 properties---43 percent of the region—have appeared on the T+L 500 for five years in a row

Having stayed in some of these hotels, I am not surprised. The top hotels always seem to have a dedication of service that sets them apart from the competition. Also, I am not surprised that Ritz-Carlton has the most properties on this list of any hotel chain. Readers of the June 2006 edition of our Vacation Rentals Newsletter understand the management philosophy of Marriott, which owns the Ritz-Carlton brand. It does a superb job of staying on the top of all of the hotel categories in which it competes. This is why the Marriott tops the world in terms of hotel revenue.

While owners of luxury vacation rentals cannot expect to match the level of service that the top 500 hotels in the world provide, they can always pick up some good ideas from staying at such hotels, if nothing more than the attitude they exhibit to their guests. However, it may be wise to try out hotels in less expensive cities than New York City, where the average room rate for hotels that made the list is $740 per night.

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December 14, 2006. When many people think about a winter vacation, they imagine either a ski resort or a tropical paradise. But an escape to the great cities of Canada? Not exactly what many call a winter destination. Dreamscapes writer Bruce Sach begs to differ. In a recent article, he wrote about how Canadians in Ottawa refuse to slow down when the mercury drops.

“Locals, foreign ambassadors and visitors alike will be flocking onto the Rideau Canal, the world’s longest outdoor skating rink. They will admire ice sculptures in Confederation Park and Lake Dow. They will enjoy beaver tails, maple syrup and hot chocolate, all clever means designed to help forget the cold temperatures.�

If winter festivities aren’t enough, consider that the great museums in Ottawa and Montreal will be far less crowded, giving visitors a chance to stroll at their own pace without having to peer around other lingerers.
We can offer another benefit: off-season rates. Many luxury vacation rentals in Canada cut their rates in the winter.

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December 13, 2006. The snowsports season started late in a few regions of North America this year, but the action seems well under way at most major resorts. If you still haven’t booked a vacation rental for a ski trip, you may be wondering two things:
1) Who’s got the snow?
2) Who’s got the deals?

An article in the L.A. Times hits on the latter, noting that lift ticket prices have cracked the $80 mark at many resorts.

In Utah and Colorado, new arrivals can take advantage of free passes for their first day of skiing. In Park City, the chamber of commerce offers a lift ticket for the Canyons, Deer Valley and Park City resorts. In Colorado, two airline companies partnered with resorts to trade your used boarding pass for a mountain pass. Some California deals will get you through the week: REI and other sporting goods stores offer discounted tickets for a variety of Lake Tahoe ski resorts.

Ski Magazine’s website, SkiNet, offers of the best one-stop sources for monitoring snowfall and base depths. Each day, SkiNet assembles a “Top Ten Snow Reports� based on new snow, base and the percentage of open terrain and lifts.

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December 9, 2006. Eating well is hard enough without throwing in holidays and traveling. Fortunately, a recent report from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) found that airport restaurants continue to improve their healthy eating options. The group surveyed 13 of the busiest airports in the United States and reported that 11 of 12 airports surveyed last year improved their score.

"Orlando International Airport landed in first place, moving up from eighth place in last year's report. Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport won the honor of 'most improved,' with a score of 76 percent, compared with just 46 percent in 2005. Las Vegas McCarran International Airport came in last place for the third year in a row, despite making a 27-point improvement over last year."

A PCRM dietitian suggested opting for a bean burrito of veggie sandwich, as vegetarian foods tend to be low in fat and high in fiber. Other travel experts recommend choosing grilled chicken over hamburger and avoiding French fries and "super-sized" value meals.

A TravelPost.com article recommended bringing snacks from home, such as fresh fruit, granola, trail mixes and whole grain crackers.But you're supposed to be on vacation, right? TravelPost.com suggested allowing one indulgence per day so that you can at least enjoy local delicacies.

We have another suggestion for eating healthy on while traveling. Staying in a luxury vacation rental, with access to a kitchen or refrigerator, can also improve the options for eating healthy and eliminate the temptations associated with eating out.

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December 8, 2006. No doubt, many people think of Disney World when they think of Orlando. But one can have a blast in this area without ever setting foot inside the famous theme park. Nothing against Disney, but as a recent L.A. Times article reminded us, theme park competition gets fierce in this quintessential luxury vacation rental destination.

"… when Universal Studios announced construction of a theme park of motion-picture attractions, Disney rushed its own MGM Studios to completion … when nearby Busch Gardens enhanced its animal attractions with 'Edge of Africa,' Disney rushed to create its Animal Kingdom park. Even the U.S. government is competition. Disney's multimillion-dollar Mission: Space astronaut ride at Epcot competes with… nearby Kennedy Space Center."

For people staying in vacation rentals, that means great deals on admission. The $190 Orlando FlexTicket provides two weeks of unlimited visits to SeaWorld Orlando, Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and the Wet 'n' Wild water-slide park. Visitors can also pair down the choice to one week at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure for just $85. Disney has its own offer, of course: Magic Your Way deals offer various combinations to suit your taste.

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December 7, 2006. What if you could join a special club that lets you bypass the long security lines at airports? That's the idea behind the Registered Traveler program, which will see major expansion in the coming year. The New York Times recently examined the pros and cons of the idea, which became a reality in Orlando in July 2005. That airport now has nearly 30,000 registered travelers. Kennedy International Airport's Registered Traveler program will come online Dec. 19, and several other airports have announced interest: Reno, Cincinnati, Indianapolis and San Jose, Calif.

Here's how the program works: travelers pay about $100 to register with an independent company that operates separate security checkpoints in airport terminals. They agree to submit fingerprints and retina scans, and receive a "biometric" identity card with that information (and more). They go through the same screening in their line – bomb checks, metal detectors, etc. – but the lines theoretically move quickly because registered members are experienced travelers who know the rules.

Critics say the program will open loopholes for terrorists, but airports and the private companies that screen passengers disagree. At this point, the program really only has value for frequent travelers, especially business travelers and travelers who have more than one home. If you want airport security lines to move more quickly but don't want to become a registered traveler, do your part to make security scans easier. For more information about the rules of travel, visit the Transportation Security Administration's web site.

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Dec. 6, 2006. Two articles in major newspapers today indicate that the controversial attempt by Us Airways to take over its much larger rival Delta may not succeed. The US Air move on Delta has met with great concern by some consumers and in Congress because it would create less competition in many routes in the Eastern US. In the case of many smaller cites it would leave travelers almost totally at the mercy of one airline.

An article in today’s Washington Post quotes Delta Chief Executive Gerald Grinstein extensively as he attacks the Us Air takeover plan:
"Whenever you go from having two carriers to one, or three carriers to two, that is going to have a consumer impact," he said. "There will be a loss of service in some smaller communities. There will be an increase in fares. . . . There is no question that there are antitrust issues that won't be quickly or easily resolved."
"I think the track record of good mergers is hard to find" in the airline industry, Grinstein said.

Another article in USA TODAY quotes Us Airways CEO Doug Parker as saying
US Airways will give up its proposed takeover of Delta Air Lines if management there can't be persuaded of the benefits. Parker said he's not prepared to fight Delta's management in bankruptcy court by submitting a merger plan to the judge without the backing of Delta officials.

It appears from Grinstein’s remarks, as reported today, that US Airways is not going to be successful in convincing Delta’s management, so the deal will die. However, stranger things have happened in corporate finance. Stay tuned.

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December 1, 2006. According to an article in USA Today, higher gas prices and tighter airport security caused an increase in Amtrak ridership in some parts of the country. The one percent rise may not have been huge, but any good news for the subsidized train system must be welcome. The growth was also centered on areas with dense populations where commuting made sense—the Northeast, South and Midwest.

The article reminded me of my own Amtrak experience and spurred me to think about the possibilities of taking a train on my next vacation. The train ride from San Jose, California, to Sacramento afforded a relaxing opportunity to enjoy the countryside, from the beautiful Bay Area to the farmlands of the San Joaquin Valley. Driving on the interstate, however, one normally sees cars, pavement and billboards. The train seats had plenty of leg room, passengers were free to move around, and the restaurant car sure beat the flight attendant cart. All in all, it was a great experience.

Amtrak operates about 300 trains on 34 routes, most of them connecting large cities. They span the country, following the seaboards, crossing the Great Plains and skirting the mountains. Boarding a train involves minimal hassle, with few luggage rules. Here are some ideas for destinations on Amtrak routes:

Vancouver – The Amtrak Cascades route connects to trains from the Midwest, California and Salt Lake City.

Los Angeles – The Southwest Chief travels from Chicago, passing through Missouri, Kansas, Colorado and other states.

New York – The Lake Shore Limited can take residents of northern Illinois and northern Ohio to several regions of New York.

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