Lodging can make or break a vacation.
Thats where our AARP Smart Guide to Vacation Lodging comes into play.
Ready to hit the road?
Heres everything to know before you book your next trip.
LODGING 101
1.
Choose between a hotel …
Deciding between a hotel and vacation rental depends on the nature of your trip.
You might also find vacation rentals through Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace or Google Travel.
Read the fine print
Before you book a rental particularly in a big city read up on the legalities.
In that case, youre better off in a hotel to avoid last-minute cancellations or rental-home closures.
Find pet-friendly accommodations
Its tough to leave your four-legged friends at home and increasingly, you dont have to.
These days, pets-welcome accommodations abound.
Additionally, a growing number of hotels, both independent and chains, now offer dog- or cat-friendly accommodations.
When in doubt, its best to call the individual property for specifics.
Understand how to decode reviews
With countless reviews and review sites, its difficult to know who to believe.
For that, our experts have some guidance: Dont believe just one rogue review.
Instead, look for trends, Kempf says.
If its genuine and pragmatic, thats a good sign.
This will help you identify local managers you could book directly with.
The same goes for hotels.
In the past, these fees werent transparent.
Always look for a coupon
Search Groupon for Airbnb coupons but double-check you apply before you book.
Vrbo doesnt offer traditional coupons but offers discounts through Vrbo, Rakuten, Groupon and Capital One Shopping.
Beware of scams
Scams are not uncommon when booking stays through third-party sites.
see to it you are visiting the official website for the platform.
