If you’re one of the 44 million Americans who had international travel plans this year, you probably need a vacation by now. Fortunately, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to get away from it all right here.
Now’s your chance to explore some more of your own country with relaxing or action-packed cabin rentals in scenic spots in every state.
Here’s a quick guide to finding the best places to escape to when you want to scratch your travel itch.
1. Your Cabin Rentals Budget
Your budget determines everything about your vacation. Set up a fixed amount for accommodation, meals, and entertainment before you start your search. Be flexible though, when you pay more in one area, you could save in another.
Always check for any extras included in your stay when booking. For example, more expensive cabin rental costs that include the use of amenities on-site could help cut down on your entertainment budget, while a well-located cabin may reduce your travel costs.
You’ll find no shortage of cabin rentals for the perfect vacation across a wide range of price points when you shop wisely.
Special offers are another way to save. You can compare prices on price comparison engines, but don’t neglect to call the accommodation provider directly too.
Many accommodation outlets offer great savings during quiet times of the year such as free nights or coupons for nearby activities.
A Word of Warning When Budgeting
Always look for any hidden costs such as charges for utilities or onsite facilities, these can add considerably to your final bill so consider them when planning your vacation.
2. Amenities Available Onsite
Most cabins for hire offer a variety of nearby attractions, while others offer a host of onsite attractions. The best choice for you depends entirely on your vacation expectations.
If you’re looking to vacation in the outdoors, and truly immerse yourself in nature, an isolated cabin in a pristine spot’s ideal for you. Avid fishermen should seek somewhere with a lake or river onsite, as well as a tackle shop or fishing rod hire outlet nearby.
These lakeside destinations often offer a host of opportunities for mountain biking, boating, horseback riding, walking, hunting, kayaking, and jet-skiing too.
Are you traveling with your family? Look for activities that your children enjoy, as well as some new ones you’d like to introduce them to. Having easy access to a lake means you’ve got a wealth of enjoyment on your doorstep 24/7 and it’s worth paying a little extra for this privilege.
For some families, cell phone reception and internet access are vital for survival. If you need to keep an eye on what’s going on in the office or want to stay contactable in case of emergency, these are important considerations.
Always check whether your cabin rental includes the use of electricity. If you’ve got your eyes on a truly rustic escape, you might be going off the grid and that means you might not be able to charge any electronic devices during your stay.
3. Other Amenities
Apart from onsite amenities, look for nearby diversions to enjoy during your stay too. Are their opportunities for day trips in the are?
Some things to look for include quaint historic sites, wine trails, shopping opportunities, and scenic landmarks.
Getting out on vacation’s a wonderful opportunity to explore new things. So, be sure to choose a cabin rental that offers plenty of opportunities for indulging your curiosity.
4. Location, Location, Location
Location is one of the most important things to consider when you’re looking for the ultimate vacation for your family. it affects the price of your accommodation, the type of weather you can expect, and how many people you’ll have to share your surroundings with.
Some cabin destinations like Rocky Mountain National Park attract scores of visitors, so might not provide the tranquil getaway you have in mind.
Unless you’re keen to meet new folks, rather opt for less well-known destinations, or choose somewhere nearby so you can enjoy the same scenery and amenities without the crowds.
For example, if you’re keen to explore Yellowstone National Park, you could opt for accommodation up to an hour’s drive away, avoid the crowds, and still get your fix during a day trip.
5. Cabin Facilities
Most cabins offer self-catering facilities which give you a lot of flexibility when it comes to mealtimes. Yet, the available amenities at cabins vary greatly when it comes to meal preparation.
Be sure to find out exactly what kitchen facilities your chosen cabin offers. This will help you plan your meals and pack what you need accordingly.
If you’re short on packing space, you should opt for a cabin that offers the best range of onsite catering facilities, even if it costs a little more.
Otherwise, if you’re not too fussy about mealtimes, you can simply tone down your culinary expectations, or fine-tune your fireside cooking skills before you leave.
Another thing you should take into account is the number of beds and the room configurations as well as the number of bathrooms. You know what works best for your family so try to match that ideal as closely as possible.
6. Safety and Security
Security’s rarely an issue when you’re booking a remote cabin, but you should consider other possible safety issues too.
If you’re traveling to a destination where wild animals roam free, remember you’ll need to keep a watchful eye on your children. If you have any medical risky medical conditions, it’s important to check out how far the nearest hospital is to your cabin too.
Parking’s another issue, especially in the busier destinations. Always choose a cabin that provides enough onsite parking adjacent to your cabin.
Nowadays, it’s also important to check up on the sanitization safety protocols they have in place too.
7. Time of Year
The seasons arrive with varying intensity in every state, so the weather can playi a major role in how much you enjoy your vacation. You’ll find most cabin rentals in areas that experience snowfall in winter – it’s part of their charm.
However, there’s a vast difference between renting a cabin during the Florida winter compared to heading out on a Colorado mountain escape in the winter. The seasons also affect the type of activities available onsite.
In some destinations, you can continue with your lakeside activities in the winter, others might offer fantastic opportunities for skiing and snowmobiling instead.
The seasons also affect how much you’re likely to pay for your cabin rentals. Some resorts and parks might even close during certain months of the year.
Many winter sports enthusiasts flock to skiing-focused areas in the wintertime. This means more demand and higher prices. As far as possible, opt for accommodation outside of peak seasons if you’d like to enjoy savings as well as a less crowded experience.
8. Overall Ambiance
All the above factors combined will determine the type of vacation you can expect when you hire a cabin. Cabin rental destinations cater to different demographics when planning their activities, cabin design, and accessibility.
Some places gear themselves toward a vacation with families in mind, others cater to couples and honeymooners. Others may allow pets and some are ideal for solo travelers.
This outlook determines the atmosphere, amenities, and overall look and feel of the cabins on offer.
9. Reviews and Recommendations
Before you book any accommodation, it’s important to do your homework on the destination in question. Look for online reviews about the place and check whether they have the necessary licenses to operate in their state.
Bear in mind that complaints aren’t always a bad thing. They’re proof that the review in question is legitimate.
Rather, take note of how the cabin rental agency or owner dealt with the complaint. It’s also a good idea to consider whether the issue in question is important to you or not. Some guests are fussier than others.
10. Book Early
Always book well in advance. It’s disappointing to spend a long time researching your options only to discover your perfect getaway’s fully booked during your desired time frame.
Flexibility’s key when you call to do your booking or want to book online. When you’ve got a few travel dates in mind, you increase your chances of success.
Planning Your Perfect Vacay
While some travelers hanker after the thrill of the unknown when it comes to their vacation, there are plenty of benefits to planning. This is especially true if you’re traveling with your family.
You needn’t plan every moment of the day down to the last minute, but it’s important to choose your cabin rentals carefully and set up a rough itinerary before you leave. Lack of planning can prove inconvenient and costly as well as pose a safety risk.
Browse some more of the articles in our travel blog for the best tips on planning your next vacation, wherever you plan to go.