The vacation rental industry is changing. And fast! We’ve gathered a huge list of alternatives to large online booking sites to show travelers how #bookdirect booking sites get back to what made vacation rentals great in the first place.
If accommodations are a popularity contest, vacation rentals are on their way to Homecoming Queen. The sharp climb of the vacation rental industry shows no signs of slowing, with a 6% growth rate expected to continue all the way into 2023.
That means a few things…..
One: more vacation rentals in the market, as entrepreneurs and other intrepid folks, rush to make the most of the boom.
Two: lots more vacation rental travelers.
And three: more diverse traveler needs and wants.
The trouble is, those needs and wants are often left unaddressed by Big Listing Sites/OTAs (you know the ones—they have ads on TV now!).
The early days of vacation rentals were all about the people. Travelers and homeowners connected on a foundation of trust and mutual benefit. But the big players that control the market restrict that homeowner/traveler relationship.
If you like staying in vacation rentals (or have a vacation rental you want to market on your own terms), we want you to know that you have options!
Whether you’re a seasoned vacation rental traveler or a first-timer testing the waters, it’s worth learning about alternative listing sites that offer benefits like:
- Local expertise…. yes… real people!
- Personalization – find properties that suit your needs as a pet owner, family with young kids, 55+ snowbirds, golf groups, boaters, etc…
- No or Fewer traveler fees
- Truly customized search – big-name platforms prioritize properties that pay more to list, rather than delivering the truly best results for travelers’ needs
- Open communication — hosts and guests can interact on their own terms
- Verified owners and properties — be comfortable knowing the person you’re booking with is who they say they are
Curious what options are out there beyond Airbnb, HomeAway, and Booking.com? Read on for a breakdown of our favorite traveler-friendly alternative OTAs.
FLARBO – Florida Rental By Owners
Why We Like It
At FLARBO, we help vacation rental travelers heading to Florida. Short and long-term guests, families, theme park visitors, beach lovers, wedding groups, and boating enthusiasts can all find what they’re looking for with us!
We may be a bit biased, but travelers appreciate our local knowledge, in-depth destination guides for many areas of Florida, the ability to search by rental type (boat-friendly, pet-friendly event-friendly, etc. etc.) and that they can connect with homeowners directly. Without the fees.
We offer great last-minute discounts, too. 🙂
Let’s move on to some other options around the world….
Cuddlynest
Why We Like It
Cuddlynest has a worldwide presence and is great for searching city properties, with detailed maps for property locations. Their safety standards give peace of mind.
Tripz
Why We Like It
Tripz focuses on North American projects in the US, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, and let you search for cabins, beach houses, condos and lakeside properties with ease. Open communication and no fees!
New York Rental By Owner
Why We Like It
New York Rental By Owner knows everything there is to know about vacationing in the state of New York, USA. We love their options of snowmobile rentals, off-the-grid glamping options, and great rustic and luxury cabins. Direct communication with the verified vacation rental owners makes choosing a New York rental with no hidden fees even easier.
Alabama Vacation Home Rentals
Why We Like It
One of the fastest growing vacation rental websites in Alabama. This website really knows the needs and wants of the Alabama traveler. With great perks like Military discounts and Game Day rentals, you can be sure to find a place to stay and keep more in your pocket. There are no bookings fees on this website.
Vacation Rentals LBI
Why We Like It
Offering an incredibly large inventory for the Long Beach Island area. Vacation Rentals Long Beach Island located in New Jersey is a fantastic option for the Jersey shore vacationer. There are also no hidden services fees on this website.
Colorado Vacation Homes
Why We Like It
Fast becoming one of the largest No Booking Fee Colorado vacation rental websites, Colorado Vacation Homes showcases some stunning Colorado cabins, cottages and ski chalets in the states. Another great choice for getting the best vacation rentals for less. The prices listed on the site do not include any additional traveler fees for booking directly with the owners.
ECBYO (Emerald Coast By Owner)
Why We Like It
ECBYO are experts in Gulf Coast vacations in Florida and Alabama. Connect directly with local owners and browse with peace of mind that the price you see is the price you pay, with no hidden fees.
SMYBO (Smoky Mountains by Owners)
Why We Like It
Another hot US vacation destination, the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina offer a dizzying variety of mountain cabins for rent. SMYBO once again gives you the advantage of region-specific expertise from folks who really know the Smokies.
BringFido
Why We Like It
BringFido connects dog-toting travelers with dog-friendly accommodations worldwide. They have over 200,000 properties in their database, including both vacation rentals and hotels.
Hawaii Chee
Why We Like It
Get your “aloha” on with ease and save some extra money for a luau—Hawaii Chee offers a nifty live price comparison so you can rest assured you’re getting the best (fee-free!) deal on the islands.
VHRNetwork
Why We Like It
A worldwide network that aggregates a slew of regional sites in the US and beyond, bringing guests the best deals and location specialization.
Florida Snowbird
Why We Like It
Florida Snowbird by Owner has been around since 2002 and is a trusted source for snowbirds fleeing northern winters, with an intuitive website and a transparent booking process.
Clanventure
Why We Like It
Skip the worry over whether your vacation rental will be safe (and fun) for your kids. Clanventure vets every property and clearly outlines whether they are friendly for babies, toddlers and older kids (or all three), with gear like Pack n Plays and safety features like pool gates.
Why is it better to book directly with the owner or property manager on a book direct website?
Vacation Rental Owners Benefits
Are you a motivated property owner who loves vacation rentals and wants to manage your vacation rental business your way? To take back control list your property on FLARBO today. You can significantly decrease the commission fees you pay to online travel agencies like VRBO, HomeAway, and Airbnb. Communicate with travelers before they book. Showcase your personal vacation rental website the best way you know how by highlighting your own marketing materials directly to the traveler enhancing the guest experience. Diversify your marketing portfolio and get more bookings by listing your properties on regional websites like FLARBO.com and other alternatives where your listing won’t be lost in a huge inventory of homes and let travelers who are looking for your rental outside of the large online travel agencies find you.
Traveler Benefits
Are you a traveler and want to learn more about the #BookDirect movement? Find out just how much you are losing by booking through large online travel agencies? You can read all about it on our #BookDirect article here. You’ll be surprised at the hundreds of dollars you can save on Service Fees! Start browsing, searching and saving by booking your next Florida vacation rental on FLARBO – Florida Rental By Owners. Each owner is verified so you can book with confidence.
Example VRBO Traveler Service Fee 7-night Low Season
Example VRBO Traveler Service Fee 14-night High Season
Do you have a regional website that should be included in this list? Let us know by contacting us.
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Interested in visiting Florida?
You can view all Florida vacation rental properties here. Take advantage of booking directly with the owner which always gets you the best price!
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Browse and Book more vacation rentals on Florida Rental By Owners.
Florida’s #1 Owner Preferred Website. No Traveler Fees, No Commissions, and Direct Communication with the Owner always gets you the best price.
