A beach vacation is a classic holiday getaway but can be expensive. Renting a beach house can be a convenient and cost-effective alternative to standard beach resorts.

Instead of being restricted to tiny rooms at a hotel with a hundred other guests, your group can have the run of a spacious, private house, and you won’t have to compete with other vacationers for a choice spot on the beach or by the pool. You’ll also have use of the kitchen, patio or deck, and entertainment center.

However, finding the perfect beach rental requires more than skimming through online ads and picking the first house with decent photos. Location is everything, as the saying goes. Here are some considerations when choosing the right area for your beach rental.

First, Decide What You Want 

Beach houses come in many different types, so it’s crucial to decide what’s important to you. A home right on the beach is convenient but will cost more. You may be willing to save by walking a couple of blocks. For the younger crowd, some beach houses include water sports facilities like a boat or jet skis. If you want privacy, you may want to get a home with a private beach area. If you’re traveling with kids, you may look for a home with extra rooms, a pool, or a game room.

Set a Budget

Sure, you want the get the most for your travel dollars, but you also want to be careful not to go overboard on spending. A housing budget can help ensure you don’t get carried away. It can also help you narrow down your choices.

The length of your stay is also a consideration. A more expensive house might be more comfortable, while a cheaper rental might enable your group to stay longer.

Get the Exact Address

Many ads describe beach rentals by their distance from the water. But a home that’s an easy, two-block walk to the beach may be better than one that’s just 100 feet from the shore but with no way to get there. When you have the exact address, Google Maps can show you the area around the home, including beach views and access.

Consider Living Arrangements

With a larger group, sleeping arrangements are important. Some beach rentals claim to accommodate 20 people, but only if they double up on bunkbeds or queen-size beds. On the other hand, kids are great at bunking up, and most enjoy it. To avoid unpleasant surprises, think carefully about where everyone will stay. Examine the floor plan and photos carefully and make sure the space has what you need.

Research the Location

Safety is important when you’re on vacation; many people are relaxing and less vigilant than at home. It’s advisable to stay in a safe area with a low rate of violent and property crime. You won’t want to come back from a day at the beach only to find your personal belongings are gone.

Likewise, you’ll want to know what restaurants, stores, and other amenities are close. Since you will probably be eating at home some of the time, you’ll want to make sure you can get groceries conveniently. But you will also probably want to try local restaurants. A home with nothing nearby except a pizza delivery shop can quickly become tiresome. On the other hand, a home located near several all-night bars can make it hard to sleep.

Check Customer Reviews

Reviews by previous renters will tell you about the experiences of others who’ve stayed at a house. Customer reviews are a great way to get honest assessments of a rental and help you decide if it’s worth your time and money.

Many owners attempt to sugarcoat their houses by downplaying less desirable features in their property descriptions. Customer reviews can help you find out the pros and cons of each property. But remember that the customers who post reviews are usually the ones who had either a great time or a terrible time, so don’t rely solely on reviews when making your decision. 

The lack of any reviews doesn’t necessarily mean a property is undesirable. It may just be a new listing. If you have questions, you can contact the owner directly to collect more information and get a better feel about the property.

Stick With Well-Known and Reputable Platforms

There are several popular rental sites including Airbnb, Vrbo, and Vacasa. Sometimes the same property is listed on multiple platforms with different rates. So, it can pay to comparison shop. A reputable platform assures you of a smooth and secure reservation process.

 Different platforms have different features. For example, Airbnb is the market leader and enables renters to filter properties by dozens of criteria. Vrbo runs background checks on all hosts and offers alternative accommodations if anything goes wrong on arrival.

Written by Taylor McKnight, Author for Key West Tiki Boat