Going on vacation is a great way to relax, unwind, and bond with family and friends. It feels so good to stop working for once and really get a chance to smell the coffee — or the ocean! Indeed, at least 45% of Americans take a summer vacation. But, it can definitely break the bank to stay at a hotel, and for some people, the tourist track does not a relaxing vacation make. That’s why vacation rentals are all the rage these days. They allow you the freedom and luxury of a hotel, but without many of the constraints. It sure does help to have a full kitchen as well!

There are certain things that are good to look out for when it comes to choosing a vacation rental! Check out this list before you shop around:

Close to the Beach
The most popular destinations for summer trips are to the beach (45%), cities (42%), national parks (21%), lakes (17%), and resorts at 14%. The beach wins because during the summer, there really is nothing like lounging around on a sandy scape, getting your toes wet and your body tan. For once, it’s nice to simply do nothing at all — we spend the whole rest of the year staring at a screen after all. That’s why it’s important that your beach condo rentals are very close to, well, the beach, or whatever attraction you most want to be near.

House cleaning?
Its nice to stay in vacation rentals, but on your trip, you won’t want to be cleaning a rental. Make sure you figure out exactly what the deal is with the cleaning situation. Many rentals will send a cleaner at some interval, but it is always best to double check.

What are you celebrating for? It could be anything — indeed, the emergence of “celebration vacations” has boosted the growth of the vacation rental category, with 69% of leisure travelers having taken a vacation to celebrate a special occasion. Make sure to do your research on vacation condo rentals, oceanfront condos, other beach condos and before hand so that you can have the best trip ever!