It’s been a long year. Or is it two now?

The coronavirus pandemic hit us all hard in March of 2020, snuffing out the hopes of those who were celebrating a new millennium of unparalleled progress and confining them inside for an unknowable amount of time. In addition to the virus itself being life-threatening with lifelong consequences if you catch it, many experienced a sudden loss: the loss of their preferred social spots, ability to visit friends and family members, and even the camaraderie of an in-office workplace as businesses were forced to shift everyone to working remotely (if they didn’t lay you off, of course).

Needless to say, we all need a mental health vacation desperately. Pandemic brain fog is a real thing, and we could all take some time to go somewhere beyond the scope of our homes and entertain ourselves.

Fortunately, with the advent of vaccines from a number of major pharmaceutical companies and newfound widespread test accessibility, more people are finding themselves re-entering society. Even amidst the spreading of variants like Delta and Omicron, vaccinated folks are planning their getaways with fervor, fully intending to capitalize on this new window of opportunity and live out their quarantine-fed vacation plans as soon as possible. While it’s still necessary to do so safely, vaccinated folks have been prepped as much as possible against the oft-fatal virus and so are exploring their newfound freedom with minimal risk.

If you’re considering going on that vacation you’ve been dreaming of since mid-2020, you may be thinking about making it an extended one, settling down in a vacation rental, a safer alternative to most chain hotels. The idea of renting a space that is entirely your own in the middle of a global pandemic, one that feels closer to home than a small, dingy hotel room, is appealing for many would-be vacationers. But for those who have never rented a vacation rental property before, they can easily make mistakes that will negatively impact their vacation. What should you look for while searching for a vacation rental, and when might a higher cost per night be justified?

Read on, and we’ll talk about it.

Settling Down in a Hotspot

The first thing you should consider when looking at a vacation rental property is how well it’s positioned relative to the things you and your family want to do while in the area. Location is everything, and you’ll want to occupy a vacation rental that’s a mere walk or a short Uber ride away from your destination, rather than a vacation rental that’s significantly cheaper but also thirty minutes to an hour away.

Also of consequence is how close your vacation rental is to other cultural hotspots: think shopping centers, malls, restaurants, and other places people are likely to congregate. How awesome would it be, after a long day of hitting things on your to-do list, to just walk down the street from your rental and get hot, freshly-made local cuisine?

Luxury on Demand

Vacation rentals are some people’s preferred place to vacation because, unlike hotels, they can actually simulate giving their guests a “home away from home.” As such, you’ll want to consider prioritizing vacation rentals with the amenities necessary to maximize the comfort of yourself and your family.

Amenities worth considering can be divided into two categories: cosmetic and functional. Functional amenities are directly tied to how well the rental will serve you, consisting of the overall size of the property, the size of the beds, and whether the property has large or small showers, tubs, and closets. Cosmetic amenities are things to be wary of, as they don’t have a lot of impact on your experience (aside from psychological, it could be said): marble countertops, stainless steel appliances, and the like. Cosmetic amenities, however, do drive up the price of the property: for those who can afford them, it’s of no concern, whereas more savvy budgeters will want to pick and choose which cosmetic amenities they look for.

For many of us, a vacation is overdue. Give yourself the break that you need, rent a solid vacation property that will provide the comforts your family needs, and go have fun. You’ve lived through one of the toughest times in recent memory: you’ve more than earned it.