Types of home rental range from a lodge near Kruger National Park to a cozy apartment in Rome, and a luxe private villa in Greece.
Why rentals’ popularity continues to grow among travelers? A recent TripAdvisor survey found that 64% of US travelers plan to stay in a vacation rental in 2018. TripAdvisor, the travel planning and booking site, announced the winners of its second annual Travelers’ Choice awards for Rentals. The awards recognize 30 of the best holiday homes across the globe in three categories — luxury ($300+ USD per night), mid-range ($100 – 150 USD per night), and affordable ($99 USD per night and under).
Travelers’ Choice awards are based on traveler ratings and reviews, as well as owner behaviors during the booking process, like response times and booking acceptance rates.
A Costa Rican beach rental ranks first on the luxury list, with a private pool, outdoor shower, and concierge services all included in your stay. In the mid-range category, an oceanfront condo in Kauai, Hawaii with beautiful views and easy access to the beach and pool, tops the list for traveler favorite.
TripAdvisor spokesperson Laurel Greatrix says, “This year’s winners highlight the incredible variety of homes on TripAdvisor Rentals, and the many different travelers they appeal to. Winners range from a family-friendly home in Orlando with a private pool, to a chic centrally located apartment in Rome, but one thing every winner has in common is an owner who provides an exceptional experience.”
Laurel continued, “And with a few more quirky homes appearing across the three categories this year—an adorable Shepherd’s hut in the UK, for example—it’s clear that travelers are looking for something truly memorable when it comes to their accommodations.”
TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice awards are announced annually for categories including hotels, flights, destinationsand restaurants. This is the second year that Travelers’ Choice awards have been announced for Rentals, with sevenrentals appearing as repeat winners from last year (The Hoblet, Spacious Apt. in Vatican area, St. Michael’s, Villa LaRuga, Casa Cielo Volcano View Retreat, Palazzo Di P and VillaCasa 7 – Marbella). They’ve remained in the spotlight by continually impressing their guests, receiving one rave review after another.
The awards are global and winning rentals are located in the following countries: Canada, Costa Rica, England,Greece, India, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Mauritius, Scotland, South Africa, the United States, and Wales. Average nightly rates of properties are based on TripAdvisor Rentals pricing data between January 2018 –December 2018.
Villa Ruga; photo: tripadvisor
Top 10 Travelers’ Choice for Rentals – High-end:
1. Awarded Luxury Beach Villa – Pinilla, Costa Rica – 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, sleeps 12.
2. St. Michael’s – Kent, England – 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, sleeps 21.
3. Villa La Ruga – Lake Como, Italy – 5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, sleeps 8.
4. The Kids will Totally Adore their Theme Rooms! – Orlando, Florida, USA – 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, sleeps 12.
5. Casa Cielo Volcano View Retreat – Arenal Volcano National Park, Costa Rica – 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, sleeps 8.
6. Palazzo Di P – Zakynthos, Greece – 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, sleeps 10.
7. Trenanthia Cottage – Gravenhurst, Canada – 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, sleeps 12.
8. Little Upton Threshing Barn – Somerset, England – 6 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, sleeps 13.
9. VillaCasa 7 – Marbella – Costa del Sol, Spain – 7 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, sleeps 23.
10. Snowdon House in Snowdonia – Snowdonia National Park, Wales – 5 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms, Sleeps 12.
Awarded Luxury Beach Villa Pinilla, Costa Rica; photo: tripadvisor
