{"id":1185,"date":"2026-01-15T16:51:07","date_gmt":"2026-01-15T16:51:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/diyhaven858.wasmer.app\/index.php\/how-to-find-the-perfect-apartment-rental-for-your-vacation\/"},"modified":"2026-01-15T16:51:07","modified_gmt":"2026-01-15T16:51:07","slug":"how-to-find-the-perfect-apartment-rental-for-your-vacation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/diyhaven858.wasmer.app\/index.php\/how-to-find-the-perfect-apartment-rental-for-your-vacation\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Find the Perfect Apartment Rental for Your Vacation"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\"How<\/p>\n

I used to hate renting apartments from websites like Airbnb or VRBO. As a solo traveler, I preferred the social atmosphere of hostels. You met people, hostels ran activities and they were where you were \u201csupposed to stay\u201d as a backpacker. <\/p>\n

When I did want something other than a hostel, I used a hospitality network liked Couchsurfing or simply stayed with friends.<\/p>\n

But, after close to two decades as a nomad, there are times when I like my privacy and the ability to \u201ccreate a home.\u201d I like to cook, want to relax on a couch, and just chill.<\/p>\n

While apartment rentals often contribute to overtourism (discussed more below), there are still plenty of real hosts out there who are renting places they live in. <\/p>\n

Below is a detailed guide about how they work, how to pick the perfect apartment, and how not to contribute to overtourism \/ make locals upset!<\/p>\n

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How Do Apartment Rentals Work?<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"How

The booking process is like booking any other type of accommodation online. You search the database, find a place you like, create an account, and request a booking. When the owner accepts, you are sent a confirmation. <\/p>\n

Apartment rentals represent the space between hostels and hotels. If you are traveling on business and want the comforts of home, you probably aren\u2019t going to stay in a hostel. But hotels may be too expensive or too impersonal for you. A rented apartment is a perfect compromise.<\/p>\n

Traveling with friends or a big group? This is definitely the option for you. Squeezing a bunch of people into a rental home\/apartment will be much cheaper per person than a room in a hostel or hotel. Plus, you get space to spread out and relax. Dorm rooms and cramped hotels don\u2019t give you a lot of \u201cme\u201d time.<\/p>\n

If you don\u2019t want a full apartment but are looking to save money, Airbnb has a new feature called \u201cRooms\u201d which lets you search for listings in people\u2019s homes or guest houses. It\u2019s like how Airbnb used to be \u2014 people renting out extra rooms or guest houses for added cash. You always get your own room and, sometimes, a private entrance. You\u2019ll also get to interact with your host, who can provide lots of insider tips and insight to your destination. <\/p>\n

I\u2019ve used Rooms a lot in the last couple of years \u2014 in LA, Rome, Paris, Nice \u2014 and, to me, as a solo traveler, it\u2019s a much better way to travel. I highly recommend doing this as a way to combat the negative effects of these platforms (more on that below). Additionally, as hostels have gotten a lot more expensive over the years, Rooms are often cheaper than hostels! You get to stay and meet with a local and save money! Win-win!<\/p>\n

How to Pick the Right Apartment<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"How

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  1. Do they have positive reviews?<\/strong> \u2013 If other people stayed there, had a good time, and found the apartment as advertised, you probably will too. <\/li>\n
  2. Do they have multiple listings?<\/strong> \u2013 This is important because many people use these sites to be property managers. They buy a bunch of apartments and then re-rent them on Airbnb. I try to avoid these places because they cause a lot of problems for the local rental market and lack the personal touch that comes when hosts rent out their own apartments.<\/li>\n
  3. Do they have accurate photos?<\/strong> \u2013 Any listing that doesn\u2019t include a lot of (quality) photos is probably hiding something (or at the very least misrepresenting the accommodation).<\/li>\n
  4. Are they an active user or Superhost?<\/strong> \u2013 Active users are good users, so see when they last logged on. If it\u2019s been a while, your query might go unanswered.<\/li>\n
  5. Is their calendar updated?<\/strong> \u2013 While listings only show up in a search if they are available, hosts don\u2019t always update their calendar. If someone hasn\u2019t updated their calendar in 30 days, I tend to skip it. There\u2019s nothing worse than going to book a place, only for them to cancel and say, \u201cWhoops, sorry, it\u2019s not available!\u201d<\/li>\n
  6. Are they verified?<\/strong> \u2013 Verified accounts are less likely to be people of suspicious quality, as the listing site has at least found some background information on them.<\/li>\n
  7. Have they been someone else\u2019s guest before?<\/strong> \u2013 If they were someone\u2019s guest and that went well, it\u2019s likely that they will be reliable.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    These rules are helpful guidelines, but at the end of the day, you have to go with your gut. I don\u2019t need a listing to meet every point. I once had a host who hit only a couple of these points and she turned out to be my favorite host! And sometimes, in places without many hosts, you might have to be a little loose with this list.<\/p>\n

    But the more points a place meets, the comfortable I feel renting.<\/p>\n

    How to Avoid Overtourism<\/strong>
    Over the years, Airbnb and other apartment rental websites have dramatically raised the price of rents and pushed out the locals you want to interact with as people have started to buy multiple properties in order to rent them out to tourists. It\u2019s a big problem. <\/p>\n

    In many places, like Lisbon and Venice, most locals can\u2019t afford the price of rent anymore. And it\u2019s not just cities. Rural areas are now becoming affected too. <\/p>\n

    There have been strong protests against Airbnb (and similar sites) in Barcelona. Throughout Europe you often see \u201cAirbnb go home!\u201d graffiti. Japan cracked down on Airbnb. NYC has strict laws against it now too. Residents in Mexico City have protested. Every day brings a new story about the pushback against these websites.<\/p>\n

    Given local pushback and the issues with over tourism and the housing market, I strongly encourage you to only use Airbnb or similar services if you are renting a room in someone\u2019s house, especially in large cities in Europe. As I mentioned above, Airbnb has a new feature called \u201cRooms\u201d which allows you to easily search for rooms in people\u2019s houses where they actually live. They are verified listings and a much better way to use the platform. It\u2019s like how Airbnb used to be before it grew so big \u2014 people renting out extra rooms or guest houses for added cash. I highly recommend it.<\/p>\n

    However, if you can\u2019t, try as hard as you can to make sure that the place you are renting is either a licensed B&B (if it\u2019s only used for tourists) or someone\u2019s house that they actually live in. This way you won\u2019t add to any local housing issues! <\/p>\n

    Help end overtourism. You have the power. Don\u2019t displace the people you want to visit! <\/p>\n

    A Note on Safety<\/span><\/h3>\n

    \"How

    However, apartment rental companies do provide a window that allows you to get your money back if you get a place that\u2019s not as advertised. Just call their 24-hour hotline and they will set you up somewhere else (you can also reach out on social media to get the conversation started). They also hold your money in escrow so that if the place isn\u2019t as advertised, you\u2019ll get your money back. You never hand it over directly to the host.<\/p>\n

    All types of accommodations have risks (cleaners can steal from hotel rooms, dorm mates can take clothes from hostels, Couchsurfing hosts can get creepy), which is why these rules are important. I don\u2019t think apartment rentals are any less safe than your other options, and the benefits greatly outweigh the perceived danger.<\/p>\n

    The Best Sites to Find a Rental Apartment<\/span><\/h3>\n

    I think these are three best sites for finding an apartment:<\/p>\n

    Another option for long-term travelers is house sitting and pet sitting. In exchange for looking after someone\u2019s property or pet while they travel, you get access to free accommodation. It\u2019s a great option for slow\/long-term travelers looking to stay in one location for longer periods of time. Check out this post to learn more about it!<\/p>\n

    ***<\/center><\/p>\n

    Apartment rentals, when done right, are safe, affordable, and help you have a more authentic experience. Use the tips above and try one on your next trip. You\u2019ll save money, get away from the tourists, and have a better trip!
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    How to Travel the World on $75 a Day<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n
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    \"How