subject: San Francisco Vacation Rentals - What You Need To Know [print this page] Though the concept of booking a vacation rental in San Francisco is not new, it is only until the last 5 years has the process started to become as easy as renting a hotel. The industry was previously plagued with back and forth phone calls, multiple faxes, bank transfers, and emails. Family and friends were constantly hassled about their vacation rental experience, and the process on the whole was extremely stressful.
Companies such as GoldenGateVacations.com recognized the lack of a formal reservation and booking procedure for San Francisco vacation rentals and began to offer real-time reservations and sales support. Visitors thinking of booking a vacation rental in San Francisco can feel more secure than ever when trying out this new form of vacation accommodation. Here are some tips to help you sort out your future travel plans to the city.
When thinking about traveling to San Francisco, start the vacation rental process earlier than you would with a traditional hotel search. People tend to forget that you are dealing with individual owners and vacation rental companies - not large hotel chains. Many regular vacation rental users actually begin planning their summer vacations right after their last holiday trip in order to ensure an easier booking process. Also, in terms of San Francisco vacation rentals you'll find people who love consistency -- those who rent the same house, apartment, or San Francisco condo for the same time year after year. For the best options, start your vacation rental search early and ask about early booking discounts and deals.
Be sure to research your vacation rental options carefully and consider all of your needs and desires. While hotels tend to market similar features across the travel market, people sometimes forget that the same is not true for vacation rentals. Private homes do not always allow for the same types of amenities that one may be accustomed to when staying in hotels. Amenities such as air conditioning, elevators, elderly access, and child-friendly features simply may not exist. Neighborhood choice is also extremely important as a wide variety of different types of areas within the city are available for short vacation stays.
While hotels tend not to negotiate rates, many people are surprised by the willingness of vacation owners and vacation rental companies to engage in price negotiation. This is especially true in the winter and spring months within San Francisco, when vacation travel to the city tends to be a little lower. Discounts as deep as 50% are not uncommon, though this does vary owner to owner, company to company, and is especially dependent upon the time of year that you plan on traveling. Some owners and companies also offer "early bird" booking specials as they are anxious to organize their upcoming operations schedule. Companies like GoldenGateVacations.com helps visitors and potential guests negotiate booking rates on their behalf, ensuring the most economic form of travel accommodation.
