subject: How To Find Accommodation For 2010 Winter Olympics [print this page] Going to the Olympics and seeing the world's best athletes compete for the glory of their country is a truly fantastic experience. The Olympic Games encompass the very best of our human nature. The 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver Canada promise to be an epic spectacle. Vancouver is a great host city with all the facilities and amenities for athletes and spectators alike, except for one thing: places to stay.
Eighty percent of Vancouver hotels are already booked by the Vancouver Organizing Committee and hotels are reserving the remainder for preferred clients and tour operators. Since the city is expecting over 350,000 people to arrive for the games, there will be lots of folks looking for a place to stay and lots of competition for each availability.
The city is allowing private residences to be rented out entirely or for individual rooms to be rented to make up for the lack of hotel space. This is your best option if you have not yet reserved a room. There are two ways to find 2010 accommodations: renting straight from an owner or through a licensed accommodation rental agency. It is highly recommended that you work through a licensed rental agency because of the high cost of rooms during the 2010 Olympic rentals period and the possibility of scams.
The average rate for a room is currently $500 per night in Downtown Vancouver so it is well worth working through a rental agency even if it costs a little more. That great deal from a private owner may turn out to be not so great if you show up and find that the same room has been rented to several people, or the accommodation look nothing like what you've seen on the photos or on the description. With a licensed rental agency you can be confident that when you arrive, your 2010 Olympic rental will be just what you expected.
If you decide to book through an agency, ask if they personally verify the ownership of rental property, and confirm all the details. Check if this agency has a contract with the owner, so that the owner is contractually obligated to keep the accommodation reserved for you. Most importantly, ask were the reservation deposit going. Make sure that the agency is licensed, such agencies are required to put deposits in trust (or escrow) accounts, therefore protecting you, the renter that the owner is not going to just take your money, sell the place and leave. Since all rentals will require a large deposit (up to 50%) in advance it would be crazy not to go through a licensed reputable agency.
Finding the right 2010 accommodations will be a bit of work, but will be well worth the effort when you are there to witness the spectacle of the games firsthand. The world will be watching the events unfold in British Columbia, but watching on television is no substitute for experiencing it all in person. In addition to all the great Olympic events, Vancouver also hosts the Olympic Arts Festival and numerous related events. The city will be making a big effort to highlight the talents of its indigenous people, adding another level of experience to the chance to witness world class athleticism in the full gamut of winter sports.
So do not delay. If you have always wanted to see the Olympic Games, this is the perfect opportunity. 2010 Olympic rental are going fast but there are still plenty of rooms available if you get connected with a reputable licensed rental agency. Then prepare yourself for the experience of a lifetime as the nations of the world come together in peace to compete in the ancient tradition of the Olympic Games. You don't want to miss it!
