From the talcum white sands of South Beach to the aqua blues of Biscayne Bay, Miami makes quite the destination for vacationers. Brimming with life, nature, history, entertainment, and 249 days of sun, the Magic City is an incredible getaway for groups and individuals looking for the perfect balance of fun sunny Goodtimes, unforgettable memories, and worthy indulgences.
Miami, Florida, is also home to sixteen breathtaking beaches and the tastiest Caribbean-American cuisines. Worth a mention besides the incredible 800 parks are the myriad outdoor activities present in the city. Not forgetting the glamour of this Florida heartbeat evident in its gorgeous string of luxury shops, cars, and real estate we can’t stop gushing over. If you have a knack for the finer things in life, Miami is the place to be. The 305, 786 area would treat anyone to just the right amount of adrenaline and amusement.
Five key tips to choosing a vacation rental in Miami
Miami is a holiday hotspot for local, transnational and international tourists, with its undeniable attractions and exciting scenes being the biggest draws. And like any other modern getaway favourite, Miami comes endowed with amazing accommodation properties ranging from high-end villas to celebrity condos and charming homes perfect for families and small groups. While the wide scope provides unmatched variety, it is also daunting and overwhelming, especially when you don’t know what to look out for. Don’t sweat it, though; we’ve taken the time to set you up with six-pointers to choose the best vacation rental for your next trip to Miami.
Description
We can’t stress this enough; always read through property descriptions! Most people quickly swipe through the property images without checking out the background information; this is one way to set yourself up for mean surprises. Vacation Rentals Miami will always come with a brief description of the properties to give potential guests a preview of what to expect. The description will walk you through the type of property you’re looking into, whether it’s a high-rise condo, a luxury villa, or an apartment complex. You’ll also spot the precise location of the rental premise, directions, and any surrounding points of attraction in the area. Some descriptions can also include filling you in on the in-house staff like the house manager or butler, your host, a chef, et cetera.
Tip- Stay wary of sugar-coated descriptions; anything that comes with too many exclamation marks and excessive fun activity talk is a red flag.
Costs
Keep an eye out for the prices and the packages of the rentals. When looking up accommodation options in Miami, we advise filtering your options to a price range within your budget. You’d also want to know what you’re paying for and a detailed breakdown of those expenses. Be sure to ask about the available packages and bundle offers before making your bookings; for instance, do they offer bed and breakfast only packages, self-catering options, or could you make a reservation on a full board and half board basis. Esure you inquire what each package entails and the available payment options. We also advise discussing taxes with your host; find out whether this will be included in the accommodation prices or you’ll be expected to pay for them separately.
Reviews
Don’t skip the reviews. Take some time to read through the comments left on the property’s website by previous guests and the owner’s feedback; these are usually close to accurate indicators of the service standards you should expect with your stay. That’s not all; we also recommend digging a little deeper to find out what other people have to say about the place- it isn’t unheard of for vacation rentals to buy comments and reviews for better sales, so it’s best to stay safe. Input the vacation rental name on your search engine and see what comes up, and if the reviews popping up on your results vary from the property’s main page, don’t fret. Remember, these are just personal sentiments of each vacationer, so what they may have found as a deal-breaker might be something you don’t mind shrugging off.
Amenities
Facilities will always differ from one property to the next; that’s a fact. Our advice- know what you want and have your priorities straight. Break down your vacation must-haves and needs for this phase before checking out the property’s listed amenities; this will help you cross-check whether they align with what you’re looking for. A well-equipped and fully functional kitchen should be a top priority for those set on making their meals to cut back on the trip expense. Similarly, if you’re looking forward to sunbathing with a view and the kids can’t wait to dip their little toes in the pool, you have your work cut out for you- an endless infinity pool should make everyone happy. Ensure you check out the essentials for the rest of your travel party, so everyone is comfortable; say, if you have someone elderly or disabled onboard, then a ramp and elevators are uncompromisable.
Policies
Most vacation rentals have a code that most guests are expected to adhere to; ensure you check these before making your reservations. When you visit the vacation rental’s web page, you’ll find an options icon often placed in the top right or top left corner of the page; click on it to reveal a list of selections and scroll down to policies. From the policies, you’ll be able to see all permissible and prohibited activities on the premises, from smoking and drinking to parties and pets. This section will also include cancellation policies, refunds, guarantees, the minimum amount of stay, the maximum number of guests, and check-in-check-out time. The policies are put in place to protect both the guest and property owner; however, if you find the policies limiting, you can always find a property with a more flexible code that’ll work for you, so it’s all good.
Communication
Communication is key when making travel arrangements; this covers everything from a cellular connection to property management responsiveness. Before dotting any i’s and crossing any t’s, do some research on the vacation rental’s network connection; will you have a strong wif-fi and cellular connection? This tip is especially important for people planning to get some work in during their Miami stays. Likewise, you’d also want to assess the property manager’s responses to any questions and concerns you may have and their feedback rate. How long did they take to get back to you regarding booking inquiries? How does their team respond to negative feedback? Are they willing to help when their washer stops working? Is their staff respectful? All this and more will help you gauge their communication skills and decide whether or not you’d want to book your stay with them.
Conclusion
Picking the right accommodations for your getaway is essential; after all, this is the place you’ll spend most of your time in. However, with a kaleidoscope of options available in Miami, choosing a fit for you can be overwhelming, especially when you have no idea what to check. Starting with your location and your budget will ultimately narrow down your options to a suitable few. While there are several other considerations to make, these five afore-mentioned pointers should help point you in the right direction. Sit with your decision and carry out enough research before you make the call to visit the metropolis Magic city, and if this feels like a tad bit much for you, you can always work with a travel agency to take some of that weight off your shoulders.
