I’m a big fan of vacation rentals and villas: You generally get more square footage, more privacy, and a lower cost per person than at a hotel. On top of that, you can find even more value through discounts, as home owners look to fill empty weeks at the last minute. Here are a few offers to a handful of popular summer vacation spots with late-summer availability.
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Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts
As a native Bostonian, I make at least one trip to Martha's Vineyard every year. It's one of my all-time favorite destinations, and I know how pricey it can get, especially in the peak summer months. Yet, deals still exist. For example, through Air B&B, you can stay in the Edgartown Shell House (sleeps eight) near Long Point Wildlife Refuge Beach, for a reduced weekly rate of $2,195 (normally $2,395) for the rest of the summer. Share with several other people, and you pay about $39 per person, per night, for a stay at a very unique property. HomeAway is featuring a three-bedroom Oak Bluffs Victorian cottage (sleeps six) located two blocks from the beach (so you won't need a car), with 20 percent off weekly stays from August 28 through September 11.
Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts
As a native Bostonian, I make at least one trip to Martha's Vineyard every year. It's one of my all-time favorite destinations, and I know how pricey it can get, especially in the peak summer months. Yet, deals still exist. For example, through Air B&B, you can stay in the Edgartown Shell House (sleeps eight) near Long Point Wildlife Refuge Beach, for a reduced weekly rate of $2,195 (normally $2,395) for the rest of the summer. Share with several other people, and you pay about $39 per person, per night, for a stay at a very unique property. HomeAway is featuring a three-bedroom Oak Bluffs Victorian cottage (sleeps six) located two blocks from the beach (so you won't need a car), with 20 percent off weekly stays from August 28 through September 11.
Lake Como, Italy
Hoping to visit ever-popular Italy this summer? I found several listings on FlipKey, SmarterTravel's sister site, with Lake Como villa deals. Most offer up to 25 percent off stays through July 31. For example, a lakefront apartment (sleeps four) in the village of Lenno has a base rate of £895 per week (about $1,145 USD, see XE.com for current exchange rates), or stay at a property with similar offerings in the village of Argegno. Through HomeAway, you can sleep in a two-bedroom apartment in Bellagio (sleeps five) and get a special offer for stays from July 24 through August 3 (summer weeks normally cost €1,120, or about $1,584).
Branson, Missouri
While the average price for a weeklong rental in Branson, Missouri, is $1,540 per week, according to HomeAway, you don't need to pay that much. For example, The Red Cedar Lodge, a four-bedroom home that sleeps 12 and offers panoramic views of Table Rock Lake, about an hour outside the city, is offering a summer special from August 14 through 31. Pay $200 per night (three-night minimum), including all taxes and cleaning fees. VacationRentals.com has a slew of properties on sale, including a fifth night free (valued at $125) at a two-bedroom condo (sleeps six) near Table Rock Lake, valid for stays from August 8 through September 30.
Hawaii
Hawaii is typically popular throughout the year, but in this tough economy you can find savings, especially in the slightly slower summer season. Through FlipKey, an oceanfront condo on Maui (sleeps four) is on sale for $925 per week (daily rates typically cost up to $165), or get $15 off per night during summer at Kamaole Sands (sleeps four). You can find more Maui deals on FlipKey. Also be sure to check for specials on Hawaii's other islands. For example, on VRBO.com, I discovered what looks like a gem of a listing for a farm house (sleeps eight to 10) in Hanalei on Kauai's North Shore that's offering 30 percent off July rates (normally $1,995 per week).
Dominican Republic
Summer is the off-season for the Caribbean, so discounts add even more value to already affordable destinations like the Dominican Republic. Here, you can stay in a Creole-style villa, located near Los Haitises National Park, for a week and get a second week for free through September 2. Weekly rates for the sale period range from $840 to $1,000; book through FlipKey. On VacationRentals.com, I saw several Dominican Republic deals, including 10 percent off a one-bedroom condo in Sosua (sleeps two) through September 2; weekly rates start at $315.
More Deals
The properties I've listed might book up quickly, but you can find similar deals in these and other locales with a little research on your own. Some vacation rental sites, like HomeAway, have convenient deal pages for easy browsing. Most of the sites note offers with a special icon or stand-out text, so you can scroll through the listings and find deals without too much effort. However, keep in mind that vacation rentals in general provide good overall value, so don't limit your search to discounts alone. Plus, some owners will even throw in extras like free rounds of golf or ferry tickets that add value, so don't be afraid to negotiate, especially at the last minute.
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