Taking a vacation by the ocean or a lake is a wonderful way to unwind, but you do want the place you're staying at to have what you need. Otherwise, those days by the beach could be incredibly boring. When you make arrangements to rent a waterfront vacation home, check to ensure the house and community have features that will make you feel safe and happy so that you don't worry about anything while you're on your vacation.
Contacts
Is the house in a development dedicated to vacation stays like Vacation Cottages, or is it in a residential area? Vacation developments often have central contacts in case there's an issue, but a vacation home in a residential area might not have much in the way of support. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but it is something you want to know about beforehand. Double-check what to do if there's a problem -- who do you call for help?
WiFi and Connections
What sort of internet and phone access are available in the house? Will the internet be through more conventional connections with WiFi or ethernet, or is it satellite? The type you have affects your speed and what you can do online. Plus, if you're in an area where a connection is shared by a lot of people, you could find speeds to be very slow. On the other hand, you could find places where the internet was upgraded, giving you a state-of-the-art online experience.
The same goes for the phone. Will you have a landline in the house, or will you need to rely on your own cell phones? Double-check the coverage map for your provider to see what connections are like in the vacation area.
Pet Policy
Even if you don't have pets yourself, check what the pet policy is. If pets are allowed, find out how much extra cleaning will go into getting the place ready. Good vacation-home rental companies do their best to clean up after pets and get rid of dander and hair, but if you have severe allergies, you may want to look for a house that does not allow pets.
Alcohol Policy
Sometimes you come across homes that, for liability reasons, restrict alcohol, either banning it entirely or allowing only certain types, like wine. Something like this should be spelled out in the description of the home so that there's no confusion, but if you don't see anything, ask.
Extra Parking
If you are renting a home with several friends or family members, all of your cars might not fit in the driveway, even if you carpool. Street parking might be available and open, or it might require a permit. If so, find out how you can get a permit so that no one is towed away or ticketed.
Renting a waterfront home for a vacation can be fun, but you do have to do your homework and plan. Start calling now with a list of questions so that you're not scrambling at the last minute to find a place.
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