How To Choose a Great Beach Cottage For Your Vacation

You're looking forward to your vacation by the beach, you've bought a brand-new swimsuit, and you're ready for the sun. There's only one minor detail that you haven't yet considered: where are you going to stay? There is a way to escape the noise and bustle of a hotel or resort, while still keeping all those amenities you love. Why not choose a beach cottage? Renting a beach cottage is an affordable, enjoyable way to take your vacation from 'good' to 'fantastic'. Here are a few tips to help you decide which beach cottage is right for you!

1) Do Your Research!
Don't just hit up one website, decide you don't like what you see, and give up on the whole venture. Check out several places and look at the photographs. If a cottage doesn't have photos, rule it out, because you want to know what you're getting yourself into. Take a look at photos of the inside and outside, then make yourself a list of the places that look nice, and put it aside ' you'll come back to it later.

2) Choose Your Amenities
What kind of things must you absolutely have when on vacation? Microwave? Fridge? Full bathroom? Think about what you need and what you can live without. Make a list of these, and also think about things specific to cottages ' like having a barbeque, a porch, or being right on the edge of the water. You might also look into whether there are restaurants, grocery stores, or maybe clubs nearby ' it all depends on what kind of vacation you're hoping for.

3) Choose Your Dates
Yes, you might think you have your vacation all planned out, but if you have your heart set on that great beach cottage that is the epitome of your dreams, you'll need to be flexible. Decide how flexible you're willing to be, and keep that in mind when looking at the available cottages. If it's occupied the weekend you'd hoped to arrive, would you be willing to begin your vacation later in the week? Or perhaps the weekend after?

4) Comparison Shop
With your list of beautiful cottages, required amenities, and dates of travel in hand, go back over your selection of potential beach cottages and check off all the ones that either don't have the amenities you want, or simply aren't feasible in terms of travel dates. Narrow things down to your best 5 choices.

5) Talk to the Owners
Finally, call the owners of each beach cottage! The best way to ensure you get a great beach cottage for your vacation is to talk to the person who owns it. Use a list of questions so that you don't get sidetracked when talking to them, and get a feel for what the owner is like. Do they seem to have experience when it comes to cottage rentals? If they don't make you feel wanted when you call them, they probably don't really care about their property as well. You want to deal with someone who wants to make your stay in their cottage as pleasant and memorable as possible!