While we love a good hotel, vacation rentals have a lot of appeal. For families with kids, vacation homes offer the much-needed space and privacy to spread out and get a little messy; for groups of friends, they offer social, communal spaces and can cut down on costs; and for curious travelers, they can give a more genuine, local feel in any given city or town. As far as rental booking services go, Airbnb dominates—but it’s far from your only option. Depending on your specific needs, there may be a service better suited for your upcoming trip. Below, we’ve rounded up the best vacation rental websites to consider when you book that next vacation—and a few of our favorite homes from each.
For more than 7 million options: Airbnb
Well-designed and intuitive, Airbnb is popular for a reason. For users looking to browse the greatest quantity of options in any given destination, with dozens of filters available—from pet-friendly stays to houses with pools—Airbnb can’t be beat. We find the map feature exceptionally helpful when researching. It allows you to single out the neighborhood or part of town that you're interested in staying in or freely explore if you're not tied to a destination. We also love the distinctions for quality: Superhosts, which marks hosts holding a 4.8-or-higher rating and a one-percent-or-lower cancellation rate; Airbnb Plus, which offers added peace of mind, since the properties are vetted in-person against a 100-point checklist; and Airbnb Luxe, a selection of high-end stays that have luxury amenities and a trip planner to act as a concierge ahead of your stay.
Blevio, Italy
Could the backdrop of this home’s dinner table in Italy be any dreamier? Overlooking Lake Como and lemon groves, and accessed via ancient stone steps laced with flowers, this place is like stepping back in time.
Uzès, France
This one-bedroom cottage is among the most charming ways to experience the south of France. Reviewers rave about the host Elisabeth, who sometimes treats guests to fresh bread or croissants in the mornings.
Discover more at airbnb.com.
For reliability and security: Vrbo
Vrbo stands for “vacation rentals by owner,” which is a testament to its history—it began as a homeowner subscription model, for which users paid annually to list their homes online, after it was launched in the '90s. (It also predates Airbnb by more than a decade.) The service was acquired by Expedia in 2015 and now has more than 2 million vacation rentals on offer. You can find pet-friendly condos, apartments for city getaways, homes with waterfront views, and rentals with hot tubs. Vrbo’s Book With Confidence guarantee makes any trip feel a little more secure: Vrbo runs background checks on all hosts, and will put guests up in alternative accommodations if anything goes wrong upon arrival, such as being unable to get into a property or it being significantly misrepresented. Vrbo also only offers entire homes on its platform.
Banner Elk, North Carolina
Featured in our guide to Blue Ridge Mountain cabin rentals, this glass treehouse-inspired home is a marvel. Windows on all sides of the hexagonal structure let the outdoors in, while sleek and cozy Scandinavian decor adds high style to the whole property.
Dennisport, Massachusetts
A Cape Cod cottage right on the water is hard to come by. With multiple tall, wide windows looking out on the pond in the backyard, this two-bedroom home puts you directly into nature. Osprey and swans fly above and glide at eye level and the rope hammock, grill, and patio make for perfect evenings outdoors.
Discover more at vrbo.com.
For chic apartment experiences: Sonder
Not quite a hotel or a home rental—but with aspects of both—Sonder offers a new way to stay in your favorite cities. The innovative platform offers private units in apartment complexes in 30 cities internationally, including New York City, Los Angeles, Paris, Amsterdam, Barcelona, and New Orleans. Whether you’re looking for a luxe studio near Paris's Champs-Élysées or a sleek two-bedroom flat in Notting Hill, odds are you’ll find it on Sonder. You can also book stays of an unlimited length (great for remote workers) and will have access to an app-based concierge service, contactless check-in, and spotless spaces, regardless of how long you stay.
Mexico City, Mexico
These attractive studios in the heart of the Roma neighborhood are set in a building that is nearly 150 years old. The exterior is a sight to behold, serving original looks in the Art Nouveau architectural style.
Savannah, Georgia
Located in the city’s Historic District, Sonder has multiple units in the Broughton building, sitting above local bars, coffee shops, and small shops. Studio apartments, one-bedrooms, and a two-bedroom are on offer, all with warm wood floors, textured exposed brick, and in-unit laundry.
Discover more at sonder.com.
For points hackers: Homes & Villas by Marriott International
Usually known for its hotel rooms, Marriott is also in the vacation rental game, providing stays around the world under its trustworthy brand name. Plus, it’s another opportunity to earn and redeem those prized Marriott Bonvoy Points. Homes & Villas by Marriott International further differentiates itself from other booking sites by working exclusively with professional property management companies, meaning you won’t be staying in anyone’s personal home. The highly curated selection of rentals is also vetted in-person or digitally before being listed on the site. The smaller selection of homes makes it a great option for those who are new to the online home rental scene or overwhelmed by too many choices.
Tahoma, California
This forested, hidden-away home has epic, sweeping Lake Tahoe views from its porch. The three-bedroom has vaulted ceilings, fireplaces, hot tubs, and both beach and pool access, too.
Lisbon, Portugal
This modern two-bedroom apartment in Lisbon is footsteps away from the Jardim da Estrela, one of the city’s most beautiful public parks. Its terrace overlooks pink, yellow, and orange neighboring homes and has a table with room for four, perfect for dining al fresco.
Discover more at homes-and-villas.marriott.com.
For the aesthetics: Welcome Beyond
Founded by two brothers based in Berlin, one with a background in design and the other in finance, Welcome Beyond is a service that hand-picks boutique hotels and high-end rentals that are unique and memorable in their architecture and interior design. Currently, they have properties available in 38 countries around the world, including Tanzania, Indonesia, and Sweden. From private islands and a treehouse in the jungle to a hotel in an Italian village’s ancient cave, the interesting and one-of-a-kind finds here are plentiful.
Tivoli, New York
This rustic upstate short-term rental was built in the 19th century as a two-story barn with a loft. Today, it retains all its charm with added luxuries and amenities, like Wi-Fi, a hair dryer, grill, and fire pit. It’s also located on a swimmable pond, making it a perfect weekend getaway from NYC.
Victoria Rio
London, United Kingdom
The boutique hotel 40 Winks is described as a home-away-from-home experience, and is housed in one of four Queen Anne townhouses that were built for merchants and naval officers in 1717. It's an ideal stay for a couple.
