Once you’ve actually made the decision to book a Roatan holiday you’ll want to start looking at the available options for accommodation. Vacation homes have become a very popular alternative to hotel rooms for several reasons. Quite often they offer more space for more people at a lower cost per head. They often afford more privacy while allowing you to do things your own way when it comes to activities such as dining or laundry. To make your accommodation search a little easier we’ve come up with a list of tips for choosing the best vacation home in Roatan, Honduras.
Decide On Your Amenities
What you need in a vacation home largely comes down to your personal preferences. Some people require a fully equipped kitchen while others desire cable TV. Wifi is high on the list of desirables for most travelers these days, but isn’t always offered by every rental property on the island. Maybe you want a swimming pool or need access to laundry facilities. Or would love a vehicle or a driver, or additional housekeeping. Whatever your preferences, they should be itemized before you begin your search. Many of today’s booking sites allow you to filter the available properties by amenity type. Fill in the appropriate fields to be shown only the types of accommodations you’re looking for. After you have done your research on a booking platform, (like Trip Advisor or VRBO) why don’t you see if any of your top picks have a website? If the vacation rentals you like, have a website, you might discover more amenities and often better prices.
Choose A Location
Deciding on where you want to stay in Roatan might require a bit more research. If easy access to the ocean, restaurants or nightlife are important to you, you’ll need to choose from the areas that offer these options. Some people prefer to be close to the airport or beach, while others want to be as far away from civilization as possible. Ask yourself honestly about the type of vacation you’re looking for (ie action and adventure, relaxation and privacy, food and drink etc.) and look for areas on the island that offer it. From there you can choose from nearby vacation properties.
Read The Fine Print
Once you have your preferred amenities and location nailed down you can start to look at specific properties. This is when it becomes important to read the fine print to ensure what you’re booking will actually work for you. Some properties only allow check in during certain hours Most vacation rentals on Roatan work around the times of the international flights or the ferry’s coming to the island, but always check. Some vacation rental homes, leave a key and send you a code on how to access the home, while others pick you up at the airport and line someone up, to greet you when you arrive.. Some vacation rental companies require you to check in at the management company’s office before taking you to your home. This can be a tiring delay after a long trip. The beauty of vacation rentals is their flexibility toward guest needs. Do you want to pick up some groceries before arriving at your home, simply ask. Many vacation rental homes are happy to take you by a grocery store. Unlike hotels which may have several parties with different agendas sharing the van, the vacation rental home will only have you to consider. Carefully review the property description and any house rules before booking. Remember that vacation rentals may function differently than what you would expect from a hotel.
Check The Reviews
Although you should always take user reviews with a healthy dose of skepticism, reading the reviews will give you added insight into the property. Look for how the management handles negative reviews. Sometimes bad reviews can show you good things about a property. Look for consistency in good or bad reviews. If everyone comments on the noisiness of the neighborhood or the luxurious comfort of the beds, it’s much easier to believe it’s true. Some people just like to complain and a single nasty review may not actually be indicative of the property as a whole.
Contact Directly
One of the great benefits about choosing a private home rental, it that you can connect directly with the owner to ask any questions or get more information. At L’Alize, we love sharing details about our beautiful Roatan vacation home and connecting with guests. Plus, we can offer the best rate available (no service fees) when you contact us through our website.