Does finding and booking a vacation rental seem like… well, a LOT of work? We’re making the choice simpler with easy tips to ensure you find the Airbnb that’s exactly what you and your family need. Need some inspiration? Our newest travel directory additions include a cozy wooded home with play fort 90 minutes outside of D.C., an Ozarks escape featuring a 75-foot-long water slide, and a cheery Florida VRBO with a heated saltwater pool.

Plus, read till the end for some of our favorite links from around the web this week.

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How to Pick the Perfect Airbnb for Your Family

Today we’re talking top tips for selecting the perfect vacation rental to meet the unique needs of your family. (Having booked and stayed in 26 Airbnbs and Vrbos last year alone, my family has had to become a pro at this stuff.)

TIP 1: What works at home?
The ideal scenario when booking a vacation rental is that it mimics all the best parts of home, plus some. If you rely on a backyard or spacious play areas for rambunctious toddlers, these are things that you’ll want to ensure are also available in an Airbnb. Often times, there aren’t easy filters for these… which is the whole reason that we’ve created the Kid-Friendly Stays travel directory! Apart from using our unique filters, the best way to gauge whether spaces are ideal for your family is through a thorough review of listing photos and guest reviews. 

TIP 2: Find wow factor
What will make this stay a memorable one for your family? If your kids sleep in bunkbeds at home, a bunk room probably won’t feel so impressive. But if at home children aren’t able to have in-room slumber parties, a bunk room can make all the difference in the world. Stand-out features—whether it’s a trampoline, lakefront access, a pool table, indoor pool, or a simple hammock—can have significant impact on the excitement level for kids and adults. Looking for features that will speak to your family is a sure way to create some pre-getaway hype and post-getaway memories.

TIP 3: Assess amenities
If you’re planning a stay of more than a few days, you’ll want to ensure that the vacation rental offers the same comfort and conveniences as home. This might include air conditioning if you’re in hot climates (never make assumptions on heating and cooling!), a washer and dryer, a full kitchen, or baby or toddler gear that will allow you to travel lightly.

TIP 4: Understanding the location
Is walkability important to you? Or having access to a beach? Maybe hikes that start right at the end of the driveway? Ensuring that you’re in a location that makes life easy is critical. On the Airbnb site, scroll down the listing page to the location map, where you can often find additional notes about the exact neighborhood or street that the home is located on. This is a great place to garner extra information on the rental address. If you’re particularly nosey (like me), you can compare the general vicinity to Google maps to get a feel for what types of restaurants, shops, trails or playgrounds are within the area. 

TIP 5: Due diligence
Perhaps the most frightening part of booking a vacation rental is the concern that you could be taken advantage of by a misleading host. One of the best ways to gauge real-world feedback on a vacation rental is through the reviews provided by past guests.

Owner of Wander North Rentals in Michigan, Jess Wagner, provides these tips:

- Look for and read guest reviews specifically labeled “stayed with kids.”
- Don’t just look for reviews on the house; look for reviews on the host. Things come up when you’re traveling with kids and you want a host that’s going to work with you. Single hosts and small companies will be more responsive than large hosting companies.
- Rather than start your search on Airbnb or Vrbo, begin on Instagram. Search for “[Insert City] rentals” to get an idea of the home, amenities, and to see updated photos and videos.

A Few of This Week’s Links + Tips

Cozy Airplane Clothes
All of the pink things are out this October, with proceeds supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Month. And after a red-eye flight last week, I'm ready to add a new airplane-staple, Barefoot Dreams cozy cardigans—either the Blanket Wrap or Boucle Buckle version in pink—to my closet. (Kid sizes here.)

Now's the Time to Book Next Year's Camp Weekend
We're exactly six months ahead of April, which means that many popular campgrounds are just now opening their reservations for next spring. Get a jump start and score your preferred weekend dates by booking asap. Here’s a great list of tips as you plan.

100 Tiny Tricks to Help with Everything
A great Saturday morning read from The Guardian, including these gems: Set a "renew passport" reminder; always add 10% on to the average journey time; travel with a back up book; and draft a reusable vacation checklist."

Save on Tiny Cabin Stays this Fall
Book any autumn stay at a Getaway property (they're located all over the U.S. and within a short drive from most major metro areas) and save 25% by using the promo code FALLFEELS25 by Oct. 13. 

ICYMI on Instagram
What does the U.S. do totally wrong? See video inside the uber family-friendly beach resort Martinhal Sagres in Portugal; find out if Tuscany is too romantic for travel with kids; and see the best haunted hotels for families.

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