10 Tips for Finding Short Term Vacation Rentals in Europe

We’ve had our fair share of European trips since the kids came along and we just got back from #MurphysDoPortugal which was my second European getaway with the in-laws. Our very first one was back in 2013 when the hub’s parents and aunts joined us as we toured through Ireland and over the years I’ve become a pro at not only coming up with itineraries that please all, but also booking accommodations that meets everyone’s budgets and personal needs. Hunting for the perfect short term vacation rentals in Europe during our multi-generational trips can be quite the time commitment and over the past few years I’ve learned a few lessons that we’re sharing with you today.

Hotels are Little Monkey’s favourite but when we travel in large groups, (especially in Europe where the hotel rooms can be quite tiny!), I find it best for us to rent an apartment in the city we’re visiting. There’s SO many rental sites out there and while most of them seem to offer the same peace of mind guarantee, only a few REALLY do so. During our travels to London, Dublin and Portugal, we discovered the perfect apartments for us through the FlipKey rental site. FlipKey is linked to TripAdvisor and as a HUGE fan of TripAdvisor I discovered FlipKey back in 2009 during my college years and have had a long love affair ever since. FlipKey features over 300,000 vacation homes located in over 11,000 cities throughout the world and what I love about them is that every owner is verified by FlipKey staff to ensure that we’re are only dealing with trusted people. Whether you’re booking a spot from a mom and pop run spot or a full on rental company, you want to know that you’re looking at legitimate spots that actually look like the pictures you’ve seen online!

Disclosure : I have been compensated for this post but as always, opinions are totally mine.

Whether you’re booking an apartment from FlipKey or any other site, we have some tips to help you find that perfect spot for your European trip!

•  Location : Ensure that the apartment you are looking to book is within walking distance to the tourist sites you plan to visit OR that it has easy access to public transit. We totally lucked out in Dublin by finding this gem right in the city and with easy access to public transit. I highly recommend reading through the reviews and emailing the owner to ask about travel times from the apartment to the tourist sites you want to visit.

• Elevator (or lift as they call them in Europe!) : Many European apartments are in old buildings that are rich in history and stairs. When travelling with young kids (and older folks) this is one feature that’s really important for us. We can’t carry our stroller up four flights of stairs twice a day – no way hosay! FlipKey does offer the accessibility feature to narrow the search down but with this feature I prefer NOT to use it and instead rely on the reviews or email the owners if it isn’t mentioned. Accessibility means very different things to different people as does kid friendly, so I prefer to just ask the straight questions without relying on subjective opinions.

• Air Conditioning : You may think that travelling through Europe in the summer means you’ll be fine with an open window at night for  a slight breeze but we’ve learned the hard way that you definitely need an A.C in the summer months. I really like that FlipKey has an option to narrow down the apartments not just by date and location but also by AC/Climate Control. No more sticky nights rocking a baby who refuses to sleep because she’s drenched in sweat!

• Pictures : Really analyze the pictures . The description can promise many things but if the pictures don’t deliver on that narration I move on  to the next spot on our list. Pictures that look like they were taken in 1980 are also a no-go with me! Look closely at the kitchen and communal spaces because this is where you and the kids will be spending your mornings and evenings as you prep for your days.

• Reviews : I wholeheartedly trust fellow TripAdvisor and FlipKey travelers and their reviews help me narrow down the best choices between the various properties I’m looking at. Of course you must take everything with a grain of salt but if 90% of the reviews are negative or mediocre I remove spots that SOUND stunning off my list.

• Bedrooms vs. Guests : FlipKey allows you to narrow searches by number of guests or room! Great when travelling with those who are happy to crash on a pull out couch vs. private bedroom. Look at the fine details in the pictures to ensure that the beds meet your needs and don’t be afraid to email asking for baby cribs (or cots as they call them in Europe). Many of the owners have replied back stating that they’ll even have a high chair waiting for us! I look closely at bed configurations as some family members prefer to have their own beds (twin configurations) while others prefer a large queen or king. Personally I want seperate bedrooms (with closed doors) for ourselves and the kids. This means we can enjoy a drink and unwind well after Little Monkey and Baby Boy have gone to sleep!

• Rental Types : One of the perks of renting an apartment is that you and the family have the option to spread out. This also means that only family needs to listen to the little one’s tantrums and wails! However many B&Bs can populate your search, especially in Europe. The Rental Types feature helps you opt for apartments, condos, houses and penthouses and opt out of the B&Bs. Which is another time saver for me!

• Options : You can also narrow down your search to the little details, such as parking, Internet Access and Washer/Dryer – ALL very important features for us during our European road trips. Heck you can even narrow it down to apartments with pools! Use this feature to really hone down on the features that are most important to you but don’t be overly picky because you could miss out on some great spots!

• Payments : I get very anxious when it comes to paying for apartments well before we turn up but deposits and pre-payments can be the norm with any rental site. Thus far I have been fortunate that we’ve had no bad experiences and this is partly because FlipKey verifies every rental property owner. However just to be safe I always pay via my credit card which has its own additional insurance incase things go wrong.

• Personal Contact : What I enjoy about FlipKey is that while it offers numerous lodging options, once you choose a spot it directs you to the owner or rental company through the Request Booking or Contact Owner features. I refuse to blindly book the spot and always ensure that I ask my questions prior to forking over the payment. A fabulous owner is one who not only answers all your questions but also gives you precise directions and details once you have confirmed a booking with them. Many pro renters have a welcome package that outlines every thing you need for your stay and I always make sure I carry a print out with me (also great when the customs officer asks you where you’re staying at!).

We’ve found some amazing rental companies (such as the SUPER family friendly Algarve Villas and Apartments in Portugal!) and met some of the nicest locals through our FlipKey rentals. With summer travel on its way and high season pretty much everywhere, we find that short term vacation rentals are not only the most convenient but also more economical route compared to hotels. Only down side is that you have to spend some time researching and booking well ahead of your travels.

Do you have any tips for accommodation options in Europe?