Luxury Condominiums: What You Should Know Before You Book Your Next Vacation

If you’re big into social media, you’ve surely seen just how much this cool way of keeping in contact with loved ones & meeting new people has become a platform for showing off how much your life rocks compared to others. Even our vacations are starting to become contests of excess, and on the fence of too much & just right are luxury condominiums. Based purely on the name itself, one would believe that luxury condos are all about “bling” and lavish décor, but it turns out it’s much more than that. 

There was once a time when booking accommodations for your vacation meant staying at the same type of hotel every year. The beds weren’t comfortable, you were way too close to the facilities, and you got a sense that your stuff was better off staying in your suitcase. Your room was just a place to wash and sleep. Things have changed, though, with families deciding that where they stay is just as important as the destination.

Over time, the hotels, motels, and motorways of yesteryear started feeling the heat from alternative lodging options like luxury condominiums. Customers wanted more from their accommodations, and when the consumer is king, competition gets intense. Now, more than ever, luxury condos are becoming the ideal way of making a vacation feel just right. The thing is you & your family may not know the first thing about the condo craze. What do you do?

Before jumping on the luxe condo train, here are a few things you should know:

Rental Agreement — Since this may be your first foray into booking a condo, look for any extra fees and details on rental pricing. Also, check to see if there are any issues with rules & restrictions that bind you financially. It wouldn't hurt to have a third-party look over any paperwork in case you miss something.

Documentation — You’ll want to know if you have the option of checking out the condo in some way. If there is documented damage, you’ll want to know ahead of time, and you’d probably want to see if anything is amiss that isn’t documented.

Figure Out Amenities Ahead of Time — Sit down with your family and start detailing what you want out of your prospective condo. Distinguish between needs and wants, but be open to neat ideas. After all, it’s a vacation.

Proximity to Attractions & Areas of Interest — Don't forget that after you get to your condo, you'll want to explore. Can you walk to where you want to go? Do you need to rent transportation or take public transportation? These are questions to consider.

Personal Space and Privacy — Family togetherness on vacation is what it’s all about, but you also want to take a break from the family once in a while. Do your prospective condos offer multiple floor plans. Things to consider are how large your family is and if this is a multi-family trip.

Shop Around for Pricing - Today's technology allows for the consumer to sit back & be notified of ideal pricing for lodging. Mobile apps and email notifications can be the way to go for getting the best deals. One thing you want to avoid is waiting too long to start your research. Availability is always a bit fluid based on the time of year or the events taking place close to your destination. You may find the best price, but there may not be a vacancy.

Perhaps the nicest reason for families to go this route in terms of accommodations is that luxury condominiums allow for you & your family to actually relax. You're not concerned with thin walls or loud stairwells. Sometimes the best time you can have during a vacation is during the "down time" because you can refresh & recharge for the next day.