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Hawaii Condos For Your Holiday
I’ve done it both ways, and much favor the condo way. Not surprisingly, I found pros and cons on either part of the equation. A condo offers greater versatility and frequently a lower charge, but requires extra study before you leave home, as well as some housekeeping while you’re on holiday. In particular, I like getting a room or suite with a cooking area or at least a kitchenette, and condos come out ahead of hotels on this comparison. While dining out each day is all right for a few days, it soon loses its appeal; it expands my waistline while cleaning out my pockets. With a kitchen or kitchenette, I can eat at least two meals a day in my room. I’m also a snacker and want to have a fridge and microwave handy, particularly late in the evening and early in the morning (I’m a night owl and sometimes an insomniac). Renting, though, means you won't have a maid coming in tidy up and make the beds. That means light housekeeping duties if you’re staying a week or so, but more work, like being at home if you stay longer. Still, assuming you’re reasonably tidy, it shouldn’t take you more than an hour or two a week to keep your unit in reasonable shape. And most condos do provide essential cleaning supplies (check with the rental agency, of course). As with booking a hotel, the same pains to find out about the quality of the room and its furnishings: For example, ask about the state of the bed and pillows, how new the building is, or when the room was last renovated or refurbished. If the unit is advertised with kitchen or kitchenette, ask about basic cooking tools, such as pots and pans, crockery, silverware, and anything else you normally use at home. Of course, you can't always completely trust the information that you get back, but bear in mind most rental agencies are in business for the long haul and won't mislead you too far. It won’t hurt to check on the size of the unit; if you’re sharing a unit with others you’ll each want to have some space after a week or two. And, that’s where condos have one of the biggest advantages over hotel rooms. For the same amount of money, you can expect a bigger space in a Hawaii condo than in a Hawaii hotel room. Speaking of research, as we did earlier in this article, you’ll need to spend some time online unless you already know a broker or someone who’s well versed on the subject. Go to your favorite search engine and enter phrases such as, “Hawaii condos”. “Hawaii condo rental”, and “Hawaii vacation rental”. For my part, I found Craigslist quite effective. Single out your island or city, then go to Vacation Rentals within the Housing category. And, don't be shy about taking the initiative yourself, and posting a rental-wanted ad on Craigslist or other online media. It costs nothing and might produce listings you wouldn’t otherwise find. Start by looking at ads already on Craiglist (the Housing Wanted segment of the Housing category) and then write an ad listing your specifications; it won't take long. As always, be careful about what you rent and how you rent it. A credit card will often protect you against dishonest people and when you have a dispute about fees or some other issue. Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com For a quick start on your research, see the lists and checklists I've created at my Hawaii condos site. The site features lists that will help you specify your needs, determine the quality of the building and unit, catch the key safety issues, and provide an extended list of search phrases. Aloha! |
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