Digging Deeper: Vacation Condo Rental terminology to look out for

“You will be surprised by this breathtaking unit, offering quaint cozy rooms, a view of the water and convenient access to the beach.”

Does anybody see anything wrong with this description? That’s right!! Could it be any more vague? Should we replace some words just for fun?

“You will be surprised by this breathtaking unit (because it’s not what you expected), offering small rooms, a view of the water through the crack between two buildings, and convenient access to the beach after you take the bus.”

Ok, maybe I am going a bit overboard. Granted, most listings you see on these large vacation rental websites (which will remain nameless) are going to be pretty accurate, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t read between the lines!

When shopping around for the best condo rental, make sure you learn how to read past the marketing and learn what you are REALLY getting. Hopefully, these few tips can put you in the right frame of mind when searching out your next vacation rental!

Quick Author’s Note: All comments welcome! I can only speak from experience in the Myrtle Beach condo rentals market. There may be more rental terminology in other areas of the U.S., Canada, or the UK, so please help me out!

Before you even read any further, think about this one for a second. Do you want oceanfront or ocean view? Plus, which is more expensive?

Oceanfront condos are directly in front of the ocean, and yes, they have a VIEW of the ocean as well (obviously). Ocean View condo units may be at an angle to the ocean or even a side unit on the building that also has a VIEW of the ocean. Might not be a direct view, but it is a view nonetheless.

BUT, also keep in mind that you can have an ocean view condo UNIT but have an oceanfront condo BUILDING. Keep your eye sharp when looking at the information. Is the terminology describing the condo building, OR the condo unit?

So be sure to ask where the condo UNIT is located. If you are going to be paying the higher dollar for an oceanfront unit, you should get your money’s worth, right?

Truth be told, you can still have an AMAZING view with ocean view condo units, but just make sure you do your homework (or view the photos) before you make your decision. Being on the side of the building could save you a few hundred dollars.

Read more about oceanfront vs ocean view condo rentals.

Linens eh? Towels, sheets, washcloths? What about bedspreads? How MANY towels? Kitchen towels too? What about beach towels? Your head spinning yet?

The term “linens” encompasses a large array of different products. Make sure they will ALL be waiting for you and at your disposal when you rent your vacation condo. Ask the reservationist or homeowner which ones will be available to you. There are plenty of rentals that do not provide a certain type of linen that you may need to bring from home.

A quick list to check:
- Kitchen Towels
- Hand Towels (for the bathrooms)
- Washcloths (for the bathrooms)
- Large Bathroom Towels
- Beach Towels (if at the beach)
- Bed Sheets (including sleeper sofa linens if needed)
- Bed Comforters

This one really isn’t terminology, but just make sure you are aware of the resorts’ or owners’ minimum stay policy. You could be on the website for hours looking at different units and find the perfect one, but then you realize the company only allows 5 night minimum stays. You wanted a weekend trip!

Try and find this policy first before you get too deep into searching the company/owner website.

Ever looked at a listing and all it said was “Washer and Dryer”? Of course we know, there is a HUGE difference between having the washer and dryer in your unit and having a community washer and dryer section inside the building (laundry room). Be sure and check up on that one before you book.

Also, make sure you ask what type it is. The stackable, or under cabinet washer/dryers, are usually smaller. If your whole family comes, doing 4 loads of laundry in a mini-washer when you COULD have done just one really downgrades the convenience factor.

If you are new to the condo rental scene, maid service works a bit differently than hotels. Hotels usually have a daily maid service, meaning you get fresh sheets and new towels every day. Condos, on the other hand, may only have departure maid service, meaning they will clean only after you leave. The upside to this is you should be the only one in your condo during your stay (given you have no issues). The downside is you are responsible for washing your own towels. Really no big deal though.

BUT, there are condo rental companies and owners who do NOT offer any type of maid service. Meaning, YOU must clean your unit before you leave. If it’s not up to their standards, you are assessed a fee.

So you are on a vacation condo rental website, reading a description. There are a few “pretty marketing” words in there you read but didn’t even think about what they REALLY meant. I am willing to bet most consumers just read past these “marketing fluff terms”. For example:

“conveniently located” or “within walking distance” - These terms are very subjective! Something that is convenient to one person, might be annoying to the other. For example, if the store is conveniently located across the street. Well, that might be across 6 lanes of traffic. So I may be exaggerating on that one, forgive my lack of examples. You get the point. Within walking distance is also subjective. Those who usually live in a big city or even in Europe, walk to A LOT more places than those who live in a rural setting. They may be used to walking a few miles without a care in the world. But that 3 mile hike to the grocery store might be a bit much.

“quaint” - Is that just another word for small? That’s all I have for that one.

“luxurious” - Luxury in Manhattan has got to be different than luxury in New Orleans. It is simply a different culture and it’s a different preference. Luxury is in the eye of the beholder.

HELP fellow Hubbers!! Do you have any words you want to add to this list? Have you been duped before by terminology? Leave a comment and I can add it in!

All in all, if you have ANY questions when you are looking at a listing, simply call the rental company or owner and ask away. They will be more than willing to help. Plus, you can get a good feel for the owner or company by the conversation you have with them. Be specific, but also understand that reservationists aren’t able to know EVERYTHING about one single condo if the company has a large inventory.

Thanks for reading, and I hope it helps in the future!