So you've finally found it in your schedule and in your budget to rent a vacation cottage and get away from it all for a little while! It's something you've always wanted to do and you've finally managed to fix things so it's possible.
That's the hard part over with...
or is it? Choosing a vacation cottage can indeed be more daunting and confusing than you think, so it's important that you have your facts straight before you sign on the dotted line.
Keep the following directives in mind when settling on the cottage of your dreams to make the entire process as hassle free and simple as possible.
Decide on a location first thing.
When they say that location is everything, they mean it and this is certainly the case when it comes to vacation cottages.
Prices, availability and much more can really vary depending on the exact place you choose to rent your cottage.
You also want to consider deciding factors that tend to slip people's minds when thinking about something like a vacation.
How close are the cottages you're considering to necessary facilities like hospitals, grocery stores, and fire departments? Also, how close are the cottages to points of interest you know that you'll want to spend time exploring while you're there? Not only do you need to know these things for your own convenience and safety, but such things can factor into how expensive it will be to rent your cottage as well.
Make sure the cottages you're considering meet your needs.
Although a particular cottage can seem promising from the outside, it's of the utmost importance that its insides meet all of your needs.
Remember, this is a vacation cottage! You want it to be comfortable, cozy and exactly like a home away from home for you and any friends or family you may choose to bring with you.
Many people thinking of renting a vacation cottage remember to double check the number of bedrooms or see to it that there are enough bathrooms included to cut down on quibbling over whose turn it is to use the shower.
However, quite a few of them actually forget to check out the kitchen.
Sure, you'll probably be eating out at least some of the time you're there, but there will be many nights when you'll want to enjoy a home cooked meal at home as well.
Check to make sure the kitchen is well-equipped enough to handle the kinds of menus you'll be preparing.
Does it have a dishwasher, come with cooking utensils, and enough small appliances to suit you? If not, see what the next group of cottages has to offer.
Don't forget to check with your travel mates.
Before deciding on a particular cottage once and for all, you may want to sit down with your friends and family and ask them what features they would most like to see in a cottage.
Does your wife dream of enjoying a sea view while she sits and catches up on her reading? Is it important to your best friend that there be a spa within easy driving distance? This is their vacation as well, so take their requests into consideration.