(NAPSI)—According to the travel industry analyst Skift, nearly half of America didn’t take a single vacation day in 2015. If you don’t want to be among the vacationless this year, now would be a good time to start planning—and booking—your next trip.

Your group or family travel may be even better if you decide to stay at a vacation rental. Here are five reasons:

1. Spend less, get more. Many people are surprised to learn that you can spend less money and get so much more space by booking a vacation rental. The average vacation rental runs 1,850 square feet while the average hotel room is a mere 325 square feet. Furthermore, for the price of a standard hotel room, you can get a two- to three-bedroom vacation rental. Not even an expensive suite upgrade can give you that.
2. Access to amenities that you don’t have to share with anyone. Perhaps one of the most overlooked perks of a vacation rental is that you often get the amenities and perks of some of the best hotels without having to share with anyone else. This can include anything from a private beach to a pool to a Jacuzzi to an outdoor fireplace. You don’t have to reserve it, pay extra or only visit during certain hours. Use your amenities whenever you want, however you want.
3. More privacy. This can be hard to come by, especially during peak travel times. However, with a vacation rental, you can book a home that comfortably accommodates each guest. What’s more, many homes feature private patios, backyards, grills, pools and beaches. It’s your vacation, so why share it?
4. Home cooking. A vacation rental affords the opportunity to unwind in a true home away from home. If you like, that can include home cooking. Most vacation rentals come with full kitchens stocked with all sorts of appliances and kitchen utensils. That means saving money and catering to your family’s unique preferences.
5. One-of-a-kind properties. Generally speaking, a standout of the vacation rental travel experience is that it provides authentic travel experiences that can’t be replicated. Where else can you stay in a castle, tree house or a former celebrity home? For example, on HomeAway.com, you can stay in any number of unique properties that range from a hobbit house with its own private path to a winery, to a tree house overlooking the Caribbean Sea.

Just remember, you’ll want to book your vacation well ahead of time, even further out than you’d typically book a hotel. The further out you book, the more options you’ll have, and the greater chance that everyone in your group or family will get the accommodations and experience they want.

Learn More

For further facts and to view available rentals, go to www.homeaway.com.