Business groups and sales/presentation teams are increasingly opting to stay in vacation homes instead of hotels/motels. Standard hotels/motels can only offer so much in terms of personalized amenities, things that make smaller teams and groups feel at home. For groups and teams who plan to spend more than a night or two in one location, staying in a vacation home makes a lot of sense.

Keeping costs down

Costs can climb pretty quickly when entire teams or business groups stay in a hotel or motel. Vacation homes can help keep those away costs under control. Accommodations for hotels/motels can be high when you add up all those separate room rates for every member of your team. Meal expenses can also add up fast when everyone in your group or team eats three meals in a hotel/motel or in an offsite restaurant. As Neil Perry, president of Poptent, a global video production company noted in a recent About Travel article, “When a group of friends or coworkers are traveling to the same event, a vacation rental can be a much better option than booking multiple hotel rooms, as companies can keep accommodation costs down,” said Perry, adding “Also, teams can easily gather in living spaces to have an impromptu team building session and/or meetings.”

All the Comforts of Home

Most Vacation Homes now offer both luxury and practicality, with rooms, appointments and floorplans designed to offer all the conveniences of a home. Most homes of this type have far more living space than a typical hotel/motel. Most also feature four and five bedrooms with 2.5 to 3 bathrooms. And that means more room to spread out and prep for important meetings and presentations. High-speed Internet and WiFi are almost always included in such homes, perfect for prepping for the next day’s conference, meeting or seminar.

Economical, Home Cooked Meals

And unlike hotel/motel rooms, vacation homes feature gourmet kitchens appointed with roomy cabinets, stainless steel appliances (dishwasher, fridge, microwave and double oven), granite counters and generous breakfast bars. The kitchens come fully equipped with pots, pans, bakeware, cooking utensils, dishes, flatware, even kitchen towels and paper towels-just like a home. So preparing meals for your team or group is easy.

No Shortage of Entertainment

After a busy day, business and sales teams can unwind in a vacation home. Many such homes feature elegantly designed living areas with big screen TVs, video game consoles, board games, poker and foosball tables. Most homes feature a fireplace and air conditioning to ensure year-around comfort. In warm weather climes, vacation homes often feature in-ground, private, gated pools and relaxing spas or hot tubs to take away the stresses of a hectic day. Many also come with a washing machine and dryer for in-home convenience. Others offer housekeeper services.

Doing What You Can’t do in a Motel/Hotel

One of the many things guests can’t do when staying in a typical hotel/motel is have their own private barbecue. Nothing beats a BBQ steak or ribs after a busy seminar, conference or presentation. Business colleagues can enjoy a delicious meal on the patio overlooking a sparkling pool, which many vacation homes provide. These homes usually include a large outdoor dining table and chairs, as well as comfortable seating areas for the entire team.