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Six Reasons Why Families Should Stay at a HomeAway Vacation Rental

March 15, 2018 by Jill Leave a Comment

This post was written by me in collaboration with HomeAway. All opinions are mine.

I love to travel. I love traveling with my family, I love traveling with just my husband sans kids, and I love solo travel and girlfriends weekends. If it involves packing a bag and checking out a new destination (or even an old favorite) I’m all in.

One thing I haven’t yet done is solo parent travel, which means I haven’t taken my two rambunctious soon-to-be eight-year-old boys on a trip by myself.

Six Reasons Why Families should stay at a HomeAway vacation rental|Ripped Jeans and Bifocals

My family and I on a recent trip to Waco, Texas. Why yes, it is practically impossible to get a picture with everyone smiling and looking at the camera.

The operative word being “yet.”

We have some big travel plans for this summer and while I can’t reveal all the details, I can tell you that the boys and I are going on a multi-state road trip and that we’re headed west. And then maybe east. It’s all pretty exciting and I can’t wait to share with you. Sorry I’m being a tease…I need to wait until all my plans are firmed up before I do the “big reveal.”

I can tell you one thing:

We are spending several of our nights away from home in a HomeAway vacation rental and I am absolutely thrilled about that.

6 reasons why families should stay in a @HomeAway vacation rental

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I got a chance to attend an event at the HomeAway headquarters in Austin, Texas last year and I was so excited to spend the day learning about their brand and the way they offer such great options for travelers. The HomeAway headquarters is also a super fun and quirky place. Check out this picture I took of their very awesome key chain collection:

If you’re looking for a quirky and fun way to display your keychain collection, I’ve got you covered! I’m at the @homeaway HQ in Austin today learning about how bloggers and influencers can work with travel brands. So much good info (and SWEET decorating ideas!!!) ? #homeawaytravelshop #homeaway #austin

A post shared by Jill (Ripped Jeans & Bifocals (@jillrobbins2012) on Jun 2, 2017 at 11:50am PDT

Six Reasons why families should stay at HomeAway Vacation rentals|Ripped Jeans and Bifocals

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Table of Contents

  • Here are 6 reasons why families should stay at a HomeAway vacation rental:
    • 1. Less money, more room
    • 2. More Privacy
    • 3. Kitchen Facilities
    • 3. Pet Friendly
    • 4. More Opportunities to Create Lasting Memories with Family and Friends
    • 5. Lots to choose from
    • 6. You can stay at a HomeAway most anywhere in the world
  • To read more about my Summer 2018 experiences with HomeAway:

Here are 6 reasons why families should stay at a HomeAway vacation rental:

1. Less money, more room

How awesome does that sound? We all want more for less…at least I do. That concept is ingrained into my little bargain lover’s heart. The average hotel room is about 325 square feet. The average HomeAway vacation rental is 1850 square feet. Big difference.

Six Reasons why families should stay at HomeAway Vacation rentals|Ripped Jeans and Bifocals

I love the space HomeAway offers. Plus, this is so pretty…yet not so fancy that I’m afraid to settle in and be comfy

2. More Privacy

As much as I love traveling with my kids, being in a small space with them for more than a couple of nights gets old. Having the room to spread out and privacy for everyone is a win.

Six Reasons why families should stay at HomeAway Vacation rentals|Ripped Jeans and Bifocals

I don’t want to listen to every noise that comes from their Minecraft game…and sometimes, I want to unwind after a long day of traveling or sightseeing by reading a book in a quiet space. HomeAway vacation rentals lets us do that and keeps everyone happy.

Six Reasons why families should stay at HomeAway Vacation rentals|Ripped Jeans and Bifocals

A place to relax at the end of the day without my family being on top of me? Yes please. Doesn’t this space in New Mexico look awesome?

3. Kitchen Facilities

HomeAway vacation rentals come with kitchen facilities. Now, I’m not a huge fan of cooking on my vacation but eating in restaurants three times a day gets expensive.

Six Reasons why families should stay at HomeAway Vacation rentals|Ripped Jeans and Bifocals

When you stay in a HomeAway vacation rental, you can pick up some cereal or bagels for breakfast and some cheese and crackers (and maybe a nice bottle of wine) for your evening snack.

Six Reasons why families should stay at HomeAway Vacation rentals|Ripped Jeans and Bifocals

Going out for breakfast is fun but there’s not much easier than fixing something quick in the kitchen at your HomeAway vacation rental. Letting the kids eat their favorite cereal while watching cartoons (yes, I do this at home) provides a sense of comfort and familiarity.

3. Pet Friendly

Do you travel with your family pet? It’s easy to find pet-friendly accomodations at most destinations and a vacation rental is way better situated to handle your fur baby than a small hotel room. Sure, you can find pet-friendly hotels but you’re not going to have as many choices as you do with HomeAway.

Also? We have stayed in a hotel room before with a freaked out cat. It is not fun. I’m not sure staying in a larger home with a freaked out cat would be exactly fun but it would be more home-like and the fact that our family would be going about a more normal routine would smooth things out some.

4. More Opportunities to Create Lasting Memories with Family and Friends

With room to spread out and be comfortable, you can have a game night, a movie night, cook a meal together, order pizza, have a wine tasting, a dance party…the possibilities for making memories are endless. When you’ve got room to spread out in roomy, comfy surroundings, there are so many ways to have a great time.

Six Reasons why families should stay at HomeAway Vacation rentals|Ripped Jeans and Bifocals

Love this beautiful, peaceful view from one of HomeAway’s vacation rentals in West Texas

You might be able to do some of these activities in a hotel room, but it wouldn’t be the same. Seriously…you’re kind of limited if you try to do a dance party in a 300 square foot space that is mostly taken up by beds. A stay at HomeAway will truly make your downtime the stuff that memories are made of. And that’s a good thing.

5. Lots to choose from

HomeAway has over two million unique listings worldwide. No matter where your travels take you, the comfort of HomeAway can be yours.

Six Reasons why families should stay at HomeAway Vacation rentals|Ripped Jeans and Bifocals

Their website is easy to navigate, in fact, the hardest thing is choosing from all of the wonderful properties. Did you know January and February are the best times to book vacation? If you’re looking to book summer travel, you’re probably already behind the power curve but that’s okay – I am still seeing a lot of choices on HomeAway’s website.

Six Reasons why families should stay at HomeAway Vacation rentals|Ripped Jeans and Bifocals

6. You can stay at a HomeAway most anywhere in the world

Here are some destinations that are popular:

Domestic: The beach reigns for vacation home bookers, with Panama City Beach, Florida, topping the list of HomeAway’s hottest destinations based on overall demand, followed by Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, Alabama; Walton County, Florida; San Diego, California; Four Corners (Disney area), Florida; and Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

International: Paris led an international shift, displacing last year’s demand champ, Whistler, Canada. Rounding out the 2017 international top five (in descending order): London; Rome; Puerto Peñasco, Mexico; and Florence.

These destinations sound amazing, don’t they?

I’m so excited to tell you about where I’m going this summer and share my own HomeAway experience with you.

So, if travel is on your horizon this spring and summer and you want to look at an option that isn’t a hotel, definitely check out HomeAway. We are so ready to incorporate them into our summer travel so subscribe and stay tuned!

To learn more about HomeAway, check out their website here.

Six Reasons why families should stay at HomeAway Vacation rentals|Ripped Jeans and Bifocals

To read more about my Summer 2018 experiences with HomeAway:

How to plan your family’s perfect vacation with HomeAway


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All About Jill

I'm a digital content creator and essayist who copes with parenting and most other situations with humor and snark. Just so you know, if this weren't the internet, I'd be smiling awkwardly and answering simple questions like "How are you today" with gems like "I like pockets."

I really do love pockets, though.

I spent 26 years in the USAF, which went by really, really fast. I'm very proud of my service but I'm loving my second act even more. Writing gives me the opportunity to flex my creative muscles and that's what makes me happy. Welcome.

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Recent Snaps

rippedjeansandbifocals

Freelance Writer & Travel Expert
Producer, Listen to Your Mother SA
💜 Mom via birth & #adoption
🐈 Human to @remusthebengalcat
🇺🇸 USAF veteran
📍#texas

Jill Robbins
Happy Wednesday. 📷 taken at Wasserman Wranch n Happy Wednesday.

📷 taken at Wasserman Wranch near Alpine. Check my bio link for more information. 

#texastravel #westtexas #texastodo #welovetexas #texaskids #donkeysofinstagram #westtx #texastravel #onlyintexas #alpinetexas #alpinetx #igtexas #igtexasphoto #alamocreatives #heymama_love #texasblogger #satxbloggers #texasthingstodo #miniaturedonkey #miniaturedonkeysofinstagram
"Intelligence + Character. That is the goal of tru "Intelligence + Character. That is the goal of true education." Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

I saw a lot of posts about Martin Luther King yesterday when I was doing my scrolls through social media...on a day where I wasn't supposed to be ON social media, ahem. We hear and see a lot of Dr. King's words and quotes one day a year. So, instead of apologizing for posting this "a day late" I'll share that I'm challenging myself to remember some of these important words more than one day a year.

Our kids are watching us right now. I mean...they're always watching us but I think what they see in these times is more important than ever. Nuturing our kids' intelligence and character is more important than ever. My kids are 10 now - this picture is about four years old - and they are absorbing EVERYTHING we say, how we say it and even what we don't say. 

This mural is near the suspension bridge in downtown Waco. Waco is famous for all the Magnolia things but there's a lot there for families, too, and the park around the bridge is a great place to explore along the Brazos River. 

#martinlitherkingday #martinlutherkingquotes #wacotexas #wacoheartoftexas #wacohot #texastravel #texastodo #onlyintexas #texaskids #texasfamilies #alamocreatives #igtexasphoto 
#raisinggoodhumans #raisingboys
Here’s something you’ve probably never seen be Here’s something you’ve probably never seen before: my bottom teeth.
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I always hide my crooked bottom teeth in pictures and I’m super self-conscious when I talk. So I did something about it.
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I wore braces as a kid and my top teeth are straight but my bottom teeth are shifting and one tooth is traveling into the back of my mouth and I have some crowding. My orthodontist said it’s very unusual to put braces on just half your mouth but my bite is still aligned so they didn’t have to put them on my top teeth - my wallet is thankful.
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Questions I’ve already been asked:
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1️⃣ At your age? Yes, at my age. I still care about my smile. 
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3️⃣ How long do you have to wear them?
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6-9 months.
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3️⃣ Do they hurt? 
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My teeth are sore and my mouth is tender but not to the Tylenol level so I guess the answer is “Not too much.”
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Other questions? Advice?
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#braceface #adultbraces
Little things can really be big - do you agree? M Little things can really be big - do you agree?

My husband gets up with our kids twice a week and does their breakfast and morning routine and takes them to school so I can sleep in. I don't laze away the morning in bed - it usually amounts to about an extra hour of sleep for me and a little more peace and quiet as I start my day. 

This probably seems like a little thing but this is huge for me. The mental benefits of not having to set my alarm on a schoolday is truly my love language. I would rather have sleep than flowers or presents. 

On those morning where my husband takes my kids to school, I will inevitably find the kitchen not "just so." There will be spills on the table or something that didn't get put away. I resist the urge to be sarcastic or to ask "Um, is there a reason we have four boxes of cereal just sitting on the counter?" or point out that it would take less than 30 seconds to wipe a tabletop or put a box back on the shelf. I resist saying stuff like "I guess if I want it done a certain way, I have to do it myself." I don't even say that to myself. 

My husband isn't "doing me a favor" by taking care of our kids. When I talked about being stressed and tired during an argument last year, he offered to take some things off my plate and giving me two mornings where I don't have to set an alarm was one of his ideas. It's part of the give and take of marriage and even though it makes me clench a little when I see spilled milk or stuff that hasn't put away, I appreciate having a partner who shares the load with me. 

My marriage definitely is not perfect and I'm in no position to give relationship advice. But for us, this one little thing is a really big deal. 

And, as I've recently discovered, a cereal box can sit on the counter for several days and the world doesn't explode. Who knew.

#thisisus #thisismarriage #loveandmarriage #happywifehappylife #marriedlife #mancrusheveryday #texas #texasstyle #rippedjeansandbifocals #marriagegoals #relationshipgoals #coparenting #parenting #momlifebelike #momlifeisthebestlife #ocd #ocdmomproblems #ocdmommy
Anyone else having massive “This time last year” moments?
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2020 started out so fine. We extended our kids’ winter break to take them on a Disney Cruise- no better reason than that, amiright- and I was excited about all the Disney Cruise blog posts I was going to write. Disney Cruises are (errr...were?) one of the most searched terms on my website and how a lot of people found me.
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Early 2020 was such a time of hope and light that pretty much everyone took for granted.
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While it’s become glaringly obvious the change in the calendar isn’t a magic potion, I still have hope for this year and still believe there magic yet to happen.
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You know...the good stuff.
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#believe #disneycruise #disneycruiseline #disneycruiselife #disneywonder #disneymagic #disneycreators #disneycreatordays #mondayxmhe #disneymagicmoments #nowmorethanever
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