| Imagine visiting Barbados and staying in a holiday rental | | | | accommodation. Guest reviews are your best guide to |
| with two - let's make that three - bedrooms, two large | | | | knowing if the place is as described. |
| bathrooms, a complete kitchen, and a spacious living | | | | 5. Check the availability calendar; if you fall in love with |
| room with a fabulous flat-screen TV. Not that you'd | | | | a particular place, you might inquire even if it appears |
| spend a lot of time looking at TV when you also have | | | | to be booked; you never know when there might be a |
| a balcony where you dine al fresco and enjoy views | | | | cancellation. |
| of the Caribbean Sea. | | | | 6. Write the owner. These sites make it very easy to |
| If you think this is a fancy villa for the rich and famous, | | | | make contact by e-mail and/or phone. It's okay to |
| think again. It's an apartment or home you've rented | | | | inquire whether he or she will consider a discount for a |
| direct from the owner. At a price that rivals a good | | | | stay longer than a week or for a booking during low |
| hotel. | | | | season in a slow economy. Many owners will work |
| If you are not a believer in the old advertisement, "the | | | | with you on price; after all, they want to keep their |
| best surprise is no surprise," then look outside the box | | | | place rented. Owners will also help with |
| of a hotel room for your next vacation | | | | recommendations on activities, restaurants, where you |
| accommodation. | | | | can find a grocery store, whether you'll need a rental |
| How do you find such places? It's easy! | | | | car, and so on. |
| 1. Go to your favorite search engine and type in | | | | 7. Payment is usually due before your arrival and you |
| "Barbados vacation rentals by owner." | | | | can almost always pay using a credit card. The |
| 2. Click on sites that look interesting. Most offer | | | | downside of this is that you haven't even seen the |
| accommodations at all price points all over the world, | | | | place before you're asked to pay. The upside is that |
| and many in the paradise that is Barbados. | | | | you have no surprises about your bill, surely one of the |
| 3. Narrow your search by number of bedrooms, type | | | | best surprises not to have on a fabulous Barbados |
| of accommodation (apartment, villa, etc.), price, or area | | | | holiday. |
| of the island you wish to stay. | | | | Once you've stayed in the comfort of a private |
| 4. Read the descriptions of the different possibilities | | | | apartment or villa where you've been able to cook if |
| and look at the photos and prices. Be sure to check | | | | you want, spread out, and enjoy the peace of the |
| out reviews from previous guests. You might also visit | | | | stunning aqua Caribbean Sea, you'll wonder how you |
| TripAdvisor ( to see if anyone's commented on this | | | | took a vacation any other way. |