Some people have stayed at condos for vacations their entire life, but there are others who are relatively new to renting a condo. If you are planning your first vacation in a beach condo, there are a few things to remember for your rental.

This post includes affiliate links. Some products were received to facilitate this post.

5 Tips for Renting a Vacation Condo

Book Early

In order to get the best option for your family, start your booking process early.
Once you find a unit you are interested in, email the owner. Don’t be afraid to ask for discounts or recommendations for other units if your first choice is not available.

Take pictures:

The first thing to do when you enter your new condo is to take out your phone and snap pictures. Not only will this allow you to document the condition of the condo in case there are issues when you leave, but it will also help you remember how everything is decorated. When we leave a condo we want to have all the pillows and decorations back in the same place we found them. Taking pictures helps us return the condo to its original condition when we are ready to check out.

Bring all the necessities:

Most condos will come fully stocked with one towel per person, sheets and blankets, dishes, glassware, and starting toilet paper and trash bags; however, a condo is not typically restocked every morning. You will need to bring the necessities for you and your family that will last the duration of your stay.

Things to pack for your condo visit:

When packing for a condo, think about your everyday life. You will need to pack things like laundry detergent, dish detergent, dish towels, Ziploc baggies but also extra items like napkins, coffee filters and toilet paper. If you are planning to cook full meals in your condo kitchen, think about the tools you need to create your meals.

Not sure how much toilet paper to pack? Check out this tip for finding out how much toilet paper each family needs!

Choose the top floor if possible:

Andrew from Scrappy Geek has this tip: If you have ever lived in an apartment, you know that it can get noisy having neighbors above you. When possible, choose the top floor of the condo and try to get an end unit instead of a middle one. This will help ensure that you will have fewer issues with noisy neighbors above and beside you.

Decide on your priorities:

Renting a condo can be a daunting experience with many options. It’s important to decide what your priorities are in your vacation living area. Ask the right questions before you book your condo and you will be happier with your decision.

• Do you want to have a fancy pool with hot tub, a large living area and a whirlpool bathtub?
• Are you interested in having a view of the ocean from a high balcony?
• Do you need twin beds in the 2nd bedroom or can you get by with a pull out hideaway in the living room?
• Would you be happy with only one shower or do you need to have 2 full bathrooms for your family?
• Do you want balcony access from the master bedroom or is ok to just have a door going from the living area?

Decide on what is most important and start your search from there. Renting a condo can be a great option for family vacations! What tips do you have for renting and staying at a condo? I’d love to hear!