A few years ago, no one but the rich and famous had ever heard of a vacation condo. The places were exotic, and the prices were steep. With the advent of vacation time shares, the general public were exposed to condos as an alternative to a tent or a motel as a way to stay when on a holiday.
Developers soon realized that not everyone wanted to own a time share. They began building resort condos with an owner who would allow the condo to be rented when not in use by the owner. In many cases this amounts to 30 to 50 weeks per year in prime locations. The rentals can run from a few days to a month or more. Most condo rentals span one or two weeks. Like any other vacation choice, condos have positive and negative aspects.
The Pros of Condo Rentals:
Condos are almost always bigger than a motel or hotel room or suite.
Being larger, condos give you room to store your things more in the way that you would at home. You get real closets to hang your clothes. Most bedrooms have plenty of chest and dresser space for other items to be stored. The living room will have a sofa and at least an easy chair or two. You can sit and watch television with friends without having to be reclining on a bed. You have space for the children to play without bouncing off of the walls. The condo will have a real table that is great for playing games or dining like Clavon condo. This condo is one of the most popular condos in Singapore. This is because of its quality amenities, amazing design, and sound management. So when buying condo, make sure to consider all the essential factors so you can get the bestb deal.
When bedtime comes, the extra size gives you enough bedroom and sleeping space that everyone has a chance to be comfortable. The space gives you the bonus of potential privacy without being cramped in a small bathroom like a motel.
Condos have kitchens.
Kitchens are a plus for some and a minus for others. If you do not like to prepare meals and clean up afterward, this may not be a good thing. However, most people enjoy having a refrigerator and stove that can actually be used. Most condos come stocked with dishes, pots and pans, and flatware. The dish cloths and detergent are also usually provided. A kitchen gives you the chance to economize by eating in instead of out. Sometimes a quick breakfast or a sandwich style lunch can be a great money saver and get you back to the fun quicker, too.
Many condos have a washer and dryer in the unit.
For an extended vacation, many people prefer to pack less and do a load or two of laundry during the trip. With a condo, the washer and dryer are free to use and are located within the condo itself. There is no need to save quarters for a month before vacation to feed to the machines to do your laundry in a public facility. This also gives the same benefit as home. You can start the wash as you leave and dry it later when you return. This saves time and money and gives you more space in your vehicle as you travel.
Condos usually offer other items that make life easier.
Cable or satellite television is a staple of motels and condos. However, the condo will usually have a DVD player and possibly a VCR. It may even offer a game console or easy hook ups for one that you brought from home. Stereos are also standard fare in many condo rentals. Small appliances like blenders and food processors are often included in the package.
Condos tend to be a quieter than motels and hotels.
Condos are designed to be residences. As apartments, they are made to keep the noise down from the neighbors. Many times if your condo has an outside entrance, you may never know that you have neighbors. You will rarely have to endure people talking loudly and stomping up and down the hallway like some motels.
The Cons of Condo Rentals:
You are the maid.
Condo managers expect the renters to clean up the space before they depart. Deposits are collected to make sure this happens. These amounts can be several hundred dollars. They are always large enough to give renters incentive to clean up the place. You can complain going in if the condo does not meet your standards for being clean. Most booking agents have someone who can come and freshen the condo for you. When you leave, it is the cleaning crew who will tell the renting agency if you did your job or not.
The condo will have mops, brooms, vacuum cleaners, and most of the needed supplies. Most people simply clean like they would at home every day. This way at the end of the vacation, 30 minutes or so will complete the task before departure. If cleaning is not your thing, you may want to think twice about renting a condo.
The price is higher.
If you are renting a condo instead of one motel room, you will pay a lot more unless you always stay at premium motels and hotels. Condo rentals rely on multiple occupancy. By having the condo compete with the option of renting 2 to 4 rooms at a motel, it makes the price seem much more reasonable. However, the condo will hit you with a cleaning deposit, maintenance fees, and non-refundable amounts in your payments. None of these are a problem if you honor the contract and leave the place clean.
You do not get room service or a front desk to call for small needs.
If you forget your toothbrush or razor, it means a trip to the store to find one. Unlike some hotels, you will not be able to order a snack to be brought to your room. If you want a midnight snack, you better have stocked the pantry ahead of time. It can take longer to get repairs made when something quits working.
The quality of the furnishings are not uniform.
Unlike a motel, condos are not furnished throughout by the same decorator. Each condo owner furnishes their own apartment. From the furniture to the dishes to the wall decorations, the condo will reflect the owner’s taste and willingness to invest in his or her rental property. Within the same complex, you may find a wide variation. This means that returning to the same condo complex does not necessarily mean that you return to the same amenities.
