Hotels or Holiday Cottages
“What nonsense, you say, those days are long gone! Now tired travelers are not allowed on the doorstep, especially at night, and if you are unlucky, they can shoot you. Yes, that’s true. But, fortunately, not quite so. Of course, no one will let you spend the night on the family couch in the living room, will not invite you to dinner. You can also forget about the axe porridge. But for tourists there is still an opportunity to get a glimpse of the real life of the natives. Few people in Russia know that in America (and around the world) is very common system of vacation rentals – rental apartments and houses for a few days, a couple of weeks, a month. Most often it is a way to rent what we call a summer house or an apartment, bought for vacations or weekend trips. However, in large cities and tourist centers the owner may rent a part of the house with a separate entrance, and sometimes a separate bedroom. Russian people such a system may remind you of the “wild” trips to the south, when a similar price room or apartment rented from locals. And isn’t it a miracle that now you can stay in the same way in any part of America, and all over the world, conveniently reserving accommodation over the Internet?
Hotels or cottages in the U.S.
For the same money as a hotel… however, not really. Prices can vary greatly depending on the location and quality of the accommodation offered. A room in Boston in a Victorian mansion, but with a shared bathroom, would cost about the same as a night in a not-too-bad motel or a cheap chain hotel like the Holiday Inn, out of season and at a discount. Yes, in a hotel you will have a private bathroom. But it won’t have the flair of an old house with marble fireplaces and a cast-iron tub on its feet, creaky old floors, velvet chairs and curtains, and a skylight through which you can see the tiled roofs and weathervanes of neighboring houses. You may even be lucky enough to be served breakfast. But not too luxurious, at the level of breakfast at the
Holiday Inn.
For the same money as a good hotel room, you get a full-fledged apartment or cottage. Of course, they are all very different, with different numbers of bedrooms, and can accommodate a different number of guests. However, such things do not confuse some Russian tourists who come with mats and sleeping bags and sleep on the floor. You may be asked for extra money if you are traveling in a large group. But just in this case, renting an apartment or cottage will certainly be more profitable than a hotel, because the price is not for the room for two people, and for the whole house, and do not forget that the housing is attached to the kitchen. Speaking of the kitchen. No one will feed you in the rented house, but will provide a well-equipped kitchen with a stove, refrigerator, microwave, pots and pans, plates, knives and forks. The only thing the Russian person usually lacks there is a kettle. But you can boil water in a pot, and besides, it is unlikely that you will be able to drink proper tea at the hotel.
Of course hotels have restaurants. Yes, they do, and it’s often easier to go to a restaurant than to buy groceries and mess around in someone else’s kitchen. More expensive, but easier. But even if you forget that it’s a fun experience, there are times when your own kitchen is simply more convenient. For example, if you’re traveling with kids or friends who need a special diet. Or if your route is away from civilization, through national parks, where a cottage may be closer to nature than the nearest motel, let alone a normal hotel with a restaurant.
The inn will probably have a pool . Most cottages will have an outside Jacuzzi (aka hot tub). The hotel will probably tell you what to see and where to go. You’ll find guidebooks at the cottage, and a welcome letter from the hosts may contain a lot of interesting tourist information. They will even tell you how to connect to the Internet, buy food, and rent a boat, for example. Florida often rents out houses with a private marina, and boat rentals are standard entertainment.
Okay, you say. You’ve made your point. So what to do? Where do I start?
The system is simple: go online to one of the short-term rental systems (vacation rentals), such as vrbo.com or airbnb. com, choose where to go, set the dates and number of guests, and get a list of available shelters. And then go ahead – look at the pictures! Read the descriptions!
Prices are per day or per week, some houses are not rented for one or two nights, more please. To the amount of rent will inevitably add a house cleaning fee, $50-75. This money is paid once, unless you want to pay for daily professional cleaning . You may also be required to pay a partial deposit and, in rare cases, a deposit in case of property damage. And, having agreed on all the formalities, you will be told where the key is! Be prepared to find it in a ceramic vase at the entrance, under a rug, in a flower bed, in a hollow tree… And if you’re traveling late, you’ll have to find it at night in the starlight. Is not the beginning of a real adventure?
Country houses in the U.S.
It’s time to get outdoors! Relax in the fresh air away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
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Search for vacation homes – the best regions in the U.S.
Florida
3 Country Houses
California
9 country homes
North Carolina
4 suburban homes
10 Best Country Houses in the USA
Check out our selection of great suburban homes in the U.S.
Country House in Bluff Township
9.6 Great 540 reviews
Bluff Gardens Country House is located in Bluff, Utah, 24 km from Bears Ears National Monument. It offers air-conditioned rooms and a patio.
Willow Street Cottages
Country House in Bluff Township
9.7 Great 225 reviews
Willow Street Cottages is a pet-friendly country house located in Bluff. It features a vineyard and free private parking on site.
Kalani Hawaii Private Lodging
Country House in Popekea
9.3 Excellent 149 reviews.
Kalani Hawaii Private Lodging is located on the north coast in Pupukea Township, 1.2 km from Banzai Pipeline Beach.
Sommer Hus-Best value in Southern California Wine Country
Country House in Temecula
9.9 Great 8 reviews
Set 3.2 km from Ponte Winery, Sommer Hus-Best value in Southern California Wine Country offers a shared lounge, a garden and air-conditioned accommodation with a patio and free WiFi.
Dragon’s Nest Cabin with Mountain Views
Country Home in Robbinsville
9.0 Excellent 8 reviews
Dragon’s Nest Mountain View Apartments is located in Robbinsville. The apartment features air conditioning. It is 48 km away from Gatlinberg.
Country House in Ozark
9.7 Great 6 reviews.
Family House Guest House is located in the town of Ozark. The town of Branson is 34 km away. The country house features a flat-screen TV.
The Towner!!! Self check in, wifi!
Country House in Stanton
9.7 Great 6 reviews.
The Towner!!! Self check in, RRG/Natural Bridge State Park, Ky Dragway is located 41 km from the city of Richmond. Free private parking is available on site.
Harvest Moon Loft
Country Home in Sylva
9.8 Great 6 reviews
Featuring air conditioning and a balcony, Harvest Moon Loft Country House is located in Sylva. The distance to Maggie’s Valley is 29 km. Free private parking is available.
Cabin by the Creek with private creek access
Country House in the Town of Tannersville
9.9 Great 14 reviews
Cabin by the Creek Country House is located in the town of Tannersville, on a private creek. It offers a patio and free Wi-Fi. The town of Easton is 39 km away.
Country House in Sandusky
9.2 Excellent 35 reviews.
Millsite Lodge Country House is located 11 km from Cedar Point Amusement Park. It offers a shared lounge, a garden and air-conditioned rooms with a patio and free Wi-Fi.
