The Ultimate Guide to Booking Group Rentals for Your Next Getaway
When it comes to planning a vacation with friends or extended family, finding the right place to stay is half the battle. Hotels might work for solo travelers or couples, but when you’re coordinating a trip for six, eight, or even more people, you need more space, more flexibility, and ideally, better value. That’s where group rentals come in.
Group vacation rentals have become increasingly popular in recent years—and for good reason. They offer a level of comfort, convenience, and community that traditional lodging often can’t match. Whether you're planning a reunion, a wedding party weekend, a corporate retreat, or a big birthday bash, having everyone under one roof creates a more connected experience and often saves money in the process.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything I’ve learned from booking group rentals—from why they’re worth it to what you should consider before clicking “Book Now.”
Why Choose a Group Rental Over a Hotel?
Let’s start with the big question: why even bother with a group rental instead of just booking a few hotel rooms?
Here’s what I’ve found makes group rentals the better
choice for large travel parties:
1. Shared Space = Shared Experience
Hotels separate people into individual rooms, often across floors or even buildings. A group rental brings everyone together in a shared kitchen, living room, patio, or pool area. You can cook meals together, play games, watch movies, or simply relax with drinks in one place. That kind of bonding time is priceless—and it’s much harder to get in a hotel.
2. Cost Efficiency
While a luxury rental home might seem expensive at first glance, the cost per person often ends up being much lower than several hotel rooms. Plus, you’ll save on meals by cooking at home, and sometimes even avoid extra fees for parking, internet, and resort access.
3. More Customization
Whether you need bunk beds for kids, a pet-friendly property, a private pool, or even a beachfront location, group rentals offer more tailored options. You can choose a place that fits your vibe—be it casual and cozy or sleek and luxurious.
Key Things to Consider When Booking Group Rentals
Booking a large property for a group isn’t quite the same as booking a
hotel room for two. Here’s what I always look for when browsing listings:
1. Sleeping Arrangements
Read the bedroom and bed breakdown carefully. Just because a property “sleeps 12” doesn’t mean it has six private bedrooms. It could mean pull-out sofas, bunk beds, or shared rooms. Make sure the sleeping setup works for your group’s comfort and privacy needs.
2. Bathrooms Matter
Don’t underestimate the importance of bathrooms. A house that sleeps 14 but has only two bathrooms is going to create some serious traffic jams in the morning. Look for a ratio that makes sense for your group.
3. Kitchen and Dining Space
The kitchen is the heart of any group rental. You’ll want enough counter space, seating, and cookware to actually feed your crew. I always check photos for the size of the dining table and kitchen appliances—especially if we’re planning to cook most meals.
4. Common Areas and Amenities
Living space matters. A rental might have enough beds, but if there’s nowhere to gather or relax together, it won’t feel like much of a group getaway. I also check for amenities
like pools, hot tubs, fire pits, game rooms, or theater setups—depending on the kind of trip we’re planning.
5. Parking and Access
If you’re traveling with multiple vehicles, make sure the property has enough parking. Also, check if it’s easy to access—especially if anyone in your group has mobility issues.
Tips for a Smooth Group Rental Experience
Even the best rental can fall short if logistics aren’t handled right. Over the years, I’ve picked up a few tricks to keep everything running smoothly:
1. Assign a Group Leader (or Two)
It helps to have one or two people coordinating communication with the host, dividing up rooms, and organizing meals or activities. Too many decision-makers can lead to chaos, and too few can cause things to fall through the cracks.
2. Create a Shared Itinerary or Chat Group
We usually create a shared Google Doc or group chat for schedules, grocery lists, and carpooling. This keeps everyone in the loop and avoids unnecessary confusion.
3. Split Costs Early
Use payment apps or tools like Splitwise to handle shared expenses like the rental cost,
groceries, and transportation. Doing this upfront avoids awkward conversations later.
4. Read the Rules Thoroughly
Many group rentals have specific house rules—quiet hours, guest limits, no smoking, etc. You don’t want to lose your deposit because someone didn’t read the fine print.
Best Destinations for Group Rentals
Some destinations are particularly well-suited for large rentals, offering homes built with group travel in mind. Here are a few I’ve loved or have on my radar:
Orlando, Florida – Tons of large vacation homes with pools, great for families visiting the theme parks.
Gatlinburg, Tennessee – Spacious mountain lodges that are perfect for reunions and nature lovers.
Outer Banks, North Carolina – Ideal for beach vacations, with huge houses lining the coast.
Lake Tahoe, California/Nevada – Great mix of summer lake life and winter skiing, with plenty of big cabins.
Scottsdale, Arizona – Popular for golf getaways, bachelor(ette) parties, and desert vibes.
What to Look for in Reviews
When I’m choosing a group rental, I always takethe time to read through reviews. Here’s what I’m looking for:
Mentions of cleanliness and accurate descriptions
Notes on how responsive the host is
Feedback about sleeping arrangements and amenities
Warnings about noisy neighbors, hidden fees, or misleading photos
Reviews from other groups—especially families or big friend gatherings—are particularly helpful. They’ll flag details you might not think of when traveling solo or as a couple.
Final Thoughts
Booking a group rental might take a little more planning upfront, but the payoff is worth it. There’s something uniquely rewarding about sharing a vacation space with the people you care about—cooking breakfast together, playing board games at night, or just lounging by the pool without a care in the world.