When it comes to traveling for military duty, personnel are often faced with an important decision to make: book a hotel or go the route of military short-term rentals? While either one has its pros and cons, more and more service members are choosing rentals over the hotel room. But why is that? In this blog, we will cover the pros of military short-term rentals and share personal experiences that will shed light on why rentals seem to be taking the cake.
The Comfort of Home
One of the major reasons personnel prefer military short-term rentals over hotels is because of the comfort they offer. Unlike a standard hotel room, these rentals really tend to make one feel at home. You get a full kitchen, living space, and multiple bedrooms, which means much if you are traveling with family or fellow service members.
For example, my friend Sarah recently took a military short term rental instead of booking a hotel on her recent deployment. Having a kitchen to prepare her meals instead of living on overpriced takeout food was great, she liked. “It felt great to sit down and have dinner together in a real dining room,” she shared with me. “It made our stay feel more personal and less like a business trip.
Homely atmosphere
When away from home for extended lengths of time, returning home to a warm and inviting space can make all the difference. Many military short-term rentals offer a sense of home that you just won’t find in hotels. You can personalize your space a little by bringing your own touches, whether that be a favorite snack or family photos.
Plus, most rentals are situated in residential areas and have a community feel that just cannot be replicated by a hotel. You may think about being able to simply walk through a neighborhood park, kids at play, or even have an opportunity to talk to neighbors. That sense of normalcy can make your extended experience more enjoyable on such a tough deployment.
Cost-Effective Solutions
Another issue is the cost of the rentals. Military short term rentals have better rates than hotels, mostly because people live there for a while. This is greatly crucial because the service members need to budget their money appropriately.
The hotels may nickel and dime you to death for parking, Wi-Fi, and breakfast. In most vacation rentals for a military short-term purpose, these facilities are usually free; you will not find them loaded with hidden costs. You can save money by cooking your own meals instead of eating out every day.
I remember another colleague, Mike, who had to stay in one city for training. He was able to find a military short-term rental that was much cheaper compared to the surrounding hotels. “I was surprised at how much I saved,” he related. “It let me save money for other essentials.”
Be flexible to manage
Another plus to military short-term rentals is their flexibility: You may often find accommodations that will work, whether you’re looking for a few days or several months.
With many rental properties, they can work around your schedule for last-minute changes. Especially in the Military, this is a huge plus; with most situations, your plans change in the blink of an eye. You are not locked into the strict policies that most hotels have, therefore you can have peace of mind during sometimes unpredictable assignments.
Privacy and Space
This is especially true for many service members, especially for those with families. Hotel rooms are small, and sharing rooms with co-workers is unappealing; military short-term rentals offer more space, allowing everyone to have a room to their own.
Think about it: after a long day, where would you more want to chill-out-in a living room or be confined to a tiny hotel room? You can sit around, watch movies, or just be quiet. This extra space can cut down the stress levels by half during such an already stressful time.
Friendly Alternatives
This goes without saying that, in case you are traveling along with your family, the military short-term rentals are often a much better fit. Many bedrooms and a number of family-friendly amenities mean you get to make comfortable arrangements for one and all.
For example, another friend of mine, Jenna, stayed in one such military short-term rental while her husband was out for deployment. The house had a backyard in which her kids played and a kitchen in which they could bake cookies together. As Jenna described it, “It made so much difference for the kids. It made them feel more at home, helping them get along with their dad’s absence.”.
Accessibility of Resources Locally
Living in military short-term rentals often means having access to local resources that bring with them the potential for an improved stay. Many of these homes can be found near grocery stores, parks, and community centers. All these contribute towards ease in settling down and making it easy to feel part of the local scene.
One of the rentals that I found was near a local market where fresh fruits and vegetables could be bought, enabling me to cook healthy meals-a factor that made all the difference in how I felt. The owners were nice people, too, where they gave good recommendations of things to do around there, adding a personal touch to my stay.
Engaging with the Community
With neighborhood rental homes, you may become acquainted with the neighbors. You may know your neighbors, or know of events within the community, or even help one another out for experiences pertinent to all.
This connectedness can then become a real positive, especially for extended assignments. You may also find that there are groups or activities local to you that appeal to you and help in some way to connect with others, which can make the time away from home far more rewarding.
Improved Amenities Many military short-term rentals come with amenities that complement your stay and make it as enjoyable as possible. From properties with pools, to those with fitness centers and outdoor spaces, your options are endless to kick back while still working out as you would at home.
Think about coming off a long day of training and being in a position where you can swim or even jog in a park nearby. These little touches will go a long way to make all the difference and help you feel a little more comfortable.
Pet Support
Finding hotels that allow pets can be quite a challenge for service members who have pets, as most of them have a no-pet policy or charge high fees. Most military short-term rentals include options that allow for pets so you can bring your furry companions along.
When my friend Alex went on a training exercise with his dog, he was grateful to find a rental that allowed the inclusion of pets. “It was a big relief to keep my dog with me,” he said. “It made the whole experience feel more homey.
Personal Experience: Counts It ultimately boils down to personal experiences. For many service members, it has been a unique combination of comfort, community, and flexibility all rolled into one. I remember the first time I experienced using military short-term rentals. The difference was immediate, in that instead of feeling secluded in a hotel, I felt put into part of a community. It made traveling on duty seem less intimidating.
Conclusion
In the final analysis, military short-term rentals have a number of advantages over traditional hotels. These include comfort in a home-like atmosphere, cost-effective solutions, and more flexibility-thus, better coverage of the needs of military personnel than in rentals. Whether it be just you or even your family traveling, the advantages are outstanding. You can have your privacy, local resources at hand, and fun amenities to top your wait. The next time you plan a military assignment, consider the military short-term rentals to make your travel even more enjoyable and worth your while. Happy travel!
