Planning an Affordable Desert Vacations

A relaxing vacations in a desert resort such as Phoenix does not have to cost a family a fortune. There are a number of strategies that can give you that vacation at a price you can afford.

Rent a Desert Vacation Home instead of Staying at a Hotel

Families can get the biggest savings by choosing desert vacations rentals over hotels. It is now possible to rent a condominium or a house in a city like Las Vegas Phoenix Tucson and Palm Springs for the same price as a hotel room.

There are several ways a family can save money by staying in a desert vacations rental instead of a hotel. The first and most obvious is by doing your own cooking. Most rental homes come with fully equipped kitchens so a family can save money by buying groceries and doing all or part of its own cooking. Another is by doing their own laundry in the washers and dryers provided for their desert vacations.

Book Your Desert Vacations Rental in Advance and Off Season

The best way to get a good deal on a desert vacation is to book your vacation rental home as early as possible. Homes often go quickly so contacting an agent or owner and booking early can save money. It can also guarantee a home in the location you want.

Another way to save money is to book in the off season. Arizona and Palm Springs home rentals are most expensive in December because that is when the demand is highest. Booking your rental in February or March can get you a lower price because agents have a lot of empty houses to rent at that time of year.

Chose the Desert Resort Location Carefully

The location you chose can save you quite of money when you book a vacation rental. The most expensive rentals are those around Scottsdale because they are the most popular. Las Vegas has large numbers of empty houses and condo rentals and it is not as well known so it can be a good alternative. Another advantage to choosing Las Vegas is that it is possible for families to get low priced meals and recreational activities at the city’s casinos.

Another good alternative is Tucson which also has large numbers of Arizona rental homes. Tucson offers a laid back lifestyle and a pleasant desert atmosphere without the hustle and bustle of Phoenix.

If you want to go to Phoenix, consider some of the other areas in the Valley of the Sun such as Goodyear and Mesa. These have many rental homes available at lower prices than Scottsdale yet they have many of the same amenities available.

When you chose a desert resort location, consider the amount of driving you will do there because this can increase vacation costs. A house that is within walking distance of recreational amenities such as golf courses or a casino can limit the driving costs. Having the supermarket and shopping nearby can also limit driving. Getting a vacation rental with a swimming pool can also limit the amount of driving the family needs to do because they can stay home to have fun in desert vacation.