5 Reasons To Ditch The Generic Hotel— And Rent a Home Instead So, you want to get away. See the sites. Create lasting memories. Relax and re-charge. First things first— book the plane tickets. Next, book a tiny, expensive room at some huge, bland hotel. Hope that you can find two rooms close together. Cross your fingers that they might even be adjoining. Wonder if there will be more than stale pastry and lukewarm coffee at the morning buffet. Pray that your room isn’t next to the elevator or even worse— the ice machine. But wait— what if we told you there was another way? A way to make your trip more relaxing, more private, less expensive, and less stressful? Who wouldn’t want that? There is a way to do all those things. Instead of going with the standard hotel chain, book a vacation rental home instead. Here are 5 reasons why staying in one of our vacation rentals is the only way to go:

1. Budget Friendly At first glance, you may think there is no way you can afford a home over a hotel. We’re here to tell you that per square foot, vacation homes are almost always more affordable than hotel rooms. Consider the fact that the average hotel room is a measly 325 square feet while the average vacation rental home is 1,300 square feet. Even better— travel with a group of friends or family and split the cost for savings that add up quickly. Keep in mind that your vacation rental has a full-sized kitchen so you aren’t forced to eat out for three meals a day. That’s a big chunk of change that’s staying in your pocket. And doesn’t breakfast always taste better when you're wearing pajamas?
2. Super-Flexible When staying at a hotel, you have no choice but to conform to the hotel’s schedule for housekeeping, maintenance, meals, pool hours and fitness facilities. Renting a vacation home means getting out of bed whenever you feel like it. Afternoon naps and midnight snacks. No limits on happy hour. A dip in the pool at sunrise. Feel free to do what you want, whenever you want to do it.

3. Comfy & Homey Our vacation homes are just that— homes. There’s no scratchy, industrial-grade carpet or teeny, single-serving coffee maker in our homes. In your vacation rental, you'll find full-sized appliances, laundry facilities, pots and pans, multiple bathrooms, dishes, blankets, linens, books, and board games. These small touches can make your stay significantly more comfortable and relaxing, particularly if you’re traveling with children.

4. Privacy & Peace For traveler’s who value tranqulity, a typical hotel room can be a nightmare. Thin walls. Elevator and vending machine noise. Banging doors. Maintenance workers and housekeepers coming and going. A crowded pool. A loud, packed restaurant. Ugh. These sources of stress simply don’t exist in a vacation rental home.

5. Live like a local For a truly unique vacay, a home rental will give you that coveted “local” feeling. Relax on your front porch and chat with the neighbors. Visit the local mom & pop grocery store and stock up on supplies. Rent bikes and peddle around town. Take a stroll down your street. Chat with new friends at the neighborhood watering hole and get to know the best places to eat— and maybe some juicy local gossip too. These types of distinctive experiences simply don't happen when you're staying at a generic hotel.

By working directly with a local agency— like us— you will get personalized service and local insider knowledge before you even arrive. Our local agents have first-hand knowledge of the area and the different options available and can help you choose the home that is perfect for you. Call or email us today. We can't wait to see you!

Tiki is a Maori word for a type of stone or wooden carving found throughout the islands. However, in the 20th century, Tiki became known for its romanticized conception of tropical cultures, most frequently imagining Polynesian culture. The Tiki culture began in 1934 with Ernest Raymond Beaumont Gantt's opening of Don the Beachcomber. The Polynesian-themed bar and restaurant in Hollywood soon became a Hollywood hotspot for all the major stars. However, the Tiki trend didn't really become popular until after World War II, when young men returning from the Pacific wanted a taste of what they had experienced. Their taste for the tropical quickly made its way to the rest of the nation.

By the end of the 1940s, Palm Springs had become the getaway for celebrities and urbanites, who brought the Tiki trend with them.  In 1953, Don the Beachcomber had 16 locations from coast to coast, including the hugely popular one in downtown Palm Springs. Frequented by Hollywood celebrities like Frank Sinatra, Bing Cosby and Bob Hope, everyone knew Palm Springs and its Don the Beachcomber were the spot for a good time. While the Tiki trend has begun to fade in the recent years, the Desert Tiki Culture is alive and well in Palm Springs. Today, there are still some great Tiki bars that take guests away from their day-to-day lives, much like they did during its Hollywood high in the 1950s and 1960s.

Unfortunately, Don the Beachcomber in Palm Springs is no more, but the spot is now home to Bootlegger Tiki (a nod to Earnest Gantt’s Bootlegging days), who continue the Tiki traditions that made this spot famous.  The bar retains a Polynesian theme, with delightful blowfish light fixtures and thatched palm walls, with a patio offering mountain views.

Toucan’s Tiki is one of the best gay bars in Palm Springs and another favorite in the desert, specializing in strong Tiki drinks. Guests can enjoy a Sunday night drag show or one of the many popular weekly theme nights while sipping a taste of tropical paradise.

The Tonga Hut offers authentic Pacific cuisine inside a fun environment reminiscent of Palm Springs’ rich Tiki past. The Tonga Hut celebrates the growing number of local Tiki art and culture festivals in Palm Springs, as well as an appreciation for mid-century style of fabulous architecture and design. Be sure to explore the secret Tonga Room, hidden inside a telephone booth!

Finally, one cannot talk about Desert Tiki Culture without talking about The Reef, an intimate Tiki Bar with great views of the colorful Caliente Tropics Hotel pool surrounded by the hotel’s many hand carved Tikis. Caliente Tropics Hotel also puts on an event to celebrate how much Tiki means to Palm Springs. Tiki Caliente is an annual event creating the aura of island living in a desert setting. Tiki Caliente will immerse guests into the colorful and unique Tiki world that has made Palm Springs its desert home.