Top Reasons a Vacation Rental Home Can Save Your Turkey Day

FOR RELEASE
October 24, 2006


AUSTIN, TEXAS–While Thanksgiving brings families together to share in one of the best meals of the year, the holiday can also serve up a hearty helping of stress and frustration. Homes from vacation rental Web sites such as HomeAway.com (www.HomeAway.com) can help alleviate the holiday hassle while saving money in the process.

HomeAway.com lists more than 65,000 properties in 90 countries with homes that comfortably accommodate every family’s size, budget and preferences. Additional space and amenities make staying in a vacation rental more practical and affordable than a hotel. Who wants to spend Thanksgiving in a hotel, anyway? Reasons why celebrating Thanksgiving in a vacation rental home can improve your holiday:

Share in the Pilgrimage - Families often alternate between traveling to and hosting the Thanksgiving festivities. Choosing a vacation rental home in a centrally-located destination enables groups to split the holiday duties and expenses equally. By staying somewhere in between groups also benefit from the added perk of exploring a new destination’s local culture.

Eat Stuffing, Don’t Feel Stuffed In - Even more important than the tools used to create the meal is the space needed to prepare the meal. Rather than spend Turkey Day alone in a tiny studio apartment in the city, take advantage of the extra elbow room found in many vacation rental homes. Larger kitchens and dining areas free-up space to cook for and accommodate big groups.

Create a Culinary Cornucopia - Preparing Thanksgiving dinner is quite a production. From basting to baking, having a well-equipped kitchen can save or spoil a meal. Several vacation homes feature gourmet kitchens with double ovens and top-of-the-line appliances, creating the ideal environment to produce a feast. Timing the turkey won’t be an issue this year...

Turkey Day Touchdown! - For many, Thanksgiving is synonymous with football. High-definition televisions and home theaters found in many rental homes enhance the viewing experience and keep hungry tummies occupied all the way until dinner. Families can find properties with the best entertainment centers using the HomeAway.com keyword search.

Even if Your Mom is There… - With people in town for Thanksgiving, it’s harder than usual to keep the house neat. Renting a vacation home from HomeAway.com eliminates the need to straighten up before guests arrive and again after they leave. As a courtesy to renters, vacation homeowners hire cleaning services to tidy the property between groups. Some even provide a daily housekeeping option during your stay. With this amenity, more time is spent enjoying friends and family than cleaning the kitchen or changing the linens.

Turkey Makes You Tired - If having the whole family under one roof leaves the house bursting at the seams, or if Grandpa’s snoring keeps everyone awake, send the overflow to a nearby vacation rental. The costs are less than booking multiple hotel rooms and no one has to sleep on the “extra firm” floor when the Tryptophan kicks in.

Leave Leftovers In Your Wallet – Coastal destinations such as Nantucket, Mass. or Hilton Head, S.C experience “high season” during the summer months. Therefore, travelers benefit from reduced rates or special offers during the traditionally slower rental season. Consider vacationing in popular summertime getaways to experience the destination during the non-traditional travel season-your fat wallet will thank you.

Turkey Trot to Shop - The day after Thanksgiving always lures deal-seekers out of food comas. Hardcore shoppers looking to hit the stores can avoid the traffic headaches by choosing a vacation rental home located near popular malls or outlet centers.

HomeAway.com has several vacation rental homes across the country offering Thanksgiving deals, including these in the northeast:

LUXURY: 142038
Glenfield, New York, 291 miles northwest of New York City
Adirondacks Lodge- This 8,500 square-foot lodge, with large commercial kitchen and great room, is situated on 115-acres within Adirondack Park on the edge of a private lake. Ideal for large parties and groups, this 12-bedroom home has dining room seating for 24 people. Sleeps 28, $6,300/week

BARGAIN: 123854
Bridgton, Maine, 144 miles north of Boston
Shawnee Peak Home- This tri-level waterfront home features a gourmet kitchen with stainless steel appliances, and a spacious dining area which opens onto a wrap-around deck with views of Moose Pond. Sleeps 10, $1,500/week

LUXURY: 131119
Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, 118 miles southeast of Baltimore
The Secluded Gem- Situated in the exclusive area of North Rehoboth, this home offers three master suites and an ultra-modern kitchen with a built-in wine cooler and a state-of-the-art double oven. Also, get a jump start on holiday shopping at the outlet center located minutes away. Sleeps 16, $2,200/week

BARGAIN: 144517
Waitsfield, Vermont, 200 miles north of Hartford
Bragg Hill Chalet- Minutes from Sugarbush & Mad River skiing, this home with open floor plan features beautiful walls of glass and soaring ceilings. The living room comes complete with huge stone fireplace and comfortable seating for sixteen. An additional television is in the den along with a cozy sleeper sofa. Sleeps 10, $1,500/week

LUXURY: 110578
St. Michaels, Maryland, 120 miles southwest of Philadelphia
Waterfront Estate- The ’Over the Long Haul Bay House’ provides a quiet escape with unexpected touches, such as a heated pool; fire pit for roasting marshmallows and sipping wine late into the evening; and a newly-renovated barn, with a game room and basketball court. Sleeps 12, $4250/week

BARGAIN: 121897
Brewster, Massachusetts, 272 miles northeast of New York City
Brewster Family Home- This home has easy access to 750 feet of private beach, and a small pond for canoeing and kayaking. The main level offers plenty of space for sitting in front of the wood burning fireplace, and a large eat-in kitchen that opens onto a year-round sunroom. There is a full-sized crib on the lower level. Sleeps 11, $1,100/week

LUXURY: 128936
Canaan Valley, West Virginia, 210 miles west of Baltimore
Mountain Magic- This mountain chalet located in the scenic Timberline Ski Resort features a foosball table, a five-person dry sauna, a walk-in shower/wet sauna, two big screen TVs and a wet bar. Sleeps 10, $2,300/week

BARGAIN: 115321
Plymouth, Massachusetts, 334 miles northeast of Philadelphia
Pilgrim’s Landing Home- Where better to experience Thanksgiving than in the town of The Pilgrim’s Landing? This peaceful home with a farmer’s porch is perfect for those seeking to enjoy a unique vacation in an area rich in history. Sleeps 6, Special Offer: Thanksgiving Rates $1,200/week

LUXURY: 134861
Duck, North Carolina, 269 miles southeast of Washington, DC
Luxurious Oceanfront Home- This beachfront home comes complete with a gentleman’s Billiards Room, home gym, ‘Coca Cola Diner’ which is outfitted as a genuine diner, complete with soda counter, booths and authentic jukebox, and movie house home theatre. Sleeps 14, $2,600/week

BARGAIN: 135000
Thornton, New Hampshire, 119 miles northeast of Boston
Owl’s Nest Townhome- Situated along the eleventh fairway at Owl’s Nest Golf Club, this brand new home offers a mountain view with spectacular sunsets. Watch the big game in the living room on the 36’ HDTV with 7.1 surround sound. Sleeps 8, $980/week

About HomeAway.com:
HomeAway.com is the world’s most complete vacation rental marketplace, offering the easiest way to find vacation properties online. With real-time calendars and multiple photos, HomeAway connects travelers with the perfect rental, from condos to castles and bungalows to villas. More owners and managers list their properties directly with HomeAway than any vacation rental site in the world, resulting in more than 65,000 listings across 90 countries. HomeAway gives vacationers privacy, space and prices unmatched by hotels. Live the destination.

About HomeAway, Inc.:
HomeAway, Inc., formerly WVR Group, Inc., is a global network of vacation rental sites which includes CyberRentals.com, A1Vacations.com, GreatRentals.com, Holiday-Rentals.co.uk (UK), HolidayRentals.fr (France), Fewo-Direkt.de (Germany), TripHomes.com and the U.S. flagship site, HomeAway.com.

Led by an experienced team of online and travel industry experts, HomeAway is based in Austin, Texas and funded by leading venture capital firms, Austin Ventures and Redpoint Ventures.

Contact Information

Eileen Buesing

Public Relations Manager

HomeAway.com

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