Hotel rooms are out... Rent a home instead

The trend: House rentals are booming on Vacation Rentals By Owner and HomeAway. And not just extended stays―weekend bookings are also on the rise.

Why we love it: It’s like you live on vacation! More rooms mean you can include more people and split the cost; full kitchens let you eat in; and you can choose amenities like Wi-Fi, washer/dryers, dishwashers, and swimming pools.

New to try: The Portland-based service Second Porch helps you track down rentals through your Facebook connections.

Look what we found: On vrbo.com, we discovered a Palm Springs three-bedroom/two-bath pad (pictured here) that sleeps six for $335 a night in January high season, with an outdoor barbecue and firepit, bocce ball court, full kitchen, hot tub, and pool.

More hot spots Try San Diego; Santa Barbara; Breckenridge, Colorado; Park City, Utah; and the North Shore on Oahu, Hawaii.

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