Why Rent a Vacation Rental vs Stay in a Hotel?



Are you wanting to book your next family vacation but can’t decide if you want to stay in a vacation rental or hotel? If the answer is yes, then we at AMI Locals can assist you in making the right decision for your vacation. We know that this a big decision for everyone in the family and can allow you to have the best vacation you can have. Let’s look below at a few reasons as of why you should rent a vacation rental vs staying in a hotel on Anna Maria Island.

Home Sweet Home

Staying in a vacation rental is much different than staying in a hotel because you and your family will be staying in a house. Some of the best things about staying in a vacation rental is that you and your family will feel like you’re at home. Some of the best amenities that you will get compared to staying in a hotel is having a full kitchen, washer & dryer and a lot of space. There will be enough beds for a family of 5 to stay in and the privacy you will have is what every family will want.

Soak in a nice tub that has a beautiful view in the background of the beach. Walk out onto the beach, enjoy the sand and sun before heading back into the vacation rental for lunch. Just enjoy the privacy that you will have with staying in a vacation rental along with some added bonuses such as a washer & dryer and full kitchen.

Better Option for Families

When you stay in a hotel room, you will have a limit of the amount of people who can stay in them. When you rent a vacation home, then you will have the room depending on the size of your family. Whether you have 4 people or 10 people, there is enough space for the whole family. Not only will you have the extra space, but many vacation rentals do come with pools and games that no one will be bored. What a great experience your family can enjoy on your next vacation to Anna Maria Island.

Less Expensive

Often times when you stay in a hotel you will end up spending more money that you would if you stayed in a vacation rental. One of the biggest factors that you will notice is because of the cost of food will go down. Not only will you be able to go to the grocery store and get groceries to cook at “home” for the week, but you can pick and choose where you’d like to eat out for a few days. Another thing you will notice is that you can all stay in one big home rather than having to get more than 1 hotel room. A vacation rental is a better option for many families when they take a vacation to Anna Maria Island.

There are many other reasons as of why a vacation rental vs a hotel is the way to go when you vacation. If you are wanting a more “home” feels, activities, things to do with the family and economic reasons, then a vacation rental is the way to go. We at AMI Locals are looking forward to your family staying with us one of our vacation rentals this year!

New Year, New Adventures!



New Year, New Adventures!  2020 is a blank slate waiting to be filled up with memories.  Places to go, people to see, work to do, fun to be had.  And AMI Locals can help you cross one thing off of your to-do list. Let us help plan your perfect 2020 Anna Maria Island beach vacation!

Vacation like a local

AMI Locals manages over 150 amazing luxury vacation rental homes of all shapes and sizes, and our Reservations team works with each and every guest to ensure we put them in the perfect property.  We all live here and we all love Anna Maria Island
Please give us a call at 941-757-8226 or email reservations@amilocals.com and let us know a few key details of what you’re looking for:
the calendar dates for your stay
• number of guests (adults/children)
bringing a pet?
• must-haves (such as a heated pool)
• preferred budget
and anything else specific you are looking for… we will take it from there!  AMI Locals will tailor our recommended properties to best suit your needs – then all you have to do is choose your favorite and book directly with us.  Easy peasy.

Do more things that make you happy in 2020!

Family Vacations

Traveling with multi-generations in the same family – mom and dad, you and your spouse, kids, siblings and cousins in the New Year? We have homes with detached mother-in-law suites or even separate guest houses.  Take a look at Freckled Fin, Blue Marlin, Daiquiri Deck, Blue Pearl, and Blue Bay. You can stay together and still have plenty of personal space!  And there is plenty to do on Anna Maria Island.  Rent bikes from Beach Bums and explore!  Fishin’ and lunch at Rod N Reel Pier, nature hiking at Leffis Key Preserve, The Fish Hole at Bridge Street for mini-golf, and of course plenty of time at the beach.

Daiquiri Deck 4 bedroom 4 bathroom Anna Maria Island Vacation Rental Home
Daiquiri Deck • 4 bed | 4 baths

Friends Trip

Vacationing with 5 other couples that you have been friends with since college?  We have beautifully located new construction homes where every bedroom has an ensuite bathroom, so you can hang out and enjoy each other’s company without feeling like you’re back in the dorm! Check out Ocean Star, Hidden Treasure, Crystal Waves Oasis. Or, each couple can book a private villa at our Islands West Resort.  Anna Maria Island has cute locally-owned shops and art galleries, restaurants & bars, and some of the nicest local people you will ever meet! 

Crystal Waves Oasis 7 bed 7 baths Anna Maria Island FL luxury vacation rental home
Crystal Waves Oasis • 7 bed | 7 baths

Business Travel or Corporate Retreats

Traveling for business and pleasure in this New Year?  All of our luxury vacation rental properties feature free Wi-Fi so you can easily stay connected while you are staying with AMI Locals.  And, we feature homes with large open gathering spaces for brainstorming and networking. All with amazing views and amenities. Mondays are always easier if you’re working by an amazing tropical pool, right? Some of our best homes for corporate retreats include Bay View Beauty, Sea Swept, and Ocean Star. Plus, we can help with the details of planning your company retreat so you won’t have to worry about a thing.

Romantic trip for two

Romantic getaway to celebrate a special Anniversary?  Newlyweds and booking your honeymoon?  We have the perfect beach house for you. Coral Cottage, Dockside Paradise, and Fishful Thinking are all perfectly charming and private. Or, stay in one of our resort-style properties such as the Islands West Resort, Bayside Bungalows, or the Driftwood. These have shared pools and outdoor spaces and a more social vibe.

clink clink!

Let AMI Locals plan your perfect New Year 2020 stay

Whatever your vacation style is, we are here to take all of the guesswork out for you. Contact us today and let us help plan your perfect beach vacation! Happy New Year from all of us here at AMI Locals.