Accommodation
Holiday Rentals
Why families love self-contained holiday rentals
Rural and regional holiday homes are the ideal escape
StayWell Holdings global director of revenue generation Fiona Godfrey says there has also been a spike in demand for country retreats and places that are more isolated. “Families are seeking out open spaces, lesser populated areas, and places they can travel by car that still offer great experiences for their children,” she says. “The likes of the Hunter Valley and the Blue Mountains [in NSW] are great examples of destinations that have a lot to offer, but feel less crowded than a city escape, even during peak periods.”
50 Degrees North and Nord Journeys CEO and founder Tietse Stelma agrees, noting travellers are veering towards stays in remote locations and private cabins, which allow a greater degree of privacy.
Home away from home for ‘digital nomad’ families
Business and leisure are increasingly combining with digital nomads, who use technology to work remotely, now taking their families with them on work trips. “We’ve stopped talking about work-life balance and now talk about work-life integration,” futurist Carolyn Childs from My Travel Research, says. Data from home booking website Airbnb shows around a quarter of work bookings made in Australia include stays with children.
Airbnb for work APAC regional head Alvan Aiau Yong says listings popular for such trips feature all the essential amenities business travellers need to be productive and comfortable, such as designated desk and study areas, laundry facilities and Wi-Fi. “There’s also the added benefit of listings with fully-equipped kitchens, family rooms and big backyards to cater for family members so that a business trip can easily transition into a leisure stay,” he says.
Villa accommodation creates an extra-luxe experience
First came hotels, then home booking websites – now a combination has emerged. Luxury villas with concierges can be booked through companies such as Airbnb Luxe and Villa Finder, with the trend particularly popular for Australians in places such as Bali. The concierge team is on-call to book anything you need during your stay, such as airport transfers, day tours and those all-important massages.
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Opening image: Cubby House at Sunshine Beach near Noosa, with Stayz