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How to Book a Last-Minute Summer Beach Vacation

How to Book a Last-Minute Summer Beach Vacation | Plumlee Vacation Rentals

Are you sad because summer is almost here and you haven’t booked a beach vacation yet? Don’t be! There is still hope. There are ways to plan a last-minute summer vacation even if you are on a tight budget or don’t have the time to save up for a vacay. We can help! Here are three steps you need to take to have the vacation of your dreams—even on short notice. 

1. Rent a vacation rental instead of a hotel.

You just get more for your money when you choose a beach vacation rental over a hotel or motel stay. 

beach vacation rental house | Plumlee Vacation Rentals

From vacation rental amenities to actual living space, your vacation dollars are better spent on an entire rental than just a hotel room. This is particularly true if you’re traveling with a family or larger group

Additional money-saving perks include the use of a kitchen during your vacation, which allows you to eat in more and eat out less—which quickly adds up to significant savings. If your vacation rental comes with laundry facilities, that’s even better. You can pack less and save time getting ready for a vacation without the worry of not packing enough to get you through the week. Finally, many times you can find last-minute deals or cancellations on vacation homes, so you might receive an extra discount for booking on short notice.

2. Stay outside of touristy beach areas.

Touristy, more popular beach locales often come with bigger prices on everything from accommodations to attractions. 

oceanfront with palm trees | Plumlee Vacation Rentals

And then there are the crowds of people that you’re competing with for your spot on the sand. Instead, choose to stay outside of the big-name beach spots and enjoy small-town charm and lower prices. Win-win!

A perfect example for you is Clearwater Beach (just named the best beach in the USA again and one of the best beaches in the world). We love that we are right nearby to all that Clearwater has to offer but far enough away to enjoy more peace and quiet along with less hustle and bustle. Indian Rocks Beach and Indian Shores give you all of the best beach with more of the tranquility and relaxation you want during a relaxing beach escape. Our Gulf Coast vacation rentals give you the best of both worlds with a wonderful location on the Gulf of Mexico and convenient access to all of the other nearby Gulf Coast towns. You can’t put a price on that!

3. Check for deals, discounts, coupons & specials.

Make a quick list of attractions and big-ticket experiences you may want to do on your beach vacation and then start looking online for deals and discounts. 

beach deal promo| Plumlee Vacation Rentals

Why pay full price? Many times you will find online coupons or book-ahead deals that will save you money. It is most definitely worth doing a little research before you buy. 

A prime example of this is the Tampa Bay CityPass. If you know you’re going to hit many of the top local attractions during your Gulf beach vacation, then buying the CityPass is the way to go. It gives you a bundled discount with over a 50% discount on the most popular places you and your family want to experience, while also saving you time by allowing you to skip many of the lines. The Tampa Bay CityPass includes: Busch Gardens® Tampa, The Florida Aquarium, Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo, Clearwater Marine Aquarium, and the Chihuly Collection or the Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI). It’s an offer you can’t refuse!

You also want to check with your vacation rental company and ask about what additional offers they may give you exclusive access to. You never know what extra coupons, discounts and savings they may be able to offer. 

Finally, check your credit card benefits, too. They may give discounts on vacation attractions, cashback on certain types of purchases like dining out or shopping, and even discounts on your accommodations. 

Are you looking for more tips on booking a last-minute vacation? Read these 15 Hacks for Booking a Last-Minute Summer Vacation.  


Book your Florida Gulf Beach Vacation Now with Plumlee Realty!

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How to Book a Last-Minute Summer Beach Vacation | Plumlee Vacation Rentals