Cottage rental 101

Petula Brown

Embraced by hypnotizing steam from our four-person hot tub, my husband and I sipped chilled champagne to celebrate our wedding anniversary in North Carolina's Outer Banks. Blanketed by tingling bubbles as we gazed at the star-speckled midnight sky, only the most astute observer would know we're the parents of a toddler -- by noticing the baby monitor placed within eyeshot of our romantic interlude.

Such experiences explain not only the laid back appeal of the Outer Banks, but the benefits of cottage rentals as a family accommodation option. Most accommodations within the barrier island community 90 minutes south of the Norfolk Airport are cottages that are single-family homes rather than hotels. Sleeping upwards of 20 people and often including various amenities, cottage rentals can be a family-friendly alternative to the typical hotel/motel options.

For our family getaway, the two-story, four-bedroom cottage in the Northern Outer Banks community of Corolla was ideally suited to our three-person entourage. The nautical-themed interior complemented the views of lively ocean waves from the upper level. A private pool and hot tub were steps away from the house, so my husband and I could have couple time and, with baby monitor in tow, keep tabs on our little one. Our toddler got ample use of the cottage's high chair and crib. The kitchen was stocked with utensils that my spouse could use to make his signature dishes.

Creating a cottage rental paradise (kids included) in any locale is a manageable feat by taking care of business before as well as during the your vacation. Key steps include:

Identify rental must-have before looking at brochures -- We knew that an oceanfront property with linens and infant supplies (crib, etc.) were most important to us. Once we received dozens of brochures from agencies, it was much easier to narrow the playing field.

Investigate the host communities -- Know ahead of time if a locale caters to families. Quinn Capps of the Outer Banks Convention and Visitor's Bureau comments that facilities with a variety of amenities can appeal to a range of taste. One of the area's more family friendly cottage communities has "a golf course, club house, tennis courts and pool. During the summer season there are children's programs planned all the time at the clubhouse and pool. They also have a shuttle that will come and pick you up at your cottage and take you over to the club house, where the pool and tennis courts are, as well as the beach and there is no charge for the service."

Check if agencies participate in promotional activities -- By crosschecking rental agencies with tourism bureau promotional materials (visitor discount cards/coupons) as well as national programs (AAA, AARP, etc.) you may be able to snag additional savings.

Review contract details of the top two or three options -- As suggested by Ontario-based www.cottagesontheweb.com, "come to an agreement with the owner regarding liability of goods" that might be damaged during the course of your visit. When dealing with agencies, a contract's policies on damages (and willingness to negotiate) could vary between agencies.

Do a walkthrough as soon as possible after arrival -- Check and note the conditions of the property upon arrival. Any existing stains? Chipped fixtures? Pay particular attention to security issues. Monica Thibodeau, owner and manager of the Carolina Designs Realty in the Outer Banks suggest parents use due diligence by "checking for big intersections and that pool amenities are completely and securely fenced in."

Review the cottage guestbook -- If a guestbook is available, don't wait until the end of the stay to crack it open to share your comments -- learn from the experiences of others. During a casual skim of our cottage's guestbook our first evening, we discovered that multiple guests suffered from green hair after a dip in the pool. After a call to the agency the next day, the loop received an extra cleaning, which gave us the confidence to wade to our hearts' content!

If you go:
Finding cottage options -- The Vacation Rentals Manager's Association (www.vrma.com) is a great place to start investigating options no matter where you choose to vacation.

Getting to the Outer Banks -- Major airlines service the Norfolk International Airport, just under 85 miles north of the Outer Banks. From Norfolk, car rentals and charter flights (www.flyseaair.com, www.dillonsaviation.com) are available to reach the Outer Banks. For More Information, contact the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau, (877) OBX-4FUN.