For individuals or families who are looking to go on vacation, condo rentals are just the start when it comes to the available options for finding a place to stay. Many of these choices offer comparable features, while the most important differences can be best determined by the traveler.

When it comes to booking the vacation you or your family has always dreamed of, a condo rental is far from the only option for a place to stay.

At the same time, however, it is a good place to start. While many individuals look into staying at hotels, resorts and other commercial establishments, a condo rental is just as viable of an option and can offer many of the same features.

Hotels are often the most common and popular choice among travelers when it comes to finding a place to stay. Because they are designed around meeting the needs of guests and travelers, their grounds often feature the most amenities and the most extensive features. Whether it is a pool, tennis or basketball court, or even something more extraordinary such as a casino or a spa, hotels are in business to make guests happy and keep them that way. Nonetheless, because hotel rooms are just that - rooms - they can be unimaginative and downright boring and may even lack some of the necessities that you need during your stay, such as a refrigerator, microwave or stove.

Resorts are hotels taken to the next level. They are typically larger or more expansive buildings or properties, and the rooms and amenities follow suit. Guest quarters in a resort may be larger suites or even townhouses and are most often designed for longer stays.

The features of the property may reflect this as well, as the pools, courts, beaches and even restaurants and bars are often geared toward vacationing, long-term guests rather than travelers passing through. If your vacation is likely going to involve only a minimal amount of time in and around your room though, you could end up paying for features you simply don't need or want.

Renting a private home can offer you more of the comforts of your own home, as well as more space. With a full house, there may be room for additional guests and for entertaining friends you may meet during your stay. There may also be attractive features such as televisions, video game systems, libraries of books and other things left by the homeowner for houseguests to enjoy. Yet if something goes wrong, such as a plumbing or electrical issue or anything similar, will you be able to reach the homeowner and will he or she be able to respond to the issue promptly and effectively?

A condo rental can often provide the most appealing characteristics of these different options to create a very viable option for a place to stay. The available space is almost always larger than that of a hotel and the price can be much cheaper than that of a posh resort. Unlike with a private residence as well, a condo rental is not only cared for by its owner, but typically also be an owner's association that governs it and can act swiftly to fix any issue that may arise. With these factors in mind, it may not always be the best option for every vacationer, but it most certainly has a lot to offer for many.