Glossary
Terms Used In The Reservation Process
Minimum Night Stay
The minimum number of consecutive nights that an owner or manager will allow their rental unit to be booked. These may vary from 2 upwards depending on the destination and time of year. If you’re set on a particular property but can’t stay the entire time, you may always pay for the minimum.
Deposit
The minimum amount of money that an owner or property manager is willing to accept to hold a reservation until the final date for full payment is reached.
Security Deposit
The amount of money held for the duration of the rental as security against damage to the rental unit or to any of the rental unit’s contents. This amount is usually refunded to the tenant within 2 to 3 weeks after the rental period is over assuming there is no damage to the unit.
Cleaning Fee
The amount of money charged to clean the unit after your stay.
On-Site Property Manager
The on-site person that is on-call to answer questions and handle issues that may arise from time to time at the rental unit during your stay. This person is always available to help you during your stay.
Occupancy Rate
A rate that is charged per bedroom that assumes it will be occupied by two guests. Most vacation rentals on this system do not charge per person or per bedroom. They calculate their rental rates based on the total capacity of the unit and do not offer single occupancy discounts – that is, the rate re
Terms Used In The Reservation Process
Minimum Night Stay
The minimum number of consecutive nights that an owner or manager will allow their rental unit to be booked. These may vary from 2 upwards depending on the destination and time of year. If you’re set on a particular property but can’t stay the entire time, you may always pay for the minimum.
Deposit
The minimum amount of money that an owner or property manager is willing to accept to hold a reservation until the final date for full payment is reached.
Security Deposit
The amount of money held for the duration of the rental as security against damage to the rental unit or to any of the rental unit’s contents. This amount is usually refunded to the tenant within 2 to 3 weeks after the rental period is over assuming there is no damage to the unit.
Cleaning Fee
The amount of money charged to clean the unit after your stay.
On-Site Property Manager
The on-site person that is on-call to answer questions and handle issues that may arise from time to time at the rental unit during your stay. This person is always available to help you during your stay.
Occupancy Rate
A rate that is charged per bedroom that assumes it will be occupied by two guests. Most vacation rentals on this system do not charge per person or per bedroom. They calculate their rental rates based on the total capacity of the unit and do not offer single occupancy discounts – that is, the rate remains the same whether the vacation unit will house one person or the maximum number of people that the vacation rental unit will hold.
Terms Used To Describe The Type Of Accommodations
Waterfront Property
A waterfront property will either be sitting right against a body of water or have land that extends down to the water. This property will not have a beach area but may still offer a place suitable for swimming like a dock or raft.
Beachfront Property
A waterfront property will either be sitting right against a body of water or have land that extends down to the water. This property will not have a sandy beach that may be private or shared with other guests.
All inclusive resorts and cruises
This type of vacation is typically offered by resorts or cruise lines. The fees charged usually cover all the costs associated with your vacation including food, drink, entertainment, etc. You have to be careful when you purchase one of these vacations because some times items (like drinks) that you think are included are not and you can suddenly find yourself with a huge bill that is due and payable at the end of your trip.
Vacation Clubs
Organizations that charge a membership fees or initiation fees that are often quite high and typically offer are the same deals you could get by shopping the wholesale and last minute vacation market. Occasionally they may have good deals but this is rare!
Timeshares
A time share is a unit that is sold by week. Purchasers of a timeshare do not get title to the property. The best way to think about a time share is that for a fixed price and a maintenance fee you are entitled to use the property for the same period of time every year in perpetuity as long as your maintenance fees are paid and up to date. Many time share companies will also allow you to trade your weeks of vacation for other dates on other properties as well.
Fractional ownership
A vacation rental unit that is owned by more then one person is said to be held in fractional ownership. This usually means there are more then one registered owners of the property. It may also mean that the property is owned by a corporation and that each of the “owners” holds a specific number of shares in the corporation. Any property could be owned in this fashion.
Terms Used To Describe The Facilities
Ensuite Bathrooms
Bathrooms that are accessed from within a bedroom, so that the does not have to go out of their bedroom to gain access to the bathroom.
Infinity Pool
A pool that appears to have a disappearing edge. The effect is often makes it appear as though the pool extends right in to the lake.
Private Island
Is a privately-owned island that usually has only a handful of units available for rent. The island may be rented exclusively or, depending on the location, shared with guests from the other units on the island.
Alfresco Dining Area
An area, usually informal, where guests can dine outdoors like on a patio or dock. This area is often covered.
Terms Used To Describe Available Services
Fully-staffed
The term used to describe a vacation rental that includes at least one individual in each of the basic staff positions – cook, butler, and housekeeping.
Maid Service
Some vacation rentals will offer a housekeeping or daily maid service while others offer clean-ups mid-week or sometimes twice per week. Most vacation rentals are cleaned
Chef vs. Cook
A chef is someone that is professionally trained and whose only job is to prepare meals for guests. Cooks, on the other hand, often double as housekeepers and usually have no formal training.
Butler
Is usually a senior staff member of the house and is often in charge of serving meals and general property management.
Terms Used In The Reservation Process
Minimum Night Stay
The minimum number of consecutive nights that an owner or manager will allow their rental unit to be booked. These may vary from 2 upwards depending on the destination and time of year. If you’re set on a particular property but can’t stay the entire time, you may always pay for the minimum.
Deposit
The minimum amount of money that an owner or property manager is willing to accept to hold a reservation until the final date for full payment is reached.
Security Deposit
The amount of money held for the duration of the rental as security against damage to the rental unit or to any of the rental unit’s contents. This amount is usually refunded to the tenant within 2 to 3 weeks after the rental period is over assuming there is no damage to the unit.
Cleaning Fee
The amount of money charged to clean the unit after your stay.
On-Site Property Manager
The on-site person that is on-call to answer questions and handle issues that may arise from time to time at the rental unit during your stay. This person is always available to help you during your stay.
Occupancy Rate
A rate that is charged per bedroom that assumes it will be occupied by two guests. Most vacation rentals on this system do not charge per person or per bedroom. They calculate their rental rates based on the total capacity of the unit and do not offer single occupancy discounts – that is, the rate remains the same whether the vacation unit will house one person or the maximum number of people that the vacation rental unit will hold.
Terms Used To Describe The Type Of Accommodations
Waterfront Property
A waterfront property will either be sitting right against a body of water or have land that extends down to the water. This property will not have a beach area but may still offer a place suitable for swimming like a dock or raft.
Beachfront Property
A waterfront property will either be sitting right against a body of water or have land that extends down to the water. This property will not have a sandy beach that may be private or shared with other guests.
All inclusive resorts and cruises
This type of vacation is typically offered by resorts or cruise lines. The fees charged usually cover all the costs associated with your vacation including food, drink, entertainment, etc. You have to be careful when you purchase one of these vacations because some times items (like drinks) that you think are included are not and you can suddenly find yourself with a huge bill that is due and payable at the end of your trip.
Vacation Clubs
Organizations that charge a membership fees or initiation fees that are often quite high and typically offer are the same deals you could get by shopping the wholesale and last minute vacation market. Occasionally they may have good deals but this is rare!
Timeshares
A time share is a unit that is sold by week. Purchasers of a timeshare do not get title to the property. The best way to think about a time share is that for a fixed price and a maintenance fee you are entitled to use the property for the same period of time every year in perpetuity as long as your maintenance fees are paid and up to date. Many time share companies will also allow you to trade your weeks of vacation for other dates on other properties as well.
Fractional ownership
A vacation rental unit that is owned by more then one person is said to be held in fractional ownership. This usually means there are more then one registered owners of the property. It may also mean that the property is owned by a corporation and that each of the “owners” holds a specific number of shares in the corporation. Any property could be owned in this fashion.
Terms Used To Describe The Facilities
Ensuite Bathrooms
Bathrooms that are accessed from within a bedroom, so that the does not have to go out of their bedroom to gain access to the bathroom.
Infinity Pool
A pool that appears to have a disappearing edge. The effect is often makes it appear as though the pool extends right in to the lake.
Private Island
Is a privately-owned island that usually has only a handful of units available for rent. The island may be rented exclusively or, depending on the location, shared with guests from the other units on the island.
Alfresco Dining Area
An area, usually informal, where guests can dine outdoors like on a patio or dock. This area is often covered.
Terms Used To Describe Available Services
Fully-staffed
The term used to describe a vacation rental that includes at least one individual in each of the basic staff positions – cook, butler, and housekeeping.
Maid Service
Some vacation rentals will offer a housekeeping or daily maid service while others offer clean-ups mid-week or sometimes twice per week. Most vacation rentals are cleaned
Chef vs. Cook
A chef is someone that is professionally trained and whose only job is to prepare meals for guests. Cooks, on the other hand, often double as housekeepers and usually have no formal training.
Butler
Is usually a senior staff member of the house and is often in charge of serving meals and general property management.
mains the same whether the vacation unit will house one person or the maximum number of people that the vacation rental unit will hold.
Terms Used To Describe The Type Of Accommodations
Waterfront Property
A waterfront property will either be sitting right against a body of water or have land that extends down to the water. This property will not have a beach area but may still offer a place suitable for swimming like a dock or raft.
Beachfront Property
A waterfront property will either be sitting right against a body of water or have land that extends down to the water. This property will not have a sandy beach that may be private or shared with other guests.
All inclusive resorts and cruises
This type of vacation is typically offered by resorts or cruise lines. The fees charged usually cover all the costs associated with your vacation including food, drink, entertainment, etc. You have to be careful when you purchase one of these vacations because some times items (like drinks) that you think are included are not and you can suddenly find yourself with a huge bill that is due and payable at the end of your trip.
Vacation Clubs
Organizations that charge a membership fees or initiation fees that are often quite high and typically offer are the same deals you could get by shopping the wholesale and last minute vacation market. Occasionally they may have good deals but this is rare!
Timeshares
A time share is a unit that is sold by week. Purchasers of a timeshare do not get title to the property. The best way to think about a time share is that for a fixed price and a maintenance fee you are entitled to use the property for the same period of time every year in perpetuity as long as your maintenance fees are paid and up to date. Many time share companies will also allow you to trade your weeks of vacation for other dates on other properties as well.
Fractional ownership
A vacation rental unit that is owned by more then one person is said to be held in fractional ownership. This usually means there are more then one registered owners of the property. It may also mean that the property is owned by a corporation and that each of the “owners” holds a specific number of shares in the corporation. Any property could be owned in this fashion.
Terms Used To Describe The Facilities
Ensuite Bathrooms
Bathrooms that are accessed from within a bedroom, so that the does not have to go out of their bedroom to gain access to the bathroom.
Infinity Pool
A pool that appears to have a disappearing edge. The effect is often makes it appear as though the pool extends right in to the lake.
Private Island
Is a privately-owned island that usually has only a handful of units available for rent. The island may be rented exclusively or, depending on the location, shared with guests from the other units on the island.
Alfresco Dining Area
An area, usually informal, where guests can dine outdoors like on a patio or dock. This area is often covered.
Terms Used To Describe Available Services
Fully-staffed
The term used to describe a vacation rental that includes at least one individual in each of the basic staff positions – cook, butler, and housekeeping.
Maid Service
Some vacation rentals will offer a housekeeping or daily maid service while others offer clean-ups mid-week or sometimes twice per week. Most vacation rentals are cleaned
Chef vs. Cook
A chef is someone that is professionally trained and whose only job is to prepare meals for guests. Cooks, on the other hand, often double as housekeepers and usually have no formal training.
Butler
Is usually a senior staff member of the house and is often in charge of serving meals and general property management.
Terms Used In The Reservation Process
Minimum Night Stay
The minimum number of consecutive nights that an owner or manager will allow their rental unit to be booked. These may vary from 2 upwards depending on the destination and time of year. If you’re set on a particular property but can’t stay the entire time, you may always pay for the minimum.
Deposit
The minimum amount of money that an owner or property manager is willing to accept to hold a reservation until the final date for full payment is reached.
Security Deposit
The amount of money held for the duration of the rental as security against damage to the rental unit or to any of the rental unit’s contents. This amount is usually refunded to the tenant within 2 to 3 weeks after the rental period is over assuming there is no damage to the unit.
Cleaning Fee
The amount of money charged to clean the unit after your stay.
On-Site Property Manager
The on-site person that is on-call to answer questions and handle issues that may arise from time to time at the rental unit during your stay. This person is always available to help you during your stay.
Occupancy Rate
A rate that is charged per bedroom that assumes it will be occupied by two guests. Most vacation rentals on this system do not charge per person or per bedroom. They calculate their rental rates based on the total capacity of the unit and do not offer single occupancy discounts – that is, the rate remains the same whether the vacation unit will house one person or the maximum number of people that the vacation rental unit will hold.
Terms Used To Describe The Type Of Accommodations
Waterfront Property
A waterfront property will either be sitting right against a body of water or have land that extends down to the water. This property will not have a beach area but may still offer a place suitable for swimming like a dock or raft.
Beachfront Property
A waterfront property will either be sitting right against a body of water or have land that extends down to the water. This property will not have a sandy beach that may be private or shared with other guests.
All inclusive resorts and cruises
This type of vacation is typically offered by resorts or cruise lines. The fees charged usually cover all the costs associated with your vacation including food, drink, entertainment, etc. You have to be careful when you purchase one of these vacations because some times items (like drinks) that you think are included are not and you can suddenly find yourself with a huge bill that is due and payable at the end of your trip.
Vacation Clubs
Organizations that charge a membership fees or initiation fees that are often quite high and typically offer are the same deals you could get by shopping the wholesale and last minute vacation market. Occasionally they may have good deals but this is rare!
Timeshares
A time share is a unit that is sold by week. Purchasers of a timeshare do not get title to the property. The best way to think about a time share is that for a fixed price and a maintenance fee you are entitled to use the property for the same period of time every year in perpetuity as long as your maintenance fees are paid and up to date. Many time share companies will also allow you to trade your weeks of vacation for other dates on other properties as well.
Fractional ownership
A vacation rental unit that is owned by more then one person is said to be held in fractional ownership. This usually means there are more then one registered owners of the property. It may also mean that the property is owned by a corporation and that each of the “owners” holds a specific number of shares in the corporation. Any property could be owned in this fashion.
Terms Used To Describe The Facilities
Ensuite Bathrooms
Bathrooms that are accessed from within a bedroom, so that the does not have to go out of their bedroom to gain access to the bathroom.
Infinity Pool
A pool that appears to have a disappearing edge. The effect is often makes it appear as though the pool extends right in to the lake.
Private Island
Is a privately-owned island that usually has only a handful of units available for rent. The island may be rented exclusively or, depending on the location, shared with guests from the other units on the island.
Alfresco Dining Area
An area, usually informal, where guests can dine outdoors like on a patio or dock. This area is often covered.
Terms Used To Describe Available Services
Fully-staffed
The term used to describe a vacation rental that includes at least one individual in each of the basic staff positions – cook, butler, and housekeeping.
Maid Service
Some vacation rentals will offer a housekeeping or daily maid service while others offer clean-ups mid-week or sometimes twice per week. Most vacation rentals are cleaned
Chef vs. Cook
A chef is someone that is professionally trained and whose only job is to prepare meals for guests. Cooks, on the other hand, often double as housekeepers and usually have no formal training.
Butler
Is usually a senior staff member of the house and is often in charge of serving meals and general property management.