Vrbo Review 2025: Vacation Rentals, Fees, Pros, Cons & Best Tips for Booking

December 2, 2025 Buyers Guide

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Vrbo has become one of the most recognizable names in the vacation rental world. Owned by Expedia Group, it connects travelers with vacation homes, cabins, condos, beachfront apartments, and unique stays around the globe.

But in 2025, with so many alternatives like Airbnb, Booking.com, and traditional hotels, is Vrbo still a smart choice? In this in-depth review, we’ll cover how Vrbo works, who it’s best for, its pricing and fees, major strengths, important drawbacks, and practical tips to help you book better stays.

What Is Vrbo?

Vrbo (originally “Vacation Rentals by Owner”) is a vacation rental marketplace where:

Property owners and managers list their homes
Travelers book entire properties (not shared rooms)
All stays are private rentals – ideal for families and groups

Through Vrbo, you can book:

Beach houses and lake houses
Cabins and mountain homes
City apartments and condos
Villas and luxury getaway homes
Family-oriented vacation properties

Vrbo is part of the Expedia Group ecosystem, which also includes brands like Expedia, Hotels.com, and others. That backing gives it a large global footprint and established infrastructure for payments, support, and trust.

Who Is Vrbo Best For?

Vrbo is not for every type of traveler, and that’s actually a good thing. It is especially well suited for:

Families who want multiple bedrooms, kitchens, and living spaces
Groups of friends planning trips together and sharing a house
Longer stays, such as week-long or multi-week vacations
Travelers who prefer a “home” feeling over hotel-style stays
People who value privacy, since Vrbo focuses on entire properties, not shared rooms

Vrbo is less ideal if:

You’re a solo traveler just needing a cheap room
You prefer full hotel services like daily cleaning, room service, and 24/7 staff
You dislike responsibility for a whole property (cleanliness, basic care, etc.)

If you frequently travel with family or in a group, Vrbo can be one of the most comfortable and cost-effective ways to stay.

How Vrbo Works

Using Vrbo is straightforward once you understand the basics.

1. Search

You start by entering:

Destination (city, region, or specific area)
Check-in and check-out dates
Number of guests (and sometimes number of children/pets)

You’ll then see a list of available properties plus a map view.

2. Filters & Sorting

Vrbo’s filters are crucial to narrowing down a good stay. You can filter by:

Price range
Number of bedrooms and bathrooms
Property type (house, condo, cabin, villa, etc.)
Amenities (Wi-Fi, pool, hot tub, kitchen, washer, air conditioning…)
Pet-friendly properties
Guest rating

Sorting options usually include:

Price (low to high)
Guest rating
Featured or “best match”

3. Property Details

Each listing includes:

A photo gallery
Property description and unique features
Detailed list of amenities
Bed and room layout
House rules (pets, smoking, parties, check-in times, etc.)
Guest reviews and ratings
Location area (exact address often provided after booking)
Pricing breakdown and estimated total cost

It’s important to read the description and rules carefully, especially for:

Quiet hours
Extra guest fees
Cleaning expectations
Parking rules

4. Pricing & Fees

Vrbo shows a nightly rate, but the final price includes:

Nightly rate × number of nights
Cleaning fee (set by host)
Service fee (charged by Vrbo)
Taxes and sometimes local charges

Before confirming, you’ll see a full price breakdown. Always review this step carefully.

5. Booking & Payment

Once you select a property and rate:

You may be able to book instantly, or
Send a booking request that the host must accept

Payment methods vary by region but typically include major credit cards and secure online payment systems. Some reservations require full payment upfront; others allow partial payment and a remaining balance later.

6. Communication With the Host

After booking, you can message the host through Vrbo to:

Confirm arrival details
Ask about parking, access codes, or special needs
Clarify house rules

Good communication before arrival usually leads to a smoother stay.

Vrbo’s Pricing, Fees & Value

Vrbo can be very cost-effective—especially for groups—but understanding fees is key.

Common Fees You’ll See:

Nightly rate: Base price per night
Cleaning fee: A one-time fee charged by the host to prepare the property
Service fee: A fee paid to Vrbo for using the platform
Taxes: Local/state/city taxes as required by law
Extra guest fees: Sometimes added when you exceed a certain number of guests

When Vrbo Is a Good Value

Vrbo often offers strong value when:

You are sharing a property between several people
You compare total cost per person vs multiple hotel rooms
You cook some meals at home (kitchen savings)
You stay longer (weekly rates can be more attractive)

From a value perspective, Vrbo is usually best for:

Families needing more space than one hotel room
Groups who want shared common areas (living rooms, patio, pool)
Travelers planning multi-night stays in one destination

Strengths of Vrbo

Here are the main advantages of using Vrbo in 2025:

1. Space and Comfort

Most Vrbo rentals offer:

Multiple bedrooms
Full kitchens
Living rooms and outdoor areas

This is a significant upgrade in comfort over many standard hotel rooms, especially for longer stays.

2. Family- and Group-Friendly

Vrbo is highly attractive for:

Families with children
Multi-generational trips
Groups of friends sharing a house

It’s easy to find properties with:

Extra beds
Cribs or child-friendly features
Large dining areas
Backyards, pools, or game rooms

3. Wide Variety of Property Types

You’ll find:

Beachfront houses
Mountain cabins
Urban condos
Lake homes
Unique stays in scenic locations

This variety makes it easy to tailor the experience to the type of trip you want.

4. Strong Position Within a Trusted Travel Group

Being part of Expedia Group adds:

Brand recognition
Established support channels
A more mature platform vs many small competitors

5. Filters and Reviews

Vrbo’s filters and guest reviews make it easier to avoid surprises—if you use them carefully.

Drawbacks & Things to Watch Out For

Vrbo has important limitations that travelers should understand:

1. Extra Fees Can Add Up

The base nightly price may look attractive, but:

Cleaning fees can be high on short stays
Service fees add a noticeable percentage
Local taxes may not be obvious at first glance

That’s why always checking the final total before booking is essential.

2. Quality Varies By Host

Vrbo is a marketplace. That means:

Each property is different
Each host manages cleanliness and maintenance in their own way

High-rated properties with lots of recent reviews tend to be more reliable.

3. Stricter Cancellation Policies

Many Vrbo listings have:

Stricter cancellation policies than typical hotels
Partial refunds or no refunds after certain dates

You must read the cancellation terms clearly before booking, especially for high-value trips or peak dates.

4. Less “Hotel-Like” Service

In most Vrbo rentals, you:

Won’t have daily cleaning
Won’t have 24/7 front desk staff
May need to handle small household issues on your own

If you expect full hotel-style service, Vrbo may not fully match your expectations.

Is Vrbo Safe and Legit?

Yes. Vrbo is a legitimate platform with millions of users and years of operation under Expedia Group.

To use it safely:

Always book and pay through the platform, not via direct bank transfers to hosts
Read reviews—especially the most recent ones
Pay attention to cancellation policies and house rules
Keep all communication inside Vrbo’s messaging system

Most stays go smoothly when travelers:

Choose highly rated properties
Communicate clearly with hosts
Understand the nature of a home rental versus a hotel

Vrbo vs Hotels.com and Other Expedia Group Brands

Since Vrbo is part of Expedia Group, many travelers wonder when to use Vrbo vs a hotel-focused platform like Hotels.com or Expedia.

Vrbo is usually better when:

You want a whole home, not a single room
You’re traveling with family or a group
You plan to stay multiple nights in one destination

Hotels.com or Expedia may be better when:

You’re on a quick business trip
You prefer hotel services or loyalty points with a specific chain
You need maximum flexibility with same-day bookings

In many travel strategies, the smartest approach is to use both:

Vrbo for home-style stays
Hotels.com/Expedia for hotel-style stays

Tips to Get the Best Experience With Vrbo

To make Vrbo work in your favor, consider these practical tips:

1. Filter by Rating and Recent Reviews

Prefer properties with many reviews and scores above 4.5/5
Read reviews from the last 6–12 months for up-to-date impressions

2. Check the Location Carefully

Use the map view to see proximity to beaches, downtown, attractions, or public transport
Confirm parking options if you’re driving

3. Compare Total Price, Not Just Nightly Rate

Look at cleaning fees, service fees, and taxes
For short stays, high cleaning fees can make hotels more economical

4. Read House Rules

Check check-in/check-out times
Understand noise, visitor, and pet policies
Confirm whether there are any security deposits or extra charges

5. Communicate With the Host Before Booking (If Needed)

If something is unclear (Wi-Fi speed, workspace, accessibility, etc.), ask before you confirm.

6. Book Early for Peak Seasons

In popular beach, ski, or holiday destinations, the best Vrbo homes book out early, especially for:

School vacations
Christmas/New Year
Long weekends

Final Verdict: Is Vrbo Worth Using in 2025?

For many travelers—especially families and groups—Vrbo is absolutely worth using in 2025.

It stands out for:

Spacious, home-style accommodations
Strong options in vacation destinations
Solid support as part of Expedia Group
A wide variety of property types and price levels

However, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. Vrbo works best when you:

Understand and accept the nature of vacation rentals
Carefully read fees, cancellation policies, and house rules
Choose well-reviewed properties managed by responsive hosts

If your travel style includes renting entire homes, cooking some meals, and enjoying shared spaces with friends or family, Vrbo is a powerful platform to keep in your travel toolkit—especially when combined with other Expedia Group brands for a flexible and complete travel strategy.