Beautiful beach houses for spring break—and beyond
Booking your next dream trip just got a whole lot easier thanks to Vrbo’s 2025 Vacation Guide. Check out our top travel tips—plus, four dreamy beach houses for an unforgettable spring break
When it comes to booking travel, January is prime time. And as luck would have it, Vrbo has just released its first-ever Vacation Guide for 2025, packed with savvy data, booking strategies, clever ways to save for that dream trip to give you the inside track on where and when to book.
The report is filled with lots more expert tips to bag that perfect vacation rental this year—here’s some of its standout advice.
How to book your dream trip and save
Book at least two months ahead
That will put you among the first 50% of travelers who are booking—and give you the best selection.
Plan even further ahead for the Fourth of July
That’s the busiest week of the year—book at least three months in advance. Northeastern beaches are most popular, with fewer than 50% of homes still available on Vrbo.
Keep travel dates flexible
Toggle between different weeks or months on the Vrbo app to find more options during less-busy periods.
Explore other beach destinations for more availability
Beach stays book up faster than mountain cabins during peak season; use the app to compare beaches and rental availability within a region.
Get a refund if the pool or hot tub is broken or missing
Vrbo’s “Book with Confidence” guarantee covers popular house amenities if they aren’t functioning as listed.
Book an October stay
This is the sweet spot where rates drop after high season while the weather remains nice.
Score discounts for longer stays
Use the “Monthly discount” and “Weekly discount” filters and save an average of 19% on month-long and 10% on select week-long bookings.
Seek out new listings to save
The first three guests at a select new properties save 20%—find these homes using the “New listing discount” filter.
First chance to use your new know-how? Spring break. Whether you’re looking to head to snowy slopes or sunny beaches, you’ll need to move fast, because by February nearly 80% of vacation rentals in high-demand areas will be booked up on Vrbo. These include the Florida suntraps of Clearwater Beach, St. Petersburg and Sarasota.
“To snag the perfect vacation home in popular spots this year, flexibility and early booking are your best friends,” says Melanie Fish, Vrbo’s travel expert. Demand peaks for spring break during the weeks of March 9 and March 23, so consider traveling in late February or early April, if you can, or broadening your search to Fort Walton Beach, Gulf Shores and Myrtle Beach for more availability.
Inspired to beat the crowds and snag the perfect property for you and your people? Check out some of Vrbo’s best beach houses for spring break and beyond.
Blissful beach houses for the ultimate break
Castaway chic in Saint Martin
Saint Martin
Sleeps 6
Days at Villa Cala Mar drift like the tides of Cul-de-Sac Bay, ebbing and flowing between lazing on the property’s private beach and striking out on adventures. For explorers, the villa’s three kayaks are on hand: Paddle out to the sandbank to snorkel, spotting turtles and rays, then continue a little further to Pinel Island for lunch at Karibuni, where much of the menu comes straight from the water. Or inland, you can hike the hillside of Pic Paradis and zip-line through the tree canopy at Loterie Farm. Thrills and chills in equal measure.
B O O K N O W
Family fun in Miramar Beach
Miramar Beach, FL
Sleeps 30
Laid-back Miramar Beach is a dreamy destination for a group getaway, and this knockout Gulf-front house—with its six king suites and three bunk rooms—is made for big family gatherings. The beach is just steps away across a private boardwalk, where snorkeling and paddle boarding fun awaits. Hop on one of the complimentary bikes to cruise along Scenic Gulf Drive, or simply sunbathe by the pool before whipping up a feast in the outdoor kitchen. This is the kind of vacation that can quickly become an annual tradition.
B O O K N O W
A natural paradise near Tulum
Tulum, Mexico
Sleeps 12
Head south from Tulum and the land narrows to a ribbon of jungle and beach between the Caribbean and the Campechen lagoon. Here, surrounded by nature, is Casa Bautista. A brutalist architectural beauty, the house is cast from blue concrete that will react with the sunlight over time to turn patches sunset pink. Powered by solar panels and its own windmill, Casa Bautista also supports the Pueblo del Sol Indigenous project in Oaxaca, and you’ll find coffee and honey in the kitchen made by communities the project works with.
B O O K N O W
Nautical nostalgia on Amelia Island
Amelia Island, FL
Sleeps 6
Separated from Florida’s northeastern shore by the Amelia River, 13-mile-long Amelia Island is known as much for its history as for its quartz-sand beaches, and it retains an old-world charm. Three-bedroom cottage Katie’s Light was built behind the dunes at Fernandina Beach by wooden-boat builders, and named after famous lighthouse keeper Katie Walker. Maritime history shines through the decor, too, with wood paneling, salvaged nautical lights, and even a brass porthole in the bathroom. A beautiful beachside berth.
B O O K N O W
Travel plans made easy with Vrbo Trip Planner
The smartest way to plan, organize and book your trips all in one place
Fiona Kerr
Writer
Fiona Kerr is a food-loving travel journalist and former features director at Condé Nast Traveller. Her writing has appeared in The Guardian, The Telegraph, Elle Decoration and The New York Times. When she gets to a new country, her first stop is usually the local supermarket.
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