Short-term rental apartments may be found in convenient residential areas of most major cities and vacation spots around the world. The main reason for a tourist to rent an apartment for a short-term visit instead of a hotel room is the value -- it is usually significantly cheaper. However, there are many other very good reasons.

First, for less than the cost of a single hotel room in a three-star hotel, one can enjoy the greater living space of an apartment (an important advantage for large families that would otherwise need to reserve two or three hotel rooms, or share an expensive hotel suite). Along with space comes the greater privacy parents may wish for, plus the comforts of a home-away-from-home.

Particularly for families with small children, but also for anyone wishing to avoid the expense of hotel dining, a short-term apartment rental offers the option of self-cooking. This can be a great convenience for travelers who observe Kashrut, as well as for those on restricted diets. A rental also affords the opportunity of entertaining in a relaxed atmosphere and, perhaps most of all, to experience a city differently than as a tourist -- almost like a native.

Many short-term rentals include amenities that are usually found only in the finest hotels, such as cable TV, VCR, stereo, PC hook-ups, fax, answering machine, hair dryer, iron/ironing board, etc. Most apartments have a fully equipped kitchen, washer/dryer (a valuable yet inexpensive convenience for the traveler), and will provide a crib, high chair, or a babysitter upon request. Some even have maid service.

Short-term apartments can be rented for as briefly as a single night, and most of their owners will arrange arrival and departure on the dates and time of their guests' choice.

It is recommended reserving an apartment as early as you decide on your destination, and to provide the following information:

 * The desired destination and location;
 * The exact dates;
 * The purpose of the trip (helpful in finding the most suitable apartment);
 * Special needs (elevator, parking, business services, washer-dryer, maid service, etc.);
 * Number of occupants;
 * Type of beds needed (twins, doubles, folding beds, crib, etc.);
 
 It is also important to obtain the following information before you rent:
 
 * Reservation and payment procedure;
 * Terms and conditions in case of cancellation;
 * Services included in the rental rate (is there an extra charge for maid service, linens, towels, electricity, etc.);
 * Any additional costs (security deposit, telephone charge deposit, etc.);
 * Check-in and checkout times.

Have a great trip!

The writer is the owner and operator of short-term rental units in Jerusalem, Israel.
 
To receive information on short-term rentals in Jerusalem, contact:
 
Fax: 972-2-5870763; Tel: 972-2-5870764; E-mail: gass@inter.net.il

Web site: http://www.jewishworldcenter.com/holidayapartments