News

VRIA Announces Vacation Rental Angels Program

(News Item #0193, 12/25/09) VRIA.org — On Christmas Day, the Vacation Rental Industry Association (VRIA) announced the creation of a program to recognize its members who regularly donate vacation home use to charitable causes. "The num... read more ›

Home Rentals at Olympics Make Charity A Winner

(News Item #0196, 12/22/09) Seattle Times Newspaper — Imagine sitting in a luxury, three-bedroom home in Whistler, B.C., looking out of your living room as the world's top ski racers zoom across the finish line in the men's downhill or giant slalom at t... read more ›

Washington State's Most Remote Luxury Retreat

(News Item #0190, 12/15/09) Sunspots.info — Can I invite you to the most remote and luxurious mountain lodges in Washingto State? It is called the Chief Joseph Lodge and sits smack dab in the middle of the state and five miles up from the su... read more ›

Eight Rungs of the Giving Ladder

(News Item #0188, 11/26/09) VRIA.org — In the spirit of the season some thoughts ring truer than others. During the Middle Ages, a Jewish Rabbi, physician and philosopher penned his observations about philanthropy. Maimonides (1135 -12... read more ›

Student's killing puts spotlight on illegal 'vacation rentals'

(News Item #0185, 11/15/09) SunTimes.com — That's how long the $1.2 million house at 1752 N. Rockwell was on the market before it became a weekend rental, a party house and a crime scene. Maybe you've heard the story. College-age kids ren... read more ›

Travellers could be sued for hotel rants

(News Item #0181, 10/12/09) News.Com.au — - Lawyers warn against online rants - Cases can be "extremely expensive" TRAVELLERS who post scathing reviews or comments about hotels or restaurants could be exposing themselves to long and co... read more ›

Friendliest Pet Video Contest Announced by FriendlyPetVacationRentals.com

(News Item #0171, 08/27/09) FriendlyPetVacationRentals.com — Is your pet wacky, weird or just plain wonderful? And do you have a video that will make people laugh and smile? If so you can win. FriendlyPetVacationRentals.com displays pet friendly vacation re... read more ›

Are travel agents making a comeback?

(News Item #0169, 08/12/09) CNN.com — Online travel sites flooded with overwhelming options, all claiming the best deals. Extra fees nestled into the fine print amid blaring advertisements. Pounding 16 digits into the telephone after you... read more ›

AirBnb.com a competitor says Sunspots President

(News Item #0162, 07/26/09) WashingtonPost.com — NOTE: William May, President of Sunspot Inns, Resorts & Vacation Rentals is quoted in the Washington Post about a new Vacation Rental Website - AirBnb.com. Laura's place in New York's Little Italy... read more ›

Bed Bugs: After 60 Years, They're Baaaack!

(News Item #0175, 07/15/09) FullyBookedRentals.com — We've never understood the wild popularity of those vampire books by Anne Rice (Interview with the Vampire, et al.), Stephanie Meyer (the Twilight series), and others. But it must have something to d... read more ›

National Geographic Don't Let the Bed Bugs Bite Video

(News Item #0176, 07/15/09) NationalGeographic.com — ... read more ›

Sunspots President Says Book Last Minute, but You Won't Be Beached

(News Item #0163, 07/10/09) WashingtonPost.com — According to William May, President of Sunspot Inns, Resorts & Vacation Rentals (www.SunspotResorts.com) booking last minute won't leave you beached. "All of those folks who would have called mont... read more ›

Sunspot Resorts Offers CSA Vacation Rental Travel Insurance

(News Item #0152, 06/25/09) SunspotResorts.com — You’ve saved. You’ve planned. You’ve looked forward to your vacation for months. But sometimes things don’t go according to plan. What if you or a loved one gets sick before you leave for your trip? ... read more ›

Ocean Shores added to the Sunspot Resorts Map

(News Item #0150, 05/25/09) SunspotResorts.com — It is sunny at the beach today. Maybe because Dawn Galaena and her Ocean Shores Reservations service has become a member of the Sunspot Resorts Vacation Rental Network. Ocean Shores Reservations h... read more ›

Seattle Corporate Housing & Vacation Rental Alliance Announced

(News Item #0149, 05/01/09) SunspotResorts.com — Pacific Guest Suites, a boutique corporate housing provider headquartered in Seattle Washington has announced a strategic alliance with Sunspot Resorts a vacation rental operator from Seattle. Pac... read more ›

Wenatchee Threatens to Outlaw Vacation Rentals

(News Item #0151, 05/01/09) Wenatchee World Newspaper — Vacation rentals aren’t welcome in residential neighborhoods, according to the Wenatchee Planning Commission, which is recommending that the City Council pass an ordinance banning new ones. Rick S... read more ›

Sunspots President Speaks to LuxuryRealEstate.com Conference

(News Item #0148, 04/28/09) LuxuryRealEstate.com — LuxuryRealEstate.com an exclusive association of the world's top 1,000 luxury residential real estate agents held its annual spring conference in Las Vegas, Nevada this week and heard from an expert ... read more ›

First Vacation Rental Multiple Listing Service (MLS) Announced.

(News Item #0145, 03/29/09) VRMLS.org — The newest approach to Vacation Rentals on the Internet is being unveiled at the April 6th meeting of the Washington State - Vacation Rental Managers Meeting. Plumbob Publishing has created the fi... read more ›

You're Not Alone: VR Bookings down 25-30% since October

(News Item #0138, 11/26/08) Escapia.com — Many vacation rental managers we speak with have indicated that their business has dropped significantly since the economic crisis began in October. We recently analyzed booking data and confirmed wh... read more ›

Making the most of hotel alternatives

(News Item #0133, 09/25/08) CNN.com — There's probably no better way of pinching your vacation pennies than sleeping on a friend's sofa or camping out. But you don't have to rough it to afford your next getaway. More travelers are bun... read more ›

One of a Kind Volunteer Park Villa For Sale

(News Item #0130, 09/24/08) SunspotResorts.com — Every 20 years or so a unique Seattle home comes up for sale. And this one is on prestigious Capital Hill right near Volunteer Park home of the Seattle Asian Museum. The "Seattle Villa is a large ... read more ›

New apocalyptic sign: family "staycations"

(News Item #0125, 08/07/08) Seattle Times Newspaper — Maybe you've noticed the guy in the cubicle next to you looking a little down. He came back to work on Monday with dark circles under his eyes. Had that shellshocked look about him, the one you see... read more ›

Rent a Vacation Home and Save

(News Item #0115, 05/25/08) NA — High fuel costs and a shaky economy aren't causing all travelers to cancel their summer vacations, but they are prompting people to look for ways to stretch their dollars. One way of getting more ... read more ›

Skip the Hotel, Rent a House

(News Item #0113, 05/23/08) NA — Vacation season is just around the corner, which means not only figuring where to go but where to stay. One lodging option that is becoming increasingly popular with travelers is vacation rentals. Yo... read more ›

The Truth About the BBB

(News Item #0142, 05/23/08) Unknown — After having some bad experiences myself, including being denied the opportunity to respond to a completely frivolous and malicious complaint recently, I came across this blog post describing one bus... read more ›