SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul 29, 2026--
Today, Vrbo released the Built to Stay Report: The Keys to Winning Travel Trust in Vacation Rentals. The global study examines what gives vacation rental travelers the confidence to book, offering a practical host playbook on the quality standards and trust signals that ultimately seal the stay.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260729268382/en/
Powered by The Harris Poll, the study surveyed more than 1,700 travelers across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, UK, France, Germany, and Australia who have stayed in a vacation rental within the last year.
As traveler expectations continue to rise, research shows quality is not synonymous with luxury. Instead, findings suggest travelers place greater value on the consistent delivery of the fundamentals. In an increasingly competitive market, mastering the basics can be more important to travelers than offering additional amenities or elaborate in-home experiences.
“We’re intentional about shaping how our platform delivers on quality and trust, but it’s ultimately travelers who define what matters most,” says Tim Rosolio, Vice President of Vacation Rental Partnerships at Expedia Group. “With more supply on the market than ever before, differentiation is critical. This research gives partners specific actions on how to deliver quality, drive confidence, and build a better stay.”
Quality commands a premium
Eighty-six percent noted they would pay more for a vacation rental with a higher-quality listing, with that figure climbing to 92% among Gen Z.
Respondents made it overwhelmingly clear that quality is not synonymous with luxury. The strongest quality signals for the property itself are exceptional cleanliness (78%), reliable core amenities including appliances, WiFi, and air-conditioning (78%), and comfortable beds and quality linens (77%), while a host who responds quickly when something goes wrong (79%) and clear, detailed check-in instructions (75%) top the operational list.
Responsiveness specifically carries high expectations, with 56% of those surveyed expecting hosts to respond in an hour or less if something goes wrong during their stay. The report also explicitly examined cleanliness with clear markers led by fresh sheets and towels (74%), no unpleasant odors (67%), and spotless bathroom surfaces (66%).
Trust is the new currency
Quality may catch a traveler’s eye, but proof and third-party validation give them confidence to book. Eighty-one percent of respondents noted they would pay more for a vacation rental with stronger trust signals, rising to 88% among Gen Z.
Reviews sat in the center of the trust equation. Two in three travelers say verified reviews (68%) and overall review score (66%) are very or extremely important. And star ratings aren’t the only signal that ranks supreme with recency of reviews (64%) and detailed written reviews (62%) being very or extremely important.
Pricing can make or break the booking
When travelers narrow their shortlist, the decision gets practical. Price becomes a major factor. The biggest deal breakers are a total price not shown clearly upfront (66%), high or unclear cleaning fees (59%), additional fees for using amenities (49%), and a lack of clear photos of important rooms (48%).
Promotions can also tip the decision the other way. 91% of those surveyed noted they are influenced by promotions or available discounts when booking a vacation rental. These help travelers choose between similar properties (45%), can prompt guests to upgrade to a more expensive property (39%) or extend their stay (38%).
The full Built to StayReport, including guidance on how partners can put the findings into practice on Vrbo, is available here.
Methodology
The research was conducted online by The Harris Poll on behalf of Expedia Group among 1,758 adults in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, UK, France, Germany, and Australia who stayed in a vacation rental in the past 12 months. The survey was fielded April 22-24, 2026.
About Vrbo
Since 1995, Vrbo® has been the go-to place for families and groups to find the perfect vacation rental for their next getaway — whether it's a beach house, cozy cabin, city condo, or spacious villa with room for everyone.
Vrbo has grown into a trusted global vacation rental marketplace, connecting guests with dedicated hosts around the world. Offering high-quality stays and 24/7 live support, Vrbo helps guests spend less time worrying about trip planning and more time making lasting memories together.
Vrbo is part of Expedia Group and offers hosts exposure to nearly 1 billion average monthly searches on Expedia Group sites.
Follow Vrbo on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, and X.
Quality Pays: New Vrbo Research Finds Travelers Will Spend More on Vacation Rentals They Trust
GULF BREEZE, Fla. (AP) — Homeowners gassed up generators, filled bathtubs with water and bought last-minute supplies along the U.S. Gulf Coast on Friday while Hurricane Isaias gained strength as it charged toward the beaches of Alabama and the Florida Panhandle.
The Category 3 storm has grown into a major hurricane — the first of an unusually quiet Atlantic season — and is expected to make landfall Friday night.
Forecasters warned of a significant storm surge, damaging winds, flooding and possibly even tornadoes before the storm loses steam as it moves inland and delivers strong winds and rain well north into Atlanta.
Isaias is expected to come ashore between Mobile Bay on the Alabama coast and the city of Destin in the Florida Panhandle — a low-lying coastal stretch known for powdery white sand beaches dotted with vacation homes, waterfront bars and seafood shacks.
Residents in Panama City, Florida, braved the rain while filling sandbags Friday to protect their houses.
“I mean, it’s just the nature of the beast. It’s Florida," said Corliss Stone, who works for the fire department.
One of the biggest concerns is a storm surge that could be as high as 6 to 9 feet (1.8 to 2.7 meters), according to the National Hurricane Center. Places most at risk include Florida’s Pensacola Beach and the Gulf Islands National Seashore.
Anne Petzold, who lives with her husband in the Florida beach community of Gulf Breeze, said everyone in their neighborhood planned to ride out the storm. The couple installed hurricane shutters, picked up anything in their yard that could turn into a projectile and have two generators ready if they lose power.
“Everybody does what they can do, everybody asks if they need help — they ask for help, they offer help. All good,” she said. “It’s just another adventure.”
Neighbor Jay Brazzell said he went through a checklist of things to do, including stocking up on ice and gasoline. He decided to stay put because Isaias isn't as powerful as other hurricanes he's experienced.
“I mean I’m not boarding up,” said Brazzell, 69. “I’ve been through, this being, the ninth hurricane.”
Dangerous conditions are expected throughout the western panhandle, southern Alabama and southern Mississippi, the National Hurricane Center said. Rain began falling along the coast Friday morning, and tropical storm conditions were picking up in the early afternoon.
In a sign of how serious the warnings are, dozens of Waffle Houses in the Florida Panhandle were closed, according to the company's website. The beloved Southern breakfast chain is known for staying open through severe weather and often is a measuring stick of a storm’s severity.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis warned residents to expect flooding, wind damage, power outages and gasoline shortages.
“When the water’s rising and things are happening, it’s a very, very difficult conundrum and you do not want to be caught in that,” he said.
As of early afternoon, the storm was centered about 125 miles (235 kilometers) south of Pensacola and moving to the north-northeast, the center said. It was packing 120 mph (193 kph) sustained winds Friday morning and picking up speed. Category 3 storms are considered major hurricanes and are capable of causing devastation.
Once Isaias comes ashore, it is expected to weaken until it is downgraded to a tropical storm by Saturday afternoon, the hurricane center said.
Still, heavy rain is forecast as it moves inland, with 4 to 8 inches (10 to 20 centimeters) or even more expected through the weekend from southern Alabama to southwestern Georgia.
Isaias, which will be the first hurricane to hit the eastern U.S. since Milton tore up the Gulf Coast of Florida in 2024, also is expected to bring heavy rain and potential flooding to much of the Southeast over the weekend, and then to parts of the Midwest and Northeast into Monday.
A hurricane warning was in place from Ocean Springs, Mississippi, to the western Florida Panhandle.
Counties in Florida and Alabama announced mandatory evacuations for some coastal areas while Mobile, Alabama, imposed a curfew that would begin Friday evening and last until morning.
On Dauphin Island, a barrier island off the Alabama coast, Mayor Jeff Collier said he didn't expect major damage, “but at the same time, these things are very fickle and a little jog here or there, or some last-minute increase in strength — we just have to be prepared for the worst.”
Meanwhile in the Pacific, Hurricane Simon became a Category 2 hurricane on Friday and was expected to strengthen further before making landfall in Mexico this weekend.
Tropical Storm Rachel was expected to bring heavy winds and rain to northern Mexico and Southern California this weekend.
Megnien reported from Panama City, Florida, and Seewer reported from Toledo, Ohio. These Associated Press journalists also contributed: Gerald Herbert in Pensacola, Florida; Dave Collins in Hartford, Connecticut; Sarah Raza in Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Kim Chandler in Montgomery, Alabama; Laura Turbay in Little Rock, Arkansas; and Hallie Golden in Seattle.
This GOES-19 GeoColor satellite image provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and taken at 1:06 p.m. EDT, Friday, Oct. 9 2026, shows Hurricane Isaias approaching the Gulf Coast of Alabama and Florida . (NOAA via AP)
People sit outside an evacuation shelter as Hurricane Isaias approaches Pensacola, Fla., Friday, Oct. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Jim McKenzie looks out over an empty beach as the effects of Isaias keep beachgoers away on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, on Mon Louis Island, Ala.(AP Photo/Octavio Jones)
An American flag flaps in the wind generated by the effects of Isaias on an empty beach on Friday, Oct. 9, loom overhead on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, in Mon Louis Island, Ala. (AP Photo/Octavio Jones)
Shahar David, employee at Cafe Bistro, feeds his family before closing as Hurricane Isaias approaches Pensacola Beach, Fla., Friday, Oct. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Jason Coffey boards up a convenience store at a gas station as Hurricane Isaias approaches Pensacola Beach, Fla., Friday, Oct. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Residents pick up sandbags for storm preparation at the James Seals Jr. Parks & Recreation Center ahead of Hurricane Isaias' expected landfall along the Gulf Coast, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Octavio Jones)
Marine flags flap in the wind generated by the effects of Isaias as a vehicle passes on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, in Dauphin Island, Ala. (AP Photo/Octavio Jones)
Surfers swim out to waves as Hurricane Isaias approaches Pensacola Beach, Fla., Friday, Oct. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Silas Bowles, of Gulf Breeze, Fla. films the surf as Hurricane Isaias approaches Pensacola Beach, Fla., Friday, Oct. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Mike Howard, foreground, and Joshua Brown board up Perdido Key Sports Bar as Hurricane Isaias approaches Perdido Key, Fla., Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
People walk on the beach at sunset as Hurricane Isaias approaches Pensacola Beach, Fla., Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Daniel and Brand Harp, of Lebanon Tenn., here on vacation, pack their belongings to evacuate in the morning as Hurricane Isaias approaches Pensacola Beach, Fla., Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
This satellite image from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows Hurricane Isaias in the Gulf of Mexico, Friday, Oct. 9, 2026. (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration via AP)
Larry Smith boards up his home with plywood ahead of Hurricane Isaias' expected landfall along the Gulf Coast in Dauphin Island, Alabama, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Octavio Jones)
