It's been said before; a house isn't a hotel. But what does that actually mean? In this article, we'll take you through the true meaning of that expression so you can see that houses truly are a better choice for your Outer Banks vacation.
1. Homes Are Made For Living 
The biggest difference between a house and a hotel is that hotels are made for sleeping, not living. So while it's true a hotel will give you a cozy place to sleep, there's no room for family game night, no place to set out a puzzle. No way to watch a movie on a large screen while the family's gathered around, no way to cook a family feast. And of course in a hotel, all the amenities, such as the pool and the hot tub, are full of strangers.
However, none of that is true with a house. Many vacation homes feature private pools, hot tubs and sun and shade decks galore. The only people you have to share with are your loved ones. And there is plenty of room for family meals, movies, puzzles, games relaxation and so much more. Houses aren't just made for sleeping, but rather for relaxing and living.
2. Location
Hotels are the Outer Banks are limited in both type and location. If you were staying in a hotel, you'd be confined to a small, commercial part of the Outer Banks, rather than being able to discover the quaint towns and villages that make the OBX so special. Homes are located all over the Outer Banks, from South Nags Head to Corolla. Therefore, all you have to do is find your favorite town, and choose a house there to experience the true personality or "vibe" of the area.
3. Homes Take Pets
True, there are some hotels that take pets, but they are few and far between. Fortunately, Atlantic Realty has many homes that will take your entire family, including the 4 legged kind. They'll love soaking up the sun on the decks and taking in the sights. And, with plenty of room to play inside and out, it's sure to be a good time!
4. You Have Your Own Kitchen 
The biggest difference between a hotel and a house is the kitchen. All homes have one, but few hotels do. Kitchens are great for breakfast, snacks, and family dinners. They are also the best for heating up last night's leftovers from your favorite restaurant.
When you have a kitchen available, you'll not only save time but also money with so many meal options.
5. Homes Are Less Expensive
At first glance, it looks like homes are more expensive than hotels. But when you actually crunch the numbers, youâ??ll discover nothing could be further from the truth. Yes, the average home costs about $3,000 for a week, but letâ??s look at that number closer.
Obviously, youâ??re getting more square feet with a house than a hotel. Youâ??re even getting a full kitchen in every home. Many homes also have access to washer/dryers. Any of these things can save you a substantial amount of money. And we havenâ??t even talked about the per person rate yet.
A hotel expects double occupancy and charges you accordingly. If you bring three of more people in the same room, not only will you be crowded, but you will usually have to pay an extra fee for every extra person. Thatâ??s not how it works with a house. Houses are set up to sleep a certain number of people; anywhere from 6-80. So when you divide the number of people in your family by the final price, it actually comes out less expensive per person per night than a hotel. Once you add in the other amenities, you can see how you come out ahead with a vacation home over a hotel every time.
6. More Privacy
We touched on this briefly in the last point, but now itâ??s time to investigate it deeper. Hotels are basically bedrooms possibly with a small sitting area. However, houses are so much more. A â??houseâ?? can be anything from a 2 bedroom condo to a 28 room mansion. They have kitchens, living rooms, dining areas and decks. Some even have "extras" like additional dens, game rooms, screened in porches, and a lot more. This guarantees your family will have plenty of room to spread out and be themselves. After all, togetherness is great, but having your own space to relax is even better and makes for a more peaceful vacation.
There are many more reasons a house is not a hotel, and these are just a few. But thereâ??s no doubt about it, a house provides a better bang for your buck than any hotel ever could. Do you know what else isn't like a hotel? How fast homes fill up. Unlike a large hotel chain, each home is unique, and once itâ??s booked for your week, another one won't just â??pop upâ??. Thatâ??s why itâ??s best to book your home early to guarantee availability and the best vacation ever.
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