| Going to the Olympics and seeing the world's best | | | | Another great way to check out public transit |
| athletes compete for the glory of their country is a | | | | options is |
| truly fantastic experience. The Olympic Games | | | | Most of the private 2010 rentals have minimum stay |
| encompass the very best of our human nature. The | | | | requirements and because same accommodation can |
| 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver Canada promise to | | | | be rented out to several different groups (for |
| be an epic spectacle. Vancouver is a great host city | | | | different dates obviously), it is very important to |
| with all the facilities and amenities for athletes and | | | | know precisely your arrival and departure dates. |
| spectators alike, except for one thing: places to stay. | | | | There are two ways to find 2010 accommodations: |
| Eighty percent of Vancouver hotels are already | | | | renting straight from an owner or through a licensed |
| booked by the Vancouver Organizing Committee and | | | | accommodation rental agency. It is highly |
| hotels are reserving the remainder for preferred | | | | recommended that you work through a licensed |
| clients and tour operators. Since the city is expecting | | | | rental agency because of the high cost of rooms |
| over 350,000 people to arrive for the games, there | | | | during the 2010 Olympic rentals period and the |
| will be lots of folks looking for a place to stay and | | | | possibility of scams. |
| lots of competition for each availability. | | | | The average rate for a room is currently $500 per |
| The city is allowing private residences to be rented | | | | night in Downtown Vancouver so it is well worth |
| out entirely or for individual rooms to be rented to | | | | working through a rental agency even if it costs a |
| make up for the lack of hotel space. This is your | | | | little more. That great deal from a private owner |
| best option if you have not yet reserved a room. | | | | may turn out to be not so great if you show up and |
| To find Olympic lodging that fit your needs, you will | | | | find that the same room has been rented to several |
| need to confirm how many people will be in your | | | | people, or the accommodation look nothing like what |
| party, type of accommodation you would like to stay | | | | you've seen on the photos or in the description. With |
| at and number of bedrooms you will need. Economies | | | | a licensed rental agency you can be confident that |
| of scale play a big role here, for example, for a big | | | | when you arrive, your 2010 Olympic rental will be just |
| group of say 10 people, it might make sense to rent | | | | what you expected. If you decide to book through |
| a bigger house rather than separate apartments. This | | | | an agency, ask if they personally verify the |
| can be 3-4 times less expensive than individual | | | | ownership of rental property, and confirm all the |
| condos. | | | | details. Check if this agency has a contract with the |
| Determining sleeping arrangements (type of beds and | | | | owner, so that the owner is contractually obligated |
| how many) is very important as well. Some travelers | | | | to keep the accommodation reserved for you. Most |
| will need separate beds, for example if it is a group | | | | importantly, ask were the reservation deposit going. |
| of singles, others will require queen of king beds for | | | | Make sure that the agency is licensed; such agencies |
| couples. Also decide on the minimum number of | | | | are required to put deposits in trust (or escrow) |
| bathrooms needed in their Olympic rental. It is | | | | accounts, therefore protecting you, the renter, that |
| especially important to consider for larger groups, | | | | the owner is not going to just take your money, sell |
| after all, nobody wants to spend hours in the lineup. | | | | the place and leave. Since all rentals will require a large |
| Based on your preferences and budget, you will need | | | | deposit (up to 50%) in advance it would be crazy |
| to decide on the 'category' of accommodation for | | | | not to go through a licensed reputable agency. |
| your 2010 Olympic stay. Vancouver offers a wide | | | | Finding the right 2010 accommodations will be a bit of |
| range of private rentals for Olympics starting from | | | | work, but will be well worth the effort when you are |
| luxurious executive type mansions to very affordable | | | | there to witness the spectacle of the games |
| single occupancy rooms in private homes. | | | | firsthand. The world will be watching the events |
| Depending on which 2010 events you will be | | | | unfold in British Columbia, but watching on television is |
| attending, identify the part of town where you | | | | no substitute for experiencing it all in person. |
| would like to stay. Obviously, the most desirable | | | | So do not delay. If you have always wanted to see |
| location and therefore the most expensive is | | | | the Olympic Games, this is the perfect opportunity. |
| Downtown Vancouver. However, if you are willing to | | | | 2010 Olympic rentals are going fast but there are still |
| travel a little bit it will save you considerable money. | | | | plenty of rooms available if you get connected with a |
| One of the best tools to estimate location of your | | | | reputable licensed rental agency. Then prepare |
| rental is to Google the address of your Olympic | | | | yourself for the experience of a lifetime as the |
| rental and of the 2010 venue you will be attending; | | | | nations of the world come together in peace to |
| this will give you distance and time by car. Then I | | | | compete in the ancient tradition of the Olympic |
| recommend using 'Public Transit' button to see if | | | | Games. You don't want to miss it! |
| there is good public transportation in the area. | | | | |