The dilemma: You want to take an unforgettable summer vacation with a bunch of your besties, but you need it to be affordable. You already learned the hard way that summer share houses are the worst; you could go with a hostel or split one nice hotel room amongst far too many people, but you want to relax — not recreate senior year spring break.
Well, we have good news. This summer, you can take a fabulous trip with all of your friends, and spend way less than you would at any Hamptons share house, sketchy hostel, or split-four-ways beachfront hotel. How? Because you can rent one of these insane private houses — which all accommodate at least 40 guests — for about the same per person nightly cost as an Uber ride to the airport. We're talking luxe properties with heated pools, private screening rooms, hot tubs, and most important, privacy. Click ahead for nine getaway finds.
Note: Prices reflect the most current information available, and may be subject to change. Some rentals may require a minimum stay. Refer to the original listings for more information.
If you've never stayed in a private château in south central France, you simply haven't lived — and for a mere $85 per night, you can be the kind of jerk who says stuff like that.
Total price: $5081/night
Sleeps: 60
= $85/person/night
Photo: Courtesy of HomeAway.
Auvergne, France (Continued)
Spread out in the estate's assorted salons and living areas, sip cocktails on the covered terrace, or go for a stroll through the immaculate, landscaped grounds. There's also a fitness center (with hot tub), a tennis court, a putting green, and a swimming pool.
Photo: Courtesy of HomeAway.
Auvergne, France (Continued)
The magnificent pool is at its most striking after dark.
Photo: Courtesy of HomeAway.
Auvergne, France (Continued)
With 26 bedrooms and suites to choose from, you and your pals can draw straws to see who sleeps where — though in this scenario, there really is no short straw. Everybody wins!
Photo: Courtesy of HomeAway.
Did one of your friends forget to renew their passport? Well, you're in luck, because Utah's Timber Moose Lodge is pretty bananas, and you can rent it for about one-third of the passport renewal fee.
Total price: $2210/night
Sleeps: 60
Photo: Courtesy of HomeAway.
Heber City, Utah (Continued)
Situated on 12 private acres, the home boasts a massive indoor swimming pool, a sauna, 13 bedrooms, 16 bathrooms, and a crow's nest viewing room (and while we don't know exactly what that is, we want it).
Photo: Courtesy of HomeAway.
Heber City, Utah (Continued)
Timber Moose also has the unique distinction of being the largest private log cabin in the U.S. — which is apparently a thing someone is keeping track of.
Photo: Courtesy of HomeAway.
Heber City, Utah (Continued)
The house offers 9,000 square feet of outdoor decks and balconies, all with stunning lake and mountain views.
Photo: Courtesy of HomeAway.
Granted, Indonesia is a bit of a trek from the U.S. But once you get there, you'll have this compound — with three separate villas and 12 bedrooms — all to yourself.
Total price: $1885/night
Sleeps: 40
= $47/person/night
Photo: Courtesy of TripAdvisor.
Seminyak, Bali (Continued)
The villas are located right on the beach, but the pool is pretty sweet, too. The rental price includes a full-time, in-house chef; a car and driver for eight hours a day; housekeeping services; free Wi-Fi; and one complimentary Balinese massage for each guest in your party.
Photo: Courtesy of TripAdvisor.
Seminyak, Bali (Continued)
If you do manage to tear yourself away from the property, there's plenty to do in central Seminyak. You'll also have access to the nearby Canggu Club, which is home to a water park, bowling alley, and a full array of fitness activities (yoga, squash, Pilates, etc.).
Photo: Courtesy of TripAdvisor.
Perched on 400 scenic acres in the Blue Ridge Mountains, this formidable home offers the refined elegance of a British manor, with all the luxuries you'd expect from a legit American mansion.
Total price: $1475/night
Sleeps: 40
Photo: Courtesy of TripAdvisor.
Boone, North Carolina (Continued)
Go for a dip in the sleek indoor pool, or play some pool in the library-slash-billiards room. The house also comes equipped with a fitness center and a private movie theater, plus ping-pong, foosball, and air hockey in the guesthouse.
Photo: Courtesy of TripAdvisor.
Boone, North Carolina (Continued)
There are 10 tastefully appointed bedrooms (and 11 bathrooms), and some 34 beds, so there's room for all your friends. And maybe even some strangers you picked up on the drive over. Either way.
Photo: Courtesy of TripAdvisor.
Say hello to Casa Fiesta, an estate comprised of three Balinese-style villas in Costa Rica's Manuel Antonio National Park. There's a seven-night minimum stay, but if you can swing it, you'll get a seriously luxe getaway at a bargain-basement price.
Total price: $2358/night
Sleeps: 42
Photo: Courtesy of TripAdvisor.
Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica (Continued)
There are 15 bedrooms and 17 bathrooms spread out across the three houses, along with a large waterfall pool, two smaller outdoor pools, and an indoor pool that offers sweeping views of the lush rainforest below. So many pools. And don't worry about cooking for your group; Casa Fiesta comes with its own private chef.
Photo: Courtesy of TripAdvisor.
Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica (Continued)
The open-air living room allows for plenty of interaction with the friendly local monkeys who live in the treetops around the compound. (Good luck enjoying any other vacation now that you know about that.)
Photo: Courtesy of TripAdvisor.
Just because you're traveling with a large group doesn't mean you want to spend every waking moment together. This complex accommodates 50 guests in five casitas and three villas, so it's more like renting your own private resort than staying in one big house.
Total price: $2434/night
Sleeps: 50
= $49/person/night
Photo: Courtesy of VRBO.
Huatulco, Mexico (Continued)
If you book the entire compound, you'll have access to all 18 bedroom suites — many with stunning ocean views and private terraces — and no less than 27 bathrooms. So whatever room you're in, there are always five bathrooms nearby. Your on-site concierge can arrange whatever you need (massages, dinner reservations, prepared meals) and provide local information.
Photo: Courtesy of VRBO.
Huatulco, Mexico (Continued)
You'll also have your choice of beaches, one is relatively secluded, while the other is populated with waterfront restaurants and activities (like snorkeling). Park yourself at the poolside palapa with a cocktail and a good novel, or cool off in the infinity pool, which spills out into the Pacific Ocean.
Photo: Courtesy of VRBO.
This beachfront property is only $999 a night, which means that even if you bring 20 friends (instead of the 64 that it can hold), you'll still be getting a dirt-cheap price.
Total price: $999/night
Sleeps: 64
Photo: Courtesy of HomeAway.
Outer Banks, North Carolina (Continued)
You'll have 22 bedrooms, a heated pool (with covered poolside bar), two hot tubs, ocean views, two gas grills, a sauna, outdoor showers...the works.
Photo: Courtesy of HomeAway.
Outer Banks, North Carolina (Continued)
Veg out in the on-site theater, which has a 120-inch projection screen, tiered seating, and surround sound. Not into movies? That's weird, but don't worry — a massive recreation room comes equipped with a pool table, shuffleboard, foosball, and three flat-screen TVs.
Photo: Courtesy of HomeAway.
Outer Banks, North Carolina (Continued)
There are plenty of spots to lounge by the pool, and you're just steps away from the beach. Who knew North Carolina could be so beautiful?
Photo: Courtesy of HomeAway.
Tennessee may not be the first place that comes to mind for a vacation. But this gorgeous Pigeon Forge home, which overlooks the Smoky Mountains, is one reason why it should.
Total price: $920/night
Sleeps: 40
Photo: Courtesy of HomeAway.
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee (Continued)
Built in 2015, this place has brand-new-everything. Dining room seating for 42 people, HD TVs throughout, a fire pit, a hot tub, and nine bedrooms — each equipped with their own stone fireplace.
Photo: Courtesy of HomeAway.
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee (Continued)
The 27-seat theater comes with a video library and free Netflix. But the original Ghostbusters poster? Priceless.
Photo: Courtesy of HomeAway.
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee (Continued)
There's more than 2,000 square feet of outdoor deck space. Call dibs on a rocking chair and watch the sun rise over the mountains. Because you're in Tennessee, and that's what people do.
Photo: Courtesy of HomeAway.
Oh, you have 40 friends? That's quaint. This beast sleeps 100. But with only 19 bedrooms (and 19.5 baths), you might want to limit your party to a reasonable 75 or so.
Total price: $1959/night
Sleeps: 100
Photo: Courtesy of HomeAway.
Garden City, Utah (Continued)
Utah may be landlocked, but the theme of this recently renovated home is nautical lighthouse. And hey, there is a lake, and you can see it from the floor-to-ceiling windows throughout the space.
Photo: Courtesy of HomeAway.
Garden City, Utah (Continued)
Your rental includes two fully stocked kitchens, a gaming loft, a 45-person theater, a large furnished patio with two propane grills, access to a pool and tennis courts, and a "lighthouse tower" bedroom suite with 360-degree views. If you organize the trip, you get that room, period.
Photo: Courtesy of HomeAway.Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
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