During my recent travels to Australia, I planned to spend a good chunk of time in Sydney. Have you seen the place? It’s stunning and chock full of interesting history, fun adventures and smoking hot people around every turn. If you live on a beach, you have to keep it right, keep it tight. Know what I mean?

Spending more than a just a few nights in a hotel can become pricey, and a good alternative to this is securing a short-term apartment rental. I was lucky to find Luxico, a luxury rental company that hand-picks its now 130 rentals throughout Australia in locations like Sydney, Melbourne, Byron Bay and Mornington Peninsula (one hour east of Melbourne).

Okay okay. What are the benefits of renting, you ask? Don’t worry. We were just getting to that.

1) Vacation rentals generally offer additional space for less cost per night versus the typical hotel room. If you’re staying with a group, this is a no-brainer.

2) Amenities offered by vacation rentals often include washers/dryers, full kitchens, hot tubs, games and private pools. I was in Australia for 4 weeks. The washer/dryers were god sends! Laundry at luxury hotels costs about the same as a night’s stay…trust me, I know from experience.

3) Each Luxico guest has their own ‘Superhost’, a local expert who greets them on arrival, shows them through the house and is available to help plan the perfect vacation. They are always available to help 24/7.

4) Travelers seeking to blend into the local culture of a new destination choose to rent an apartment or house as they are typically situated in residential neighborhoods. Being based here allows them to shop in the neighborhood stores, hang out in the local cafes and get to know the neighbors.

Sure, I just mapped out why a rental may seem attractive, but don’t forget to do your research. Not all rentals are created equal. Seasonal beach destinations may have strict rental schedules and other properties could have minimum stays. Also, read the customer reviews. They should give a fairly clear idea if the property is well-maintained.

“Luxico was a pleasure to deal with.”

What’s available?

I think the better question is what’s not? Luxico has quite the compilation of properties with homes, apartments, penthouses, villas, estates and even vineyards up for grabs. If you’ve never been on their site before and have some time to kill, forget Solitaire or StumbleUpon. Luxico will make you want to star on Property Brothers as you Pinterest into the night.

‘Wulworra Avenue‘ – This property had me falling head over heels at the turn of the key. Located in Cremorne Point (a 10 minute ferry ride from bustling Circular Quay), it offers unbeatable harbor views with its multiple private balcony and terrace offerings. Coming in at 2700 sq. ft., the four bedroom masterpiece was originally constructed in 1909 and is now in a heritage listed building boasting character for days. Recently having undergone renovations, this property is the perfect mixture of old and new charm.

‘The Darlinghurst‘- Located in the Darlinghurst neighborhood (surprise!), this property shines bright just like the surrounding area – an upbeat part of town in the Eastern Suburbs with easy access to the city center. When your apartment comes stocked with Netflix, two cozy living areas and a spacious modern kitchen though, it’s hard to convince yourself to make it past the threshold into the great outdoors. Advice: If you’re in Sydney over a weekend, this property is in the perfect location to experience the city’s nightlife with a plethora of bars and restaurants.

Rental vs. Hotel Verdict: It depends. How long are you staying? What amenities are you looking for? I adore Luxico because of their attention to detail and high level of service, offering many things that some hotels simply cannot. Their new alliance with luxury travel operator Abercrombie & Kent is icing on the cake. If you want a home-cooked dinner awaiting your arrival, it can be done. Personal chefs, masseuses, helicopter rides, city tours – it can all be done. Luxico is about the experience, not just the real estate.