Spring-to-summer merriment beckons us to new corners of the world as we plan adventures and devise ways to beat the heat during relaxing weekends at home. But if you don’t have a pool, a boat, an RV, or a place to camp … rent one! Here are seven unlikely things you can rent and the easiest ways to do so. From chic party amenities and luxurious pools to water sports lessons, add some fun to your summer plans with these smart rental services.
SWIMMING POOLS
The Airbnb of swimming pools is here! So often, whether in our hometowns or while traveling, we wish we had a pool just for the day. Swimply gives you access to beautiful private pools and spaces in your area that can be booked hourly. You can see everything from the pool’s size and depth to the number of lounge chairs and umbrellas to all of the available amenities (towels, fire pit, grill, pool toys, etc.). Check the pool’s guest limit and party, pet, and alcohol rules so that you can plan your swim accordingly!
LAKE ADVENTURES
Just as rising temperatures usher in poolside hangs, it’s also the return of boating season. Lake Hop is a new search engine for on-the-water experiences. “This summer, boat ownership and private boat drivers are no longer just for the rich and fancy with Lake Hop, an innovative new startup coining the rideshare economy on the lake,” their announcement reads. Lake Hop connects travelers and locals with private boat owners who host experiences while monetizing the use of their boats. DJ Boggs founded Lake Hop in 2021 on the heels of the pandemic boating boom. He wanted to generate income through the use of his boat and explore other bodies of water without having to tow his own watercraft long distances.
Experiences last from two to eight hours and range from $20 to $900 hourly. If you own a boat, Lake Hop can help offset the cost of boat ownership and earn you tens of thousands of dollars each summer. Using Lake Hop this summer, for example, you can learn how to wake surf on North Carolina’s Lake Norman with host Lindsey or enjoy a sunset leisure cruise on Austin, TX’s Lake Travis with host Corbin.
CARS
We know that we can rent cars the “normal” way, but it’s becoming harder and harder to find cars in certain cities, and sometimes you don’t want to have to take a shuttle from the airport to a separate rental car center. An increasingly popular alternative, a website (and app) called Turo lets you list and rent personal vehicles. Pinpoint your dates and where you will be (airport or otherwise), and Turo will show you dozens of cars in the area available for rent … from unique, rare, and luxurious vehicles to eco-friendly and standard options.
You deal with the car’s owner directly, and they will often pick you up or leave the vehicle conveniently parked in the airport with a lockbox. While searching, you can filter by categories like convertibles, backroads-ready, fast and fun, family-friendly, and more. Take a break from Avis, Budget, and Enterprise, and check out Turo on your next road trip. Tip: make sure you get the standard protection and unlimited mileage if you’re going far!
PARTY ACCOUTREMENTS
If you’re planning a get-together of ANY kind this year, there are so many fantastic extras you can rent. Local entrepreneurs the country over have truly thought of everything. There are limitless ways to take your event to the next level, from handmade flower wall backdrops and giant balloon displays to ice cream carts and modern bounce houses (yes, for adults, too!).
While there isn’t a unified app or website for searching party rentals YET (unless you’re using The Knot to find wedding vendors), we recommend searching for specific things you need to find local companies like “mobile bar” or “rent ice cream cart” other “giant birthday yard signs.”
EVENT SPACES
Thanks to some new websites and apps, searching for event spaces is becoming easier than ever. Gone are cookie-cutter birthday party venues for kids and boring private-room-at-a-steak-house work dinners. Mix things up and find an unexpected place to host your next gathering for 10 or 100!
Whether you’re planning a company offsite, a photoshoot for your brand, or an intimate birthday dinner with a chef, there is a space for you — you just might not be able to find it with a simple Google search. Some of the places you can find on new event space search engines like Peerspace, Giggster, and Splacer are private art galleries, jungle-like gardens, hidden rooftops, industrial loft apartments, vibey after-hour retail spaces, and more.
CAMPSITES
Explore Eden calls itself the Airbnb of camping. “The percentage of campers who camp three+ times each year has increased 72% since 2014,” according to their team. People are getting outside and exploring in more creative ways … be it by van, RV, glamping set-up, or regular ol’ tent. Explore Eden is only in some southern regions, but they are growing fast and constantly looking for land hosts. By listing a property with Explore Eden, landowners can earn another source of income with the property they already own.
If you own a property or site with a natural outdoor element like a scenic view, waterfront locale, or other unique features, you could become a Land Host on Explore Eden. They are looking to add properties like raw land, cabins, cottages, glamping structures, RVs/sprinter vans, meadows, farmland, yurts, treehouses, tipis, bubble domes, and more. If you’re excited and willing to safely share your space with guests and want to make extra money, sign up with Explore Eden. If you’re ready to stay somewhere without four actual walls, this is the resource for you.
RVs
Outdoorsy is the leader in RV rentals, an area of leisure that saw a huge boom during our hunker down days. The easy-to-navigate website will help you find the perfect RV, camper van, or travel trailer for your next adventure, whether you are headed to a nearby festival or on a cross-country adventure to see some national parks. There are so many ways to search, and many of the owners will deliver their vehicle to your starting point.
If you are new to the RV/van lifestyle, Outdoorsy explains the different classes of options, tells you how each one drives, and offers suggestions based on your adventure route and destinations. Search based on what’s important to you — you can find mobile homes with fully-outfitted kitchens, queen-size beds, giant awnings for outdoor relaxation, ample water supply, and many fun features.
Cheers to renting (and hosting) some unexpected things this summer!
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