The House
Rental Myth for
Ryder Cup 2006
Accommodation

Many travelers have been operating under the misconception that renting a private home for a vacation or major sports event, like the 2006 ryder cup 2006, is too expensive compared to a hotel or bed and breakfast.  Well, the naysayer could be right, or wrong, depending on the circumstances.  If the group is a husband and wife, traveling on a tight budget and requires only a single room for a night or two, then a hotel or B&B may be their best choice.  However, if the group is made up of 3 or 4 couples traveling together or a group of 6 or more men coming to see the fireworks at the Ryder Cup, then we have a different Kettle of Fish.

In order to make a true comparison of value and convenience, one should look at all of the expense categories,  certainly room rent being one.  But when being quoted the hotel rate are you considering Ireland's Value Added Tax of 21%, which certainly makes a difference.  Then add car rental, gratuities, hotel restaurant/bar menu prices, cost of room service, travel to and from your destinations, travel to and from the airport, all subject to the Value Added Tax, and the other incidental costs that we all experience when relying on others to provide us transportation and shelter.  Now take that total and multiple it by the number in your party and the cost for your Ryder Cup 2006 vacation may surprise you when you get your next credit card statement.  Flying now and paying later always kills the afterglow.

Now let’s take that same expense total as a target number and see how it may vary if these same groups rented a private home for 2006 ryder cup 2006, for the same length of time.

First, you will likely be closer to the K-Club for most of the available hotels are in Dublin or beyond.  Second, you can subtract all gratuities, Value Added Tax and premium menu prices because your breakfast and evening meals will be home cooked, sometimes included in your home rent.  Your daily transportation can also be contained within the rent including airport pickup and drop off.  The value added tax, if any, is computed within the home rental cost.  Now do the math. Chances are you will discover that the overall expense could be much less than a commercial hotel or B&B.  You’re not done yet.  Now what value would you place on the social benefits of being together with your friends in an informal home setting?  The idea that you can have a quick snack or a beverage without wincing at the price.  I don’t know, being with your friends in a home setting is just different somehow.  Your memories of and pictures are better because the setting and ambience becomes part of it.  And if you treat the home as you would your own, you’ll always have a friend in Ireland, and that isn’t all bad.