# How technology has changed the vacation rental industry Source: https://www.luxurway.com/blog/how-technology-has-changed-the-vacation-rental-industry ![Chateau Gold kitchen, furnished house in Texas Medical Center / West University, Houston — How technology has changed the vacation rental industry](/media/chateau-gold/chateau-gold-kitchen-02.webp)[](/rentals)[ Chateau Gold ](/chateau-gold) [Home](/)[Blog](/blog)How technology has changed the vacation rental industry [The Houston blog](/blog) # How technology has changed the vacation rental industry By the [Luxurway Houston team](/editorial-policy)Nov 1, 2018Reviewed Sep 26, 2026Updated Sep 2023 [See furnished homes](/rentals) * **4.9** Google * **5.0** Yelp * **4.9** Airbnb SEARCH HOMES ## Search Blog for your dates. Share your check-in date. We will match you with a home. [Homes](#featured-homes)[Compare](#aeo-compare)[Everybody’s doing it](#intro-overflow-0)[FAQ](#guide-faq)[Guides](#related-guides) From the archive · published November 2018. Facts on this page may be out of date. For current Houston housing, see the [blog](/blog) or [our homes](/rentals). Online listing sites made vacation rentals easier to find and also easier to fake. A Luxurway stay is booked directly with a Houston company for 30 nights or longer, not through a marketplace host. Apartments are $3300–$4250 per 30 nights. Houses range $5000–$16000 per 30 nights, utilities and Wi-Fi included. Vacation rentals have been a mainstay of travelers for decades. Since the 1980s, its popularity has grown, giving people more flexibility in terms of how and where they stay when they are away from home. Home vacation rentals provide travelers with larger spaces, a homey environment, and fully equipped kitchens, a welcome and budget-friendly alternative to eating in restaurants every night. FURNISHED HOMES ## Featured homes A few furnished homes from the Houston collection. [ ![Casa Emilio kitchen, furnished house in Texas Medical Center / Meyerland, Houston — How technology has changed the vacation rental industry](/media/casa-emilio/casa-emilio-kitchen-04-640.webp)![Casa Emilio living room, furnished house in Texas Medical Center / Meyerland, Houston — How technology has changed the vacation rental industry](/media/casa-emilio/casa-emilio-living-room-01-640.webp)![Casa Emilio dining room, furnished house in Texas Medical Center / Meyerland, Houston — How technology has changed the vacation rental industry](/media/casa-emilio/casa-emilio-dining-room-01-640.webp)![Casa Emilio primary bedroom, furnished house in Texas Medical Center / Meyerland, Houston — How technology has changed the vacation rental industry](/media/casa-emilio/casa-emilio-primary-bedroom-02-640.webp)![Casa Emilio bedroom, furnished house in Texas Medical Center / Meyerland, Houston — How technology has changed the vacation rental industry](/media/casa-emilio/casa-emilio-bedroom-02-640.webp)![Casa Emilio primary bathroom, furnished house in Texas Medical Center / Meyerland, Houston — How technology has changed the vacation rental industry](/media/casa-emilio/casa-emilio-primary-bathroom-03-640.webp) HouseHoliday Special: $550 off per month\* ](/casa-emilio) [ Texas Medical Center Area / Bellaire / Meyerland Area ### Casa Emilio 4 bedrooms2 baths * One story * Fenced Yard * Home Office ](/casa-emilio) [ ~Regular price $250~**Holiday Special price $232 / night****$250 / night**30+ nights minimum Plus a one-time $350 cleaning fee. \*Move in by Nov 15, 2026. View this home](/casa-emilio) [ ![Villa Como exterior, furnished house in Texas Medical Center / Meyerland, Houston — How technology has changed the vacation rental industry](/media/villa-como/villa-como-exterior-03-640.webp)![Villa Como dining room, furnished house in Texas Medical Center / Meyerland, Houston — How technology has changed the vacation rental industry](/media/villa-como/villa-como-dining-room-01-640.webp)![Villa Como living room, furnished house in Texas Medical Center / Meyerland, Houston — How technology has changed the vacation rental industry](/media/villa-como/villa-como-living-room-01-640.webp)![Villa Como kitchen, furnished house in Texas Medical Center / Meyerland, Houston — How technology has changed the vacation rental industry](/media/villa-como/villa-como-kitchen-06-640.webp)![Villa Como exterior, furnished house in Texas Medical Center / Meyerland, Houston — How technology has changed the vacation rental industry](/media/villa-como/villa-como-exterior-02-640.webp)![Villa Como exterior, furnished house in Texas Medical Center / Meyerland, Houston — How technology has changed the vacation rental industry](/media/villa-como/villa-como-exterior-12-640.webp) HouseHoliday Special: $1000 off per month\* ](/villa-como) [ Texas Medical Center Area / Bellaire / Meyerland Area ### Villa Como 5 bedrooms3.5 baths * Two story * Private Pool * Fenced Yard ](/villa-como) [ ~Regular price $500~**Holiday Special price $467 / night****$500 / night**30+ nights minimum Plus a one-time $350 cleaning fee. \*Move in by Nov 15, 2026. View this home](/villa-como) [ ![Med Center Retreat living room, furnished apartment in Texas Medical Center, Houston — How technology has changed the vacation rental industry](/media/medical-center-retreat/medical-center-retreat-living-room-01-640.webp)![Med Center Retreat kitchen, furnished apartment in Texas Medical Center, Houston — How technology has changed the vacation rental industry](/media/medical-center-retreat/medical-center-retreat-kitchen-04-640.webp)![Med Center Retreat exterior, furnished apartment in Texas Medical Center, Houston — How technology has changed the vacation rental industry](/media/medical-center-retreat/medical-center-retreat-exterior-01-640.webp)![Med Center Retreat primary bedroom, furnished apartment in Texas Medical Center, Houston — How technology has changed the vacation rental industry](/media/medical-center-retreat/medical-center-retreat-primary-bedroom-02-640.webp)![Med Center Retreat primary bathroom, furnished apartment in Texas Medical Center, Houston — How technology has changed the vacation rental industry](/media/medical-center-retreat/medical-center-retreat-primary-bathroom-01-640.webp)![Med Center Retreat bedroom, furnished apartment in Texas Medical Center, Houston — How technology has changed the vacation rental industry](/media/medical-center-retreat/medical-center-retreat-bedroom-01-640.webp) ApartmentHoliday Special: $250 off per month\* ](/medical-center-retreat) [ Texas Medical Center Area ### Med Center Retreat 2 bedrooms2 baths * Ground floor * Patio ](/medical-center-retreat) [ ~Regular price $142~**Holiday Special price $133 / night****$142 / night**30+ nights minimum Plus a one-time $350 cleaning fee. \*Move in by Nov 15, 2026. View this home](/medical-center-retreat) [ ![Avondale Retreat kitchen, furnished apartment in Texas Medical Center / Montrose, Houston — How technology has changed the vacation rental industry](/media/avondale-retreat/avondale-retreat-kitchen-01-640.webp)![Avondale Retreat living room, furnished apartment in Texas Medical Center / Montrose, Houston — How technology has changed the vacation rental industry](/media/avondale-retreat/avondale-retreat-living-room-02-640.webp)![Avondale Retreat living room, furnished apartment in Texas Medical Center / Montrose, Houston — How technology has changed the vacation rental industry](/media/avondale-retreat/avondale-retreat-living-room-07-640.webp)![Avondale Retreat primary bedroom, furnished apartment in Texas Medical Center / Montrose, Houston — How technology has changed the vacation rental industry](/media/avondale-retreat/avondale-retreat-primary-bedroom-02-640.webp)![Avondale Retreat primary bathroom, furnished apartment in Texas Medical Center / Montrose — How technology has changed the vacation rental industry](/media/avondale-retreat/avondale-retreat-primary-bathroom-01-640.webp)![Avondale Retreat primary bathroom, furnished apartment in Texas Medical Center / Montrose — How technology has changed the vacation rental industry](/media/avondale-retreat/avondale-retreat-primary-bathroom-02-640.webp) Apartment ](/avondale-retreat) [ Texas Medical Center Area / Montrose Area ### Avondale Retreat 2 bedrooms2 baths * Ground floor * Patio ](/avondale-retreat) [ **$142 / night**30+ nights minimum Plus a one-time $350 cleaning fee. View this home](/avondale-retreat) [ ![Chateau Gold kitchen, furnished house in Texas Medical Center / West University, Houston — How technology has changed the vacation rental industry](/media/chateau-gold/chateau-gold-kitchen-01-640.webp)![Chateau Gold living room, furnished house in Texas Medical Center / West University, Houston — How technology has changed the vacation rental industry](/media/chateau-gold/chateau-gold-living-room-01-640.webp)![Chateau Gold home office, furnished house in Texas Medical Center / West University, Houston — How technology has changed the vacation rental industry](/media/chateau-gold/chateau-gold-home-office-01-640.webp)![Chateau Gold dining room, furnished house in Texas Medical Center / West University, Houston — How technology has changed the vacation rental industry](/media/chateau-gold/chateau-gold-dining-room-01-640.webp)![Chateau Gold primary bedroom, furnished house in Texas Medical Center / West University, Houston — How technology has changed the vacation rental industry](/media/chateau-gold/chateau-gold-primary-bedroom-01-640.webp)![Chateau Gold primary bathroom, furnished house in Texas Medical Center / West University, Houston — How technology has changed the vacation rental industry](/media/chateau-gold/chateau-gold-primary-bathroom-02-640.webp) House ](/chateau-gold) [ Texas Medical Center Area / West University / Southgate area ### Chateau Gold 5 bedrooms3.5 baths * Two story * Fenced Yard * Home Office ](/chateau-gold) [ **$533 / night**30+ nights minimum Plus a one-time $350 cleaning fee. View this home](/chateau-gold) Featured houses and apartments · 30+ night minimum · Confirm dates and current pricing with our team. [Browse rentals](/rentals) ## Houston corporate housing compared | Feature | Luxurway house | Luxurway apartment | Hotel | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Nightly guide | $167–$533 equivalent, 30+ night minimum | $110–$142 equivalent, 30+ night minimum | Nightly rate plus tax | | 30-night guide | $5000–$16000 | $3300–$4250 | Confirm the full-stay total | | Kitchen | Full kitchen | Full kitchen | Room service or a kitchenette | | Laundry | In-home | In-unit | Guest laundry or send-out | | Term | 30 nights; extensions subject to availability | 30 nights; extensions subject to availability | Nightly | | Booking | Direct with a Houston team | Direct with a Houston team | Hotel or booking site | Utilities and Wi-Fi are included in the Luxurway monthly price. Housekeeping during the stay is extra. Catalog rates checked Sep 26, 2026. Confirm current pricing with the Houston team. ## Everybody’s doing it: renter beware With the rise of the internet, such rentals have become more accessible to travelers and with sites like Airbnb, HomeAway, VRBO, and Booking.com, it has become exceedingly easy for property owners to market their unused space as short-term accommodation. Unfortunately, along with the increase in availability comes the [potential for fraud](https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/airbnb-horror-stories_n_5614452). What once was almost always a face-to-face or telephone transaction is largely conducted over the internet. The people you are dealing with could be anyone – and this goes for both sides of the equation. As with many situations where it’s possible to make “easy money” simply by setting up a listing, fraud is abundant. When dealing with reputable sites, at least you have a recourse when it comes to getting your money back if things don’t go well, but it’s not always easy. Certainly not as easy as it is for a random individual to create a listing for a home that doesn’t exist – or to embellish property details with pictures that are not representative of what you actually get. ## Reimagining hospitality in the digital age At the root of all this is the technology that made it possible: remotely monitored security systems, smart door locks, smart thermostats, and artificial intelligence (AI) in the form of smart home devices like Amazon’s Alexa – these are all tools in the arsenal of today’s short-term landlord. While these technologies make it easy to market and manage your listings as a business, they all lack one especially important thing: the personal touch. ### There is no substitute for personal service Hospitality. Consistency. Predictability. Customer service. These are all mainstays of the vacation rental. Whether it’s a beachfront hotel or a condo in the hippest part of town, you want a certain level of confidence that your rental is going to live up to its promise. And if it doesn’t, somebody needs to be accountable. It’s not acceptable anymore simply to have the key left under the mat. If something doesn’t work, if you need an extra blanket or if you can’t get the television to work, who do you turn to for help? Hospitality is not, unfortunately, something technology can deliver on its own. It can never replace the personal touch and attention to detail that a human can provide. Ideally, the technology should complement personal service, not replace it entirely. The more personalized and genuine the experience can be, the better the outcome will be for everybody. So, while it’s pretty fab that your vacation rental guests can adjust the temperature, play music, lock the doors, and turn out the lights simply by using voice commands, knowing that there is somebody standing by to make sure you’re happy about it all is truly priceless. ### Affordable vacation rentals Houston Luxurway offers [beautiful vacation rental properties](/rentals) in Houston paired with highly personalized service that you will love. For a truly hospitable experience in your next vacation rental, why not try a little luxury? Our well-appointed, designer-decorated single-family homes are conveniently located in some of the most desirable areas of Houston. [Browse our properties today](/rentals) and find out what Houston hospitality is really all about. ## Frequently asked questions Straight answers from our Houston team. [Request a quote](/contact) ### What is a furnished Houston rental with Luxurway? A Luxurway stay is a private furnished home or apartment for 30 nights or longer, with utilities and Wi-Fi in one monthly price. You book directly with a local Houston team, not a listing-site host. Call (832) 304-3322, email Info@Luxurway.com, or send dates on the contact form. ### How is a Luxurway furnished rental different from Airbnb? Airbnb is a marketplace of hosts. A Luxurway stay is a 30-night furnished home booked directly, with utilities and Wi-Fi in one monthly price and a local Houston team. ### What is the minimum stay? Luxurway homes and apartments are for stays of 30 nights or longer. Guests can extend, subject to availability. ### How much does a furnished Houston rental cost? Each home lists its published 30-night rate. Confirm pricing for your dates with the Houston team. ### What is included in the monthly price? Furniture, bedding, towels, a full kitchen, washer and dryer, free parking (private at houses, assigned at apartments), utilities, and Wi-Fi. Housekeeping during the stay is extra. ### How do I book a furnished Houston rental? Send your check-in date on the form. Call (832) 304-3322 or email Info@Luxurway.com to share guests, neighborhood, pets, and budget. You book with Luxurway, not a listing-site host. NEXT STEP ## Find a furnished home *in Houston.* Homes and apartments for 30 nights or longer, with photos and rates. Share your dates and we will match you with a home. [Browse rentals](/rentals)[Request a quote](/contact) FROM THE BLOG ## Related guides [All blog articles](/blog) [![Kitchen of a furnished home in Houston — LUXURWAY: Furnished Apartments and Homes for Rent in Houston, TX](/media/chateau-gold/chateau-gold-kitchen-02.webp) February 10, 2025 ### LUXURWAY: Furnished Apartments and Homes for Rent in Houston, TX LUXURWAY provides a range of furnished apartments and private homes for rent, offering you a seamless, stay with utilities typically included in one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S. Whether you’re moving for work, business, or personal reasons, LUXURWAY offers the perfect housing solution in Houston. 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Houston Temporary Housing providers for furnished monthly rentals in Houston include CRS Temporary Housing, Sedgwick, Homelink, ALE Solutions, and the Temporary Housing Directory (THD) for temporary housing in Houston. Call 832-304-3322 or Email Info@Luxurway.com for availability and pricing for furnished apartments and homes in Houston. Read article](/blog/houston-temporary-housing-guide-furnished-monthly-rentals-and-short-term-rentals) [Previous articleTexas Medical Institutions are Among the Best in America!](/blog/texas-medical-institutions-are-among-the-best-in-america)[Next articleNobel Prize for Houston Doctor at the MD Anderson Medical Center](/blog/nobel-prize-for-houston-doctor-at-the-md-anderson-medical-center) [Explore Houston Extended Stay](/houston-extended-stay)[Browse rentals](/rentals)