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Vacation Rental Owners/Managers: Book Direct is alive and well.

2009 seems so long ago, but that’s when we launched our first state-specific, vacation rental website: RentWisconsinCabins.com, from a home office in Waunakee, WI. Now we have 6 Live websites with plans for 21 sites by the middle of 2017. We now have ‘legit’ office space in Middleton, WI.

It didn’t take long for rental owners & property managers around the country to tell us that there is a big demand for a listing website that embraces the “Book Direct” philosophy. We speak to vacation rental owners & managers often, and the conversations are similar; “large OTA’s are out of control! They control our inventory, rates and are now charging our renters an extra traveler fee.”  Our consistent growth has confirmed that large OTA’s are not the only advertising choice.

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RentWisconsinCabins.com: Nearly 700 rentals
RentMinnesotaCabins.com: Nearly 400 rentals
RentMichiganCabins.com: Over 200 rentals
Plus our newer states RentNewYorkCabins.com, RentMontanaCabins.com and RentTennesseeCabins.com: Over 200 rentals
…We are just getting warmed up!

Our renter traffic grows an average of 48% every year. Over the last year, our websites attracted over 1 million page views.

Why take on the time & expense to roll out unique websites for so many states? It’s never been done before! By 2012, our Wisconsin website proved that (even from a home office) we can compete long term with large OTA’s in Google Search by targeting regional organic long tail keywords & topics. Search for yourself – go to Google and type in popular terms like Wisconsin vacation rentals; wisconsin cabins; wisconsin cabin rentals, etc. Then try michigan vacation rentals; michigan cabin rentals; mn cabin rentals, etc. There we are!! From these first page results, how many “book direct” websites do you see?

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We also discovered the immediate need for “traveler fee” education. We recently added a question about traveler fees to our survey and were shocked to learn that nearly every respondent had no idea that booking websites charge a traveler fee. What we’ve know for years though is that renters prefer to book vacation rentals with the owners and local managers 25-1.

What do you think of booking vacation rentals directly with owners/managers?

Joe and Team
JM Creative Group
Middleton, WI

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Welcome to Arbor Vitae, also known as na

Welcome to Arbor Vitae, also known as nature’s original water park! Close proximity to lakes, rivers and streams. Cabin Time here includes fishing, boatings, skiing, swimming, and more. When the snow falls, the Arbor Vitae area becomes a Winter Park…Snowmobiling, skiing, ice fishing, and outdoor skating rinks. Compare nearly 20 cabin rentals in the Arbor Vitae area…http://www.rentwisconsincabins.com/location.php?id=Arbor%20Vitae http://ow.ly/i/m3Px7 http://ow.ly/i/m3PAg http://ow.ly/i/m3PBf http://ow.ly/i/m3PCi http://ow.ly/i/m3PDq http://ow.ly/i/m3PEv http://ow.ly/i/m3PFE http://ow.ly/i/m3PGF http://ow.ly/i/m3PHW http://ow.ly/i/m3PIX

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Land at Mallards this summer. #HaywardResort

Mallards Landing in Hayward, WI that is! Step inside one of their unique European log cabins and let your Hayward vacation begin. Full bathroom has ceramic tile shower & floor. There is electric heat and central air conditioning. Quaint log cabins feature an outside deck with bench and an outdoor charcoal grill so you can amaze your family and friends with a great dinner. Private and close to downtown Hayward stores and restaurants, walking distance to the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame, Lumberjack Bowl, Lake Hayward Beach and Park. Pictured here is the Mallard’s Landing Dutch Cottage. Read more about this Hayward, WI cabin rental.

mallards1Welcome to paradise in Hayward, Wisconsin. Many Hayward resorts and lodging are located right on the crystal clear northern Wisconsin lakes, perfect for water sports and fishing. If you are searching for winter fun, Hayward has miles of snowmobile trails, which are usually accessible right from the cabin. At Mallards Landing the canoe is free to use. Their cabins have country style furnishings; the Dutch Cottage includes a wardrobe, a Swiss made dining table with chairs, a commode, flatscreen Cable TV/DVD, an antler chandelier, a hand crafted kitchen cupboard with microwave oven, under the counter refrigerator, four cup coffee maker, bar size sink, mugs and glasses.

mallards4See things to do in Hayward, WI, plus other Mallard’s Landing cabins & 35 other Hayward WI resorts and cabins.

mallards2Hayward is a year round vacation destination that is well known for ATVing, cross country skiing, hiking, and off-road biking. 858,000 acre Chequamagon National Forest invites you to take a wilderness walk under towering trees. Skip those Hayward, WI hotels and choose a more memorable Hayward resort. Cabin rentals in the northwoods are the perfect lodging choice if you are coming for the world-renowned American Birkebeiner cross-country ski race, or the annual Lumberjack World Championships. We recommend planning your up north adventure well in advance, because these Hayward resorts book up fast. Since you plan and book directly with resort owners, ask them about nearby things to do. Booking vacation rentals direct means not middleman booking website fees – WI cabin time should never include paying more for the same cabins you find on our website.

mallards3Visit our other state-specific website too:
RentMinnesotaCabins.com | RentMichiganCabins.com | RentNewYorkCabins.com | RentMontanaCabins.com and coming soon; RentTennesseeCabins.com

Thanks for supporting our growing number of state-specific, vacation rental website that allow renters to easily connect AND BOOK DIRECT. Tell your family and friends about our great websites!

WIfooter

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Our #CabinTime at the Prairie Hill Farm

Perched high on the bluffs in Merrimac, WI is the incredible Prairie Hill Farm “Cabin”. As the founder of RentWisconsinCabins.com, I sometimes get the opportunity to stay at vacation rentals that list with us. Thanks to Tish (the owner of PHF), I was able to stay her “Farmhouse” this fall, and her “Cabin” this winter.

Those of us that live in Wisconsin get to experience the extremes of all 4 seasons. This trip to the Prairie Hill Cabin took place in January. Yes, the air was chilly and the days were short, but with so many things to do near the cabin, time just flew by.

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The detailed information provided by the owner (Tish) prior to arriving at the cabin made the trip hassle free and stress free. She accommodated our early arrival request and provided a neighbor contact in case we had any questions. Though the nearby Merrimac Ferry closes for the winter season, it’s good to know that a scenic Ferry ride across the Wisconsin River is definitely part of this Cabin Time adventure -Spring through Fall.

The long driveway starts near the Farmhouse and climbs up the bluff. The owners do a wonderful job of keeping the long scenic drive plowed. The privacy at the cabin is ultra unique. The nearest home is the Farmhouse, several hundred feet away. The summer hiking trails on their 80-acre farm turn into cross-country ski trails – my daughters and I loved this. The steeper hills and tight turns challenged my rusty skiing skills – but it was thrilling. Just outside of the cabin is a nice sledding hill for kids. If you are fortunate enough to stay at the Cabin, make sure you seek out the one-of-a-kind TREEHOUSE. It’s not easy to find, but the “seeking” was the fun part for my family. Again, thanks to the owner’s pre-trip tips, we knew to bring a toboggan, cross-country skis and a family adventurer’s spirit.

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At night, the only thing better than watching the dancing flames in the living room fireplace was watching the shimmering lights on the ski runs at Devil’s Head Ski Resort. Every cabin has a unique view, but this nighttime winter view from the living room is quite special.

I was able to fly my drone around the cabin property and take some videos of our family enjoying our special Cabin Time on the Farm. The drone video is one of the 3 videos on their listing page: Take a look, maybe you’ll book!

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Joe Mogensen and family.

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Six Lakes Resort Joins RentWisconsinCabins.com

Chetek WI resorts and Lake Chetek fishing cabins are the perfect Wisconsin getaway. There is no shortage of cabin-vacation memories and outdoor recreation fun to be had, no matter what the weather is in Chetek. This area is known as the “6 lake city”. A popular resort town with no shortage of public boat launches and beaches. Observe the amazing Hydroflights, the Chetek areas premier water ski show. Pan fish, northern pike, musky and bass are abundant.

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Six Lakes Resort is an immaculate resort that caters to smaller groups, families and those that travel with an RV. On site lodge offers a small shop, gas refill, and bar. Because of the fantastic fishing in the chain of lakes at this resort, we provide docks and fish-cleaning house right on site. Kids love the on site playground and often times, you see parents forming volleyball teams for the nearby volleyball net. Kids also love the game room and basketball court.

Visit our Chetek cabins page to see Six Lakes Resort cabins and other area Chetek lodging options.

For more than 5 generations, people have been exploring and touring the Chetek area. This chain of lakes invite people to take in all that is offered in this corner of the state. Enjoy fantastic boating, fishing and biking opportunities. This area is known as the Indianhead Country. Over 2,000 lakes are scattered around trails, forests, and historical sites. People often rent cabins for all the fun festivals and events in Chetek. Our cabins offer simple accommodations that are clean and friendly for everyone.

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Take in the rivers for many floating opportunities, fish the docks or other area lakes, enjoy the public city beach nearby, or go boating for the day on a pontoon boat. When you want to take it to land, there are many other activities such as catching a movie at the Stardust Drive-in theater (one of six in Wisconsin). Catch a band in the summer at Music in the Park, Red’s, the Tiki bar at Gilligan’s or on the deck at R Bar.

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Be sure to ask the rental owners about the Fish-o-Rama! Panfish are abundant right off the docks. Largemouth, smallmouth bass, walleye and northern inhabit most lakes. Many of the smaller streams are great for brown, brook and rainbow trout.

Visit our other state-specific website too:
RentMinnesotaCabins.com | RentMichiganCabins.com | RentNewYorkCabins.com | RentMontanaCabins.com and coming soon; RentTennesseeCabins.com

Thanks for supporting our growing number of state-specific, vacation rental website that allow renters to easily connect AND BOOK DIRECT. Avoid middleman booking websites and avoid paying more for the same cabin! Tell your family and friends about our great websites!

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A good way to get closer to summer? Star

A good way to get closer to summer? Start planning your beach vacation now! http://ow.ly/UhWxs http://ow.ly/i/7YGE3

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We hope you have better luck this year t

We hope you have better luck this year than this couple that had a boulder roll into their house. See for yourself! http://ow.ly/Ui3yn