A Guide to Thanksgiving Vacation Rentals

We've made the case (more than once) to not go home for the holidays—and this year, that's especially true for Thanksgiving, amid the ongoing pandemic. Instead, swap out that annual trip to your in-laws for a stay at a vacation rental, whether you're looking for an escape from your apartment for a few days, a bigger kitchen to cook up a major meal, or a way to meet up for an outdoor Thanksgiving feast.

It's easy enough to search by location, number of guests, and price—but if you’re looking for places to go for Thanksgiving where you can cook a dinner for a crowd or snuggle up with some pecan pie, you’ll find there’s no filter on rental sites for “gourmet kitchen,” never mind “lots of counter space” or “oven that can accommodate a 20-pound turkey.”

Yet there are some rentals with amazing kitchens out there—you just need to know how to find them. Here, a few pro tips for finding that perfect Thanksgiving rental. 

This article was originally published in November 2017. It has been updated with new information.

Search Google instead of the rental site

If a roomy, well-appointed kitchen is your top priority, start your search with Google. Type in your vacation rental platform of choice—be it Airbnb, OneFineStay, or VRBO—plus the place you’re traveling to, and a phrase like “huge kitchen,” “new appliances,” or “remodeled kitchen.” Find these terms in the listing, and it’s a good indicator that the kitchen is one you can cook a big meal in.

Scan the description for cooking lingo

Once you've found a contender, scan for specifics from the host or previous guests in the description and reviews. Look out for appliance brand names like Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Viking; also keep an eye out for mentions of a dishwasher, a farmhouse sink, extensive counter space and, especially helpful for Thanksgiving, two ovens. Reviews, too, will give you a better sense of what's in the drawers and how the shelves are stocked, like knives, spices, and nonstick pans, and more. Look out for notes about sensitive smoke alarms and the status (and amount) of the dishes. Airbnb even lets you search reviews for key words now. Shortcomings on any of these fronts probably won’t be deal-breakers, but they’re good to know—and plan for—ahead of time.

Ask the owner

Before you book on most sites, you can (and should) contact the owner with questions. If it isn’t in the listing, you’ll want to find out how far away the closest grocery store, wine shop, or farmer's market are. San Francisco chef David Barzelay also recommends asking if there’s a roasting pan big enough for the turkey.

Know the red flags

While phrases like “newly remodeled” and “modern” are clues that the kitchen will be a great place to whip up a feast, others, like “rustic” and “cozy,” can be warning signals that cooking a big meal is going to be a challenge.  Nearly every chef we talked to said to steer clear of homes with electric stoves because they can be trickier to cook on than gas. 

Rentals we love  

Ready to find a rental? There are plenty of places to go for Thanksgiving, so we help you narrow it down. We've pulled together a few of the best rentals out there that fit the bill—whether you're getting rid of the holiday calendar all together or need an extra-large kitchen and extended dining table for the whole family. 

Courtesy Airbnb

Denver

Besides being clean and seemingly brand new, thanks to spotless stainless steel appliances, the kitchen at this downtown Denver home is also stocked with essentials like spices and basic cooking ingredients, so you don't have to spend too much time (or money) at the grocery store. There's tons of counter space, thanks to the island, which also serves as a breakfast bar. Elsewhere in the home, you'll find a whopping five bedrooms, TV room, outdoor dining area, and a deluxe soaking tub in one of the many bathrooms.

$396 at Airbnb (Starting Price)

Courtesy Airbnb

Austin

Sure, the deep red dining room and five ultra-colorful bedrooms may catch your eye first but it's the photos of the kitchen that we're focused on. With a large fridge and freezer big enough to fit a turkey, a farmhouse sink for stacks of dishes (don't worry, there's a dishwasher), an island for extra counter space, and a gas oven, it has everything you need to whip up a masterful Thanksgiving meal. (Bonus, there's a breakfast nook just off the kitchen, offering the perfect kids' table.) There's also a large backyard with a covered outdoor dining table and a fire pit.

$700 at Airbnb (Starting Price)

Courtesy Airbnb

Santa Fe

It's always nice to find “the most well stocked kitchen I’ve ever seen in an Airbnb” among the previous guest reviews. Expect stainless steel counters, a butcher's block island, stainless steel appliances, a farmhouse sink, utensils, and seasoning basics. There's also a grill on the patio, along with a covered dining area, and an adobe fireplace in the backyard for cozy fires and evening s'mores. There's room for four between the home's two bedrooms, and plenty of space to spread out between the large living room (with its own fireplace), dining room, and second patio. 

$228 at Airbnb (Starting Price)

Courtesy Airbnb

South Kortright, New York

We've spoken at length about our love for Table on Ten's on-site Airbnbs, but the Upstate New York restaurant recently expanded to an earth house set on 23 private tree-filled acres. The home has just one bedroom, so is best for couples looking to create their own Thanksgiving traditions as they cozy up in front of the living room's wood-burning stove and picture windows. As for cooking, the home comes with an incredibly stocked kitchen, with all the utensils, appliances (like a rice cooker and a Kitchen Aid stand mixer), and dishware (created by local potters and craftspeople), you'd need for any meal, big or small. If you don't want to cook though, we wouldn't blame you: Table on Ten is just eight minutes down the street. 

$225 at Airbnb (Starting Price)

Courtesy Airbnb

Goodlettsville, Tennessee

Located about 25 minutes north of Nashville, this two-bedroom cabin offers just the right balance of rustic and modern (i.e., decorative cooper pans but also new, stainless steel appliances). Its open floor plan means the designated chef won't be cutoff from the rest of the crew when cooking, and will also have views of the surrounding forest. Previous guests rave about the sheer amount of counter space in the kitchen, which is reportedly well-stocked with all the basics you'd need for daily meals. 

$158 at Airbnb (Starting Price)

While we have not stayed in every Airbnb featured, unless otherwise stated, these listings are vetted based on Superhost status, amenities, location, previous guest reviews, and decor.