Kissimmee in Florida has great accommodation options for families, groups, and couples that neighboring towns just can't compete with!

Kissimmee, Florida - Orlando's close neighbor and sharer of Disney properties - is a rapidly growing hub of activity. Traditionally, the town was considered a nearby, often less expensive, lodging spot for Disney World and Orlando, and while this is still true to an extent (more on its advantages and accessibility to Orlando and Disney later), Kissimmee is experiencing a boom in its own right that visitors definitely don't want to miss (the ultimate Kissimmee tourist guide will definitely inspire a visit!). But what makes Kissimmee truly a stand-out choice among its neighbors? The answer is its bustling vacation rental industry and the flexibility and options that affords travelers looking for alternatives outside of resort or hotel life.

So, whether travelers are in this part of Florida to see beautiful natural wonders like Lake Toho or Kissimmee Lakefront Park (both two of the most beautiful places in Kissimmee) or to grab some yummy bites (the best Tex-Mex restaurants in Kissimmee are the ideal port of call for foodies), or to experience thrills like flying a World War II-era plane at Stallion 51, Kissimmee's vacation rental options can provide that home away from home that people are looking for.

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Kissimmee is fondly referred to as the "vacation rental capital of America," and it's no wonder - even locals love the idea of booking a rental home for a staycation in this relaxing yet activity-filled town. There are thousands of listings at any given time for short-term vacation rentals! So why are there so many rental homes here?

First, the rental market absolutely boomed during the Covid-19 pandemic, when travelers realized they could work remotely...from anywhere in the world! People immediately saw the advantage and transplanted themselves to sunny Florida, but were able to maintain their jobs. As time passed, some of those transplants stayed while others made their way back to their original homes but kept their vacation homes for rentals. So the supply/availability on the market in Kissimmee remained high.

The second reason short-term rentals are so prevalent in Kissimmee results from another variant of the common Kissimmee vs. Orlando debate. The types of vacation homes in Kissimmee give the city a big edge against neighboring Orlando; Kissimmee permits short-term vacation rentals, whereas Orlando, and many other towns in the state, no longer do. State legislation has made it quite complicated for landlords to operate their properties as short-term rentals; bear in mind that this is not necessarily a bad thing, though, as it necessitates that buildings and landlords follow certain protocols that ensure the safety and health of guests. While the status of short-term rental permissions has changed throughout the years, certain rental situations are permitted in Orlando, like home shares, bed and breakfasts, and residential rentals longer than 30 days.

Enter Kissimmee, whose geographic location makes it an appealing alternative for those hoping to rent a vacation house but find that they don't fall into one of the categories that Orlando permits. It's not an unregulated free for all, though; Kissimmee's powers-that-be regulate vacation rentals are making sure that they are located in permitted zones, follow state laws, and are properly permitted.

Related: A Weekend In Old Town, Kissimmee: From Food To Outrageous Fun

So, let's talk about the fun stuff - why travelers should consider a short-term rental over a traditional hotel stay or a resort stay, especially in a place like Kissimmee! There are several answers that will be sure to pique everyone's interest.

Travelers definitely get more bang for the buck when choosing a short-term vacation rental since rentals often include additional space amenities like a separate living area, a living/dining room, and/or even a kitchen! This is particularly advantageous when traveling with a larger group, whether it be a larger family or multiple families traveling at once. Vacation rentals also give the opportunity to allow people to have separate spaces, like bedrooms and bathrooms, as well, at a fraction of the cost.

Also, especially if staying in a place like Kissimmee that's packed with all sorts of activities, it is nice to have the option of amenities like a washer/dryer. Though not all homes have this particular perk, if travelers anticipate an active vacation filled with hikes or swims, then a vacation rental with the option of washing clothes can be a coup.

The positive outcome of more closely regulated vacation rentals is that professional communities of rental properties elevate their offerings for travelers. These complexes of rental properties offer the same on-site amenities that many resorts or hotels do if that's something that visitors feel like they will miss if opting to go this route.

Complexes now offer central check-in, pools and spas, and food options like restaurants (which can be a great break from cooking in the in-unit kitchen!). It can truly feel like one is living in a home away from home but with all the perks of being in a hotel-like space!

Related: Common Mistakes to Avoid When Booking a Vacation Rental

So, where should one consider renting while in Kissimmee? When we were invited to see Kissimmee's amazing offerings ourselves, we had the opportunity to stay at the Magic Village Views, a complex of luxury villas operated as part of the Trademark Collection of Wyndham, all available for short-term stays. The accommodations were more than we could ask for, and it is a fantastic option for those looking for space and added amenities that can't be found in hotels. Here are some fast facts:

Get ready to have lots of space! Each private villa is a 3-4 bedroom, two-story house that has a gorgeous updated kitchen, bathrooms for each bedroom (plus a shared half bath), and an outdoor patio space.

Starting on the outside, the villa is a modern, clean, and very luxurious-looking building which offers parking right outside the front door. It's perfect for people needing to load or offload gear for sports activities or for people taking advantage of the kitchen and stocking up on groceries. Around the back, the patio space features a BBQ grill and dining area, a perfect alternative option to the kitchen. Some properties even have a hot tub right on the patio, a feature that we took advantage of during our stay!

Inside, the spacious villa is an airy, open-concept space with plenty of room for larger families. It simultaneously gives the feeling of space and intimacy because of its open concept, a great feature for families who want their own space but are still hoping to bond. Each bedroom is spacious - the master bedroom even has its own sitting space, and as previously mentioned, each bedroom has its own en-suite bathroom and giant walk-in closet!

Outside the villa, on Magic Village Views's property, there is a world of amenities that will make visitors forget that they're not staying at a traditional resort (in all the best ways). From the get-go, it's clear that Magic Village Views has the convenience of the guest in mind; visitors start their stay at the property's check-in/lobby, a space that's whimsically decorated in a fun, tropical Asian theme. Check-in is a breeze, just like at a hotel, and from the lobby, guests have access to the property's clubhouse.

The Clubhouse is where guests can enjoy a large pool, a luxe hot tub, and even a larger-than-life chess see (it's truly larger than life, it was taller than most people that walked by!). Near the clubhouse, guests have access to the complex's tennis court and volleyball court for other outdoor activities. In the same central clubhouse, guests have the ability to "dine out", but still on-site at the property's restaurant, The Meating Point. Capable of converting into a conference room complete with a retractable screen (hello, amazing corporate retreat, anyone?), The Meating Point has a delicious menu of fusion and comfort foods with a great wine selection and exceptional service (everyone from the chef to the servers to those working the host stand are the friendliest, most attentive people).

One of the best features of staying at a vacation rental home, and especially at Magic Village Views, is the ability to have things delivered right to the doorstep. Travelers can have Amazon packages delivered or even take-out delivered - anything that one may want for their home away from home. Magic Village Views is also a gated community, so guests can rest assured that their things will be delivered safely.

Kissimmee is truly a vacationer's paradise, made even more convenient and relaxing by the ability to stay in a short-term vacation rental, especially one as luxurious and spacious as Magic Villa Views. Don't miss out on everything this southern paradise has to offer!

By day, Sharon is a museum curator in history, and by night she is a PhD Researcher (of K-Pop!) in Media and Cultural Studies. She is a bi-coastal, Korean-American traveler who splits her time between the UK, the US, and South Korea and has written and presented articles and papers for house museums across New England, popular culture conferences and magazines, and Asian Studies conferences. Sharon is an avid aviation geek, a museum nerd, and a glutton for K-Stuff (K-Dramas, K-Beauty, K-BBQ). Follow her PhDing and travels @thepophistorydoctor on IG!