NEWTON, Mass., Dec. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- TripAdvisor®, the world's most trusted source of travel advice, today announced ten of North America's best value winter vacation rental getaways, according to TripAdvisor listing data and editors. Whether travelers are looking to hit the ski slopes or relax on the beach this winter, vacation rentals provide an appealing accommodation option for those searching for better value and more living space.

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A recent TripAdvisor survey of more than 1,000 U.S. travelers found that 83 percent of respondents would stay at a vacation rental rather than a hotel or B&B for a winter leisure trip if they could get a better deal. In addition, when asked what factor would make them the most likely to stay at a vacation rental this winter, 37 percent cited low prices, 27 percent said a good location and 16 percent said more amenities.

Top 5 Value "Sun" Winter Vacation Rental Getaways

1. Marco Island, Florida

Located off the Gulf Coast of Florida near Naples, Marco Island is the largest of Florida's Ten Thousand Islands. This vacation spot is surrounded by miles of beaches, marine wildlife including dolphins and manatees, and is within driving distance of Everglades National Park.

A group of four could save up to $3,730 by staying at a vacation rental on Marco Island versus a hotel for a weeklong stay, according to TripAdvisor's Vacation Rentals Calculator.

2. Bequia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines

The second largest in a string of islands called the Grenadines, Bequia has the charm of the old Caribbean and beautiful beaches to boot. Whether you're looking to swim, sail, snorkel, or relax on the beach, Bequia is a fantastic place to get away from it all and unwind.

A group of four could save up to $2,110 by staying at a vacation rental on Bequia versus a hotel for a weeklong stay, according to TripAdvisor's Vacation Rentals Calculator.

3. Kihei, Hawaii

Whether you want to sun yourself on its pristine, white sand beaches, like nearby Makena Beach, or tour the coastline and nearby volcanoes, Kihei is a beautiful destination for snowbirds. Situated on Maui's western shore, it is also a renowned spot for snorkeling and scuba diving.

A group of four could save up to $1,970 by staying at a vacation rental in Kihei versus a hotel for a weeklong stay, according to TripAdvisor's Vacation Rentals Calculator.

4. South Padre Island, Texas

A scenic tropical paradise with beautiful beaches and crystal clear waters, South Padre Island has plenty to offer those who want to sunbathe or find some adventure. In addition to its pristine beaches, the island features excellent parasailing, hiking, bird watching, deep-sea fishing, golfing, and scuba diving.

A group of four could save up to $1,060 by staying at a vacation rental on South Padre Island versus a hotel for a weeklong stay, according to TripAdvisor's Vacation Rentals Calculator.

5. Fort Myers, Florida

Fort Myers offers an ideal combination of activities for both sea and land lovers. White sand beaches and prime deep-sea fishing draws travelers year round to this gulf coast destination. For those who don't crave the salt water, there are also plenty of shopping, restaurant, and golfing options nearby.

A group of four could save up to $960 by staying at a vacation rental in Fort Myers versus a hotel for a weeklong stay, according to TripAdvisor's Vacation Rentals Calculator.

Top 5 Value "Snow" Winter Vacation Rental Getaways

1. Mammoth Lakes, California

A veritable winter wonderland, Mammoth Lakes in the Eastern Sierra region of California has it all for travelers who love the snow. Mammoth Mountain Ski Area draws skiers and snowboarders from around the world, but the surrounding region also offers plenty of options for snowmobiling, ice-skating, and snowshoeing.

A group of four could save up to $2,700 by staying at a vacation rental in Mammoth Lakes versus a hotel for a weeklong stay, according to TripAdvisor's Vacation Rentals Calculator.

2. Jackson, Wyoming

Home of the longest and steepest vertical slope in the United States, Jackson is a haven for serious skiers and snowboarders. It also has activities off the slopes with plenty of shops and restaurants, as well as the nearby Yellowstone National Park for nature lovers.

A group of four could save up to $2,020 by staying at a vacation rental in Jackson versus a hotel for a weeklong stay, according to TripAdvisor's Vacation Rentals Calculator.

3. Lincoln, New Hampshire

Situated in the heart of New Hampshire's famous White Mountains region, Lincoln is close to many of the area's top attractions and ski areas. Travelers are just a short drive away from top ski resorts in the state, including Loon, Cannon, and Bretton Woods and can enjoy local winter tours on horseback, snowmobile, or snowshoes.

A group of four could save up to $1,190 by staying at a vacation rental in Lincoln versus a hotel for a weeklong stay, according to TripAdvisor's Vacation Rentals Calculator.

4. Rangeley, Maine

A beautiful New England destination year round, Rangeley truly shines for travelers looking for some outdoor winter adventures. Skiers can hit the slopes at Saddleback Mountain or ski cross-country in the scenic lakes region, and for something a little out of the ordinary, vacationers can even drive or ride a dog sled with a local pro.

A group of four could save up to $950 by staying at a vacation rental in Rangeley versus a hotel for a weeklong stay, according to TripAdvisor's Vacation Rentals Calculator.

5. Estes Park, Colorado

Estes Park, surrounded by Rocky Mountain National Park and Roosevelt National Park, is a great place to re-connect with nature and catch a glimpse of winter wildlife. It's also a terrific area for snowshoeing, cross country skiing, and ice-skating, and nearby Eldora Mountain Resort can even satisfy the alpine skiers in the family.

A group of four could save up to $930 by staying at a vacation rental in Estes Park versus a hotel for a weeklong stay, according to TripAdvisor's Vacation Rentals Calculator.

"Whether they're looking for fun in the sun or a day out on the ski slopes, there are plenty of winter travel destinations where travelers can save big by staying at a vacation rental," said Bryan Saltzburg, general manager of new initiatives at TripAdvisor.

Earlier this year, TripAdvisor announced the availability of vacation rentals and the innovative Vacation Rentals Calculator on tripadvisor.com. More than 100,000 vacation rentals in more than 5,000 regions are now available in TripAdvisor's vacation rental listings, which are powered by FlipKey.

About TripAdvisor Media Network

TripAdvisor® Media Network, operated by TripAdvisor, LLC, attracts more than 36 million monthly visitors* across 15 popular travel brands: TripAdvisor®, www.airfarewatchdog.com, www.bookingbuddy.com, www.cruisecritic.com, www.familyvacationcritic.com, www.flipkey.com, www.frequentflier.com, www.holidaywatchdog.com, www.independenttraveler.com, www.onetime.com, www.seatguru.com, www.smartertravel.com, www.travel-library.com, www.travelpod.com and www.virtualtourist.com. TripAdvisor-branded sites make up the largest travel community in the world, with more than 25 million monthly visitors*, 15 million registered members and 30 million reviews and opinions. Featuring real advice from real travelers, TripAdvisor-branded sites cover more than one million destinations, hotels, restaurants and attractions and operate in the U.S. (http://www.tripadvisor.com), the U.K. (http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk), Ireland (http://www.tripadvisor.ie), France (http://www.tripadvisor.fr), Germany (http://www.tripadvisor.de), Italy (http://www.tripadvisor.it), Spain (http://www.tripadvisor.es), India (http://www.tripadvisor.in), Japan (http://www.tripadvisor.jp), Portugal and Brazil (http://www.tripadvisor.com.br), Sweden (http://www.tripadvisor.se), The Netherlands (http://nl.tripadvisor.com) and Canada (http://www.tripadvisor.ca). TripAdvisor also operates in China under the brand daodao.com (http://www.daodao.com) and Kuxun.cn (http://www.kuxun.cn). TripAdvisor® Media Network provides travel suppliers with graphical advertising opportunities and a cost-per-click marketing platform. Collectively, the sites comprising the TripAdvisor Media Network have won hundreds of awards and accolades from press and industry worldwide. TripAdvisor and the sites comprising the TripAdvisor Media Network are operating companies of Expedia, Inc. (NASDAQ: EXPE).

TripAdvisor and the TripAdvisor logo are registered trademarks of TripAdvisor LLC in the U.S. and/or other countries. Other logos or product and company names mentioned herein may be the property of their respective owners.

©2009 TripAdvisor LLC. All rights reserved.

*Source: comScore Media Metrix, July 2009

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