Should I choose to find vacation rental accommodation (through free websites like http://www.alwaysonvacation.com or http://www.vrbo.com ? )

Old post, but a good question! It depends upon what sort of experience you would like to have. A hotel takes pretty much all of the "work" out of your hands. They provide SERVICE for a price. Clean or extra towels are but a phone call away, they tidy up and make the bed each day, unless you hang the little do not disturb sign on the door. You can have food by simply entering the available restaurant, or calling room service. If the toilet overflows they should fix it or move you to another room within a reasonable amount of time. With a private home, you have to decide if you want to save money, by preparing your own meals, or go out. You make your own bed, or leave it lay. You are responsible for properly caring for and respecting that you are in someone's home. You are less likely to have to worry about disturbing someone who "shares" a wall with you. You can play music, watch tv, and turn it up a fair bit if you want to. You probably have everything you could need in the kitchen to prepare lovely meals that you know exactly what is in the dish, and it can be your most favorite food in the world! Plus, you can easily take advantage of sampling the LOCAL fruit and veggie offerings, wineries... and so on...for a lot less money! If they have a pool...and you don't wish to be around children who may be rather loud as they play, bingo...you don't have to! You can lay out, relax, listen to your favorite music and take a quiet nap. And, you don't have to wonder who peed in the pool, because you and yours are the only ones using it today! Some even allow pets so you don't have to leave Fluffy at home, if you have a well behaved pet, you can simply bring them along and forgo paying for boarding or a pet sitter! http://www.exchangehomesoia.com/

I'm a big fan of VRBO. I love living like a local. Here's where I stayed last time. Cocoa Beach resorts http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/usa/florida/central-east/cocoa-beach