Vacation Rentals by Owner (vrbo.com) gives the traveler access to a variety of private homes/cabins/condos for rent. If everything goes well, great. But if the traveler encounters problems, he is at the mercy of the owner to get any solution. If you want a partial or full refund - even if your case is rock-solid - the owner is holding your money and may not care about your unsatisfactory stay (or even NON-stay, due to a mudslide blocking access to the cabin, or other problem preventing the traveler from even entering the rental.) If you like disputes, then go ahead and risk renting from an absentee owner with no local professional caretaker. You will have the burden of proof, and all of the problems will be on your shoulders. Personally I will not rent from the vrbo.com site again.