Why bunk down in a generic hotel room when you could stay in a midcentury modern home in Palm Springs, a lighthouse on an island in Sitka, Alaska, or a cottage on a Tuscan estate? At their best, vacation rentals combine truly unique accommodations, a taste of local living, and a lower price tag than most hotels. But there can be risks.Travel + Leisure evaluates rental properties (and the companies behind them) based on ease of use, renters’ protections, and safety, as well as aesthetic appeal, location, and value.