Vacation rental Coverage

Romantic escapes in North Carolina for a weekend getaway

Enjoy a relaxing getaway in the mountains or a romantic weekend in the city at one of these luxury escapes in North Carolina.

Delaney Eyermann, WRAL multiplatform producer

Phony hotels listed online; Expedia fails 5 On Your Side test

Vacation bookers beware. WRAL's 5 On Your Side put an online booking site to the test after finding phony rentals in Raleigh. The flaws in their vetting that failed to catch our fake listing before it went live.

Fake hotels are trying to steal your money

How to spot a scam listing. 5 On Your Side's Keely Arthur has the small details you might miss that will save your bank account

Hidden cameras can be anywhere; small device can help you detect them

Cameras disguised as everyday items, hidden in a vacation rental or hotel, can invade your family's privacy and you may never even know.

Keely Arthur, WRAL consumer reporter

5 On Your Side uncovers hidden cameras 📷

As easy as it is to buy a hidden camera online, it's just as simple to buy a hidden camera detector. To find out how well detectors work, 5 On Your Side tested them out.

Finding the best deals for summer travel

A travel expert shares her thoughts on where and when to book the best deals for summer travel.

5 On Your Side gets $720 back from Vrbo after a vacation nightmare

Tracy Parks was hoping to use VRBO to book a girls' trip to Charlotte. What she got was anything but.

Keely Arthur, WRAL consumer reporter

How to find the perfect rental home for your vacation

From Airbnb to Vrbo, staying at a home share has become a popular alternative to a hotel or a resort. NBC looks at what to know before saying "yes" to the house.

'This can't happen again': Parents of child killed in NC vacation home elevator talk using grief to make change

7-year-old Weston Androw died last year in a North Carolina vacation home elevator. For the first time Monday, his parents spoke publicly about their loss and their son's life saving legacy.

Cullen Browder, WRAL anchor/reporter

NC Senate passes 'Weston's Law' to address elevator safety in rental homes

The state House must still consider the measure before it heads to the governor's desk.

Mark Bergin, WRAL senior multiplatform producer

Child's rental home elevator death on NC coast may lead to safety changes

A continuing WRAL Investigation could lead to a change in state law regarding elevators in short-term rental property, which is a perk for high-end beach homes.

Cullen Browder, WRAL anchor/reporter

Some of the most unique Airbnbs you can book in North Carolina

The variety of vacation spots in North Carolina makes for some interesting Airbnb's. From castles to cabins to boats, you can vacation just about anywhere using Airbnb.

Maggie Brown, WRAL multiplatform producer

Beach or mountains? There's a rush to buy vacation homes

A new analysis of mortgage data from national real estate firm Redfin found that second homes, or vacation homes, remain in high demand.

A warning for owners, travelers: Loaded guns found in vacation rentals and hotels

Police in Kill Devil Hills shared pictures of two guns recovered the same day last month. One, a semi-automatic, was left in a nightstand of a vacation home. The other, a Glock brand pistol, was left under a mattress at a nearby hotel. So far this summer, the department has responded to nine such calls.

Monica Laliberte, WRAL executive producer/5 on Your Side reporter

Loaded guns left behind in vacation rentals

Whether gun owner or travelers, 5 On Your Side has a potentially life-saving tip for your next trip.

Boy's death sparks calls for inspection of private elevators

Weston Androw was killed on the Outer Banks last month in a residential elevator accident. An elevator that, by law, doesn't have to receive annual inspections like commercial elevators.

Elevators popular at beach rental homes, but some argue they're an accident waiting to happen

A 7-year-old boy's death on the North Carolina coast could spark a change in state law.

Cullen Browder, WRAL anchor/reporter

Boy's death at Outer Banks beach house prompts action by consumer watchdog

Vacation rentals services should alert customers to the dangers of home elevators and refuse to list homes until their elevators have been inspected, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said Tuesday.

7-year-old killed in elevator mishap at Outer Banks vacation house

A 7-year-old boy whose family was vacationing on the Outer Banks died over the weekend when he became stuck in the doors of the elevator in the beach house where the family was staying, authorities said.

Summer forecast for travel tips, trends and hotspots

Google Trends expert Alex Joseph speaks to vacation trends and where people are going as COVID-19 restrictions ease.

Travel expert: Book now to avoid higher prices for flights and rentals

After more than a year of lockdowns, more people are ready to enjoy time away from work and home and get back to travel adventures.

Monica Laliberte, WRAL executive producer/5 on Your Side reporter

Is it safe to stay at a vacation rental or hotel?

After months of sitting cooped up in our homes, many of us are looking for a little bit of escape -- a long weekend at the mountains or a week at the beach.

Sarah Lindenfeld Hall, Go Ask Mom editor