Posted on 3/10/2017By the Ocean Reef Editorial Team
Nobody likes to pay more then they have to. Yet, some people are doing just that. Just over a year ago the two most popular vacation rental listings sites, VRBO & HomeAway, introduced a "service fee" that raises the total a traveler pays to an additional 4% to 10%, capping at $499.
This means reserving a vacation home or condo on VRBO & HomeAway can cost you nearly $500 more than just going directly to the source. As you may have guessed, we are the source for many of those exact properties travelers are paying the unnecessary premium on. Of course, we welcome reservations from respectable channels such as these and there is value in the service they offer for both travelers and accommodation providers. However, we want you to know what thousands of our annual repeat guests already know.
Our low-price guarantee! Reserving directly with Ocean Reef guarantees you are paying the absolute best price possible. Not only do you save money, you get access to a talented group of Destin & South Walton locals who know and love the area. Of course, you can reserve online on our state-of-the-art website, but we also offer reservation specialist who can assist in finding you the perfect property for you and your family. Not only do they offer vast knowledge on accommodations, but they can help with restaurant recommendations, with planning excursions, and special locals only insight that will help you have truly authentic experiences.
Don't they have more properties to choose from? Yes these aggregate booking sites do have more properties, but that doesn't mean they are better properties. Ocean Reef hand-selects homes and condos in the best communities and complexes and we offer a wide range of options spanning from Destin to Panama City Beach, including much sought locales like Miramar Beach and South Walton.
Get even more for your money! So now you know reserving direct will help you avoid the VRBO + HomeAway Booking Fee. Here at Ocean Reef we take added value seriously. Every guest who stays with us receives our Reef Rewards for no additional charge. These include freebies and discounts all along the coast. Our guests enjoy a round of free golf daily, snorkeling adventures, and tickets aboard a dolphin cruise. Discounts include savings on museum and water park tickets, shopping at Silver Sands Premium Outlets, and bike and water sport rentals.
You can start your search now at the top of this page or checkout our special offers page for current promotions that can even further expand your savings.
The Ocean Reef Editorial Team leads the market in vacation rental, real estate, and coastal lifestyle content, with decades of Destin & 30A expertise behind every story. As the area's largest locally owned and longest continually operating vacation rental company, we welcome over 200,000 guests each year and reach millions who dream of the beach. Our guides serve travelers, homeowners, and locals alike, sharing authentic knowledge you can trust-because this coast isn't just where we work, it's where our story began, and where we'll continue to welcome generations to come.
