Posted on 12/29/2017By the Ocean Reef Editorial Team

The vacation rental industry in the US is rapidly evolving.  Not long ago the idea of staying in a home or condo instead of a hotel was a foreign concept.  Those days are long gone, and now the national spotlight is illuminating all the great benefits of enjoying your vacation in private property.  

Many more guests now know what you've known all along – vacation rentals are awesome!  And as with all awesome things, the techies are now trying to make things even better.  Companies like Ocean Reef have always been early adopters and are embracing the influx of new technologies.   One of our favorite new technologies may be one that is ahead of its time, but of course, that's not stopping us.

We are talking about virtual reality!  Yes, really. Virtual reality vacation rentals are here.  For as long as most can remember, we've provided stunning photos and captivating property videos.  However, there is no reason to keep things so... 2D.  

Over 100 of our Destin & South Walton vacation rentals are now offered for your viewing pleasure in 3D!  Our website provides dimensionally accurate models of the spaces within our properties, showing exactly how the human eye would see it.  You can view these spaces totally immersed within them, via a fun dollhouse mode, and from a direct overhead floor plan view.

3D is not Virtual Reality

So all that sounds great.  However, 3D is clearly not virtual reality.  Well, there's one more mode we forgot to mention.  With a viewer, you can grab your smartphone and take your exploration of our vacation rentals to the next level and go full VR.  Doesn't that sound expensive?  Well, it's not.  Your kids may already have a VR viewer, so check with them first.  If not, Google comes to the rescue with their Google Cardboard.  It's a cardboard VR viewer that only runs $15, and on their site, they offer other affordable viewers starting at only $5.  

So now that you have (or don't have) your Virtual Reality viewer, we want to highlight a few of our most viewed 3D/VR tours.  Keep in mind, these are just a handful of the many virtual reality Destin vacation rentals we currently offer. Best of all, you can take your "virtual vacation" completely free!

A Beachy Blast - View Property Details

What you will see: The entry foyer of this beautiful home shows the rich multi-toned hardwood flooring, a comfortable armchair and the open staircase that leads upstairs. This space is nautically attired with an anchored lamp and stylish matching mirror. A door leads into a lovely Guest Bedroom on this level that has a queen sized bed and access to a full bath. A large adjacent space decorated with sports memorabilia and antique gas station signs is a Game Room that includes Foosball as well as an Air Hockey Table.  A view of the light, bright main living area is centered by a dining table for eight beneath a domed lamp with a seating ensemble at one end beside two sets of double glass doors leading out to a balcony that overlooks a private pool.

A look at the living room portion includes two contemporary cubical white armchairs and a light blue couch that face a large TV. The kitchen includes stainless steel appliances. Sleek ebony toned granite countertops provide a striking contrast to the light wood cabinetry and the open pass thru to the dining room.  A Guest Bedroom on this floor has beach themed décor that includes a woven straw headboard on the king-sized bed. This room also has its own balcony. A view of a quad set of beds for a bunk room on the third floor attired with vivid patriotic colors. The Master Bedroom with a king-sized bed includes a full bath en suite and this video shows the double set of glass doors that lead out to a balcony.

The outdoor poolside kitchen with the vibrant mosaic tiled accent wall includes a wet bar, a large gas grill and a small refrigerator of entertaining. A large table allows guests to dine poolside. The tropically landscaped swimming pool is "L" shaped with cushioned patio chairs nearby for sunny relaxation. A view from the second floor covered balcony shows another table for the enjoyment of drinks and dining al fresco. A seating area on the other side of this balcony has chairs and a cushioned wicker couch nestled beside the towering palms. Views from the third-floor balcony off the Master Bedroom overlook the opulent neighborhood and palm trees that line Scenic Gulf Drive.

Barracuda - View Property Details

What you will see: A covered porch with a gas grill overlooks an intimate lagoon shaped plunge pool with a bubbling hot tub. The open Great Room on the first floor brightly lit with multiple windows has direct access to the pool porch. A light blue colored couch and matching love seat face a wall mounted TV. Formal squared columns frame the dining room other that has a rectangular wooden table with eight chairs for dining. A view of the newly remodeled open kitchen that features a granite-topped island and gleaming stainless steel appliances.  Views of another full kitchen upstairs with a granite-topped counter bar, stainless steel appliances, and a breakfast table. The separate guest quarters include a plush tufted wraparound couch in the living area that faces a wall mounted TV.

A crisp bright nautically inspired Master Bedroom includes a full bath en suite, a king-sized bed, and doors leading out to a balcony. Another Master Bedroom with lovely flower print wall décor, a king sized bed, private luxury bath, and balcony access. A handsome Guest Bedroom with a queen sized bed with an attractive safari styled woven frame. A Guest Bedroom with cottage styled twin beds. A Kid's Sleeping Quarters with two bunk beds.

At Redfish - View Property Details

What you will see: The pool and hot tub include a patio deck for sunning that is accessible from the first and second floor levels. The downstairs Guest Quarters at pool level includes a kitchenette with a wet bar, mini refrigerator, icemaker, and microwave. A sleeper sofa faces a large TV and a dining table seats four. The Bonus Recreation Room includes a pool table for fun. A lovely Guest Bedroom includes two queen sized beds styled with Tommy Bahama type tropical designs and has access to a full bath.

A second floor comfortable upscale Master Suite includes a king-sized bed and private luxury bath.An enchanting Guest Bedroom has a king sized bed framed with decorative metal and has access to the balcony. Another Guest Bedroom with gorgeous tropically inspired décor includes a king-sized bed includes and has access to the balcony.  

Very bright spacious open Great Room on the third floor features walls of windows with glass doors leading out to an observation balcony overlooking the lake. A long granite-topped bar with extra seating faces the state of the art kitchen accented with rich custom cabinetry. The dining table beside two walls of windows includes six charming white spindle-backed side chairs with vibrant plaid cushions and two tall red leather end chairs. The main Master Bedroom off the Great Room on the top floor is professionally decorated to include a king-sized bed and luxurious private bath en-suite.  The open rooftop observation deck also has a covered sitting area with a wet bar for drinks and provides panoramic views of the exotic coastal dune lake.

Have fun exploring all of the 3D/VR tours of our vacation rentals by selecting the "3D Tour" icon under the main image on our property pages.  Remember the future is here, and you should be too.  See you soon!

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.