Area: Kissimmee, FL and Orlando, FL
Expert: Sara Moore
Years living in Orlando, FL: 11
Company: ALL STAR Vacation Homes

Sara, what makes Orlando, FL a great destination to visit and stay in a vacation rental?

Besides beautiful, sunny, Florida weather – Orlando is home to more than 95 attractions, endless dining, shopping, spa and golf options and is just 60 miles from the closest beach.

We have more than 20,000 vacation rentals that surround the Orlando-area attractions and convention centers. Visitors can choose a condo or private pool home that meets any budget, group size or unique needs.

What are the top things to do (attractions, activities, events, etc.) in the area?  Are there any hidden gems that people may not be aware of? 

In Central Florida, you can do it all! Besides the well-known theme parks, visitors can choose from a large selection of unique experiences, such as:

• Airboat Rides
• Hot Air Balloons
• Freshwater or Saltwater Fishing
• Retail & Outlet Shopping

For example, Central Florida is home to Gatorland, a 110-acre attraction known as The Alligator Capital of the World. And Fantasy of Flight is an aviation-themed attraction showcasing vintage aircraft from the world’s largest private collection.

What are the top 5 ‘must-try’ restaurants in the area?

You can find almost any restaurant that is a family favorite in Orlando from McDonald’s to TGI Fridays. Below is a list of my favorites that are a little more unique, in no particular order.

1. Bahama Breeze - this limited Darden chain restaurant features Caribbean fare. Be sure to try the Tortilla Soup and the Bahamarita!

2. Texas de Brazil Steakhouse (also a limited chain restaurant) – If you ever have trouble choosing from a menu, this is a unique dining experience where you get to try it all.

3. Bruno’s Italian – Family friendly, homemade Italian and great pizza in a relaxed atmosphere. There is no better casual Italian in Orlando than Bruno’s.

4. Dixie Crossroads – If you are traveling to the East coast of Central Florida, Dixie Crossroads, located in Titusville, is famous for its Rock Shrimp!

5. Pointe Orlando – There are too many great restaurants to choose from in Orlando, so I’m cheating on #5 - Pointe Orlando, located on International Drive, is host to almost anything that you might be in the mood for. From Capital Grille for steaks to Oceannaire for seafood and Taverna Opa for Greek cuisine and festive entertainment.

What popular entertainment/nightlife options in the area would you recommend?

Pointe Orlando also features great nighttime entertainment, such as B.B.Kings Blues Club and a 20-screen movie theatre.

Downtown Disney has movies, the House of Blues, Bongos Cuban Cafe and Ragland Road Irish Pub.

Universal’s City Walk is also a great option for those looking to take in a little nightlife, with movies, dancing and is now home to the Blue Man Group!

Don’t forget the theme parks put on nightly fireworks shows, which can be seen throughout Central Florida and even from the pool decks of many of our private pool vacation homes.

You rent homes to hundreds of guests each year….so you must have a funny story or two about people that visit Orlando, FL:

We get this request a lot (remember I mentioned above our closest beach is 60 miles). “I want a home on the ocean, within a few miles of Disney.”

Also, in 2004, when Hurricane Charley blew through, we were hosting a famous comedian in a new community that still had construction going on. During the storm, the wind picked up a porta potty and it hit his rental car. Somehow I think that made it into a comedy routine at some point.

Owner:  Joseph Scavona

Location:  Myrtle Beach, SC

How did you get into the vacation rental business?

In March 2006, my wife and I got together with two other families and purchased a couple of condos at the Caravelle Resort in Myrtle Beach.  The condos were originally intended to be for personal use and as a real estate investment – but we decided to share it with other guests while it wasn’t in use.  At first, we used a property management company to rent the condos out – but decided to begin renting the units out on our own to provide more personalized customer service to our guests.

What makes Myrtle Beach a great destination to visit?  Why did you decide to buy in Myrtle Beach?

There were a number of reasons why we decided to buy in Myrtle Beach.  It’s a very family oriented beach location that’s very fairly priced and affordable for families.  This was a big selling point for us.  The beaches are huge and are not as crowded as other beach areas on the East Coast and there are lots of activities that appeal to a wide variety of interests – fishing excursions, bike riding, great restaurants, etc.  It’s a great place to get away and just relax in a very laid back atmosphere.  It’s also accessible from lots of areas as you can fly directly into Myrtle Beach.

What would be your advice to vacation homeowners considering renting out their home?

My first piece of advice would be not to underestimate the time involved to do it right – as guest interactions, rental contacts, advertising, and pricing your property takes extra time & patience to get it right.

Beyond that, I would say it’s absolutely critical to really know your place and the area as you’ll get lots of questions, some of which you won’t necessarily expect.  It’s also really important to be honest and set proper expectations – this has really helped me drive repeat visitors and referrals.  For instance, my property is more low-key and secluded than other locations in Myrtle Beach so I want to make sure my guests know that going in so there are no surprises.

For out of town renters like myself, I can’t stress how important finding a housekeeper and maintenance person you can trust.  They are your eyes and ears on the ground.  I use Spic-N-Span Cleaning & Linen Rental and they have been lifesavers for me.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a vacation rental owner?

The follow-up emails I’ve received from guests after their vacation have been a tremendous source of pride for me.  I don’t like our units to go unused and it’s great to be able to provide a great vacation for people coming to Myrtle Beach, sometimes for the first time.

What are the most common mistakes that vacation rental owners make?

My advice would be to price your property fairly and avoid “going for the big fish” by overpricing your property, which some owners can be guilty of.  It’s counterproductive as you end up failing to meet expectations and create a lot of unnecessary ill will between you and the guest.

What is the biggest challenge to marketing a vacation rental property online?

The main challenges for me are differentiating my property since many listing sites have become very saturated and getting people to trust me, particularly when I had no history.

How did you learn about FlipKey?  What attracted you to the ‘Verified Owner’ program?

I originally learned about FlipKey on TripAdvisor.  I was on TripAdvisor looking at hotels – saw vacation rentals – and ended up learning about FlipKey’s program for owners like myself.  I liked the fact that it was $1.99 per month to start, tied to a well-known brand, and the verification program.  Most importantly, I liked the guest reviews and the fact that the reviews are real (meaning that as an owner, I can’t simply delete negative reviews), which creates a level playing field and allows consumers to trust them.  Having the ability to share reviews from guests online, which I was already collecting prior to FlipKey via my follow-up emails, with other prospective guests is helping me generate bookings.

What results have you seen from the program to-date?

It’s only been a couple of weeks – but the results have been great so far.  I’ve received 75 inquiries plus 10 to 12 calls – and already 6 bookings, with one taking two weeks.  I’ve also been pointing prospective guests that come in from other channels to my FlipKey page so they can see reviews from past guests.  So, not only am I getting results from people viewing my listing on FlipKey & TripAdvisor – but I’m also able to help convert other people as well with the reviews.

What have you found are the secrets/best practices to success on FlipKey?

The most important thing to do is collect reviews.  I’ve been really proactive with my guests asking them to leave reviews and then thanking them if they are able to do so.  It’s a time investment – but well worth it.

What new features/improvements would like to see FlipKey make going forward?

While the program has been great for me so far, there’s a number of improvements that can be made that will make it even better.  The system needs to handle overlapping rates better and it would be great if there was an area to explain what the rate actually includes.  This is really important so that people can compare properties on an apples-to-apples basis since rates from other owners may not include other fees & taxes.  I’d also like longer character limits, particularly for the property title, and want it to be more obvious to people to send an email inquiry when they are looking at my property.  Finally, it would be great if the system emailed me when a new review was left so I can comment on the review or thank the guest for leaving a review.

Guest Authors:  Alfred and Emily Glossbrenner
Company:  FullyBookedRentals
Title: Co-founders



How does FullyBookedRentals help independent property owners?

Our goal is to give owners the information, advice, and informed commentary they need to advertise, market, and manage their properties as profitable vacation rentals. And the word independent really is at the heart of what we do. We do not accept advertising, commissions, or referral fees, or do anything else that might be seen as influencing our recommendations.

In fact, as one FullyBookedRentals member recently suggested, we strive to be “the Consumer Reports® of the vacation-rental industry.” That covers a lot of territory: furnishings and amenities, where to list your property online, how to create your own Web site, booking and management software, credit card companies, and much more.

How is your content different from other online resources available to vacation rental owners?

First, the vast majority of what owners will find at FullyBookedRentals is fresh, Glossbrenner-written material derived from our own experience and expertise as vacation-rental owners and authors who have been following the industry for nearly a decade. We not only know what owners need, we anticipate it, and we create expert, unbiased content accordingly.

Second, at FullyBookedRentals we also “filter the fire hose.” There is indeed a great deal of breaking news and information for owners of vacation rentals on the Web. But it is widely diffused, not necessarily accurate or reliable, and certainly not unbiased. We constantly monitor the field and let our members know when some significant development—like vacation-rental bans—comes into view.

Third, we are not only experienced vacation-rental owners, we are writers who have made a living as professional communicators, with a particular focus on the Internet, for nearly 30 years. As a result, our content is better organized and better written than anything else one might find on the Web.

Our bottom line at FullyBookedRentals is this: If you are truly serious about turning your second home or investment property into a profitable vacation rental, and you want the best, most up-to-date information on how to go about it, check FullyBookedRentals. We do the research so you don’t have to.

What would be your advice to vacation homeowners considering renting out their home?

The first thing a would-be vacation-rental owner must confront is what we call “the Goldilocks Syndrome,” as in “who’s been sleeping in my bed?” This doesn’t apply to owners who have bought properties as investments and have always intended to rent them out. But it surely applies to those who own a second home and are considering the rental option.

We tend to take a “tough love” approach: Remember this is your second home, not your main nest. If you have certain things that are irreplaceable or precious to you, lock them up in the “owner’s closet” when renters are using your property.

Your next decision is whether to pay a property manager or handle everything yourself. In the recent past, you had very little choice: You pretty much had to use a property manager and pay fees ranging from 15% to 50% of your rental income.

The advent of vacation-rental advertising sites and management tools for individual VR owners has changed everything. Today, you really can advertise, market, and manage your vacation rental on your own. Or you can do some things yourself and purchase others—like cleaning services and checking guests in and out—from a property manager.

FullyBookedRentals is very much about helping vacation-rental owners take advantage of the full range of possibilities now open to them.

What are the most common mistakes that vacation rental owners make?

The biggest mistake most new vacation-rental owners make, in our experience, is not realizing that they are in the hospitality business. They get caught up in the notion that they are entering into a landlord/tenant relationship, when in fact, the role they will be playing is much more akin to being the host at a small inn or bed-and-breakfast.

The best attitude to adopt if you want to be a successful vacation-rental owner is this: “You’re a host, not a landlord. And the people who rent your property are your guests, not your tenants.”

A host doesn’t ask guests to sign a multi-page rental agreement with overly complex legal jargon of the sort normally found in long-term lease agreements. A host is accommodating, so if a guest asks to check in two hours earlier than the set time, and there is no conflict with the cleaners’ schedule, the host says, “Well, of course…”

The neat thing is that when you adopt the mindset that you’re a host and convey that to your renters, by the time they check in, they’ll view themselves as guests in your wonderful vacation home. And they will treat the place accordingly. So it’s a win-win situation.

Another very common mistake is being penny-wise and pound-foolish when it comes to accepting credit cards. Many new VR owners don’t want to pay the 2% to 3% that credit card companies charge. So they insist that their guests pay by check. That’s one of the best ways we know to put a property at a competitive disadvantage, particularly when it is so easy these days for an owner to be granted “merchant status.” Credit card fees are simply a cost of doing business.

What is the biggest challenge to marketing a vacation rental property online?

A great question with a deceptively simple answer: The biggest challenge to marketing a VR online is standing out from the competition.

To do that, you might assume that you’ll need to create your own Web site and then master SEO (Search Engine Optimization) in hopes of getting it onto the first page of Google. But that’s not what we would recommend.

What you should do instead is go to the sites where your competition is advertising and study the listings for properties most similar to yours. Then put your time and effort into creating a listing for your property with superb photos, a thorough and honest description, and possibly even a floor plan.

Be sure to include information about your rates, cancellation and refund policies, and whether you allow smoking and pets. And keep in mind that your goal is to convey to prospective guests what’s special about your place. The vacation-rental business is not about selling identical hotel rooms or condo units. It’s about persuading someone to choose your property over all the others they may be considering.

You must be absolutely certain that your online advertising copy makes your “unique selling proposition” crystal clear. Do not be shy. Put it right out there in the first sentence or two of your property description.

And remember: Standing out from your competition is an art, not a science. Every location is different. In our opinion, the key thing is to resolve to take the time and effort and energy to make your property stand out from the competition. Do not just put up an online listing and hope for the best. Be proactive!

What do you think about FlipKey expanding its services to independent vacation rental owners?

We think it’s great! And that is not just a courteous, polite response. At FullyBookedRentals, we do not believe that having a single venture-capital-fueled company roll up the entire online vacation-rental advertising industry is a good thing.

We have interacted with many of the folks at this company over the past few years. They are smart people. And they are doing a lot to raise awareness of the vacation-rental option. But a monopoly—which would seem to be what they are reaching for—is never good for free markets, particularly emerging markets like the vacation-rental industry.

So we’re happy to see FlipKey and its parent company, TripAdvisor, enter the field. After all, competition is at the base of our free-market system.

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FullyBookedRentals offers a wealth of top-quality free and member-exclusive content, including sample rental agreements, forms, and checklists, and an annotated, unbiased guide to the best vacation-rental resources.  Annual membership is $49.95, but we’ve arranged for our FlipKey owner community to try FullyBookedRentals FREE for 90 days.  To take advantage of this special offer, enter the promotion code FLIP3 during the sign-up process (no credit card required).

The FlipKey Blog often features stories from recent guests of our many popular vacation rental destinations. We caught up with Paul T. who recently visited Gatlinburg with a whopping twenty members of his family that range between the ages of 22-81. Paul had great things to say about Gatlinburg and his experience as a vacation home rental guest.

Area: Vacation Rentals in Gatlinburg, TN

Guest: Paul T.

Paul, how did you find a vacation rental that was able to accommodate twenty people and fit all of your needs?

We planned for our family vacation 2008 in early in 2007 and looked at many rental properties in Gatlinburg.  We chose BIG TIMBER LODGE rented by Jackson
Mountain Homes. There is room to sleep 30 with adequate bathrooms.

What attractions, activities, and events would you recommend to other visitors of Gatlinburg, TN?

There was plenty to do for everyone, even in a house so diverse in age. The energetic crowd went to the national park to hike and learn about fireflies. The old folks spent time shopping at an outlet mall and dining in local restaurants in Pigeon Forge. On Saturday, we prepared pancakes for breakfast. They were exceptionally delicious. Most of the group went to Ober Gatlinburg; others went to Clingman’s Dome, while still others went gambling. While in the amusement park, we heard fire works used to scare away the bears.

After a cookout at the Big Timber Lodge, my grandson showed old home movies that he had put on a DVD. Then we played Cranium.

What was the best part of the vacation home that you stayed in?

 While there was plenty to do outdoors, our vacation rental was well equipped with a Wii system, a large kitchen for dining, and a DVD player for movies. In the evening we sat around the big kitchen table and talked about old times. My grandson showed photographs of his wedding. Then some of us went downtown to shop and purchased candles. Others went to the swimming pool. Every night there was a talk session in and around the hot tub. Many of the world’s problems were discussed. Few if any were solved.

Any final thoughts about your vacation Paul?

On Monday 8-25-08 all of us were out of the lodge and headed home by 9:30 AM.
The Big Timber Lodge was a great place for family time.  We were able to eat meals together, have a good time together, and still find time for privacy if needed.

 

Area: Vacation Rentals in Cape Cod, MA

Expert: Debra Johnson, Rental Manager and all of the Rental Agents at MMVR

Years living in Cape Cod: I’ve lived on the Cape for more than 20 years. Collectively, Mary Jane, Robin, and Andrew have lived here for over 50 years.

Company: Martha Murray Vacation Rentals

Debra, what makes Cape Cod a great destination to visit and stay in a vacation rental?

Cape Cod is a fantastic vacation destination for so many reasons. With fifteen distinctive towns, miles and miles of beaches – many considered among the best in the world – and a plethora of land and seafaring activities, there is something for everyone. Our mid-Cape location in Dennisport is the ideal spot for first timers and seasoned summer visitors alike to enjoy all the Cape has to offer.

What are the top things to do (attractions, activities, events, etc.) in the area?  Are there any hidden gems that people may not be aware of?

Boating, fishing, sailing, kayaking, windsurfing and parasailing entice those with an adventurous spirit. Whale watching, sightseeing or sunset dinner cruises are a must. There are hundreds of miles of bike trails around the Cape; in fact, the Cape Cod Rail Trail originates in Dennis and passes thru Harwich, Brewster, Orleans and Eastham and ends in South Wellfleet.

Cape Cod, MA is the premier golf destination in all of New England offering dozens of first-rate championship courses. Two of the finest courses are here in Dennis – The Highlands and The Pines. These beautiful courses are open to the public year round (weather permitting) and are sure to challenge the most avid players.

The Cape Cod Baseball league – recognized as the nation’s premier summer collegiate league – invites everyone to enjoy America’s favorite pastime while on the Cape. There are over 212 alumni currently in the Majors!

Known as somewhat of an artist colony, the Cape has embraced both artisans and performing artists alike who have become an integral part of Cape Cod life.  Galleries, workshops and studios dot our landscape. Venues such as the Cape Playhouse and the Cape Cod Melody Tent welcome world class entertainers.

Art fairs, festivals, music concerts in the park….there’s something for everyone.

What are the top 5 ‘must-try’ restaurants in the area?

We tried to keep it to 5 “must try’s” but here they are –

Breakfast – The Red Cottage, The Breakfast Room, and Good Friends Café.

Lunch/Family Dinner – Original Seafood, Kreme & Kone, Clancey’s, Paradise Pizza, The Dog House, Morrells

Dinner – The Oyster Company(best raw bar), The Ocean House, The Seaview, The Red Pheasant, Scargo Café,DiPalma’s, Villa Roma and Bucca’s.

Anytime – Lighthouse Inn, Chapins, The Sailing Cow, Captain Parkers and The Lobster Boat.

What popular entertainment/nightlife options in the area would you recommend?

We had a hard time with this since we are made up of baby boomers, Gen X’s and Y’s. I recommend telling your agent what you’re looking for and they’ll point you in the right direction. A few local options would be the Improper Bostonian, the Sandollar,  Sundancers, The Sandbar, and the Comedy Club. 

You rent homes to hundreds of guests each year….so you must have a funny story or two about people that visit Cape Cod.

Usually, we answer a lot of funny questions before arrival. Do the beaches have sandy sand? What color is the bathroom? I want to bring matching toilet paper. Our cottage is a half mile to the beach – is that walking or driving? 

Once everyone arrives – its great. Moms and Dads relax. Grandparents take the kids to the beach. Couples stroll the beaches at sunset. Families get together for cook-outs. This is what Cape Cod vacations are all about.

Area: Winter Park, CO

Expert: Sarah Bradford

Years living in Winter Park, CO: Three

Company: Winter Park Lodging by Owner

Sarah, what makes Winter Park, CO a great destination to visit and stay in a vacation rental?

Winter Park is a family-oriented place surrounded by the beautiful Rocky Mountains.  In the winter, we have one of the best ski areas in the state often with the most snowfall of all of them.  The terrain ranges from easy groomers to steep bumps. Mary Jane, part of Winter Park Resort, is famous for it’s non-groomed hills and runs like Outhouse and Tressle that challenge even the best skiers and boarders.

In the summer, we’re known as the Mountain biking capital of the world/country/state – however you want to name it.  Incredible trails again for the experts all the way to the kiddos.  Great hiking, whitewater rafting, and fishing.  President Eisenhower frequented this area (Grand County) often through his life to fish the great waters here.  Plus, there are three lakes for boating, sailing, and even the occasional water ski outing (if you can put up with chilly waters!). 

The lodging is inexpensive compared to other mountain towns like Aspen and Vail and to be honest, the people here are more down to earth (no furs!) and fun to hang out with – we don’t get pretentious in Grand County – we all just love the outdoors and getting out there! 

Specifically on lodging – the base of the resort has some great new ski in/out options like the Base Camp on Jane Creek townhomes that make you feel like you’re in Aspen when you’re in your fancy digs.  Or, the Fraser Crossing/Founder’s Pointe new ski in/out condos are luxurious and have great views (not as fancy as Base Camp). 

What are the top things to do (attractions, activities, events, etc.) in the area?  Are there any hidden gems that people may not be aware of?

Oops – just covered that above, but basically it’s: 

• Skiing/snowboarding
• Cross-country skiing
• Hiking
• Mountain biking
• Whitewater rafting
• Boating, sailing
• Fishing

As for hidden gems, yes, we actually blog about that at www.wplbo.com/news (click “hints” or “tips”) but a few highlights are: 

• Hot Sulphur Springs (soak in over 30 hot springs on a mountainside)
• Dog Sled Rides: http:/www.wplbo.com/news/category/dog-sled-rides/
• Ski Train from Denver: http:/www.wplbo.com/news/2009/03/take-the-scenic-route-to-winter-park-on-the-ski-train/

What are the top 5 ‘must-try’ restaurants in the area?

Ah, good question…we blog about that too at: http://www.wplbo.com/news/category/winter-park-restaurants/

But here’s my list:

1) Tabernash Tavern

2) Brickhouse 40 (a bit of a drive)

3) Devil’s Thumb Ranch

4) The Cheeky Monk

5) Hernando’s Pizza and Pub

What popular entertainment/nightlife options in the area would you recommend?

I would suggest the Winter Park Pub (good ole bar with lots of draft beers), The Sushi Bar (also a good bar).  For entertainment, I would recommend Mo’s BBQ where they have a lot of live music and good grub.  A unique/unknown nighttime activity is to take the lift to the top of the mountain and dine at Sunspot. Pretty cool! 

You rent homes to hundreds of guests each year….so you must have a funny story or two about people that visit Winter Park, CO:

Oh yeah…In fact, we chronicle them in our newsletter to owners. I guess the funniest one lately was a lady who was staying at one of our properties called after midnight one evening arriving late from the Denver airport.  She was sweet as pie but said “I can’t get the garage code to work where I am staying in order to get in!”.  We said “The place you are staying doesn’t have a garage, so you better get out of there quick!”.  She laughed and we led her to the correct property.  Once there, she said “I am putting in the code to the lockbox on the wall (note the word “wall” not “door”) and the door is not opening!!!”  We had to explain to her that there is a key inside that lockbox and she has to then take it over to the door and put it in the keyhole.

Area: Vacation Rentals in North Myrtle Beach, SC

Expert: Kristen Askey with Susan Hewson & D’Aun Kingsbury

Years living in North Myrtle Beach:  Susan has lived in North Myrtle Beach for 26 years.  D’Aun has lived in the area for 20 years.

Company: Ocean Resorts

What makes North Myrtle Beach a great destination to visit and stay in a vacation rental?

1. Beautiful, wide sandy beaches.  

2. The original home of Beach Music and Shag Dancing.  (“The Shag” is the State “Dance”)

3. North Myrtle Beach … A small city incorporating a quaint residential feel with a fun yet peaceful beach experience for all walks of life.  Guests are within short driving distance to all the entertainment, attractions, restaurants, shopping, and golf venues in North Myrtle Beach and Myrtle Beach, but can enjoy a quiet and relaxing beach experience without being right in by the hubbub of touristy amusements and traffic.  (For example:  People go to Myrtle Beach to play and be right in the middle of the summer vacation hoopla.  People go to North Myrtle Beach to be close enough to the same hoopla, but away from it enough to relax and enjoy family time together at the beach).

4. Family friendly accommodations are numerous and varied in the form of classic condominiums, high rise resorts, and detached beach houses.  North Myrtle Beach has different beach areas in which specific vacation tastes can be accommodated.  (Cherry Grove, Tilghman Beach, Ocean Drive Beach, etc).

5. North Myrtle Beach is easily accessible by major new highways and is only 20 miles from the Myrtle Beach International Airport.

What are the top things to do (attractions, activities, events, etc.) in the area?  Are there any hidden gems that people may not be aware of?

Events:

• Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival – one of the largest on the East Coast.

• Taste of the Coast at Barefoot Landing

• Blues & Jazz Festival

• Sounds of Summer Concert Series

• Mayfest on Main

• July 4^th Fireworks Display

• SOS Spring Safari and Fall Migration

• Octoberfest on Main Street

• The Little River Blue Crab Festival

• Endless Summer Festival on Main Street

• Intracoastal Christmas Regatta

Attractions:

Barefoot Landing (outdoor shopping, dining, amusements), Tanger Outlet (name brand outlet shopping), Alabama Theatre, Alligator Adventure, House of Blues, La Belle Amie Vineyard & Winery, Vereen Gardens and Nature Walk, quaint Main Street shopping.

General things to do:  water sports, deep sea and pier fishing, golf, miniature golf, and tennis.

What are the top 5 ‘must-try’ restaurants in the area?

There are many to choose from and everybody’s taste differs…  So… here’s what we’ve come up with … we couldn’t limit to “5.”

Local favorites include:  Sea Blue, Villa Tuscana, The Parsons Table, Chestnut Hill, and Cagney’s. 

Popular venues for tourists include Greg Norman’s Australian Grille, Damon’s (famous for BBQ ribs), Dick’s Last Resort (good food, not too price, but watch out for the waiters!), Umberto’s, Dockside (in Calabash, NC).

What popular entertainment/nightlife options in the area would you recommend?

Shag Dancing at Fat Harold’s and Ducks, concerts at the House of Blues, Dixie Stampede & Carolina Opry.

You rent homes to hundreds of guests each year….so you must have a funny story or two about people that visit North Myrtle Beach?

It was difficult to come up with just a couple of stories that are generically “North Myrtle Beach”, but one North Myrtle Beach phenomenon is the Shaggers.  The shag dancers are drawn to North Myrtle Beach as it is the place in which the state couples dance was founded.  The Ocean Drive area is the shag “mecca”, as it were.  There are numerous festivals and dance competitions held every year that attract the Shaggers – young and old — including the April Spring Safari and the September Fall Migration.  Shaggers can’t stay close enough to Ocean Drive and the “O.D. Experience”.   Ocean Resorts offers condominium rentals 2 blocks from Ocean Drive at Tilghman Beach & Racquet Club, and this has historically been “the place” to stay for Shaggers because it is within short walking distance to O. D.   Ocean Resorts also offers condominium rentals 6 blocks from Ocean Drive, but we have found that those extra 4 blocks are just “too far” for those hard-core shaggers who want to be on Ocean Drive 24/7 to dance!

Submitted by Discover Vacation Homes:

Effective immediately, I’m pleased to share with you that the voice for our professionally managed vacation rental industry, the Vacation Rental Managers Association (VRMA), launches a much-anticipated awareness campaign for the traveling public: Discover Vacation Homes. 

The only collaborative effort of its kind within the industry, VRMA’s Discover Vacation Homes initiative will work to promote professionally managed vacation rentals as one of North America’s fastest-growing lodging categories through public relations – including earned publicity, social networking and emerging new media strategies.

Why, you ask? Today’s economic conditions and “togethering” travel trends indicate a huge need for value, space and privacy – needs which vacation rentals address better than any other lodging option. In short, there’s never been a better time to share our story than right now.

United toward this momentous goal, the VRMA with its DVH promotions arm will be able to more effectively elevate the perception of the entire category, enlightening those who are currently unaware of what we offer, as well as the many benefits associated with it. What’s more, with the strength of more than 600 members and approximately 150,000 trusted rental homes, condos and villas, the VRMA’s collective voices can be heard with authority – proudly shouted from the rooftops of vacation rentals worldwide!

In support of the new public relations initiative, the VRMA has retained renowned vacation rental industry supporter Rick Fisher as a Chief Strategist, and utilizes the services of top international advertising, marketing research, and public relations firm, Ypartnership, for dedicated representation in 2009 (www.ypartnership.com).

Companies will have the opportunity to learn more about the Discover Vacation Homes program, and meet the team behind the campaign, during VRMA’s three conferences this year (Eastern, Western and National).

For more information about VRMA and its new campaign, including member benefits and answers to frequently asked questions, check out the newly redesigned VRMA website at www.VRMA.com or the evolving www.DiscoverVacationHomes.com.

The FlipKey Blog often features stories and testimonials from local experts or recent guests who are familiar with one of our many popular vacation rental destinations. We caught up with Katherine S. a physical therapist and Portland, OR local who recently visited Sunriver, OR with her family and loyal K-9 companion. Katherine had great things to say about her first experience as a vacation home renter. 

Area: Vacation Rentals in Sunriver, OR

Guest: Katherine S

Katherine, how many times have you visited Sunriver?

Once, this was my first time.

What size group were you traveling with?

7 plus one dog

Why did you choose to travel to Sunriver, OR?

Close proximity to Portland and we were hoping for snow so we could ski and snowshoe.

Why did you choose to stay in a vacation rental instead of a hotel or resort?

There was a group of us, and after researching different locations a vacation rental was the best deal and it came with a hot tub, games, and a full kitchen!

What activities, attractions, and events would you recommend to other visitors of Sunriver, OR?

Winter time: anything snow related.  Ski or snowboard at Mt. Bachelor, go tubing at Mt. Bachelor, snowshoe, cross-country ski or rent a snow mobile.  And or course…relax, your on vacation!

What was the best part of the vacation home you stayed in?

Ping-pong table and the hot tub

Where is the next trip going to be?  Are you going to look for a vacation home again?

Next trip is Cancun…need to get some sort of warm weather. 

For going back to Sunriver, next year!   As a group we decided to make this trip annually.  We all had a great time and it was very affordable.  We would definitely use a vacation home again