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In looking at all the reviews for various condos on VRBO or HomeAway, I noticed something. How is possible that the same units are to some the best thing ever and to others the worst place they have ever stayed at. I have learned to take reviews with a grain of salt and that in reality they are always somewhere in the middle of what all the reviews state. Its best to know that most places on STT are not 5 star luxury pampering resorts, the Ritz not included. Remember these are usually people's homes and take great pride in them. I look forward to my stay at Sapphire in an owner's unit. Remember it's paradise and its the outside you should be enjoying.
Very good analysis. I have seen some people truly rip a place apart and I think to myself that I am glad I didn't run into them during their vacation because I doubt anything could EVER make them happy. I saw someone on this board go ballistic over the responses they got to a question because it was NOT what they wanted to hear. They were so adamant that they could get what they wanted and not pay for it that they attacked the residents of this island paradise.
I live by this phrase: The higher my expectations, the lower my serenity.
If I expect perfection and don't get it, I will be unhappy. IF I expect average and get average or better, I am happy as a clam.
sometimes the same property will end up being different things to different people.
first put the right guest in the right lodging situation. ask the right questions and find out what they want.
people who use price as the main consideration are likely to be disappointed because they don't ask questions about other things that make a difference to them on arrival... how close is it to specific activities, is there a/c throughout, how much sun does the pool get, is there wi-fi...?
and sometimes it's not the fact that something goes wrong but how it's handled. is the local team responsive and courteous or do the guests have to continue to call and call for updates on things?
extreme reviews on either end, take with a grain of salt. if you see a lot more of one than the other, it could indicate a trend that deserves notice.
we rent our condos on VRBO. Each condo is owned and/or managed by someone who either does not put in the money to make it better or can not due to their financial situation. We put in about on month's worth of rentals each year to improve the unit. But that is not the norm. When someone stays in a unit and then takes the time to provide a comment they do so based on their own experience. The unit could be the best kept unit in the world and then the AC goes out. They might provide a negative comment, or it might not.
And look at the pictures. If they don't show the inside and only the outside beware.
The best way to book a VRBO unit is to talk to the owner. As questions. Make sure that it is what you want, at the price you are willing to pay.
Have a great stay!
billd
