All Star Vacation Homes

[disneybound2010]

Has anyone gone throught them to rent a townhome? I have seen many of the private rentals for Windsor Hills and Palms, but both DH and I are a bit leary of renting from a private owner. I found their website and everything looks nice and accomodating, but I want to be sure that we are REALLY getting what they are advertising. I also want to make sure that they are easy to deal with. The less headaches the better! Thanks in advance.

 

[KayR]

All Star are one of the better management companies in the area. I wouldn't have any problems using them for a rental.

-Kay

 

[sympatico]

We usually rent from private owners and have had no problems but if I were going to use a company it would be either All Star or floridasunvacationhomes .
Both of these get excellent reviews.

 

[Sunrisedream]

Allstar have an excellent reputation and their properties are usually of a very high standard

 

[deejay-55]

I have seen many of the private rentals for Windsor Hills and Palms, but both DH and I are a bit leary of renting from a private owner.

Another headache-free choice for Windsor Hills / Palms is Global Resort Homes.
But why a bit leary of renting from a private owner? Although there is always an element of trust involved in renting direct - you are trusting the owners to rent you their vacation home, and they are trusting you to treat it with respect - mostly everything works out fine.

 

[disneybound2010]

Another headache-free choice for Windsor Hills / Palms is Global Resort Homes.
But why a bit leary of renting from a private owner? Although there is always an element of trust involved in renting direct - you are trusting the owners to rent you their vacation home, and they are trusting you to treat it with respect - mostly everything works out fine.

While many private owners are on the up and up, I have also heard many stories about guests that have not had the best results with that and have either lost their money or gotten to their rental only to realize that it isn't exactly what they were promised. The owners have been helpful up to the point of getting their money and then are of no help once the renters need something or are dissatisfied with the accomodations. There was a story or thread(not sure if it was this board or another) about renters finding out the houses were foreclosed on AFTER they were there and they were in a bit of a jam. I probably sound pretty neurotic, but with the luck my family has, I would rather go with a managed property for our first trip at least. If anything were to go wrong, DH would never let me hear the end of it!

 

[mareed]

While many private owners are on the up and up, I have also heard many stories about guests that have not had the best results with that and have either lost their money or gotten to their rental only to realize that it isn't exactly what they were promised. The owners have been helpful up to the point of getting their money and then are of no help once the renters need something or are dissatisfied with the accomodations. There was a story or thread(not sure if it was this board or another) about renters finding out the houses were foreclosed on AFTER they were there and they were in a bit of a jam. I probably sound pretty neurotic, but with the luck my family has, I would rather go with a managed property for our first trip at least. If anything were to go wrong, DH would never let me hear the end of it!

We've rented from individual owners for most of the WDW trips in my signature. Just so you know, even when renting from an owner, there is still a local management company who oversees and manages the property. And if you book through the management company, they add on to the price (sometimes significantly!), but the price is lower booking through the owner! In addition to verifying ownership through property tax website, one of the questions I always ask the owners is which management company they use - this information helps me in trusting the owner.

Back to your question... I've also heard good things about All Star Vacation homes, so I think you'd be fine with them. Do you select a specific home with them? I'm very particular and want to know a lot about the place I'm renting, but I know some of the management companies just assign you to a certain size home and you wouldn't know the specifics. I think it's easier to ask the owners specific questions because I'm not sure the management company would know the answers to everything I typically ask (such as whether there are ceiling fans and hair dryers.)

Pros & Cons to each way of renting, obviously, we choose to go through individual owners and have never had a problem!

 

[ClanHarrison]

I think you can rest assured renting through All Star. We also rented through them for our first, and only, trip to Orlando in 2005, and for the EXACT same reasons you mentioned.

I was TERRIFIED of doing this, let alone through a private person, especially since we'd never been to Orlando nor rented an entire house for vacation before. I just felt going through a VERIFIABLE company would give me more legal recourse than and individual, if something unforeseen happened. Well, let me tell ya. They were responsive to all & every question I asked (they didn't even make me feel like an imbecile for asking the stupid or obvious ones either ), responsive to the "problems" (very minor-some juice stains on the media room carpet that I wanted to make sure they had logged BEFORE our arrival & a missing breakfast bar chair...didn't want to get charged for that ) once we checked into the house, and as someone else stated, their homes are magnificent & generally well appointed. The looks on all our faces, when we opened to door, were PRICELESS (they really need to set up a video camera that activates upon the door opening to capture the looks on guests faces as a "welcome" or "thank you" gift ).

Now...you WILL spend a bit more for this "comfort", but when I weighed it against my peace of mind...again...PRICELESS. I knew of the extra cost going in after doing extensive research of all the homes being offered. I just planned for it. And it was WELL worth it...BEYOND worth it.

We're going back to Orlando in 2010 as well, but this time we're renting directly from the owner and our group has doubled to 15 (an even more magnificent home http://www.star-lake-manor.com/gallery.php) ...and we can't wait.

Oh, the homes you see on All Star's website is the EXACT home you rent. No baiting & misleading with them. And they seem VERY knowledgeable about the homes they manage. Every question I asked about the home I got an accurate answer to. If they didn't know, they found out and called me back.

You're in good hands with them hon. If you book with them, take a deep, relaxing breath...and find something else to stress on about planning your trip, because your acommodations are taken care of. Enjoy your vacation and don't forget to post about your experiences. I'd like to continue to feel confident that All Star hasn't fallen off.

 

[Frothy]

Very good post ClanHarrison and the reasons you have mentioned are exactly why we chose to deal with a verifiable company also. We chose to go with Florida Leisure and their homes are wonderful. For the last 3 years we have rented the same house on Cumbrian Lakes and we love it because of it's size and it's features. The house is on a small lake that has a walking track around it, the pool is oversize as is the pool deck, it has a pool table inside the house not in the garage, it has a nice size kitchen and I can also wash some clothes in the laundry.

The service we have received has always been wonderful and we've now got to know the people who really can't do enough for us. Every month they stay in contact with a newsletter and we really feel part of their family...even thouh we're not.

Every year I shop around and for the standard of accommodation we get, you'd have to go to a 5 star hotel and stay in one of their top suites for many hundred $'s per night. Homes are a great way to stay and when I tell my friends about them they find it hard to believe.

 

[mareed]

The service we have received has always been wonderful and we've now got to know the people who really can't do enough for us. Every month they stay in contact with a newsletter and we really feel part of their family...even thouh we're not.

I just had to comment that they're apparently doing a very good job with their marketing and customer service! This sounds like another great company for those willing to pay a bit more booking through the management company. Your comment sounds as if they're writing to you personally, where in fact, it must be a monthly mass marketing email, but instead of you seeing it as spam, you see it as "staying in contact"! It sounds like some other companies could learn from them.

 

[Frothy]

I just had to comment that they're apparently doing a very good job with their marketing and customer service! This sounds like another great company for those willing to pay a bit more booking through the management company. Your comment sounds as if they're writing to you personally, where in fact, it must be a monthly mass marketing email, but instead of you seeing it as spam, you see it as "staying in contact"! It sounds like some other companies could learn from them.

Never really thought about it that way but we receive an email and a printed monthly newsletter. I believe they also put the back editions on their web site. Also, I did some searching under the owners name and found out that they also train other companies in the same line of business. Now I know I'm really with the right people when they're not frightened to train their competition. It's a lot like Disney in some ways!

 

[Hasil72]

disneybound2010,
you won't be disappointed with ASVH. We have used them several times. As long as you realize up front that you are paying more for the peace of mind than if you were to rent directly from an owner, all is good. As previous posters have commented, they are very accommodating, responsive, and polite. The office is easy to locate and within minutes of the rentals. Homes are exactly what you see online; very clean and well maintained. Have a fabulous vacation!

ClanHarrison,
I am soooooo jealous! The pictures of the renovations are stunning. The owner is a frequent poster on the DIS. I'm sure you will have a great vacation. You won't even have to leave the villa. I hope to stay there but need to wait until the kids are just a little older.

 

[JessR]

yes good company

 

[RllngRckBrw]

This was comforting for me to read as well, as I just posted some other questions about these resorts. This post answered some of them. Thanks everyone.

 

[psharrock]

This was comforting for me to read as well, as I just posted some other questions about these resorts. This post answered some of them. Thanks everyone.

As you've seen others say, All Stars are very highly respected and you won't be disappointed with them.

Have a fantastic time.

Paul

 

[ClanHarrison]

disneybound2010,
ClanHarrison,
I am soooooo jealous! The pictures of the renovations are stunning. The owner is a frequent poster on the DIS. I'm sure you will have a great vacation. You won't even have to leave the villa. I hope to stay there but need to wait until the kids are just a little older.

I'm jealous of MYSELF ! This is a stunning home. When my husband saw it, he said..."We've GOT to stay here on our next trip to Orlando". We put our trip off until 2010 JUST to be able to stay here as their calendar was FULL. But it actually coincides with making sure the Harry Potter section at IOA is up, open & running too.

The next problem my group is having is not planning so much outside the house. I keep reminding them, that they can "plan" all they want, but when they step inside this home, all plans will most likely be out the window .

I was aware that the owner posts here...
hey Paul . I'll be in contact with you VERY shortly.