off-site rentals

[bobemsam]

For those of you who have stayed at off-site rentals, do you get what you see online? I found a few really nice looking places in Windsor Hills and Reunion. I'm just hoping the pictures aren't three years old and now they are run down. Basically, do you get what you see?
Thank you!!

 

[4eyedbuzzard]

I can only personally vouche for this one in Windsor Hills, we just returned, my review is at http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1487625

FWIW, not that WH is a dive by any means, but Reunion is about as good as it gets, and even more so if you're a golfer.

 

[CoralCayTownhome]

You could maybe ask the owner when the photos where taken - I'm sure they won't mind (I wouldn't). If it is some time ago they may be able to provide you with a few more recent ones they have taken themselves.

 

[sympatico]

We've rented quite many times and so far everything is as the pictures show. Most of the places have been less than 5 years old so haven't had a chance to get run down. Both WH and Reunion are 3 yrs or less so I can't imagine that you would get a run down home. Most owners have invested a lot into their homes and in order to get renters they have to be constantly keeping things in good order.
As I've said before if someone gets a bad home you'll hear it about it sooner or later here or on Trip Advisor. We've seen this a couple of times on the Dis and one big posting on TA.

 

[deejay-55]

If you are worried about the photos, check with the owner. You should then be OK.

 

[bobemsam]

Thanks everyone. We're just gonna' go for it in Windsor Hills. All of the places look great. However, Reunion's lazy river looks very relaxing! We travel ALOT because we are avid skiiers and we've only every stayed in lodges and nice hotels. So, we're nervous, but it seems as though if we pick this nice home we found we'll have a great time.

 

[4eyedbuzzard]

Thanks everyone. We're just gonna' go for it in Windsor Hills. All of the places look great. However, Reunion's lazy river looks very relaxing! We travel ALOT because we are avid skiiers and we've only every stayed in lodges and nice hotels. So, we're nervous, but it seems as though if we pick this nice home we found we'll have a great time.

You'll like WH, even lacking the lazy river(go to TL if you like wave pools or BB if slides are more your thing - both have HUGE lazy rivers). We are also avid skiers(lived in Park City for a while, now in NH) and like to stay slopeside in ski-in/ski-out condos when possible. Having a private pool right out your villa's LR door is the Florida equivalent. I'd much rather have the private pool than Ginn's lazy river, and a private pool villa at Ginn is just too much $$$$$.

 

[disneysteve]

For those of you who have stayed at off-site rentals, do you get what you see online?

Definitely. Online, we've rented several houses in Lindfields, condo and townhome in Windsor Hills, timeshares in Orbit One and even a ski chalet in Stowe, Vermont. Every one has been exactly as represented online. Why anyone stays in a hotel I haven't got a clue.

 

[klynch]

I own at Reunion and I know they require a yearly deep cleaning of all draperies, linens, carpeting, etc... Plus the quality of the hardware furnishings required to get in the rental game there ensures what you have will stand up to normal usage very well.

It was probably 2x-3x the cost for their furnishing standards vs what is in most high quality condo rentals in Florida. Trust me the cost was a burden but the quailty you see in pictures on www.VRBO.com or Reunion's own website are real and current. The oldest properties are only 3 years old as well.