Save ~5%
Same house. Same calendar. About 15% less.
Every major vacation rental platform bakes a service fee into the nightly price you see. Airbnb takes 14–15%. Vrbo takes 8–12%. Booking.com takes 15–20%. When you book Bayshore Getaway direct, we pass that cut back to you as a lower rate, no markup.
The math
Where the savings come from
Airbnb: 14–15% platform fee
On a typical 4-night stay around $2,000, the platform's ~15% cut is roughly $300, baked into the price you see. Book direct and that comes off.
Vrbo: 8–12% service fee
Vrbo's fee is slightly lower but still significant. On the same stay, expect $160–$240 in fees.
Booking.com: 15–20% markup
Booking.com often adds a platform markup on top of the base rate. The total cost can be 20%+ higher than direct.
Book direct: 0% fee
Same nightly rate. Same calendar. No middleman. You save $160–$300 on a typical stay.
The house is listed on Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com. The calendar is synced across all of them in real time, so availability is identical across every platform. The only difference is the fee.
Be honest
What you give up by going direct
No platform damage protection
Airbnb offers up to $1 million in host guarantee coverage. When you book direct, we ask for a $300 refundable security deposit instead. It's held on your credit card and refunded within 48 hours of checkout if there's no damage. It's simpler and faster than filing a claim.
No Airbnb customer support ladder
On Airbnb, you call a support agent who calls another agent. When you book direct, you text the host directly. Most questions are answered within minutes, not hours. We handle everything: check-in codes, late checkout requests, extra towels, restaurant recommendations.
No one-way reviews
On Airbnb, guests leave reviews but hosts can't leave reviews on guests. When you book direct, we get to know our guests and they get to know us. It's a better experience for both sides.
The process
How it actually works
Check availability
Our calendar is synced in real time across Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com. What you see is what's available.
Request to book
Click "Check availability" and select your dates. We'll review the request and confirm by text or email.
Confirm and pay
Once we confirm, your dates are held while you complete the secure payment link. Check-in code and house guide come after the reservation is confirmed.
It takes about two minutes to request dates. The calendar is live, the dates are real, and the price is lower than Airbnb because we take the platform's cut off the top.
Quick answers
FAQ
Is the calendar the same as Airbnb?
Yes. Our calendar is synced in real time across Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, and our direct site. If a date shows as available here, it's available everywhere.
How much do I actually save?
About 15% on average. The platforms bake a 14–15% cut into the rate you see (Vrbo 8–12%, Booking.com often marks up the base rate). Book direct and we pass that back to you as a lower rate, no markup.
Is it safe to book direct?
Absolutely. We're the actual hosts. You can verify the property on Airbnb and Vrbo: same house, same photos, same amenities. We also offer a $300 refundable security deposit instead of platform damage protection.
What if something goes wrong?
You text the host directly. No call centers, no hold music. Most issues are resolved within minutes. For full details, see our FAQ page.
Can I still see the Airbnb listing?
Yes. View on Airbnb or View on Vrbo. Same property, same calendar. Just different prices.
Not ready yet
Want a heads-up when your dates open?
Peak manatee-season dates book months ahead. Drop your email and your target window. We'll send you a note the moment they free up.
Ready to save ~5%?
Real-time availability. No platform fees. Direct from the host.