Our knowledgeable, local reservations specialists are happy to assist with any questions you may have. Additionally, in order to quickly assist you, we have provided some answers to the questions we hear most frequently from our guests. You may also read our general Rental Agreement for a better understanding of our policies. If there is anything else we can answer for you, feel free to call us at 1-800-208-2324.
Guest FAQs
Rental Policies, Cancellations, and Payments
Cancellations outside of 90 days will lose 50% of the down payment. Cancellations made within the 90 days will result in a 100% loss of the down payment. Reservations cancelled within 60 days will result in 100% loss of rent. To avoid this loss, we offer Worry-Free Protection for 5% of the reservation fee. The loss can also be avoided if CSA Travel Protection Insurance was purchased and the reason for cancellation is covered under the travel insurance policy. If you should have to cancel your reservation, please notify us immediately of any cancellation, and if you purchased the Travel Protection Insurance contact CSA to begin your claim.
Some of our properties do require a security deposit. This will be secured as a hold on a credit card prior to check-in. The credit card will be released after check-out providing there is no damage for which the renter would be liable.
Do not worry if something should break in the home during your stay. Every reservation has a damage protection policy which covers any unintentional damages to the rental property. The policy covers damages up to $3000.00. Any amount over this will be charged to the guest. This non-refundable damage protection policy will protect you, provided the damages are reported to management prior to check-out.
Many of our homes do allow pets under 30 lbs for a fee of $175 plus tax. Unfortunately, we cannot allow cats at any of our properties. Please ask your reservations agent for details on our pet friendly properties.
All final payments are due 45 days prior to your stay. This is payable by check, e-check, money order, or cashier’s check only. If there are any questions regarding payment, please call our office at 1-800-208-2324.
Should a mandatory evacuation take place in the county that your property is located in and within your reservation date(s), we will allow you to apply the unused portion of your room rate to another date. If there is an increase in the rate due to season pricing, you will be responsible for the difference. NO REFUNDS will be given if there is a decrease in the amount. You can opt into Worry-Free Cancellation at any time prior to when the final payment is made.
Some of our homes do allow for weddings and events, but must be pre-approved by Five Star Properties. We require a $500 event fee for any event as well as a $1000.00 refundable deposit due at the time of booking. All events must meet local restrictions, HOA rules, and follow noise restrictions. The guests are responsible at any time for the events. Non-compliance with these rules and regulations may result in immediate eviction with no return of any and all payments made. Five Star Properties can provide a list of venues that will allow for larger gatherings if requested.
General Area Questions
Destin’s sand begins its story in the Appalachian Mountains. More than 20,000 years ago, rising temperatures caused the ice caps to melt and large volumes of water were sent to the oceans via rivers. The Apalachiacola River carried water from the mountains into the Gulf of Mexico. This water contained Quartz particles, and as the sea levels began to rise, this quartz began to form a new coastline. The sand in Destin and South Walton is made almost entirely of this fine quartz, which gives it its sugar-white color and texture.
During the winter months (December-February), the air temperatures average around 62 degrees for a high and the low forties for a low. The winter water temperature hovers around 64 degrees. During the spring, high temperatures reach the low eighties and the water temperature is a balmy 72 degrees. The weather heats up for summer with highs easily reaching the mid-nineties in June, July, and August. In the fall, you can expect comfortable warm temperatures in the mid-eighties. The water temperature stays well above eighty from April through October.
Destin is home to world-class shopping centers and outlet malls, innovative restaurants, and championship golf courses. Known as “the world’s luckiest fishing village,” Destin is home to the largest charter fishing fleet in the country, so be sure to book a full, half, or multi-day fishing trip. Paddle-boarding, surfboarding, and kayaking are also popular, especially in the rare coastal dune lakes of South Walton County. For more information, see our Things To Do page.
Destin is the number two drive-to destination in the state of Florida, and it is within a six hour drive of many Southeastern cities. Destin is serviced by three airports: Destin-Fort Walton Beach (VPS), Northwest Florida Beaches International (ECB), and Pensacola Regional Airport (PNS).
The Gulf of Mexico and Choctawatchee Bay tend to be much calmer than the Atlantic or Pacific Oceans. Both Okaloosa and Walton County operate a flag safety system. Green Flags mean the water conditions are ideal. Yellow Flags suggest caution should be used, as there may be currents, strong surf, or riptides. Red flags are used to warn swimmers that high hazards are present. Double red flags mean the beaches and water is closed to swimmers. Purple flags indicate that pesky marine life, like jelly, are present. You can get the most updated information about beach safety and water conditions on the South Walton and Okaloosa Counties’ websites.
General Property Questions
Condominium and beach house rentals are the most popular accommodations along the Emerald Coast. Whether you are looking for a cozy two bedroom condominium with all the perks and amenities of a resort or a luxurious beach-front home that sleeps 20, you will find a variety of housing options suitable to all budgets and lifestyles.
Five Star Beach Properties manages some of the finest homes on the Emerald Coast. We also pride ourselves on providing our guests with the highest level of customer service possible! We will personally greet you at the home to check you in. There is no need to make an extra stop at our office to pick up keys. We are happy to take the time to meet you and discuss any questions you may have regarding your rental.
Each of our homes has been hand-selected with our guest’s comfort and privacy in mind. Five Star Beach Properties are full of opulent furnishings, modern appointments, and a variety of entertainment options. And, if this isn’t enough for you, the sugar-white sand and emerald waters of the Destin and 30A are right outside your door! From check-in to check-out, our guests have complete privacy in their rentals with no interruptions. Our Five Star team is only a phone call away if you need us. During your stay, guests will have access to full Concierge Services who can arrange just about anything.
YES! All of Five Star Properties’ homes provide free WiFi for our guests.
Making a reservation in our vacation rentals near Destin and 30A is simple with Five Star! Online booking is available at fivestargulfrentals.com, or you may choose to give us a call at our office at 800-208-2324. We are always happy to assist you with selecting the right property for your stay. To secure your reservation, we require an initial deposit of approximately 50% due up front and the remainder of your balance is not due until 60 days prior to your arrival. All that is needed to create a reservation is the name of the guest, a billing address, cell phone number, the number of adults and children staying at the home, and a method of payment to make the deposit. A member of our reservations team will instruct you from that point on anything you might need to know regarding the arrival.
We only rent Saturday-Saturday during the Spring and Summer months (March-August). In the off-season, we require a 3 night minimum at most of our homes, while others require longer stays. Any holiday week may require a longer stay as well. Please ask your reservations agent for details.
in general, Five Star Properties only rents Sat-Sat during Spring and Summer. You may also check our sister company, Bliss Beach Rentals, for properties which allow shorter stays or different nightly restrictions.
Check-In/Check-Out Policies
CHECK-IN TIME IS AFTER 4 P.M. CST AND CHECK-OUT IS 10 A.M. CST. NO early check-in or late check-out. A half-day rent charge will be assessed if the guest does not check-out promptly.
We ask that you leave the home similarly to the way you found it upon arrival. Please leave all soiled towels in the bathrooms and linens on the beds. In addition, we ask that dishes be loaded in the dishwasher, and trash is bagged and placed in receptacles located outdoors. A fee may be assessed if excess trash is found in the home.
Yes. If you will be arriving late, please let our office know on the day of check-in and we will be happy to make sure the lights are on for your arrival.
Guests will receive the rental’s address when they receive the rental agreement after booking, as well as in the Guest Portal which will be sent prior to the arrival date.
Property Amenities
Every home is well equipped with linens on each bed, as well as an extra set for any sleeper sofas that may be in the home. Each bathroom is stocked appropriately with bath towels, hand towels, wash cloths, and bath mats to accommodate the sleeping capacity of the home. There are starter sets of soap, detergent, dish soap, and toilet paper there for your convenience. Kitchens are each stocked with enough dishes, serving pieces, glassware, and all the other kitchen necessities to prepare meals during the guests stay.
All of our properties have washers and dryers in the home for guest use. We provide a starter set of laundry detergent for our guests to use when they arrive.
Pool heating is available upon request for most of our properties with pools. There is a daily pool heating fee for this added amenity. Once a pool heater is turned on prior to a guest’s arrival, it will stay on through the entirety of the guest’s stay. Please ask you reservationist for additional details.
We take cleanliness seriously. Upon every guest departure, each property is thoroughly inspected and cleaned, then inspected again before arrival to ensure it’s cleanliness, as well as making sure there are no other potential issues that may arise in the home. Deep cleans are performed during offseason and extended vacancies as well. And because the owners of each property stay here too, we strive to ensure the same fresh and clean experience they’d expect to every guest.
