Highland Beach Palace

We rented this property in Highland Beach through Vacasa for approximately one month at a total cost of about $35,000, expecting the level of quality, preparation, and service that normally accompanies a luxury rental at this price point. Unfortunately, the reality of our experience was very different. While the location itself is beautiful and Highland Beach is a wonderful area, the condition of the home and the overall management of the property fell far short of what was advertised and what one should reasonably expect from a premium rental. From the beginning of our stay we encountered multiple problems that should have been addressed before any guest arrival, including cleanliness issues, maintenance concerns, and mechanical or equipment problems within the home. Several amenities that were advertised either were not functioning properly or required repairs during the stay. As a result, what should have been a relaxing month involved repeated service visits and ongoing efforts to resolve issues that ideally should have been handled prior to check-in. Throughout the stay we documented these issues with photographs and communicated repeatedly with Vacasa representatives at both the local and corporate levels. To their credit, the individuals we dealt with were generally polite and responsive when contacted. However, the number of problems and the time required to address them significantly disrupted the experience and fell well below the standard expected for a property at this price level. At the conclusion of the rental period Vacasa issued a 10% refund, which we appreciated as an acknowledgment that the stay did not meet expectations. However, given the number of issues encountered during a month-long rental at this cost, the adjustment did not fully reflect the impact those problems had on the overall experience. One important point prospective renters should understand is that Vacasa operates primarily as a property management company rather than the owner of the home itself. When issues arise, responsibility can become divided between the management company and the property owner. In practice, this can make resolution slower and meaningful compensation more difficult to obtain when the property does not meet expectations. For a rental priced at this level, guests should reasonably expect: • a property that is fully functional and properly prepared upon arrival • amenities that work as advertised • prompt resolution of any issues that arise Unfortunately, that was not our experience during this stay. Highland Beach remains a beautiful destination, and the home itself could be a very good rental if properly maintained and prepared. However, based on our experience, future renters should confirm the current condition of the property and the functionality of key amenities before booking, particularly when paying premium rental rates. Our hope is that these issues get attention and Vacassa updates way they vet properties .

Not much to love beyond the oceanfront location. The house needs a lot of investment and cleaning. So make sure everything is working and fixed and clean.

The view was beautiful. The house is not well maintained by the property management company. If you offer a 24/7 number then you should address the issues. I had called 5 times and had to speak to a neighbor to get fans delivered. I will not be back. Beds have extremely cheap sheets. Bed was uncomfortable and the extra bed detached from the house was not practical with small children. I’m sure this was a beautiful home at some point but it really needs proper attention. Even our family that came to visit us commented on the condition and cleanliness . Very embarrassing for us to enjoy a holiday together. I’m not sure if it’s negligence from the owner or Vacasa but resorts give you top notch attention and at 900.00 per night I expect that treatment.

I will come back to this house

The home was beautiful, the view stunning and the proximity to everything we needed was great. We took long walks, swam in the water- (perfect temp) and just had a wonderful time. The construction next door was not ideal, however they did not work on the weekend. So, Friday was the only day that we were affected. Also, if traveling with people who have issues with stairs, there are a lot of stairs both in the home and to get to the beach. But other then that, we loved our time

Our family just finished a long weekend at this home. It was a wonderful location and we had a great time.