Help for Guests

Book direct and save! By booking directly through Southern Vacation Rentals, either via our website or by calling 800-406-5714 to speak directly with our Guest Ambassador team, you will always receive the best rate available and save on fees from third-party sites.

We require a reservation deposit at the time of booking. The remaining balance is due no later than 30 days prior to arrival.

The contracted guest must be 25 years of age to sign the rental contract. A parent or legal guardian must accompany all guests who are under the minimum age for the entire duration of the rental. You agree to provide us with proof of age upon request. Please contact Southern Vacation Rentals if there are any questions regarding the minimum rental age.

Southern understands the need for peace of mind when booking your beach vacation. Southern's Relaxed Cancellation Policy:

Booking a beach vacation is always something to look forward to, but sometimes, life gets in the way. At Southern Vacation Rentals, we understand the need for peace of mind when booking your reservation. Effective for reservations made after December 1, 2021, our new relaxed cancellation policy allows travelers to reserve with confidence and vacation with ease when booking their beach vacation.

We want all vacationers to feel confident about booking their beach vacation with Southern. We collect a low deposit at the time of booking (for reservations made more than 30 days before arrival) and our automatic payment system ensures you won’t miss a payment date. With our new relaxed cancellation policy, you will be able to cancel your vacation at any time and receive a refund on the funds paid. This varies depending on how close you are to your arrival date. Please see below for the various options for our cancellation policy*:

• 30 Days or More Before Check-in: If we are notified of your intent to cancel 30 days or more before your check-in date, you will receive a refund minus our service fee, travel insurance, and taxes.
• 15-29 Days Before Check-in: If we are notified of your intent to cancel 15-29 days before your check-in date, you will receive a refund minus the service fee, travel insurance, taxes, and 50% of the total reservation rent.
• 14 Days or Less Before Check-in: If we are notified of your intent to cancel 14 days or less before your check-in date, only the prepaid cleaning fee will be refunded.

In addition, bookings are also fast, secure, and contact-free. Book direct online from the comfort of your home or on the phone with one of our Guest Ambassadors.

*This cancellation policy does not apply to long-term reservations 28 days or more

A Gulf Coast beach vacation is a financial investment, and like any investment, you will want to protect it. That’s why Southern Vacation Rentals offers optional vacation rental insurance through Generali / CSA, sometimes referred to as cancellation insurance. We highly recommend purchasing this travel protection, as it provides a significant level of coverage when unexpected circumstances threaten your Gulf Coast getaway.

Generali / CSA Vacation Rental Insurance takes care of you before, during, and after your vacation. This travel insurance plan covers you door to door—from the day after you buy your policy until you return home and includes CSA’s renowned 24-Hour Emergency Assistance Service for worldwide help whenever and wherever needed.

This plan protects your deposit and any monies paid in the event you are unable to take your vacation due to a covered reason outlined by CSA. Covered events can include cancellation due to sickness or injury, layoff, termination of previously granted military leave, and mandatory evacuation due to hurricanes. Other benefits may include pre-existing medical conditions, identity theft, and travel delays. Reasons related to COVID-19 may not be covered. For more information on included coverages, please see their travel insurance coverage PDF.

You have ten (10) days to decline the CSA Vacation Rental Insurance. To opt-out, you must sign and return the Refusal of Travel Insurance form included with your reservation confirmation.

We will email you your online rental agreement that will need to be electronically signed, along with information on travel insurance, how and where to check in, and any pertinent information needed for your stay.

You will receive access to your Guest Portal information 14 days before your arrival. Reservations must be paid in full, and contracts must be e-signed prior to this information becoming available. You can also access the portal through this link here. 

One-week minimum stays may apply for certain properties during the summer and holiday periods, with a Friday or Saturday arrival and departure. During the off-season, we are typically more flexible with minimum nights, but it is dependent on the vacation rental.

Please check the individual property listing page on our website or call 800-406-5714 to speak with one of our Guest Ambassadors for details on any minimum stay requirements in place for your favorite property and desired reservation dates.

Rental policies may differ per property and can be reviewed on the individual property listing page on our website or you may contact Southern Vacation Rentals at any time to ask questions or request information regarding rental policies for properties we manage.

All guests will receive a detailed outline of all rental policies applicable to their selected property as part of our reservation process.

Check-in is after 4 PM local time, and check-out is by 9 AM. Early check-in and late check-out are available for purchase on select rentals. Ask your Guest Ambassador if your rental qualifies. If you have already reserved, contact our team to make your request.

The contracted guest must be present at check-in and provide ID. If alternate arrangements are necessary, please contact us in advance so we may let you know if we’re able to make other arrangements.

After you have booked, you will receive a confirmation email from us with the property's address. The address will also be available in your guest portal to view at any time.

If your rental has a keyless lock, please go directly to your rental. Physical check-in at our office is not required during your stay. If your property requires a key for access, your arrival packets and rental keys will be placed in a secure lockbox at our local office. Your pre-arrival email will contain access instructions, including a code for the lockbox. Our Southern offices are not currently open to the public.

Most of our properties have keyless locks and it is noted on the property page online as Self Check-in (Keyless Locks). This keyless system allows entry into the vacation rental through the issue of a door code rather than a physical key, allowing for a smooth check-in process. The code changes for every reservation, making it an incredibly safe alternative. Door codes will appear in your guest portal seven days prior to check-in.

All of our vacation rentals are furnished and have a kitchen or kitchenette with amenities including a microwave, coffee maker, toaster, and blender. Each property is stocked with all cooking and serving supplies, including plates, bowls, and utensils, as well as a can opener, corkscrew, measuring spoons, and more. While we do provide bath towels and bed linens, we do ask that you bring your own beach towels.

Please explore further information about our Southern Clean Initiative and Our Clean Coverlet Program Here.

You may already know that your packing list needs to contain bathing suits, beach toys, and sunscreen. But, if you have never vacationed in a condo rental or vacation home before, you may be wondering what extra things you need to bring or be prepared to purchase when you arrive.

While our Gulf Coast vacation rentals are stocked with many of the comforts of home, including bedding and kitchen essentials such as dishware and utensils, there are a few more items you will want to pack.

Upon arriving for your Florida or Alabama beach vacation, you will find your rental has been stocked with an initial supply of toilet paper, paper towels, hand soap, and trash bags. These should get you through your first 24 hours, but you will want to pick up additional supplies to get you through the remainder of your stay. Napkins, condiments, cooking spices, and coffee filters are other things you may want to purchase while at the store.

Other items you might want to consider bringing or renting from a local company, include cribs, pack-n-plays, high chairs, and any other items required by the youngest travelers in your group. And, while bath towels are provided, beach towels are not, so be sure to bring yours from home.

Below you will find a list of items we recommend you bring with you or plan to buy upon arriving for your vacation in Northwest Florida or Coastal Alabama.  

• Paper Towels
• Dishwashing Liquid
• Napkins
• Toilet Paper
• Laundry Soap
• Condiments
• Trash Bags
• Coffee & Coffee Filters
• Spices
• Hair Dryer

Southern Vacation Rentals provides a departure clean for all stays. We also provide an initial supply of towels and linens, as well as trash liners, bathroom tissue, bath soap and dishwasher soap. Laundry facilities are provided either in the rental property or on the grounds.

Please explore further information about our Southern Clean Initiative and Our Clean Coverlet Program here.

Several of our Northwest Florida and Coastal Alabama vacation rentals accept small pets under 25 pounds for a nominal fee. View our pet-friendly rentals here.

Some of our properties have private pools that can be heated for a fee during your stay. Please contact our Guest Ambassador team prior to arrival to arrange pool heating. 

The waters of the Gulf of Mexico are as inviting as they are beautiful. We want you to enjoy your time riding the emerald waves and splashing in the saltwater while you’re on vacation on the Gulf Coast. We also want each of our guests to remain safe while doing so, and we ask that you remain vigilant regarding surf conditions. Read up on a few beach safety tips here to make sure that you can get the most of your next getaway.

While many of the local snowbird clubs and local events may have been postponed this year due to COVID, we still have so much to offer visiting guests. For area fun, including dining, leisure, and activities, we invite you to visit our Gulf Coast Blog.

The health and safety of our guests, employees, and community is of the utmost importance to us. We’ve developed Southern’s Clean Initiative to ensure each guest has a clean and comfortable stay. Learn more about Southern’s Clean Initiative here.

• 420 Churchwell Dr, Panama City Beach, FL 32407

30A

• 3906 Us Highway 98 W, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459

Destin

• 322 Miramar Beach Dr, Miramar Beach, FL 32550
• 175 Main St, Destin, FL 32541

Fort Walton Beach

• 21 Walter Martin Rd NE, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548

Navarre Beach

• 1910 Navarre School Rd, Navarre, FL 32566

Pensacola Beach

• 100 Northcliffe Dr, Gulf Breeze, FL 32561

Perdido Key

• 13019 Sorrento Rd Ste 11, Pensacola, FL 32507

Orange Beach

• 25778 John M Snook Dr, Orange Beach, AL 36561

Gulf Shores

• 2149 W 1st St, Gulf Shores, AL 36542