Book on our Website and Save! Skip the AirBNB & VRBO Fees!
Book on our website or call us to book: skip the AirBNB & VRBO fees!
Why Booking Directly with StayGainesville Beats Airbnb and VRBO
Planning a trip to Gainesville, Florida? Whether you’re visiting for a University of Florida game day, medical care at Shands, graduation weekend, or a local event, finding the right lodging matters. You want the best location, the best value, and the best service.
Many travelers instinctively go to Airbnb or VRBO to book short-term rentals, but what they don’t realize is that booking directly with a trusted local manager—like StayGainesville—can save them money and deliver a better, more personalized experience.
If you’ve found a StayGainesville property on Airbnb or VRBO, great. But before you book there, here’s what you should know about the benefits of booking directly on StayGainesville.com instead.
💰 1. Save Money by Skipping Third-Party Booking Fees
Airbnb and VRBO both charge service fees to guests—often between 6% and 20% of your total booking cost. These fees are not charged by the host or property manager; they’re imposed by the platform to cover processing and support.
When you book directly through StayGainesville.com, you avoid these fees entirely. That means:
You pay less for the same property
Your budget goes further for longer stays
The cost you see is a transparent breakdown: nightly rate, cleaning fee, and tax—no platform markup
Whether you’re booking for one night or one week, the savings can be significant—especially on larger or premium homes.
📞 2. Talk to a Real Person Who Knows Gainesville
One of the biggest challenges with third-party platforms is limited communication. Airbnb and VRBO require all conversations to happen within their messaging systems, which can delay urgent questions or prevent easy back-and-forth.
When you book directly with StayGainesville, you gain access to a real local team who:
Knows every property inside and out
Can answer questions about layout, amenities, or local attractions
Is available by phone or email—no lag time, no app navigation
Lives and works right here in Gainesville
Whether you want to know the best nearby restaurants, if you can bring your dog, or if the house has a Keurig or a drip coffee maker, we’re here to help with fast, personalized answers.
🔁 3. Enjoy More Flexible Policies
Airbnb and VRBO enforce standardized cancellation and modification policies that are often non-negotiable once your booking is in place. That can make it difficult if your plans change.
StayGainesville offers more flexible cancellation options when you book directly. We also work with you if:
- You need to shift your dates slightly
- You want to extend your stay after arrival
- Your group size changes or special accommodations are needed
Because you’re dealing directly with our team—not an anonymous platform—we can often accommodate special requests that Airbnb or VRBO can’t.
🧾 4. Transparent Pricing and No Surprises
Have you ever clicked on a great nightly rate on Airbnb, only to find the total price nearly double after fees?
That doesn’t happen on StayGainesville.com.
- Our pricing is simple and clear:
- Nightly rate
- Cleaning fee
- Tax
No surprise service fees. No guest booking charges. Just honest pricing from a local company that values transparency.
🧭 5. Personalized Service and Local Recommendations
As a locally owned and operated company, StayGainesville doesn’t just offer great homes—we provide local hospitality.
Booking directly means you’re more than just a reservation number. Our team can:
- Help match you to the right property for your needs
- Recommend nearby restaurants, coffee shops, walking trails, or event venues
- Coordinate early check-in, late checkout, or custom touches when available
- Provide thoughtful advice about navigating Gainesville neighborhoods and hotspots
When you book through a national platform, you miss out on this level of connection. With StayGainesville, it’s part of the experience.
🏡 6. Support a Local Gainesville Business
Airbnb and VRBO are multi-billion dollar global corporations. StayGainesville is a locally owned and operated business, based right here in Gainesville.
When you book direct:
- Your money supports a small business, not a Silicon Valley platform
- You help sustain local employment and vendors
- You contribute to the Gainesville economy
It’s a small choice that makes a big impact—especially in a community-driven town like ours.
✨ Real-Life Example
Imagine you’re booking a 4-bedroom home for a 3-night stay in Gainesville for a family gathering.
Airbnb price: $300/night + $150 cleaning + $200 service fee = $1,250 total
StayGainesville direct price: $300/night + $150 cleaning + tax = around $1,050 total
That’s $200 in savings just by booking on our website instead of through a third-party. Plus, you get direct communication and a local team to support you throughout your stay.
✅ The Bottom Line
Yes, StayGainesville’s properties are available on Airbnb and VRBO—because we want you to find us wherever you’re searching. But when it’s time to book, we recommend heading straight to StayGainesville.com for:
- Lower total cost
- Better communication
- Flexible service
- Local support
Whether you're planning a weekend getaway, attending graduation, or booking long-term housing, you deserve a great place to stay—and a booking experience that puts your needs first.
📍 Book smarter. Stay local. StayGainesville.
If you’re ready to experience the difference of booking direct, visit StayGainesville.com and browse our collection of beautifully maintained vacation rentals in the heart of Gainesville.
Questions? Our reservation team
is just a call or click away. We’d love to help you find the perfect home for your visit.
When planning a trip to Gainesville, Florida—whether for a Gator football game, University of Florida graduation, a medical visit to Shands, or simply a getaway—most travelers find themselves faced with one big question:“Should I book through Airbnb, or find a local vacation rental company?”
Book in May and save: Choose one of our large estates in historic downtown. Both The Laurel Oak Estate and The Camellia Rose Inn have 7 bedrooms/ 7.5 bathroom, spacious porches and spacious yards/ patios.
