General Vacation Home Questions

• What is a Vacation Rental Home?

  A vacation rental home is a privately owned house, condo, or town home rented out to guests for short-term intervals -- anywhere from three days to a month or two. Generally, the homeowner does not live in the house, but instead owns it for investment purposes and occasional private use. In popular vacation destinations (like Orlando) homeowners often hire professional vacation home management companies (like Starmark Vacation Homes) to handle guest booking, scheduling, and property maintenance.

• Are vacation homes timeshares?

  No. Timeshares are properties with multiple owners, each of whom divide their equity/interest in the property based on how often they use it. A vacation home is owned like any other home; the owner pays against the property's full market value, and has rights to the property all the time. The owner then rents out the property, while maintaining exclusive ownership.

• Why is a vacation home often a better option than a hotel?

  Cost is the most obvious reason (though certainly not the only one) to stay in a vacation home instead of a hotel. It's a real house (with several bedrooms, a complete kitchen, laundry room, living room, and a pool) not just a room / suite. So you can keep multiple people under one roof, and only get one bill. Many of our houses offer up to seven bedrooms, which can save you thousands if you're traveling in a larger group. And, comparing bill to bill, most houses simply just cost less than a hotel room at a resort -- in other words, you're getting multiple bedrooms and a lot of amenities for the price of single hotel room. By staying in a house, you'll also have the opportunity to save on food and drinks by preparing your own meals and choosing from Orlando's wide selection of quality restaurants priced lower than those on-site at hotels and resorts. Basic necessities, like toiletries, laundry, and aspirin, are also very expensive at hotels.
  
  In addition to saving money, many travelers enjoy the freedom and extra space they have in a vacation home, versus a hotel room. You can watch television/DVD's with your family, have quality meals together, play foosball and billiards in your private game room, and enjoy your very own pool. And you're always free to just relax, and take things at your own pace.

• How far away are your vacation homes from the attractions?

  It varies, but, generally speaking, most are fifteen minutes or less from the Disney front gate. Some are a bit further, many are quite a bit closer. Proximity to the attractions is reflected in the rental price of the house. If you'd like to be closer or further away from the action, let us know. We'll gladly help you find a vacation home rental in the area you're looking for close to your favorite Orlando are theme park.

• If I stay in a vacation home, I'm all alone, without the service and assistance I'll get in a hotel. Is that right?

  No. Starmark Vacation Homes prides itself in world-class guest service. After you've settled in, we'll personally greet you at your home, show you around, answer your questions, and offer some friendly theme park/sight-seeing advice. And we're always available if you need help, have questions, or something breaks -- we have a full-time staff a few minutes away, in Celebration, FL. We're also well connected though-out central Florida, allowing us to provide you with discount tickets to many attractions and venues.
  
  In a sense, staying in a vacation home is like living at home, but with an offsite concierge -- you stock your own fridge with what you want, buy your own drinks, do your own laundry -- but you have help when you need it. It's the best of both worlds.

Questions About Our Company

• How is Starmark Vacation Homes different from other management companies?

  You'll get top of the line, professional service, guaranteed. If you stay with us, you're not just a customer. You're our guest. And Starmark is a name you can trust  we're owned and operated by Starmark International, one of Florida's top advertising agencies, in business since 1978.

• Where is your office and what are your hours?

  You can find our office at 715 Bloom Street, Suite 200 in downtown Celebration, Florida. Celebration is about ten minutes south of Disney, near the I-4 / Florida 417 junction. Our regular office hours are 8 AM to 6 PM, Monday through Saturday. But feel free to call us anytime, toll free, at 1-866-254-0088.

• Q: How long have you been in Business?

  Our parent company, Starmark International, has been in business since 1978, running successful ad campaigns for some the biggest names in travel, leisure and hospitality. Starmark Vacation Homes has operated since 2005, though initially under a different name. The Starmark name brings a wealth innovation, professionalism, and marketing expertise to greater Orlando's vacation home rental industry.

Questions About Reservations, Check in and Check out

• How do I make a Reservation for a Specific Home for My Vacation?

  You can make a reservation online, right now -- simply click Home Search' above, and browse our vacation home inventory right from your computer. When you find a home you're interested in, see if it's available during your desired travel dates using the check availability' drop-down menu (you'll also see a color-coded calendar showing availability for the next few months). If the home is available for the dates you want, click book now.' Check the price, put in your name, email, and billing info, and voila -- your holiday reservation is booked. You'll receive an email confirmation shortly.
  
  Or, if you'd prefer to book by phone, give us a call at 1-866-254-0088. We have a friendly, professional reservation staff standing by. And feel free to ask us anything -- we'll help you find what you're looking for.

• Do you offer group rates/discounts?

  Yes. For reservations where 4 or more homes are booked, we offer competitive discount rates. If you're traveling in a large group, with several families or friends, this is a great way to save money. Please call us for specifics on availability and pricing. We also offer seasonal specials and last minute pricing deals -- see our website for current offerings.

• When is check in/check out?

  Your home will be available for use starting at 4 PM on your arrival day. Checkout is generally 10 AM on the day of your departure. A fee of $50 extends this time until 2PM, as long as there are no guests arriving that same day. If you need to make different arrangements, please give us a call and we'll see what we can do.

• What are my responsibilities at check out?

  Just lock all the doors and be ready to leave by 10 AM -- unless we've worked out a later departure time. Our professional crew will come after you leave to prepare the home for the next guests. We hope you enjoyed all the amenities the Orlando area has to offer and will come back soon for another great Starmark Vacation Home visit soon.

• What if I Forget Something?

  If you leave anything in the house, let us know and we'll look for it. We'll arrange to have left-behind items shipped to you.

Questions About our Homes

• How many people are allowed to stay in the vacation home I rent?

  By Florida state law, the maximum vacation home occupancy rates are as follows:

  • 2 bedroom sleeps maximum of 6
  • 3 bedroom sleeps maximum of 8
  • 4 bedroom sleeps maximum of 10
  • 5 bedroom sleeps maximum of 12
  • 6 bedroom sleeps maximum of 14
  • 7 bedroom sleeps maximum of 16

  If you need to accommodate more people we can provide additional vacation homes near by, and offer discounted rates for large groups requiring four or more vacation rentals.

• Can I bring pets?

  Unfortunately, Starmark cannot permit pets in vacation homes.

• Will I have air conditioning and heat in my home?

  Yes. All of our vacation home rentals are equipped with full climate control capabilities.

• Will my kitchen be fully equipped?

  Very much so. Here is a list of everything you'll have in your kitchen:

  • Full-Sized Refrigerator
  • Microwave Oven
  • Conventional Oven
  • Dishwasher
  • Toaster
  • Coffee Maker
  • Tea Kettle
  • Bakeware
  • Blender
  • Electric Can Opener
  • Electric Mixer
  • Pots & Pans
  • Dishes & Glasses,
  • Silverware & Cooking Utensils
  
  And...
  
  • Laundry Facilities: Washer & Dryer; Iron & Ironing Board
  • Vacuum Cleaner
  • Broom and Dust Pan

• Are linens and towels provided?

  Yes. Each bed in the home will actually have two sets of linens: one will be on the bed when you arrive, the other will be folded in the closet. Plenty of towels will be available for use during your stay.

• Are cleaning supplies provided for use during our Florida vacation?

  We don't keep harmful chemicals in the house -- so no ammonia, comet/bleach, or any other questionable cleansers. But you will have a mop, broom, dustpan, paper towels, and of course a washer and dryer. You'll also have soap and shampoo in all the bathrooms, and dish washer detergent in the kitchen.

• Is pool heating available during the winter?

  Though Florida is relatively warm all year, you may want to heat your pool during winter months. All vacation pool homes offer heating, though at an extra cost. Please call us for pricing.

• Are telephones available in your vacation rental homes?

  Yes. Local Orlando area calls are free, long-distance charges apply to out-of-the-area calls. We recommend purchasing a phone card to make long distance and international calls. We'll give you the phone number to your house when you check in.

• What amenities will I have in my master bedroom?

  Our Orlando area vacation rental homes master bedrooms have a king or a queen bed with full linens, a TV with cable or satellite service, nightstands, an armoire, and an adjoining, private bathroom.

• Is there a cleaning service for my home? How often do they come?

  Yes. The cleaning service comes before you arrive and after you arrive. For an additional charge, we can arrange mid-vacation cleaning for you.

• Are all vacation rental homes non-smoking?

  Yes. Smoking is strictly prohibited in all our properties. Should you wish to smoke, please do so outside in designated areas.

• Do you offer vacation homes with handicapped access?

  Since these are privately owned vacation homes, purchased by individuals unaffiliated with Starmark Vacation Homes, we cannot guarantee handicapped access. Some homes do offer it, some do not. If you have specific needs for a handicapped individual, please contact us and will locate a suitable vacation rental property.

• Will my vacation home rental have parking for RV's and trailers?

  RV's and trailers are not permitted to park inside our vacation communities. Please call us to pre-arrange off-site parking for RV's and trailers during your Orlando area vacation stay.

• Each of your vacation rental homes is rated as silver, gold or platinum. What's the difference?

  Platinum vacation homes offer the most amenities and features, silver homes offer the least. A Gold vacation home is in the middle. Below is a breakdown (Gold includes everything listed in silver; platinum includes everything listed in silver and gold):

  Silver Vacation Homes & Villas In The Orlando Area

  • Private, screened-in Pool
  • 27in TV with Cable and DVD Player
  • King or Queen Bed in Master Suite + TV
  • High Speed Internet
  • Game Room or Two-Car Garage
  • 15 Miles or More from Disney

   

  Gold Vacation Homes & Villas In The Orlando Area

  • Larger Living Area
  • Formal Dining Area
  • 32in TV with Cable and DVD Player
  • Spa with Pool
  • Game Room or Two-Car Garage
  • Within 20 miles of Disney

   

  Platinum Vacation Homes & Villas In The Orlando Area

  • Upgraded Furniture, Décor, & Appliances
  • Sleeper Sofa
  • In Gated Communities
  • Resort-Style Amenities, Including: Fitness Center, Business Center, & HD Movie Theatre
  • BBQ Grill
  • 15 Miles or less from Disney