Yep! And we're actually going to Florida instead so DS who is a senior can enjoy a bona fide spring break fleshfest. We always go to the Sarasota area which is pretty laid back even at spring break but we're doing the Clearwater area instead. And I found it on VRBO!

many thanks emd, that was very helpful.i am renting one in Anna Maria Island and I have emailed her many times so I do have a feel for her. I sent a cheque for the deposit (it is only 3 nights as I was unsure about all this) but I guess i should have used my credit card. I hated to give it out to a stranger. Again thanks a lot.

frannieb- hope you love the quiet casual pace of Anna Maria Island. Go to Banana Cabana for dinner and try the crab stuffed grouper rolled up, coated with bread crumbs, and fried. Then walk next door for ice cream.

For a romantic dinner for grown ups (and many quite well dressed but you can get away with a golf shirt and khakis and a casual dress) go to Beach Bistro where many locals go for special occassions. Or go to its more casual sister Bistro at Islands End.

Skip the Sandbar and the Beach House. Overrated and underwhelming.

Oooooh. "Other Topics". I don't know why, but it almost sounded covert in nature. The "other" forum. As if only those "in the know" would know. haha!

I'm so glad you pointed me that way. There is a dynamite thread on the "other" forum (wink wink) that has people relating their comical mistakes in trying to communicate in another language. SO funny! Be prepared to laugh out loud.

The thread from Other Topics is this one:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...4&tid=34544942

This way people can find it no matter when they read this, since it won't stay topped over there forever.

We used VRBO once for a beach rental in Oceanside, CA. All went well, but the place was pretty dirty. We went and bought cleaning supplies, spent an hour cleaning up and then it was OK. The carpet was filthy. But the sheets were clean so it was livable. The location was great. So, even thought it was not a "perfect" experience, I would try VRBO again for sure.

loangalsal: You should have contacted the owners of the rental at check-in, obviously their cleaning staff did not do their job, and many owners are not located in the same town as their vacation rental and they need to know these things because most owners really do care about their guests being satisfied with their accommodations. We always tell our guests to contact us upon arrival if they have any problems so we can correct whatever it is ASAP (luckily my renters have had no problems so far), otherwise, there is no way we would know something is wrong, including the place being dirty. If the renters wait until after they leave to let the owner know, there is nothing we can do to correct the situation for that specific renter and we have possibly lost a return guest. In your situation, I would have had the housekeeper there in a heartbeat to do the job they are paid to do (and cleaning is usually paid for by the renter, i.e., cleaning fee in addition to rent, taxes, deposits). Hope your next rental is a clean one, there is no reason why you should have had to clean that place yourself.

Justmom where is your unit you sound like a great owner!

wantagig: I will be writing on Trip Advisor

We have a place in the beautiful NC mountains. We try our best to please our guests, and if there were a problem I would want to know and fix it right away, I would appreciate that if I were renting from someone else.

thanks, espec. amwosu and justmom...i will post upon return and let you know how it went.

I own a S. Padre Island condo and am always concerned for our guests' welfare. Although I live in Colorado, I keep in touch with my guests. Several emails change hands (and sometimes phone calls). I would be upset if my guests found the unit in less than satisfactory condition and, if those circumstances should ever arise, I would do what I could to rectify it immediately. I have received phone calls upon guests' arrival telling me how pleased they were with the condo, and "thank-you's" after their stay. My ultimate goal is to have return visitors whom I can trust to take care of my place. I will use VRBO in the future for some of my own trips, I am sure!
Sharon