More travelers are skipping the big booking sites and reserving their beach condo straight with the owner. At Coastal Dreams, booking direct is how you get our best rate, talk to the people who actually know the condo, and see the real price before you pay. Here's how it works, and what to check before you book any direct rental.
How to book Coastal Dreams directly
It takes about two minutes:
Start at coastaldreams305.com or houfy.com/l/coastaldreams. Both take you to the same direct booking.
Pick your dates. You'll see what's open and the nightly rate for those exact dates.
Check the full price before you pay. Houfy shows everything itemized — nightly rate, the $150 cleaning fee, houfyProtect, and taxes — so there are no surprise lines at checkout.
Pay securely by card. Payments are processed through Stripe, and you get a written confirmation with your reservation details.
Hear from us directly. Check-in details come straight from Kat and Shawn before you arrive, and if you have a question, you can message or call us at 716-725-2220 — no call center, no ticket queue.
Check-in is 4 PM, check-out is 10 AM.
What you save by booking direct
The big booking sites add a guest service fee at checkout — often 10% or more of the stay — and that money goes to the platform, not the property. Booking direct skips that layer entirely. Our direct rates on Houfy are also our lowest rates; the same stay lists for about 18% more on Airbnb and Vrbo, because we price those higher to cover the platforms' fees.
You also get the real story on the condo. We own Coastal Dreams, so when you ask whether the balcony gets morning sun or where to park, you're asking the people who know the place best.
How to know a direct listing is legit
Direct booking is safe when the listing checks out. Before you pay any owner, look for these:
A real website with a real address and phone number. Ours is 4 Ocean Trace Road #305, St. Augustine Beach, FL 32080, and 716-725-2220.
Reviews you can check across more than one place. Coastal Dreams has reviews on Google (5.0 stars), Airbnb (5.0 stars), and Vrbo (9.8 out of 10) — all under the same name.
A licensed, established business. We're a proud member of the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce, and our Florida vacation rental license (#14783962) and St. Johns County registration (#9810043) are on our website.
Clear written terms before you pay. You should see the price, the cancellation terms, and the house rules before your card is charged.
Secure payment. Pay by card through Stripe's secure checkout. Never wire money or pay cash to a stranger, and never book a listing that won't give you a written confirmation.
When in doubt, call the owner directly. A five-minute call filters out most scams — a real host will happily answer questions about their own place.
Cancellation and minimum stay
These change through the year and by booking site, so check the listing for your exact dates before you pay. The terms shown at checkout are the ones that apply to your stay — if anything is unclear, ask us before you book and we'll put the answer in writing.
Common questions
What does "booking directly" mean? Reserving through the owner's own booking page — for us, that's Houfy — instead of a third-party marketplace like Airbnb or Vrbo. You deal with the owner, and you skip the platform's guest service fee.
Is it safe to book outside the big platforms? Yes, when the listing is verifiable: a real website, reviews across multiple sites, a phone number that gets answered, and secure card payment with a written confirmation. That's exactly how Coastal Dreams books.
What do I get at Coastal Dreams? A 2BR/2BA ocean-view condo at St. Augustine Beach & Tennis Club, steps from the beach via a private boardwalk. Private ocean-view balcony, two pools, full kitchen, washer and dryer, fast Wi-Fi, and fragrance-free cleaning throughout. Sleeps 5 + infant. About 7 miles to historic downtown St. Augustine — a car makes everything easier.
How far ahead should I book? Popular weeks go early — our guests typically book about two months out, and peak weeks like spring break and July 4th go sooner. If your dates are open, don't wait on them.
Can I ask questions before I book? Please do. Message us through Houfy or call/text 716-725-2220. We'd rather answer ten questions up front than have you guess.
Book direct, and keep more of your vacation
Booking directly isn't just about saving on fees — it's about knowing exactly what you're getting, from the people who take care of the place. If you're still comparing condos, start with our checklist: Best St. Augustine Beach Condo Rentals. Planning a longer winter stay? Here's our snowbird guide.
Ready when you are: coastaldreams305.com or houfy.com/l/coastaldreams — Kat & Shawn
Revised: November 1, 2026
