Before we booked our most recent beach house, I thought most rental companies were pretty much the same. Some not very organized or easy to reach like the one in Palm Springs who, when we stopped by to pick up our key, were nowhere to be found and had artfully hidden the key in a location where we thought we would never find it and have to stay in a hotel since they were impossible to reach.

Some quite nice like the one who made a concerted effort to locate extra parking for us close to our condo for some in our group who could not walk far.

And then there is Ocean Reef Resorts in Destin, Florida. Who are, without a doubt, the best and most professional vacation rental company we have ever worked with.

Because we were on a trip with my brother and sister-in-law, I had one kind of quirky desire in our beach rental. Although my SIL and I are beach lovers of the intensity that can only be described as MAXIMUM, my husband and brother? Not so much. In fact, they could have been perfectly happy in a house that was located pretty much anywhere – as long as they could lie on the couch, watch movies, and play video games. So I wanted two couches. One for each of our well-loved but pain in the ass couch potatoes.

Ocean Reef Resorts had kindly found us a perfectly lovely condo that was just a few feet from the beach with a quite lovely view. Sigh. Perfect for me and my SIL. Not so much for the guys. So I spent time looking through all their rentals trying to find a place that was equally lovely but had two couches. Found one. Reluctantly gave up on our quite fabulous oceanfront property and asked to switch to Tuscan Breeze.

No problem. Ocean Reef Resorts switched us quite happily.

Because we had to vacate our rental in Panama City Beach early in the day where we had just spent a few days with the rest of the family, we were stuck with a few hours to kill. Could we possibly, possibly check in early to Tuscan Breeze?

No problem. Ocean Reef Resorts let us check in early. They gave us a door code and we had no problems getting into our lovely home for the week. Then we just called when we were leaving, closed the door and left. No hassle checking in or out at all. We didn’t even have to go to the office unless we had a problem and I feel sure they would have addressed said problem in record time.

This was the point when I began to suspect that we were not dealing with your average rental company.

But it wasn’t until I actually visited their offices that I realized this is absolutely not your average rental company. They have some of the nicest offices I have ever seen with a completely local and friendly staff that can easily recommend restaurants, shopping, and activities since they live here and know the area. They have a very professionally done magazine, are working on an even better website, have a complete recording studio where they plan to make videos to post on their web site, and even have a realty office where they sell property.

I was super impressed with Ocean Reef Resorts but still just a teeny bit unhappy about giving up our beachfront property, even though it was completely my choice.

Until I actually saw Tuscan Breeze.

Tuscan Breeze, our home away from home.

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