About Beach Vacation Rental Scout
Hi, I’m Joyce Copeland, the Beach Vacation Rental Scout. That's me below, with my husband Gary and our three dogs (and traveling buddies) on the beach in central California. Meet (left to right), Buddy, Jewel and Cory. They love vacation rentals, because they get to go, too!
Okay, back to my mission as the Beach Vacation Rental Scout. I’ve been researching and visiting vacation rental homes for nearly a decade. When I couldn’t find a resource for exceptional homes—a subset of homes handpicked from the hundreds of thousands of listings—-I created my own. Renting Paradise was a series of e-guidebooks reviewing a distinctive vacation homes for rent in San Francisco, Marin County (north of the Golden Gate) and Sonoma County (Napa Valley's kissing cousin). Five years later, I’m still scratching my head about the lack of guidebooks and Web sites with unbiased reviews of vacation rentals. So, two books into the Renting Paradise series, I decided to find a way to reach out to a wider audience of fellow renters. I evolved from author to Beach Vacation Rental Scout.
You see, travel is my passion. But I have a special fascination for unique accommodations. Places with style and character that reflect the spirit of a place. I don’t mind spending hours hunting down the perfect place. And I love to share my “finds” with, well, anyone who’ll listen. Over my 25-year writing career, I’ve described accommodations and vacation destinations for magazines, ad agencies and Web sites —- including i-escape -- recently named the “Top Travel Website” for Boutique Properties by Travel & Leisure magazine. There are plenty of hotel rating sites. But for vacation rentals? Zilch. Do you need one? Absolutely. Click here for
Three ways Beach Vacation Rental Scout can make all the difference.
Good question. You probably won't overnight. Meanwhile, here are a few of what I consider my strongest credentials. I don't have an ax to grind. I don’t own a vacation rental. Or work for a booking site that takes a fee for listing homes for rent. I'm independent and unbiased, so I can tell you the straight story.
I know what renters look for. Because I'm arenter myself. I’ve logged hundreds of hours online scrolling through thousands of vacation rental home listings. And I’ve worried plenty that my choices wouldn’t live up to my expectations. (There were times when they didn’t.) I like to travel with my three dogs —- especially when my husband and I spend a week kicking back with my Mom and Dad and brother. Other times, it’s just me and my husband or just I know what’s out there.I’ve stayed in dozens of vacation rentals—-homes, cottages, flats, houseboats, villas. I know what’s out there—-and there are plenty of gems in places you might not know to look.
The purpose of Beach Vacation Rental Scout is to introduce to some exceptional beach homes you can rent for a weekend, a week or longer. Each review presents: Handpicked homes. I scout vacation rental listings on the granddaddy sites, as well as regional sites you probably don't know about. (Yet.) All homes are included by my invitation only. I’ve tried to include a range of home styles, sizes and prices, on or very near America’s prime beaches. The common denominator: every vacation rental home is exceptional its own way. 
Reliable coverage. I use my own template to organize each review to make sure it covers all the same bases —- from the size and configuration of the beds to potential downsides. (Every home has one or two.) If I can’t visit the home personally, I always speak at length with the owners to go over the details that matter. I ask how maintenance issues are handled. I preview additional photos of rooms not posted on booking sites. I won’t post any review until I’m satisfied I would be confident renting the home. That said, I’m a writer. I love to use language to capture the essence of the place, because that’s what you’ll savor and remember. Personal recommendations. Having a local give me the inside line on the best fish market, the bakery that only the locals know about, or very special shops, sights or activities changes my experience of place. Personal recommendations have led to some of my best travel memories. That's why I've asked vacation rental owners to share their personal recommendations in “Owner’s Favorites”. Look for these golden nuggets in every single review -- an exclusive feature of Beach Vacation Rental Scout. My hope is that my Internet "legwork" will save you time, money and potential heartache as you research vacation rentals and plan your time at the beach. Most of all, that I’ll surprise you with some choices you didn’t know you had. And, most important: that you’ll feel confident about your choice. Happy Renting!
P.S. A Shout Out to Other Scouts If you visit one of these vacation rental homes —- or want to share your own gems, I invite you to become a Field Scout and share your experiences by writing a review. Contact me for the official Beach Vacation Rental Scout review template. (Just so we all stay on the same page.)
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