Client Success: The Revival of “Coastal Luxe Retreat” — A Short-Term Rental in Destin, Florida
Located in the heart of Destin’s Emerald Coast, Coastal Luxe Retreat is a 5-bedroom ocean-view home steps from sugar-white sands—a premium listing in one of the most saturated short-term rental markets in the United States. Despite its ideal location and luxury amenities, the property faced dwindling visibility on OTAs, flatlining direct bookings, and negligible brand presence before partnering with Vacaygency.
Market Context
Destin, Florida is a vacation rental powerhouse, attracting over 4 million visitors annually. Yet with more than 10,000 active listings on platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo, standing out requires more than beachfront access and high-thread-count linens. Coastal Luxe Retreat was lost in the noise—until Vacaygency stepped in.
Vacaygency's Strategic Approach
Vacaygency began with a complete marketing audit and implemented a full-stack growth plan tailored to Destin’s seasonal trends and competitive traveler expectations. Their strategy was multi-pronged:
OTA Optimization & Listing Enhancement
High-converting copy infused with SEO and emotional hooks
Dynamic pricing engine integration to match market demand
New professional photos, drone footage, and 3D walkthroughs
Branding & Direct Booking Website
Developed a standalone brand identity with lifestyle branding
Launched a high-speed, mobile-optimized direct booking site
Integrated email capture, retargeting ads, and seasonal promotions
Social Media & Content Strategy
Content calendar focused on travel inspiration, local events, and UGC
Paid ad campaigns targeting family travelers and luxury seekers
Influencer partnerships and Instagram Reels showcasing the property
Guest Experience & Reviews
Automated review prompts and loyalty incentives
Branded digital guest guidebook for upselling local experiences
Before & After Metrics
Within 120 days of launching the new marketing program, Coastal Luxe Retreat experienced significant KPI improvements across multiple channels:
OTA Performance (Airbnb, Vrbo):
✅ Listing views: ↑ 172% (from avg. 1,100 to 2,980 per month)
✅ Occupancy rate: ↑ 23% YoY (from 64% to 87%)
✅ Avg. nightly rate: ↑ 14% (with higher conversion due to pro photos & optimized copy)
Direct Booking Growth:
✅ Direct bookings: ↑ 318% (from 11 per quarter to 46 per quarter)
✅ Email subscribers: ↑ 540% via gated local guide incentive
✅ Cart abandonment rate: ↓ 32% through remarketing flows
Social Media Impact:
✅ Instagram engagement: ↑ 260% (reels and UGC reposts drove interactions)
✅ Follower growth: ↑ 450% (targeted geo + lookalike audiences)
✅ Facebook ad ROAS: 6.2x (focused on short-term, last-minute getaways)
Guest Sentiment & Reviews:
✅ Average review score: From 4.4⭐ to 4.9⭐
✅ Review volume: ↑ 88% quarter-over-quarter
The Takeaway
Vacaygency didn’t just market a vacation rental—we built a brand experience guests connected with emotionally and visually. By bridging the gap between algorithm visibility on OTAs and direct consumer engagement across social and email, Coastal Luxe Retreat went from hidden gem to standout performer in a matter of months.
Vacaygency’s holistic, tech-enabled marketing services created a scalable system that will drive long-term value beyond peak season—turning a once-plateaued property into one of Destin’s most desirable short-term rentals.