To stand out in Navarre Beach, highlight standout amenities and use high-quality photos that connect emotionally. Smart design choices, like beachy decor, home offices, and spa-style bathrooms, can make all the difference. The takeaway: thoughtful details + great visuals = more bookings.
Whether your vacation rental is tucked in snowy Colorado or nestled in the nature of Tennessee, knowing how to stand out from the competition is absolutely essential.
As longtime property managers in Navarre Beach, we've seen our market getting increasingly crowded with rentals over the years, and we have come to realize that, to thrive in our segment and beat the fierce competition, the secret lies in investing in great amenities.
A piece of advice we always give to homeowners is to enhance their beach rentals by investing in décor and unique amenities. That's a key strategy to grab the attention of potential guests online. If they see exceptional amenities in your property that others in the same area don't have, they're more likely to book your rental.
Pressed for time? Here's the quick takeaway:
Whispering Palms
- Use your best feature, like a beachfront porch, as your main photo to grab attention.
- Decorate with beachy colors and textures to create a calm, inviting vibe.
- Add extras like a balcony with loungers to make the stay feel more luxurious.
- Design a modern, social-friendly kitchen that guests will want to use.
- Invest in professional photos that show off both the home and its surroundings.
Blue Skye
- Show both your home and its beach setting in the cover photo for instant appeal.
- Furnish balconies with stylish dining and lounge options to feel like a resort.
- Include a workspace to attract remote workers and longer stays.
Toes In The Sand
- Make your pool a showstopper with fun features like surrounding sand.
- Mix bold, playful décor with smart lighting for a welcoming living room.
- Design your kitchen to be both guest-friendly and great for photos.
- Add lights and comfy seating outside so guests can enjoy the space day and night.
Stella Maris
- Use sunset photos to create emotion and show your home at its best.
- Turn bathrooms into spa-like spaces with great views and elegant touches.
- Create small reading or lounging spots near windows with great views.
- Style bedrooms with resort-level comfort and include streaming tech like Roku.
At Navarre Beach Properties, we've spent years managing properties right here in Navarre Beach—and we know exactly what it takes to help them thrive. And we're not shy about sharing what we've learned along the way!
I suggest you check our blog which is packed with expert tips on professional property management—from smart strategies to make your rental stand out in a competitive market, to practical ways to boost your income and even a crash course on everything you need to know about managing a vacation home in Navarre Beach.
Below, to illustrate our point, I'll analyze some of the best practices I've observed in some of our outstanding properties and discuss what they are doing right.
Without further ado, let's jump into the details!
1. Whispering Palms, Navarre Beach
What YOU CAN LEARN FROM WHISPERING Palms
a) Lead with Your Best Amenity in the Thumbnail
Whispering Palms makes an immediate impression by using its beachfront porch as the cover image. It's more than just a pretty picture; it sets the mood.
One well-placed chair on a porch with a view tells potential guests everything they need to know about the kind of stay they can expect. The photo was taken at just the right angle, helping browsers imagine themselves relaxing there. That emotional connection encourages clicks and bookings.
b) Use Décor to Create a Beach-Inspired Living Space
The living room is a lesson in coastal styling done right. The white furniture serves as a crisp base, while accent pillows in various shades of blue bring in the ocean palette.
Natural materials like the straw pouf and tray introduce texture and warmth, and the decorative shell in a glass vase is a subtle but effective nod to the sea. A well-placed rug anchors the space and gives it structure.
Altogether, it feels fresh, stylish, and inviting without trying too hard.
Pro tip: Refreshing furniture or rotating decorative elements every few years keeps the property looking fresh in photos, and that freshness translates to more bookings. This approach helps the home stay competitive in a crowded rental market.
c) Add a Extra Features to Elevate the Experience
Whispering Palms' upper-level balcony is more than a bonus; it's a defining feature. Outfitted with loungers, the space invites guests to relax, watch the waves, or enjoy a drink with a view.
Small details like this elevate the rental, giving it a sense of luxury that distinguishes it from more generic listings. A balcony that feels like a destination in itself adds serious appeal.
d) Make the Kitchen a Centerpiece, Not an Afterthought
The kitchen here is functional and beautiful, and that combination makes it a major selling point. Sleek cabinetry, premium appliances, and a generous island with stools create a sense of space and occasion.
It's the kind of kitchen that makes people want to cook, socialize, and spend time together. In short-term rentals, the kitchen is often a deciding factor, and Whispering Palms understands that.
e) Use Professional Photography to Tell the Whole Story
Good design deserves good photography. Whispering Palms highlights not just its interiors but also its surroundings.
The listing includes shots of nearby beach access, wide-angle views of the living areas, and inviting close-ups of design details. These images are thoughtfully composed to help guests envision the experience of staying there. It's not just about the property; it's about the feeling.
2. Blue Skye, Navarre Beach
What YOU CAN YOU LEARN FROM Blue Skye
a) You Can Also Showcase the Façade and the Setting in the Thumbnail
Blue Skye makes an immediate visual impact with its thoughtfully chosen thumbnail. The image captures both the home's attractive façade and the shimmering blue waters in the background, an ideal combo that shows off the property and its unbeatable location.
This photo instantly communicates proximity to the beach and invites potential guests to imagine a breezy, coastal escape. The beautiful façade of Blue Skye with the stunning blue waters of the sea in the background is just a great shot!
b) Furnish the Balcony to Feel Like a Private Resort
The beachfront balcony is already a winning feature, but Blue Skye takes it up a notch with its smart furnishings. A beautiful wooden dining table makes it easy for guests to gather for meals or games, while a separate seating area with elegant chairs encourages long, relaxing afternoons spent soaking in the views.
It's not just a balcony; it's a fully functional, stylish extension of the living space.
c) Position Your Property for a Broader Market
One of the most unique features of Blue Skye is its dedicated workspace. The inclusion of a home office setup complete with a view shows an understanding of today's traveler. It gives guests a place to catch up on work without feeling cut off from their beach vacation.
Comfortable, well-lit, and with those all-important views, it appeals to digital nomads and hybrid workers alike. With remote work more common than ever, rentals like Blue Skye are tapping into a new segment of guests. By offering a workspace with real appeal, the property becomes an option for midweek bookings, extended stays, or off-season visits.
It's a smart move that helps broaden the rental's reach and secure more consistent occupancy.
3. Toes In The Sand, Navarre Beach
What YOU CAN YOU LEARN From Toes in the sand
a) Leverage Your Pool as a Signature Feature
The pool at Toes In The Sand is more than a place to cool off, it's the rental's defining feature. Surrounded by sand, it cleverly nods to the property's name while adding that irresistible, Instagrammable vibe so many guests look for.
This playful and thoughtful design choice instantly elevates the experience and makes the listing stand out online.
b) Style the Living Room for Comfort and Visual Appeal
Inside, the living room makes a bold statement with a mix of patterns, beach-inspired elements, and colorful decor. The space features standout details like playful armchairs, a Navarre Beach sign, and a cohesive color scheme that ties everything together.
The room also benefits from natural light and is perfectly photographed to show the seamless flow between the living area and the balcony, giving guests a full sense of the space.
c) Design a Kitchen That's Functional and Photogenic
Toes In The Sand doesn't stop at surface beauty. The kitchen is both fully equipped and visually impressive. With a blend of bold and elegant cabinetry, high-quality appliances, and smart layout choices, it's both guest-friendly and photo-ready.
The open concept lets potential guests easily understand how many people can dine together, either at the dining table or along the kitchen counter, which adds practical value to the booking decision.
d) Create Outdoor Spaces That Invite Day-to-Night Use
What really makes the outdoor area sing is how it transforms as the day goes on. By day, the sandy poolside is perfect for sunbathing and splashing around. By night, soft fairy lights and pool lighting set the mood for a relaxed, dreamy atmosphere.
It signals to guests that this space isn't just for afternoons but it's for long, lingering Florida evenings too. The fairy lights and the pool lights are very welcoming for guests to stay outside even after the sun has set. On Florida's warm nights, this is a delightful idea.
4. Stella Maris, Navarre Beach
What YOU CAN YOU LEARN From Stella Maris
a) Use Golden Hour Photography to Spark Emotion
The main thumbnail of Stella Maris captures the home at sunset, showcasing the façade under a dusky sky with warm golden light. This type of image isn't just beautiful—it sets a tone, evokes emotion, and signals a high-end experience.
The distant pier and visible shoreline give guests a clear sense of proximity to water and outdoor attractions.
b) Create a Spa-Like Bathroom Experience
Stella Maris doesn't hold back when it comes to luxury in the bathroom. With a freestanding tub facing the sea, elegant lighting, and sleek modern finishes, this space transforms into a private retreat.
The atmosphere invites relaxation, and the design rivals what guests might find in a top resort. It's a highlight feature that photographs beautifully and promises comfort.
c) Add Cozy Corners With a View
Elsewhere in the home, a simple yet stylish daybed near a window creates a peaceful nook where guests can relax and soak in the view.
Pairing it with a sleek side table and soft lighting enhances the usability of the space without overcrowding it. These little touches elevate the overall experience and show thoughtful space planning.
d) Design Bedrooms That Feel Like a Resort
The bedroom setup at Stella Maris blends beachside ease with refined sophistication. Neutral tones, layered textures, and a mix of polished and natural materials set a calming tone. From plush armchairs to a generously sized carpet under the bed, everything contributes to a sense of airiness and upscale comfort. It's designed to help guests picture themselves sleeping in and waking up to ocean views.
While the images focus on style and scenery, the tech setup is equally important. Stella Maris includes Roku and Smart TVs, features that today's guests expect. Streaming access with personal accounts lets guests unwind their way, making the space feel personalized and current. Roku, in particular, is a great option.
Vacation Rental Management Made Simple
Managing a Navarre Beach vacation rental can feel overwhelming—but it doesn't have to. At Navarre Beach Properties, we've been doing this for years, with proven systems to keep your property booked and profitable.
Get a free rental estimate on our website and see how partnering with a local pro can make all the difference.
