Advanced Search

We have compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions that pertain to vacationers. Please browse through this FAQ to help you answer questions you might have about Surf to Ski Retreats.

If you have a question not answered here, please contact us and we'll be happy to expand this FAQ for all our members!

General
 Does Surf to Ski Retreats own or rent properties directly?
 Does Surf to Ski Retreats charge me a booking fee?
 How do I view vacation rentals?
 How do I contact an owner?
 How can I complain about a listing?
 A vacation rental owner has not returned my message, what can I do?
 Is the information in a listing accurate?

Profile Management
 How do I change my user name or email address?
 I can't register, why?

Online Vacation Rental Reservations
 How can I tell which properties can be reserved online?
 The calendar is open but I can't reserve the vacation rental. Why?
 Are the prices set or is there room for negotiation?
 What are the cancellation and refund policies?
 Does Surf to Ski Retreats insure my rental experience?
 What currency can I pay in?
 How are payments handled?
 Do I need an account?

My Favorite Retreats
 How many vacation rentals can I add to My Favorite Retreats?

Vacation Rental Reviews
 How can I write a review for a vacation rental I stayed in?
 Does the owner see the review before it is published?
 I don't see the review I wrote, why?

E-Newsletter
 I want to subscribe but cant, why?
 I'm not able to unsubscribe, why?

Fraud
 What can I do to better protect myself from fraud?
 How do I report fraud?

Q: Does Surf to Ski Retreats own or rent properties directly?
A: No. Vacationers rent from property managers/owners. Surf to Ski Retreats is a service that allows vacation rental managers/owners to list and advertise their vacation rentals and in turn helps vacationers to find a suitable vacation rental property. To rent a property, you can contact the manager/owner directly using the contact information provided with each vacation rental listing, or reserve it online using a real time connect to the manager's/owner's system.

Q: Does Surf to Ski Retreats charge me a booking fee?
A: No. We do not charge vacationers anything for using this website. It is completely free to find vacation rentals and contact the owners. Each owner sets their own rental terms, fees and policies. You may find rentals that can be booked online. For these rentals we allow vacationers to reserve the vacation rental on our site, using real time data to ensure accurate information. Each vacation rental has its own prices, set by the property manager/owner and the transaction is completed by the property manager/owner, not Surf to Ski Retreats.

Q: How do I view vacation rentals?
A: There are a number of different ways you can find a vacation rental to view:
     Quick Search - from the left side bar
     Destination Search - click Search in the top nav, or footer
     Advanced Search - click Advanced Search in the top nav
     Click any of the links on the home page
Once you locate the city or geographic area you want, you'll be presented with a list of vacation rentals in that area. Click a link to view a listing, or you can compare two different vacation rentals from the search results or My Favorites section!

Q: How do I contact an owner?
A: Once you're on the results page, or viewing a listing, there will be a Contact Owner button. Click it and you will be presented with a form to fill out. Submit the form with as much information as you can so the owner knows when you want to rent and how to contact you.

Q: How can I complain about a listing?
A: If you find a listing that has problems, please contact us. There is a "Report Issue" button on every listing that will take you to the Contact page. Please describe the issue and we'll investigate.

Q: A vacation rental owner has not returned my message, what can I do?
A: Try again! The owner may be very busy, or the email did not get to them. If they have listed a phone number, please call them and mention you found their vacation rental on Surf to Ski Retreats.

Q: Is the information in a listing accurate?
A: Listing information is as accurate as owners make it. We do not verify listing content, but we do monitor listings for copied/stolen content or inappropriate content. If you feel a listing is false, please contact us.

Q: How do I change my user name or email address?
A: Log in via the My Favorites section and you can update your profile there. You can change your user name and email, but you can not share a user name or email address that is already in use by another member.

Q: I can't register, why?
A: Make sure you are using a unique user name and email address. If you still can't register, please contact us and we'll assist you.

Q: How can I tell which properties can be reserved online?
A: Every vacation rental that can be reserved online has a "Book Now" button on the listing page, as well as a "Book Now" icon on the search results page. Some property managers/owners do not allow their rental to be reserved online and as a result, this feature is not available for those rentals. The majority of our vacation rental inventory can be reserved online!

Q: The calendar is open but I can't reserve the vacation rental. Why?
A: Many vacation rental managers/owners have set different reservation rules. Some vacation rentals have specific check in and check out dates. For example, you might only be allowed to check in on a Saturday and stay for 7 nights. Other rentals have a minimum and/or maximum number of nights it can be booked. In some special cases, the rental has been pre-booked by someone else, but payment has not been made and the calendar has not been blocked out by the manager.

Q: Are the prices set or is there room for negotiation?
A: Surf to Ski Retreats has negotiated the lowest prices possible prices for you in our online reservation system. All vacation rentals that can be reserved online have set prices and we can not lower them any further.

Q: What are the cancellation and refund policies?
A: Each vacation rental has its own set of policies regarding cancellations, refunds, deposits etc. Vacationers can read these policies during the reservation procedure and you are expected to read and agree to the rental terms and policies before submitting the reservation. We highly recommend you purchase travel insurance should you need to cancel your vacation due to weather, family or other issues under certain conditions.

Q: Does Surf to Ski Retreats insure my rental experience?
A: No. Surf to Ski Retreats is not responsible for your vacation rental experience in any capacity. Surf to Ski Retreats helps vacationers search vacation rentals, but we are not responsible for any of the vacation rental properties, managers or owners listed with our service. If you would like to insure your vacation please contact us and we can assist you.

Q: What currency can I pay in?
A: The accepted currency is listed for each vacation rental listing. We provide an online currency conversion tool to assist you calculate what the approximate cost will be in your local currency.

Q: How are payments handled?
A: Surf to Ski Retreats plays no part in the rental reservation transaction. We provide the property manager/owner with your information and they in turn charge your credit card. Our reservation system will show you the total cost to rent along with payment dates that the manager/owner will charge you.

Q: Do I need an account?
A: Yes. As part of the reservation system, you will create a Surf to Ski Retreats account. Your account will allow you to review your reservation online. In some cases, you can modify or cancel your reservation from our website. We also provide you with a way to contact the property manager, either via phone or email, through your Surf to Ski Retreats account. You can log in 24/7 and view your reservation, favorite vacation rentals and update your profile information.

Q: How many vacation rentals can I add to My Favorite Retreats?
A: UNLIMITED! You can add as many rental listings as you like. While in the My Favorites section you can compare two different vacation rentals side by side!

Q: How can I write a review for a vacation rental I stayed in?
A: Find the vacation rental listing and towards the bottom of the page is a link to write a review. You will need to be a registered user before you can write your review. Registration is free & fast!

Q: Does the owner see the review before it is published?
A: No. Your review is sent directly to the Surf to Ski Retreats team for review. Provided it follows the posted guidelines, it will be approved. The owner will then receive an email that a new review has been published and can only challenge the review if you did not stay there.

Q: I don't see the review I wrote, why?
A: It may take a few days for us to review and approve your review. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions about your review.

Q: I want to subscribe but cant, why?
A: Each E-Newsletter requires a unique email address. Make sure to give us an email not already in the system. If you need any assistance, please contact us and we'll be happy to assist you. Once you're subscribed, you will receive a welcome email.

Q: I'm not able to unsubscribe, why?
A: Make sure to give us an email already in the system. You will receive a confirmation email letting you know you have been unsubscribed. If you need any assistance, please contact us and we'll be happy to assist you.

Q: What can I do to better protect myself from fraud?
A: When you engage with an owner ask lots of questions, get a copy of their rental agreement, get the address and verify that it exists. You can also ask for references and should ask for additional photos of the vacation rental. If you do not feel comfortable renting from that specific owner, keep looking. We highly encourage you to rent with an owner that has a rental agreement, accepts major credit cards, answers all your questions to your satisfaction and can provide references. You should also consider travel insurance to guard against any trouble during your vacation.

Q: How do I report fraud?
A: Please let us know if an owner has committed fraud. We will investigate the complaint and suspend the listing. You should also contact the local authorities as they can better help you, especially if a crime has been committed.