If you are looking for a great deal for your family getaway, Oaseas Resorts just might have what you are looking for. They have some great offers, packages and resorts. Shores of Panama, which they call their "flagship" is AMAZING!!!!! The pool is something you would see in Vegas, rooms are great and they have a wonderful spa. They are just about sold out, last time I checked my reservation, for Memorial Day, but the Vacation Specialist (reservations agent) told me about a great little Family Summer Package that is offered at several of their properties. It includes 2 nights, beach chairs & umbrellas, gift cards to your choice of one of my favorite restaurants, Boatyard and Schooners, 6pm check out (just to catch another signature Florida sunset) and a BOGO at THE Spa @ Shores of Panama. Its valid in the first part of June and the month of August. They are also offering Layaway - great for planning your 2010 vacation. Oaseas has a saying "escapes perfected" and they just might be on to something; they are constantly adding new an exciting offers to thier growing list of great properties.

You must work for Oaseas. I'm on their mailing list as well. They have some good offers, but I'm not sure that they're worth it. I stayed there last year during the 4th of July, the worst experience I've had at a condo resort in PCB. One the surface it looks like a real nice place and that's how they hook you. The place has a lot of problems that will only get worse when phase two gets rented out (the portion of the building closest to Pineapple Willy's).

Against my better judgement I'm staying there again this 4th of July. I did make a reservation through Oaseas, but cancelled it because it was so much more expensive than renting from an owner ($400 more).

I also thought it might be better renting from an owner because the condo would be so much nicer than the dog I stayed in last year.

But to be perfectly honest, the only reasons I'm staying this year is because of location and being able to walk next door to Pineapple Willy's to get a Fat Tuesday and a grouper finger basket.

I'm just preparing myself for the aggravation and reminding myself that I'm at the beach.

I am really sorry that your feel that Oaseas is to blame for the issues at the property. I can tell you last 4th was awful for everyone. I own a unit there and the power was out, the developer was in bankruptcy and there was no money to do much of anything. Oaseas came in , as a start up company and put their money into making sure the property was running to the best of its potential at the time. The property has come so far in a short amount of time. The developer is no longer in control and the owners are gaining control of thing that will allow the rules to be relaxed, pool furniture to be purchased and the power grid has been fixed.

You may get prices lower from an owner but you wont get the true benefits of staying at the resort. If your room isnt clean to your satisfaction, you need towels or you have a maintenance program you will have to track down the owners people to take car of your issues. The staff of Oaseas cant help you and trust me when I tell you they are just as frustrated by it as a gues it, but its the way it is. Another thing with the onsite companies is that the provide benefits to thier renters that you cant get from an owner, but it depends on your vacation needs. They offer discounted golf, discounts to the spa, discounts to area restaurants etc that you cant get direct from the owner. For me, the management company is the one that spends the money to staff, market and promote the property with events, promotions and packages and that is good for all owners.

I do hope your experience will be better this year. I know all of mine has been.

Enjoy the beach ad enjoy Shores !!!

Seems to me that you would want to satisfy your renters and make sure that the condo is ready to make their vacation memorable for the right reasons. And to be available to answer questions and concerns of your renters. If you have a cleanliness issue in your unit then you have a vendor issue that needs to be addressed. You can't just charge fees and not be accountable. Owners are quick to withhold a deposit and less apt to make a renter whole.

You are obviously dipping from both sides of the well by allowing Oaseas to rent your unit and market it yourself. Don't hide behind Oaseas. There should be no difference in service, both of you are renting out a unit at the Shores of Panama. Oh sure, they may offer a free round of Goofy Golf, but that's not a $400 difference. Let's remember, an amenity fee is included in Oaseas charges and what the owner charges.

Oaseas was managing last year. We'll see what a difference a year makes. I'm curious to find out if I can drink a beverage with my feet in the pool and if I still have to be out at the pool at 6:30 am to get a lounge chair? (I know the answer to that question) Oaseas markets that "magnificent" pool deck pretty hard. It's unfortunate that there are only enough lounges for four or five floors of twenty-three at the resort.

Anyway, you sound like you are a caring owner and not one that owns twenty units at every resort looking to make a quick buck.

I hope my stay is enjoyable. Either way it goes, I will post a comment for the others on this site.