Southern Luxury Rentals

Question

Anyone rented from them? Can anyone confirm they are legit? I've had issues.

Their address is 42 Business Centre Way in Mirimar Beach.

They had a unit I paid for that is in Sterling Sands. They were using VRBO.

Answer

Good question. Short answer: yes, Southern Luxury Rentals (or something very similarly named) appears to exist, but there are a number of red flags based on consumer-reported issues — and “Southern Luxury Rentals” may actually be conflated or confused with “Southern Vacation Rentals,” which is a more prominent company in the Destin / Miramar Beach area.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of what I found, plus pros, risks, and advice on how to protect yourself:

What I found about Southern Luxury Rentals / Similar Names

There is a Southern Luxury Rentals business listing on Birdeye, with an address of 42 Business Centre Dr, Unit 208, Miramar Beach, FL.
- Birdeye gives them a 4.7-star average from ~15 reviews.
- Some reviewers say: “Best office staff around! Answered all our questions … Cannot recommend them enough!”
On Tripadvisor, someone posted that their unit in Sterling Sands was offered via VRBO by “Southern Luxury Rentals,” and they had payment / booking issues.
The address you mentioned, “42 Business Centre Way in Miramar Beach,” matches closely to the Birdeye business address (42 Business Centre Dr), which suggests the business is real (or at least has a physical office).
However, most of the major negative feedback online is not for “Southern Luxury Rentals” but for Southern Vacation Rentals, which is a well-known and much larger vacation rental management company.

Consumer Complaints / Risks (from Southern Vacation Rentals)

BBB Profile:
- Southern Vacation Rentals is listed on BBB (Northwest Florida) and has an F rating.
- The BBB listing shows 55 complaints in the past 3 years.
- Many of these complaints involve: unclean properties, misrepresented amenities, maintenance issues, and poor customer service.
Specific Customer Reviews:
- One reviewer said their rental was “absolutely terrible”: AC, refrigerator, maintenance issues, service animal was denied.
- Another major complaint: “pool was green … oven filthy … doors wouldn’t lock … beds not made …” and very poor responsiveness from management.
- There are multiple reports of serious facility issues: mold, plumbing, and even bed bug concerns.

What This Means for You

There *is* a legitimate-sounding company called Southern Luxury Rentals with an address matching what you were told — but it's small (or at least not very large) compared to “Southern Vacation Rentals,” which could mean they’re not as established.
Because people often mix up “Southern Luxury Rentals” and “Southern Vacation Rentals,” it’s possible that negative feedback directed at Southern Vacation Rentals is being applied (or misattributed) to Southern Luxury Rentals — or that the two are related in some way (but not necessarily the same business).
The volume and severity of BBB complaints against Southern Vacation Rentals are worrisome. Even if your booking was with “Luxury,” some of those systemic risks (maintenance, cleanliness, refund disputes) could apply or be similar.
On the flip side, the positive reviews on Birdeye for “Southern Luxury Rentals” suggest that some customers have had good experiences, particularly with staff and communication.

My Advice for You (Based on Your Situation)

Contact them directly: Ask for proof of business registration, a local office phone number, and references from recent renters. The fact they have a physical address is a positive sign — but you should verify.
Use a payment method that gives you protection: If you paid via VRBO, confirm that the booking is still active in VRBO’s system (not just a private payment) so you have VRBO’s protections. If paying outside, use a credit card if possible so you have dispute leverage.
Ask for a rental agreement or contract: Confirm their policies around cancellations, security deposits, damage, and refunds. Make sure it's in writing.
Read recent reviews: Use sites like Google, Birdeye, and Airbnb/VRBO (if listed there) to look specifically for recent guest experiences.
Prepare for contingencies: Given the complaints, have a plan B (alternate places to stay nearby) in case the property or the booking doesn't work out.

Bottom Line

Yes — “Southern Luxury Rentals” *appears to be a real business with a physical address*. But because there’s confusion with the larger “Southern Vacation Rentals,” and because the latter has a significant number of serious consumer complaints, there is some risk. Proceed carefully: verify everything, get things in writing, and make sure your payment is protected.

Southern Luxury Rentals

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