Anyone having issues with Palm Paradise rentals ?

Question

On the VRBO website, I booked a condo and the host is Palm Paradise rentals. VRBO took down the property and informed me that the “property was not as described”. And so it was canceled. I had already paid upfront 100% and Palm Paradise sent me a number of very involved and pleasant emails telling me my full refund should begin within 2 to 3 business days. It would begin and it should be completed within 5 to 7 business days. However, it is yet to be seen, and they are not responding to emails now at this point, and the telephones are no longer in service, and there is no website presence. ( the domain name expired) Is anyone having similar problems? And has anyone else had issues like this with VRBO. I understand they are owned by Expedia, so it is really an Expedia responsibility. I have been on the phone now numerous times with VRBO and all they will say is that they are going to “escalate the investigation“. They even tried calling, same as me, Palm Paradise rentals, and said they said there was no response- yeah as in “ no longer in service” when I call, a voice says the service has been disconnected. I’m just wondering, has anyone else had these problems with VRBO or Expedia, because obviously Palm Paradise has vanished with my money. Don’t rent from either of these companies -

Answer

It sounds like you’re dealing with a very frustrating situation. Unfortunately, experiences like this do happen from time to time with vacation rental companies that may no longer be operational or are misrepresenting their listings.

Here’s what is important to know and the steps you can take:

VRBO/Espedia Responsibility: Even though Palm Paradise Rentals has disappeared, VRBO (owned by Expedia) is generally responsible for handling payments made through their platform. When a booking is canceled due to a property not being as described, VRBO’s policy is to provide a full refund.
Refund Timelines: VRBO typically says refunds take 5–7 business days once processed. However, delays can occur, especially if the property owner is unresponsive. Since your booking has been escalated, it may take longer depending on the investigation.
Documentation: Keep all emails, receipts, screenshots, and any communication with Palm Paradise Rentals and VRBO. This is essential if the dispute escalates to a credit card chargeback or small claims.

Additional actions to consider:

Contact your credit card company to initiate a chargeback if the refund is delayed beyond a reasonable period. Most credit cards offer buyer protection for services not rendered.
Continue following up with VRBO through multiple channels—phone, email, and social media. Escalation often gains more attention when visible publicly.
Check online forums or travel boards for other travelers who may have dealt with Palm Paradise Rentals. Sometimes coordinated complaints help VRBO prioritize claims.

Key takeaway: While VRBO is the responsible platform for processing the refund, recovery may take time. Using credit card protections is often the fastest way to recover funds if the host has completely disappeared.