Frequently asked
We get the same questions most weeks. Here are the answers, plain as we can give them.
Booking
How do I book? On any unit page, pick your dates in the calendar and click Book Direct. The booking flow stays on sundialsuites.com from start to finish. Apple Pay, Google Pay, and major cards all work.
Is there a deposit? For arrivals more than 60 days out, we collect 50% at booking and 50% thirty days before arrival. For arrivals inside 60 days, the full amount is due at booking.
Can I hold dates without paying? Yes — there’s a “Hold these dates” button on each unit page that holds them for 24 hours while you decide.
What’s the cancellation policy? Free cancellation up to 30 days before arrival, full refund. Inside 30 days, 50% refund up to 14 days out. Inside 14 days, the booking is non-refundable. The full policy is on our cancellation page.
Do you charge a service fee like Airbnb? No. The price you see at checkout is the all-in price including taxes and the cleaning fee. No hidden booking fees, no service fees.
Do I really save by booking direct? Yes. Same suite, same dates, our direct rate runs about 12-18% less than the same listing on Airbnb or Vrbo after fees and taxes settle. The full math is on our Book Direct page.
Check-in and check-out
What time is check-in? 3:30 PM. Earlier check-in by request when the calendar allows.
What time is check-out? 11:00 AM. Late check-out by request when the next stay allows.
How do I get into the suite? Smart-lock code. We send it the morning of arrival via email and text. There’s no key handoff.
Is there someone on site? Reanna is three minutes away and she’s the operator. We don’t have a front desk. If you need her, you have her number from your check-in email — she’s the one who answers.
The property
Is the pool heated? We heat the pool as needed when units are occupied — based on what’s comfortable for that week’s guests. We don’t heat it on a fixed seasonal schedule.
What time does the pool open? 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
Is the pool fenced? Yes. Two self-latching gates per Florida code, and there’s an outdoor shower at the gate.
How many parking spots do I get? Two off-street spots per suite. You don’t need to look for street parking.
Are pets welcome? No. None of our suites are pet-friendly at this time.
Is smoking allowed? No smoking inside the suites or on the pool deck. Outside on the front patio is fine.
Is there a fitness center? No. We don’t have one. The walk to the beach and back is your morning workout if you want it.
Is there a grill? No grills, no fire pits — fire risk policy.
The beach
How far is the beach actually? Three minutes door to sand at a normal walking pace. With a beach chair and a cooler: still three. With a small kid: a little longer.
Where’s the beach access? The public beach access at the end of Sundial Street, one block north of the property.
Do you provide beach gear? Yes. Two beach chairs, beach towels per guest, a small cooler, and some sand toys for kids. They live in a closet near the front door of each suite.
Is the beach crowded? Less than the Pier Park stretch. On weekday mornings in May and September you can find your own patch easily. On a Saturday in July you’ll have neighbors, but they’ll be far enough away that you can hear waves instead of conversation.
Location and getting around
What airport should I fly into? ECP (Northwest Florida Beaches Airport) is the closest, about 22 minutes away. VPS (Destin-Fort Walton) is about an hour. Pensacola is about 90 minutes.
Do I need a car? Probably yes. The beach is walkable from the property, but Pier Park, 30A, and the restaurants we send you to are all a drive. Uber and Lyft work but coverage isn’t dense — a rental car is easier.
How far to Pier Park? About a 6-minute drive east on Front Beach Road.
How far to 30A? 12 minutes west to Inlet Beach (the easternmost 30A community). Rosemary, Seacrest, and Alys Beach are 15-20 minutes.
Where’s the closest grocery store? A Publix is 7 minutes east on Front Beach Road. There’s a smaller Tom Thumb closer for basics.
What’s provided
Do I need to bring linens? No. Linens and towels are provided. Two beach towels per guest.
Coffee? Keurig in every suite, with a starter set of pods on the counter when you arrive.
Toiletries? Starter shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and bar soap. Bring your own if you’re particular.
What about a hair dryer? Provided in every suite.
Pack-n-play or high chair? Pack-n-play available on request. We don’t keep a high chair on site — the closest BabyQuip vendor delivers.
Wi-Fi? 1 Gbps fiber internet throughout the building. Wi-Fi runs close to 1 Gbps depending on where you are in the suite — fast enough for video calls and streaming on multiple devices.
Trip planning
What’s the best time of year? The shoulder months — late April through May, and September through early October — give you summer beach weather without the peak crowds. June through August is full summer. November through February is quiet, cooler, and a real bargain.
Will the water be warm? Gulf temperature mirrors air temperature with a lag. May runs 75-78. June through August: 82-86. September: still 80+. November through March: too cold to swim for most people.
Is this a spring break property? No. We’re not in the spring break stretch and we’re not a spring break property. Quiet hours and a max of six guests per suite keep it that way.
Family-friendly? Yes. Pool’s fenced. Beach is walkable. Sand toys are in the closet. Pier Park has the rides and restaurants kids like.
Kid-friendly to the point of teens not being bored? Pier Park, the 30A bike trail, the sandbar tours, Shell Island ferry, the Wonder Works museum, and the boardwalks at St. Andrews State Park all keep teens busy. We can email a “with-teens” itinerary if you ask.
Booking direct
Why book direct vs. Airbnb? Lower price, no service fees, our cell number on file, and welcome perks for direct guests. Plus a Best Rate Guarantee — if you find your dates lower on an OTA, tell us and we’ll match it. The math is on our Book Direct page.
Do you have a repeat-guest discount? Yes. If you’ve stayed with us before, your second direct booking is 10% off. The code lives in your post-stay email.
Can I refer a friend? Yes. Send them a link and CC us; if they book and stay, we’ll send you a thank-you and a credit toward your next stay.
Still don’t see your question? Text Reanna at (360) 865-9888 or reach us here. She answers fast.