Meet your secret weapon for last-minute getaways. Whimstay makes booking vacation rentals feel easy and rewarding. We offer better prices, better service, and smarter timing—on the same homes you’ll find on Airbnb and Vrbo. With built-in price comparisons on every listing, you can see exactly how much you’re saving. On average, Whimstay travelers save 25 percent, or over $200 per trip. And when plans change or questions come up, our customer support team is here to help. No bots, no runaround—just real people who care about your trip as much as you do. We partner with top property managers to offer exclusive deals across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and now Europe. From cozy cabins to beachside villas, our growing portfolio is built for travelers who embrace spontaneity but never settle on quality. Book confidently. Save instantly. Travel better. Visit whimstay.com
Whimstay (whimstay.com) has 566 customer reviews on Five Star Index, with an average rating of 4.4 out of 5.
Also known as
whimstay.com
Website
whimstay.com
Category
Accommodation & Lodging
Location
Wilmington, Delaware
Listed on Five Star Index
2026
About these reviews
Replies
The company replied to 53% of reviews.
Latest
Most recent review: October 2026.
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Reviews are shown as their authors wrote them. The company can reply, but cannot edit them.
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I booked a condo in East Nashville September 27th. I did not stay I ended up leaving and going to a hotel because I was violated and disgusted when I found hidden cameras in both bedrooms and both bathrooms. I provided Whimstay with pictures and proof and they did nothing and tried to assure me I was wrong
They could clearly see I checked out and did not stay, never once tried to reimburse me, never opened an investigation to the host that was in charge of the place. I got emails from Deanna , Josh, and Tyler from Whimstay dismissing my concerns and told me they would discuss what I had said with the host. When clearly they should’ve sent somebody in there undercover so they could’ve caught the host and what he was doing. but instead they did nothing, but warn him he needed to remove his cameras. Bad business. They are an absolute joke. Do not stay there unless you don’t mind being filmed in the private areas of the place.
RS
Ra S.
"We're here for you" — until you ask them to call
Full disclosure: I stayed at this same property in August and it was excellent. We extended three times and turned one week into nearly three, at five or six hundred a week. That's why I came back and paid $925 for the "penthouse." Everything below is from the September 30–October 7 stay. It's my own experience, backed by photos, video, and the full message thread.
We walked in and the place stunk like mildew, and it took one look to see why. The building's laundry room is on the fourth floor, right next door to our unit, covered behind a tan polyester curtain instead of a door, and not covered well. Everything behind that curtain was visible, and it was gross: mildewed sheets and blankets sitting in there greeting us on arrival. So the penthouse is their laundromat. One water glass total, zero drinking glasses, filthy window. I told them flat out the place was not ready to be inhabited. We had a week of college visits and meetings, so rebooking wasn't an option.
Then the water. The shower barely trickled. I have video.
Then the stove. The burners wouldn't light, so we ate out the first three days — which defeated the entire point, because I booked a home-style place specifically so we could cook. Maintenance came to light the oven. Then he left the fire on and walked out. It melted the salt shaker, the olive oil bottle, the pepper. Set them on fire. My son came out of his room and said, "Mom, do you know that the fire is on." That is a fire hazard. If one of those items had blown, I don't want to think about what happens next. That is when I decided we were not extending. It was beyond ratchet. I reported it. They did nothing. Just more text messages and emails.
What I care about more than the filth was Whimstay's refusal to pick up the phone and acknowledge that they had sold me wolf tickets, and then refused to account for their misnomer. Flat out refused. I said I was working on a proposal. They kept sending emails, like that was appropriate customer service for someone they had sold an ocean in the desert to.
Then the money. For a place that wasn't cleaned. I cleaned it myself so my family could stay there. Their answer to all of this was a $100 credit. Then Roami offered $50, like I would ever stay with them again after they didn't have the decency to call me like a human and correct the error they made.
Here's what I keep coming back to. They call a fourth-floor unit a penthouse. They send "we're here for you" emails while refusing to pick up the phone about a burner left on. That combination, the bait-and-switch language and the total lack of concern and care, tells you exactly who is behind this operation. And it's designed this way. They want out-of-town guests: you fly in, you deal with it, you fly home, and they cross their fingers hoping you just forget it. The bottom line is you can't be in hospitality and not be hospitable. You are not allowed to use robots when you're dealing with real people. A service like this requires high touch, and they didn't deliver.
Update, October 24, 2026, in response to Whimstay's reply:
Let's just keep it a buck. As a matter of fact, let's keep it 150 bucks, because that is what was offered. Included in my booking fee was a $200 cleaning fee. So you can imagine my disdain when I arrived at a filthy laundromat with one drinking glass and no dishes in the cabinet, because they were all in the unrun dishwasher. The concierge brought up a box of wine glasses, at least nine of them, so we had nine wine glasses, one drinking glass, and a full set of plates and cutlery once I had run the dishwasher. I invariably became the very generous cleaning lady, leaving a $50 tip for the "penthouse" experience, a penthouse that I cleaned. So you can mask your words behind telling half stories, or you can just provide full transparency. I paid Whimstay. Whether or not you are a platform broker is inconsequential to me. I paid you. I said to whomever was on the other end of the email string that I had no intention of doing business with the three of you again, so providing a $50 credit is simply insulting, but indicative of the experience I had with you. Do what you say, or don't say it. I'm done with this, but I wanted to make sure someone else in my position who travels across states doesn't get seduced by well-marketed words or run into the same unacceptable hospitality experience. Now imagine if you had just picked up the phone. You probably could have corrected this, but that requires customer service.
Response from WhimstayOct 20, 2026
Hi Rashida,
We apologize for not calling you directly. We informed your host you would like to be called for the issues and received confirmation they called you to assist. The issues you found with the property were your host’s responsibility, should not have happened which is why we reached out to them immediately to ensure you were helped as soon as possible. We advocated for you and as a result your host approved the refund you mentioned. We added a credit from us in addition to the refund. We're sorry to hear your experience wasn't what you expected and we've already met with your host to ensure the property meets our high standards.
JP
Janice P.
Horrific experience overall
Horrific experience overall!
I booked a stay through Whimstay for The Cozy 2 Bedroom, Old City, Independence Hall, Philadelphia, PA. My Booking was for 3 nights, September 24-26, 2026. I didn’t check in until after 10pm on Thursday night. My family and I were in town for a graduation. After traveling all day, coming from Dallas, we entered the property and to our surprise the condition of the property was extremely horrible. The walls were dirty, floors were stained, the furnitures were stained, paint was peeling off from the bathroom ceiling, holes in the ceiling, and rust. The shower door handle was broken, mold in the shower, and worst of all bed bugs in the headboard and beds. There were countless wrongs in this place! It was late, so we had no choice but to wait until morning to contact our host and Whimstay. When I explained the situation to both, they asked me to take pictures and send. I sent pictures and a video. I told them I have to check out of this horrible place and I need a refund. Whimstay representative told me they will escalate the matter with the host and request a refund. The host told me they will contact management and someone will contact me regarding a refund. I left the property on Friday, September 25th at around 11:30 am. All I kept getting is updates saying that they are still looking into the matter, and Whimstay representatives told me the host refused to give me a refund, and they are still escalating the situation to see about a refund. It’s been 3 days and still no refund. This is very frustrating, stressful, and disappointing. To know that they have the evidence and still don’t want to refund my money is crazy. These people are heartless and evil to put people in those conditions, and think it’s acceptable. This is madness!!! I hope no else will have to encounter what my family and I did after this. Save yourselves the headache and money, don’t book here!!!!! I’m still waiting to be refunded my $522, that’s how much money they took from me for this horrific and filthy place!!!!!
Response from WhimstayOct 6, 2026
Hi Janice,
When your host declined to refund you, we stepped in and refunded your stay. We appreciated your kind note once it was resolved, and we're following up with the host about the property's condition. We're here if there's anything else we can do for you.
SS
Sol S.
I booked a Big Bear Lake vacation… WITH RATS
UPDATE REGARDING WHIMSTAY’S RESPONSE: I want to clarify what “sent someone out to address your concerns” actually involved. The individual sent to the property told me himself that he was not a pest-control professional. He came to place rodent traps, which I personally observed him setting without bait. When I questioned him about the lack of bait, he told me he did not have any and would use food from his vehicle which HE DID NOT. I documented this interaction on video.
More importantly, no one was ever sent to clean or sanitize the enclosed sauna area where the rodent feces were documented. The feces remained there through checkout despite the issue being reported while we were still at the property and despite the host having an opportunity to correct it.
Sending a non-pest-control individual to place traps without bait did not resolve the sanitation issue we reported. Whimstay’s response also confirms my original concern: compensation was ultimately left entirely to the property manager. When the property manager declined, Whimstay offered a $50 future-stay credit rather than a refund.
I have retained photos, videos, and written communications documenting the conditions and the response.
Original post:
I booked a Big Bear Lake vacation rental through Whimstay and unfortunately had a very disappointing experience when a serious sanitation issue arose.
During our stay, I documented multiple live rodents around the property and rodent feces inside the enclosed sauna, which was specifically advertised on Whimstay. I reported it immediately and provided extensive photos and videos. Although someone was sent to place traps, no one ever came to clean or sanitize the sauna during our stay.
My biggest disappointment was Whimstay’s customer service after the issue occurred. Whimstay acknowledged in writing that this was a sanitation concern and escalated my case, but ultimately told me that only the property manager could authorize compensation and Whimstay could not override that decision.
The property manager declined compensation partly because the sauna was a “separate amenity and not the main dwelling.” Whimstay then offered me a $50 credit toward another Whimstay booking.
I booked and paid through Whimstay and relied on the amenities advertised on its platform. I expected Whimstay to have a meaningful way to protect customers when a documented property issue was not resolved by the host. Instead, the final decision was left with the property manager whose handling of the problem I was disputing.
Based on my experience, I would not book through Whimstay again.
Response from WhimstaySep 22, 2026
Thank you for your feedback. Your photos and videos were sent to the host that same afternoon. They sent someone out to address your concerns, and we also worked to request compensation on your behalf as that is up to the host. The host reviewed everything you sent and declined, so we issued a credit toward a future stay from us and passed along their direct contact to address any questions. A clean property is expected from every host on Whimstay and our team has followed up with the host to ensure that's the case with this property and host.
JO
Jordan
Do not trust Whimstay
Do not trust Whimstay. They offer cancellation policies, take your money on top of the making money on the reservation. If you cancel they have all these reasons why they refuse to give you back the money. They never state the policies before you buy. When you put in a claim the reasons are so ridiculous that no one unless you get called for active duty(actual reason for cancellation in their policy) You will be out of pocket the moment you book with them
Response from WhimstaySep 22, 2026
Thanks for your feedback. To clarify, the cancellation policy on a stay is set by the host and shown on the property page before you book and is in your confirmation email as well. Since you mentioned a claim, it sounds like that was with our travel protection provider, a separate company that makes those decisions. We'd like to look at what happened on your booking specifically so we can help. Please reach out at help.whimstay.com and we'll be there for you.
KE
Keith
St Louis nightmare....
St Louis nightmare....
Just like all of the other post, this was a bait and switch. Whimstay is the one that has promoted these listings.... Whimstay pushes every issue on the "host" ...Whimstay claims that only the "HOST" can issue a refund, but then claim "they" Whimstay issued a refund.
My family of 5 was stranded in Saint Louis on Labor day weekend, and Whimstay did NOT offer another location to stay, the did give a refund AFTER holiday was OVER..4 DAYS LATER, (NOT A PROMPT REFUND, AS THEY CLAIM) but only for the apartment....NOT ONE RETURN CALL OR MESSAGE FROM THE "HOST", NOT ONE.
This was a VERY DANGEROUS situation..... unlocked windows and doors, smoke detectors NOT installed, wet floor from ceiling leaking (slip hazard) and more.....WHIMSTAY gives the "cookie cutter " response and does NOT answer your questions, only the ones they can manipulate.
THERE IS A REASON THEY WILL NOT ALLOW PHOTOS OR VIDEOS
RUN AWAY FROM THIS OUTFIT
Oh ya...They will erase or post a review for you... do NOT believe the 4.5 stars...FAKE, FAKE, FAKE
Response from WhimstaySep 22, 2026
Hi Keith,
This is not how we want anyone's trip to go which is why we spoke to the host immediately and issued a full refund as quickly as possible. Our head of customer service has been speaking with you directly and will continue to assist.
DH
Don H.
Not that I belive you will share…
Not that I belive you will share this,but here goes. We get here at Landmark resort in Myrtle Beach. And the room is dirty under the bed is dirty. Behind the ice box is dirty, Floors are dirty. We only had FIVE towels and no hand towels,no bath matt, only five regular towels and 3 wash cloths. Only 3 rows of toilet paper for a 10 day stay. Want more a $25 restocking fee, and we didn't even get all our linen. The room has no stove, only a microwave. The icebox is the nicest thing. In the room, probably TV's not bad. Everything else not so good. The mattress on the king bed broken down under the mattress was dirty. The couch sofa bed dirty. Better luck to you guys to who try this place. But I wouldn't chance it again for us.
Response from WhimstaySep 22, 2026
We're sorry to hear the host hadn't cleaned stay properly. That's not the kind of experience we expect from hosts that list on Whimstay. We received your photos and immediately called the host directly. Our team asked for a partial refund on your behalf and for the issues to be addressed. The host sent a cleaner the next day, and we followed up with you to get more detail to provide the host so we could continue to help. Once we hear back from you we'll of course continue assisting with your booking and are always here to help.
MM
Mary M.
I had previously booked for Charleston…
I had previously booked for Charleston SC to later find out that my Baptism was near Columbia SC so I cancelled the one in Charleston S C they didn’t refund my $829.84 and I still paid another $ 879 and some change for the other place. I think that was so wrong for them to take my money like that. I’m 70 years old and on a fixed income and don’t have very much money. But I do know that THE MOST HIGH GOD will fix anything people shouldn’t do old people like this. Have a good evening and my your God bless you
Response from WhimstayAug 18, 2026
We're sorry to hear the event was in a different location. The cancellation policy was set by the host and shown on the listing before booking and the cancellation window ended, so no refund was issued. We are currently in the process of working directly with you to see if there's anything your host can do. As you know, we're currently waiting for information from your bank. We'll continue to work with you to help in any way we can.