Tampa Bay’s Gold Standard in Vacation Rentals
Over 100 handpicked homes across Tampa Bay — booked direct, cared for by a local team who actually lives here.
Featured stays
Signature homes across Tampa Bay
The Neighborhood
Tampa Bay, at your doorstep
Sugar-sand beaches, a buzzing arts scene and Gulf sunsets — our team lives here and will point you to the good stuff.
Guest Reviews
★ 4.90 · 7,975 reviews on Airbnb
“Great location, exceptionally clean and comfortable home. The property was exactly as described, the host was responsive and helpful, and I would definitely stay here again.”
The Luxe Townhouse
“We had a wonderful stay with Emperor Rentals. Mark was incredibly kind, responsive, and accommodating throughout our stay. We were in Tampa for my mom’s surgery, and having a comfortable, clean, and peaceful place to stay made such a difference during a stressful time. Communication was always quick and helpful, and they were very understanding when my mom was cleared to go home earlier than expected and we needed to check out early. We truly appreciated the hospitality and would absolutely stay with Emperor Rentals again. Highly recommend! ❤️”
Modern Palm Escape
“We really enjoyed staying at Mark’s place. The evenings were very quiet but the neighborhood is a bit run down (we weren’t expecting that). We had everything we needed and the place was very clean. The water in the master bedroom didn’t ever get hot but we managed just fine and didn’t mind as it wasn’t freezing cold. If you are traveling with older folks, the sofa and beds were a bit low and a challenge to get out of for them. The pool was very clean and we enjoyed it! Thank you for a nice stay!”
Tampa Paradise Getaway
“Amazing stay for work and leisure- great outdoor amenities, comfortable accommodation. 10/10 recommendation!”
Sunset Lakefront Retreat
“Pristine house in quiet neighborhood. Welll worth the value. Mark was extremely helpful, responsive, and flexible with requests. Would definitely stay again.”
Sunbeam Sanctuary
“Great place, peace safe neighborhood. Front gate provided extra security. Plenty of space for everyone. Back yard was breathtaking. Would definitely stay again”
Sunset Lakefront Retreat
Before you book
Questions guests ask
Does Emperor Rentals charge a service fee?
No. Booking direct on this site skips the platform service fee that Airbnb and Vrbo add at checkout — you pay the nightly rate plus taxes and the property's own fees, and every quote shows that all-in total before you commit. Each property page also compares the same dates against Airbnb, Vrbo and Booking.com so you can see the difference yourself.
What time is check-in and check-out?
Check-in is after 4:00 PM and check-out is before 10:00 AM. Access is by keyless smart lock, and your door code and directions arrive by email before arrival — there is no key pickup and no front desk.
What is the cancellation policy?
Free cancellation for 48 hours. Full refund 30+ days before check-in. 50% refund up to 14 days before. Review the full policy at checkout. The exact policy for your dates is shown at checkout before payment.
Are pets allowed?
Many of our homes are pet-friendly, but it is set per property — the pet policy is listed on each property page, and you can filter the browse page to pet-friendly homes only. Where pets are welcome, a pet fee may apply and is included in your quote.
Is there a minimum stay?
It varies by home and by date — weekends and holidays often carry a longer minimum than midweek. Pick your dates on any property page and the booking widget tells you immediately if that stay needs more nights.
Where in Tampa Bay are your homes?
Across the bay on both sides: Tampa, Temple Terrace, Brandon, Valrico, Riverview, Seffner and Lutz on the Hillsborough side; Clearwater, Seminole, Largo, Indian Rocks Beach, Treasure Island, St. Petersburg, Pinellas Park, Dunedin, Oldsmar, Palm Harbor, Crystal Beach and Tarpon Springs on the Pinellas side; plus Apollo Beach, Ruskin, Hudson and Port Richey. Browse by city on the properties page.
How many homes does Emperor Rentals have?
Over 100 privately owned vacation homes across Tampa Bay, all managed by our local team. They are the same homes you will find on Airbnb and Vrbo — booking here just removes the platform's cut.
How do I reach a real person?
Call or text (813) 575-7777, or send a message from the contact page. The team is local to Tampa Bay and available 24/7 during your stay; enquiries outside a stay normally get a reply within one business day.
Are the reviews on this site real?
Yes, and they are not curated. Every review is synced straight from the platform the guest actually booked on — Airbnb, Vrbo or Booking.com — with the guest's own wording and date. Nothing is hand-picked or filtered, which is why low ratings appear too.
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