SkyRun Vacation Rentals Review: Are They Worth It?

SkyRun Vacation Rentals is a well-known name in the vacation rental management industry. But do the services and value that the company brings make it worth it for hosts and owners?

This SkyRun review delves into the property management services offered by the company, the processes involved, the terms imposed, and the costs incurred. We also take a look at the reviews that both hosts and guests wrote about SkyRun to highlight the most common pros and cons encountered by customers. Finally, we conclude with three of the most popular alternatives to SkyRun Vacation Rentals which follow different models to meet the needs of diverse owners.

Looking for superior local services empowered by technology that bring better guest reviews and better bookings? Check out Fairly. Schedule a free consultation with our team to learn how we can help you optimize the performance of your vacation home.

SkyRun Vacation Rentals Company Overview

SkyRun Vacation Rentals is a full-service property management company that works with short-term rentals in dozens of markets in 16 US states, including: 

• Arizona: Flagstaff, Phoenix Metro Area, Scottsdale, and Sedona
• California: Big Bear, Carlsbad, North Lake Tahoe, Northstar, Oceanside, Truckee, Vista, and Yosemite
• Colorado: Arvada, Aspen, Beaver Creek, Black Hawk, Blue River, Boulder, Breckenridge, Broomfield, Castle Rock, Centennial, Colorado Springs, Conifer, Copper Mountain, Denver, Dillon, Erie, Ester Park, Evergreen, Firestone, Frederick, Frisco, Gilpin County, Glenwood Springs, Golden, Granby, Grand County, Grand Junction, Grand Lake, Idaho Springs, Keystone, Lafayette, Louisville, Manitou Springs, Montrose, Nederland, Park County, Rollinsville, Silverthorne, Snowmass, Steamboat Springs, Summit County, Thornton, Vail, Westminster, Winter Park, and Woodland Park
• Florida: 30A, Anna Maria Island, Brenton, Daytona, Destin, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Jacksonville, Longboat Key, Marco Island, Miami, Miramar Beach, Naples, Palm Beach, Sarasota, Siesta Key, and South Naples
• Hawaii: Kailua-Kona, Kona Coast, and South Kohala
• Massachusetts: Cape Cod, Dennis, Falmouth, and Yarmouth
• Minnesota: Brainerd Lakes, Minneapolis, and Saint Paul
• Montana: Bigfork, Glacier National Park, and Whitefish
• New Mexico: Santa Fe
• Oklahoma: Broken Bow
• South Carolina: Charleston, Edisto Island, Folly Beach, Isle of Palms, Kiawah, and Seabrook
• Tennessee: Greater Chattanooga Area, Nashville, and Pigeon Forge
• Texas: Austin, Dallas, Galveston, and Lake Travis
• Utah: Brian Head, Deer Valley, Duck Creek Island, Panguitch Lake, and Park City
• Vermont: Lake Champlain, Okemo, and Sugarbush
• Wisconsin: Northwoods

SkyRun operates as a collective of local franchises that combine local ownership and national reach. The company was founded by Barry Cox and Steve Folks in 2004 in Keystone, CO. Since then, they have expanded nationally to manage over 1,500 vacation rentals. The SkyRun mission is to make dreams possible for homeowners, guests, franchisees, and employees by delivering high-quality services and processes. The company values are based on the principles of:

• Exploring more
• Earning more
• Living more

Generally speaking, SkyRun Vacation Rentals is a good fit for:

• Beginner hosts who need support in launching a short-term rental business
• Full-time investors who don’t have the time and capacity to manage a portfolio
• Second home owners who don’t want to be personally involved in the management of their property

SkyRun Vacation Rentals Property Management Services

As a full-service property short-term rental management company, SkyRun delivers the following services for vacation homes and their owners:

• Listing optimization on leading booking channels through direct integrations
• Professional marketing including optimization on booking websites and a direct booking website to make properties stand out
• Local regulatory expertise to ensure legally compliant short-term rental operations
• Revenue management based on pricing for demand
• 24/7 guest support from booking until after the stay
• Guest amenities and services featuring high-quality linens, towels, and amenities
• Housekeeping services including cleaning and restocking between stays
• Preventive maintenance including proactive inspections, routine service, and smart technology
• Owner portal where hosts can track reservations, KPIs, and reporting

According to the SkyRun Vacation Rentals website, listings managed by the company have an average rating of 4.8, and owners are able to earn 30% more revenue after switching to the company.

SkyRun Vacation Rentals Management Costs

The SkyRun property management fees is between 20% and 30% of gross booking revenue (nightly rates + cleaning fees + other extra fees) for end-to-end services. This fee covers the services listed above and thus provides owners with a hands-off approach to owning a vacation rental. While this fee allows you to earn passive income from your investment property, you lose control over both strategic and day-to-day decisions related to your rental business.

You will know exactly how much you need to pay SkyRun for managing your property after an initial analysis and breakdown of necessary services and expected revenue and costs. Keep in mind that you might need to pay a separate one-time onboarding fee when getting started with the Airbnb manager.

SkyRun Vacation Rentals Terms & Conditions

With SkyRun, vacation home owners need to sign a property management agreement that specifies the terms of service and the associated fees. The company promises a transparent contract with no hidden fees. However, since a copy of the agreement is not available online, it’s important to ask your local office for one and review it carefully before making a final decision.

When reviewing the SkyRun rental management contract, pay attention to:

• The fee structure
• The exact list of services that the company will provide
• The cancellation procedures, notice requirements, and potential penalty fees

SkyRun Vacation Rentals Property Management Process

To start working with SkyRun, you have to contact customer services. After an introductory call, the local team will provide you with an estimate of the revenue you can expect and the costs it will incur. Onboarding new properties takes 24-48 hours as the company doesn’t provide design and furnishing services.

As soon as your property has been onboarded and listed, SkyRun takes over the full management of your home. You don’t have to worry about the daily operations, while you can track performance via the online owner portal.

The main benefit of the SkyRun management process is that you can make money in real estate in a completely passive manner. This allows you to expand your portfolio effortlessly. The drawback is that you don’t have a say in the management of your investment and you don’t communicate directly with the people who are responsible for it.

SkyRun Vacation Rentals Reviews by Owners & Guests

SkyRun reviews on third-party platforms show mostly positive experiences with some less-than-ideal feedback as well. Average ratings range from high to medium which reflects the varying quality of services across different locations.

You can find SkyRun customer reviews by hosts and guests on:

• Google Reviews: 5.0/5 stars based on 491 reviews (SkuRun Vacation Rentals Park City)
• Yelp: 2.9/5 stars based on 21 reviews (SkyRun Vacation Rentals Breckenridge)
• Yelp: 3.0/5 stars based on 11 reviews (SkyRun Vacation Rentals Copper Mountain)
• Trustpilot: 2.9/5 stars based on 5 reviews
• Yelp: 5.0/5 stars based on 3 reviews (SkyRun Vacation Rentals Big Bear)
• Yelp: 2.6/5 stars based on 3 reviews (SkyRun Vacation Rentals Hill County)
• Reddit

The majority of positive reviews of SkyRun property management services are written by guests. They praise the excellent locations, the nice properties, the properly cleaned spaces, the well-equipped kitchens, and the quality bedding. Guests are also happy with the smooth processes, the accurate listings, the clear check-in and check-out instructions, and the attentive customer support team that’s able to find solutions to any issues.

SkyRun Vacation Rentals Complaints by Hosts & Guests

While many SkyRun reviews highlight the good work of the property manager, there are also some complaints that you need to take into account when deciding if this is the right solution for your short-term rental.

In specific, owners complain about inadequate and insufficient management services that fall short of what’s described and included in the property management agreement. Some hosts have had to take over services like maintenance and rent collection to make sure that their properties continue operating after hiring SkyRun. Others report that their high-quality furniture items went missing and got replaced with cheaper versions. Owners also discuss maintenance services coordinated by SkyRun that led to gas leaks during guest stays.

Meanwhile, negative experiences of guests include mismatches between listings and actual properties including homes in desperate need of repairs and appliances not working. Some guests have run into filthy spaces and garbage not taken out. Another common complaint is that the SkyRun team doesn’t communicate effectively and doesn’t attempt to rectify problems.

Is SkyRun Vacation Rentals Worth It for Airbnb Investors?

Based on the hundreds of positive reviews by guests, SkyRun might be worth it for owners in certain markets who’d like a hands-off approach to investing in short-term rentals. However, since SkyRun operates a franchise model, there are significant differences in the quality of services you get in different locations. That’s why you should attempt to find local hosts working with the company in your area and ask them about their experiences.

On the other hand, SkyRun Vacation Rentals is not the right fit for owners who expect full transparency and more control over their property.

SkyRun Vacation Rentals Alternatives & Competitors

For owners who don’t think that SkyRun is the best option for their property management needs, there are many other companies that they can consider.

Here are three of the top alternatives to SkyRun that offer different models to meet the requirements and expectations of various types of owners and hosts:

SkyRun vs Fairly

Fairly: Best for top local services that lead to better reviews and better revenue

Fairly runs a completely different vacation home management model from SkyRun. The company’s value proposition is based on the idea that better, more personalized services to guests and homes lead to better reviews which bring more revenue through higher occupancy and elevated daily rates.

Better services → Better reviews → Better bookings

But how are these better services delivered?

Fairly provides owners with:

• Access to a tech platform that helps them optimize and automate listing, pricing, marketing, communications, and operations. What makes Fairly different from SkyRun and other full-service management companies is that you retain control over the positioning of your home and its dynamic pricing strategy so that you can align them with your long-term strategy.
• A team of Vacation Rental Experts available whenever you need guidance on listing, marketing, caretaker selection, and other strategic decisions. Instead of working like typical account managers, Vacation Rental Experts help you in all major decisions rather than just reporting results to you.
• A marketplace of local caretakers so that you can select the person who manages all day-to-day tasks like guest communication, check-ins and check-outs, housekeeping, and maintenance. While national property managers typically work with rotating housekeeping staff or contractors, with Fairly you build a long-term partnership with your dedicated local caretaker who gets to know your property’s needs, your guests’ expectations, and your preferences.
• 24/7 back-up service. In case your local caretaker is temporarily unavailable to communicate with guests, the Fairly team will handle guest inquiries or work with you to make sure that all urgent matters get addressed right away.

This hyperlocal care supported by the latest technology and a team of experts helps create consistently high-quality experiences for both homeowners and guests. That’s why it comes as no surprise that Fairly-managed Airbnb listings have an average rating of 4.9, compared to 4.8 for SkyRun and 4.6 or below for most professionally managed listings.

As a result of the excellent services and the strong reputation, Fairly guarantees that your home will earn at least $5,000 more per year when you switch from self-management or transition from an Airbnb management company. Meanwhile, you retain control over your home’s management without having to handle day-to-day tasks. This model makes you qualify for the short-term rental tax loophole, so you can deduct depreciation from your W-2 income.

Fairly charges a fixed fee of 20% of nightly rates (cleaning fees excluded). Local caretakers take 5% of revenue (deducted from the Fairly fee) plus cleaning fees, which you set up together. This adds up to significantly less than the SkyRun cost.

More importantly, Fairly’s model is designed to align everyone along the long-term success of your vacation home. Local caretakers are invested in delivering exceptional services, Vacation Rental Experts help optimize performance, and you retain visibility and control throughout the process. The result is a management process focused not just on reducing costs but on generating stronger reviews, superior guest experiences, and better long-term outcomes for your rental business.

SkyRun vs Evolve

Evolve: Best for half-service short-term rental management

Evolve offers a half-service alternative to SkyRun Vacation Rentals for owners who’d like to to be actively involved in the management of their rental property while benefiting from automation. Evolve helps you improve and streamline listing optimization, distribution, dynamic pricing, and marketing. While you can set your own minimum and maximum daily rates, you can’t change proposed nightly prices without going through the Evolve team.

In terms of day-to-day management, you can handle tasks on your own, build and manage your own local team, or choose contractors from Evolve’s recommendations of vetted professionals. If you decide to work with vendors from Evolve’s network, you still have to negotiate the services, terms, and fees with them and pay them directly. This means that the quality of services that your property and your guests get depends largely on the team that you are able to put together.

Evolve property management fees start at 10% of total booking revenue and go up with higher-tier plans. This is less than the 20-30% fees charged by SkyRun, but you have to pay housekeeping and maintenance additionally. Also, where services such as legal guidance and tax remittance are available, they lead to additional charges.

Evolve is generally best suited for owners who already have trusted local housekeeping and maintenance providers and primarily need support with pricing, marketing, and distribution. Homeowners looking for a more integrated approach may prefer a different management model.

SkyRun vs Awning

Awning: Best for Airbnb design and furnishing services

Awning is a close SkyRun competitor in the sense that it provides full-service short-term rental property management (as well as more half-service options). What makes Awning stand out from Fairly and other alternatives is that it is one of the few vacation rental management companies that offers interior design and furnishing support across the entire US market. While these services lead to additional costs, they can help you prepare your home in line with the demands of the hospitality industry and the local market and improve performance.

With regards to management work, Awning offers flexible options to match the needs of each property. Available services cover everything from pricing and marketing to linen program and lawn maintenance. Like other full-service property managers, Awning takes over all responsibilities so you don’t have control over who deals with your vacation rental and guests.

Awning fees start at 10% of gross revenue for partial services and increase for more comprehensive packages. It’s not clear how much you will need to pay before you talk to the team.

Awning is a strong fit for owners seeking a traditional hands-off management experience, particularly those who need help preparing a property for the short-term rental market. Owners who prefer greater visibility, control, and involvement in strategic decisions may find alternative approaches more aligned with their goals.

How to Get Started with SkyRun Vacation Rentals

To get started with SkyRun Vacation Rentals property management, you need to submit an online form providing basic information about your home. After a call with the team, you can decide if you want to move forward.

Conclusion

According to SkyRun Vacation Rentals reviews by owners and guests, the company might offer a viable property management solution for investors in select US markets looking for a hands-off approach. Nevertheless, the franchise model makes services unreliable in some locations, and you have no control over how day-to-day operations are handled. That’s why some hosts decide to look for alternative models that give them more flexibility and say.

Maximize the performance of your vacation home with hyperlocal care and the latest technology with Fairly. Sign up on your own or book a meeting with our team to see how better care leads to better reviews, more bookings, and stronger long-term performance.

FAQs

Is SkyRun Vacation Rentals Legit?

SkyRun is a legitimate vacation rental management company with franchises in multiple locations in 16 US states. The company has been in business since 2004 and has hundreds of positive reviews, mostly by guests. However, it’s worth noting that some negative reviews highlight certain issues like poorly cleaned and maintained properties and lack of proper communication. Varying quality of services is a common problem with national property managers operating through a network of local franchises as the homeowner experience often depends on the local office and team responsible for the property.

Is SkyRun Vacation Rentals a Good Rental Company?

Based on reviews, SkyRun can be a good option for owners who prefer a fully hands-off management approach and are comfortable delegating most decisions to a property management company. However, owners who value greater visibility, flexibility, and control over how their home is managed may prefer alternative models that combine professional support with ongoing owner involvement.

What Are the Benefits of SkyRun?

The primary benefits of working with SkyRun as your property manager include professional management services, established operational processes, and a hands-off ownership experience. Hosts can rely on the company to handle pricing, marketing activities, guest communication, housekeeping, and maintenance coordination.

However, these benefits come with less direct involvement in how your property is managed. Owners who prioritize personalized property care, greater control, and direct visibility into operations may find alternative management models more aligned with their goals.