Help for Guests

Book direct and save! By booking directly through Ryson Vacation Rentals, either via our website or over the phone with a local Vacation Planner, guests will always receive the best rate available and save on fees from third-party sites.

For reservations booked over 45 days prior to arrival, a down payment of $300.00 ($1,000.00 if reservation total is over than $4,000.00) is required at the time of booking. If arrival date is within 45 days, reservations must be paid in full at time of booking.

Guests may login to their Guest Portal at anytime to make payments on their upcoming reservation, but the remaining balance is due 45 days prior to arrival.

The contracted Guest must be at least 25 years of age for reservations at private homes and 21 for most condos. However, some private homes require Guest to be at least 30, and some condos have a minimum rental age of 25. Please contact Ryson if there are any questions regarding the minimum rental age. Also, there are additional age restrictions for events such as prom, homecoming, church or school events, etc.

Yes! Ryson offers many pet-friendly vacation rentals. Please review Ryson’s Notes & Tips for Traveling with Pets and specific property listing for any pet limitations. All pets must be registered, and a $100 non-refundable pet fee for each dog must be paid in advance.

Definitely, Ryson’s Rental Agreement is available for review online. Please contact Ryson with any questions.

Some of the properties Ryson manages require additional fees for things like parking passes, resort fees, amenity wristbands, etc. When permitted by the community to collect and pay those fees in advance, they are included in the reservation charges. However, some area HOAs require these fees to be paid directly and Ryson is unable to include these costs into our reservation rates. It is highly recommended to review both the specific Rental Property listing and the neighborhood or community resort description where the Property is located on the Ryson website in advance. Please contact us with any questions.

Ryson offers select properties, which may be able to host small events. Please speak with a Vacation Planner for these eligible properties, as not all properties are eligible, and there are additional stipulations for small events, as well as a refundable security deposit requirement. Please keep in mind that all reservations require a complete Guest and Vehicle Registration, and Ryson is a member of a local security organization, the Galveston Association of Rental Managers (GARM). It is always recommended to disclose events of any type, so that we may properly review all necessary items with the contracted Guest. This way there are no surprises.

We will email you your online rental agreement which will need to be electronically signed, along with information on travel insurance, information on how and where to check in and information on Ryson’s premier concierge service partner, Gulf Coast Concierge.

Galveston Hotel Occupancy Taxes (HOT) are 15% (6% State of Texas + 9% City of Galveston), charged on all hotel and short-term rental stays; the nightly rental rate, cleaning, and pet fees, etc. Hotel Occupancy Taxes are used for beach patrol, maintenance, nourishment and development, shoreline cleanup, encouragement of arts and history, along with preservation, restoration and promotion, transportation systems, tourism development (advertising and promotions), and construction, maintenance, and operation of convention and visitor centers.

• 30 Days or More Before Check-in: If we are notified of your intent to cancel 30 days or more before your check-in date, you will receive a refund minus our service fee, travel insurance, and taxes.
• 15-29 Days Before Check-in: If we are notified of your intent to cancel 15-29 days before your check-in date, you will receive a refund minus the service fee, travel insurance, taxes, and 50% of the total reservation rent.
• 14 Days or Less Before Check-in: If we are notified of your intent to cancel 14 days or less before your check-in date, there will be no refunds issued.

Typically, Management is able to accommodate check-ins until 8:00 pm. Check-ins between 8:00 pm to 12:00 am (midnight) may be accommodated for an additional fee. However, after-hours check-in must be scheduled prior to 5 pm. Please call the office in advance to arrange a late check-in and for information regarding additional fees.

Check-in and check-out location varies by property. For check-out, keys are returned to the same location as check-in. Please refer to your rental agreement and/or check-in instructions email, and please contact Ryson with any questions.

The contracted Guest must be present at check-in and provide ID. If alternate arrangements are necessary, please contact us in advance, so we may let you know if we’re able to make other arrangements.

You will be asked to provide a government-issued license and vehicle information (make, model, color, and license plate information).

Check-out is at 10 am.

All properties have established Maximum Occupancy limits, as listed in the Rental Agreement. At no time during your Reservation Dates are Guests to exceed the Maximum Occupancy for your Rental Property. Occupancy is defined as the total number of people at the Rental Property at any given time, not only overnight guests. All guests, including daytime visitors, must be registered on your Guest Registration.

Most houses allow up to four vehicles to be parked at the property, and some houses may not be able to accommodate this maximum. Parking at condos is determined by the space available at the property (typically two-car maximum). Vehicles should be parked in the driveway or designated parking space. At no time should any vehicle be parked on lawns, yards, or dune. If bringing multiple vehicles, it is your responsibility to find additional parking, and carpooling is highly recommended. Please review your Rental Property listing or condo community page for additional information about your specific Rental Property, or contact Management with any questions. RVs, campers, and trailers are not permitted on the grounds of Rental Property unless approved by Management. Management is not responsible for guest vehicles while parked at the Rental Property.

Ryson’s premier concierge service partner, Gulf Coast Concierge, offers golf carts, equipment rental and so much more. Golf cart rentals fill up fast during the summer season so book as early as possible to guarantee this great addition to your vacation! Please speak with a Vacation Planner to find out more.

Yes, however, there are strict rules for having a fire on the beach in Galveston. Our concierge service provides wonderful bonfire nights that include music, smores, and games!

All houses have a charcoal or propane grill, and most condo communities offer community grills, on a first-come, first-serve basis. Guests are typically responsible for providing their own charcoal/propane.

Almost all properties have Wi-Fi. Please check the property listing description and listed amenities to verify that it is provided.

Please check the property description for details of what each property provides. All properties will have a coffee pot, microwave, dishes, glasses, silverware, pots, and pans.