Rove vs AvantStay: Which is Better for Luxury Rentals? (February 2026)
Management fees might seem like a small detail until you calculate what 5-10% difference means over a year. The best vacation rental manager for your luxury home depends on whether you value transparent pricing, flexible service tiers, and localized market expertise over broad geographic reach. One company operates across 65 markets with variable service quality, while another focuses on four high-value destinations where owners maintain 85%+ occupancy and 80% booking rates on RoveTravel.com across New York City. The choice affects your annual earnings by thousands of dollars and determines whether you get software access or just monthly statements.
TLDR:
- Rove charges 15% for full-service management, compared to AvantStay's 20-25%, saving you $5,000-$15,000 annually on a $100,000 home, and much more for higher end rentals.
- AvantStay requires four-bedroom minimums and full-service only; Rove offers no-cost software or 15% management with no bedroom restrictions.
- Rove maintains 85%+ occupancy and 4.8-star ratings across NYC, Hamptons, Aspen, and Florida markets.
- AvantStay faced three rounds of layoffs and owner complaints about unexpected fees and poor maintenance.
- Rove Travel offers transparent pricing, flexible service tiers, and deep expertise in sought-after destinations.
What is AvantStay?
AvantStay is a vacation rental management company launched in 2015, focusing on large-group properties with 4 or more bedrooms across select U.S. markets. The service targets owners who want to attract groups traveling for reunions or celebrations.
AvantStay offers full-service management covering listing creation, marketing, guest communication, maintenance coordination, and interior design services. Owners hand over day-to-day operations entirely, with no software-only tier or partial management option available. Management fees typically range from 20% to 25%.
The company has faced challenges in recent years, including three rounds of layoffs over a 12-month period and mixed reviews from property owners reporting unexpected fees, financial discrepancies, and boots on the ground issues.
What is Rove Travel?
Rove Travel is a luxury rental marketplace launched in 2021, serving property owners across New York City, The Hamptons, Aspen, and South Florida. The service was built around a guiding principle: owners should choose how involved they want to be in managing their homes.
Rove offers three distinct options. RoveCore is no-cost management software that gives owners full pricing control while distributing their listings across Airbnb, VRBO, Booking.com, and RoveTravel.com. Owners who prefer hands-off management can select full-service management at 15%, which includes professional photography, guest communication, cleaning coordination, and pricing tools.
The guest marketplace features curated homes with an average rating of 4.8 stars. Properties in the NYC portfolio maintain occupancy rates exceeding 85%.
Pricing and Fee Structure
AvantStay does not publish pricing on its website, requiring owners to complete an application before learning the exact costs. Owner feedback and third-party research suggest fees typically range from 20-30% of monthly revenue, with additional charges sometimes appearing without advance notice. The Master Lease option guarantees monthly income but limits earnings when demand spikes, preventing owners from capturing peak-season premiums.
Rove publishes all fees upfront. Full-service management through Rove+ costs 15% across all markets, with no hidden charges or variable pricing. RoveCore charges nothing for host services, distributing listings across major OTAs without taking a cut of those reservations. Guest service fees of 10-12% on direct reservations through Rove Travel are paid by travelers, not owners.
On a home generating $100,000 annually, Rove owners net $85,000 under Rove+. With AvantStay's 20-30% structure, owners keep $70,000-$80,000 in revenue, representing $5,000-$15,000 more in earnings each year.
| Feature | Rove Travel | AvantStay |
|---|---|---|
| Management Fee | 15% for full-service management (Rove+), or no cost for software-only (RoveCore) | 20-30% of monthly revenue, with fees not published upfront and additional charges appearing without advance notice |
| Service Options | Flexible tiers: RoveCore (no-cost software with full control) or Rove+ (15% full-service). Owners can switch between tiers as needs change | Full-service management only with no alternative options. Master Lease or Revenue-Sharing Agreement structures require exclusivity and long-term commitments |
| Property Requirements | No bedroom minimums. Properties qualify based on hospitality standards across all sizes, from two-bedroom residences to multi-bedroom estates | Minimum four bedrooms required, excluding smaller homes regardless of location or guest appeal |
| Technology Access | RoveCore provides no-cost PMS tools with unified inbox, Beyond Pricing integration, and real-time dashboards. Rove+ clients receive full software access with expert oversight | Internal tech without granting property owners software access. Owners receive monthly statements but lack real-time visibility into pricing decisions or analytics |
| Occupancy Performance | Maintains 85%+ occupancy with 4.8-star guest ratings and 80%+ direct booking rates in NYC, Hamptons, Aspen, and Florida | Volume-first approach with owner complaints about poorly maintained residences. Some three-bedroom cabins net owners just $85 per night, while comparable homes command 2 to 2.5 times higher rates |
| Market Focus | Four sought-after destinations (NYC, Hamptons, Aspen, South Florida) with deep local expertise and mastery of micro-neighborhood pricing dynamics | 2,500+ homes across 65 markets spanning California to Mexico, with variability in local expertise and service consistency. Three rounds of layoffs over 12 months |
Service Flexibility and Property Requirements
AvantStay requires full-service management with no alternative options for property owners who prefer different levels of involvement. Properties need at least four bedrooms to qualify, which excludes smaller homes regardless of location or guest appeal. The service operates through Master Lease or Revenue-Sharing Agreement structures, both of which require exclusivity and long-term commitments, with contract terms disclosed only after application.
Rove structures services around owner choice. RoveCore provides no-cost software for self-managing owners who want to retain pricing control and access OTA distribution. Rove+ offers full-service management at 15% for those who prefer a hands-off approach. Owners can transition between service tiers as their needs change, and there are no bedroom minimums that restrict eligibility. Properties qualify based on hospitality standards across all sizes, from two-bedroom residences to multi-bedroom estates.
Guest Experience and Occupancy Performance
Rove maintains occupancy above 85% in sought-after destinations while maintaining a 4.8-star guest rating. The direct booking rate exceeds 80%, meaning Rove is driving exclusive clientele who may not book the property otherwise. Pre-listing and post-stay inspections after every reservation help keep residences in excellent condition year-round.
AvantStay takes a volume-first approach that raises concerns among owners. Owner feedback documents complaints about poorly maintained residences, material damages, and service inconsistencies across locations. Some three-bedroom cabins net owners just $85 per night, while comparable neighboring homes command rates 2 to 2.5 times higher.
Technology and Distribution Channels
AvantStay maintains internal tech without granting property owners software access. Distribution covers 50+ channels, including Airbnb and VRBO, with most reservations flowing through OTAs under standard commission structures. Owners receive monthly statements but lack real-time visibility into pricing decisions or analytics. Pricing algorithms run without owner input or adjustment options.
Rove delivers both software and distribution through RoveCore, offering no-cost PMS tools with unified inbox management, Beyond Pricing integration, and cross-listing automation. Owners view real-time dashboards tracking reservations, revenue, and performance across all channels. Distribution includes Airbnb, VRBO, Booking.com, and RoveTravel.com, where over 80% of NYC reservations originate. The Marriott Homes & Villas partnership connects homes to 140 million Bonvoy members. RoveCore users control pricing, while Rove+ clients receive expert oversight and full software access.
Market Presence and Expertise
AvantStay manages over 2,500 homes across 65 markets spanning California to Mexico, with more than 600 residences distributed across 30 U.S. states. This geographic reach comes with variability in local expertise and service consistency. Three rounds of layoffs over 12 months raise questions about stability behind the expansion footprint.
Rove operates in four destinations: New York City, The Hamptons, Aspen, and South Florida. This concentrated footprint builds depth in markets where high-net-worth travelers move seasonally. The NYC portfolio maintains 85% occupancy with 200 homes and 80% direct bookings. Roughly 40 Hamptons residences serve summer and off-peak demand.
The focused approach allows Rove teams to master micro-neighborhood pricing dynamics and seasonal patterns specific to each destination. Owners gain access to localized knowledge that dispersed competitors struggle to replicate across dozens of markets.
Why Rove Travel is the Better Choice
Rove Travel delivers superior value through three key differentiators: transparent pricing saving owners 5-10% annually compared to competitors, flexible service tiers matching any level of owner involvement, and deep expertise in sought-after destinations. The 15% full-service fee represents industry-low pricing without sacrificing quality or reach. RoveCore software provides professional tools that competitors charge 20%+ to access at no cost.
Rove's focused expertise in NYC, Hamptons, Aspen, and Florida generates 80%+ direct booking rates and occupancy exceeding 85% while maintaining rates that reflect true market value. Owners gain localized knowledge, superior tech, and transparent fees that services with dispersed portfolios cannot replicate. For luxury home owners seeking maximum revenue without opaque pricing structures, Rove Travel offers the complete solution.
Final Thoughts on Vacation Rental Management Options
Your home's earning potential depends on more than just listing it across multiple channels. Rove Travel gives you transparent 15% fees, flexible service options, and concentrated expertise in high-value destinations that translate to higher occupancy and better rates. You can switch between self-management and full service as your needs change, without hidden charges appearing on monthly statements.
FAQ
How should I decide between Rove Travel and AvantStay for managing my rental home?
Your decision depends on three factors: pricing transparency, service flexibility, and market focus. If you want clear, published fees and the option to choose between no-cost software or full-service management, Rove offers both at 15% for full service. If you prefer locking into a full-service-only arrangement with 20-30% fees and require four-bedroom minimums, AvantStay may align with that approach.
What is the main difference in how each service handles owner involvement?
AvantStay requires full-service management with no alternative options, meaning you hand over complete control without pricing input or software access. Rove provides two paths: RoveCore gives you no-cost software with full pricing control and OTA distribution, while Rove+ offers hands-off management at 15% with continued software visibility. You can switch between tiers as your needs change.
Who is Rove Travel best suited for?
Rove serves owners who value transparency, flexibility, and concentrated market expertise. If you own a home in NYC, The Hamptons, Aspen, or South Florida and want either self-management tools or full-service management at industry-low fees, Rove delivers localized knowledge that generates 85%+ occupancy and 80%+ direct reservations. The service works for residences of any size meeting hospitality standards.
What should I consider about onboarding costs and contract terms?
Rove's onboarding averages $5,000 and includes professional photography, listing optimization, and setup across all distribution channels. AvantStay discloses pricing and contract terms only after application, with owner reports suggesting higher upfront investments and long-term exclusivity requirements. Rove publishes all fees upfront with flexible service tiers, allowing you to assess costs before committing.