Mermaid Cottages

What Mermaid Cottages does

Mermaid Cottages, LLC is a privately held, locally-owned vacation rental management company founded in 2005 and headquartered on Tybee Island, Georgia, approximately 18 miles east of Savannah. The company curates and manages a collection of historic cottages, beach houses, and family residences — including restored 1900s beach cottages and oceanfront homes — primarily catering to family vacationers and pet owners. Bookings are processed through the third-party Escapia reservation platform on the direct-to-consumer website mermaidcottages.com, with a stated strategy of routing customers away from OTAs (Airbnb, VRBO, HomeAway) by offering a 5% direct-booking discount and segment-specific promo codes (AAA, AARP, educators, military, girls getaways). Pricing includes a non-refundable $115 Guest Services Fee per booking, 14% combined sales/use/lodging tax, a $5/night Georgia Hotel-Motel Fee, a $150 pet fee for one to two pets, and a 50%-at-reservation / 50%-30-days-prior payment cadence.

The business is owner-operated by Diane Kaufman ("Head Mermaid") with a small (11–50 employee) all-local Tybee Island team. Ancillary revenue streams include the proprietary Mermaid Morning Bliss coffee brand (roasted by PERC Coffee, sold at Seaside Sisters, with proceeds supporting sea turtle conservation), Beach Bum Biscuits dog treats (supporting animal rescue organizations), and the Mermaids Who Create Retreats content exchange program. The technology stack is intentionally lean and third-party-dependent: Escapia for booking, GladToHaveYou's Hospitality app for guest mobile services, and standard social/content channels (Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, TikTok, blog, email newsletter) for top-of-funnel demand generation. No proprietary software, AI/ML systems, patents, or external funding rounds are evident in the available data.

The competitive positioning emphasizes local authenticity, pet-friendliness, community stewardship (Sea Turtle Patrol, Re-Beachables beach-cleanup, Living Wage Pledge for cleaners, multiple rescue sponsorships), and earned media coverage (Forbes, Southern Living, Coastal Living, Travel + Leisure, TODAY Show, HGTV Magazine, Garden & Gun). Distribution leverages regional tourism partnerships with Visit Tybee, Visit Savannah, Explore Georgia, the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce, and VRMA, while intentionally limiting presence on third-party booking platforms to avoid the associated fees.

Name

Mermaid Cottages

Legal name

Mermaid Cottages, LLC

Website

https://mermaidcottages.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Mermaid Cottages is a locally-owned Tybee Island, Georgia vacation rental manager curating historic cottages, beach houses, and pet-friendly homes for family vacationers, with direct-booking distribution and ancillary merchandise lines.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vacation Rental Management

NAICS

Traveler Accommodation (7211), Hotels (except Casino Hotels) and Motels (721110)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)

akta.pro primary industry

Beachfront & Lakefront Homes (THAMAAAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cabins & Cottages (THAMADAA), Large Group & Event-Friendly Homes (THAMAAAM)

Keywords

• Vacation rental management
• Beach house rentals
• Pet-friendly cottages
• Historic coastal homes
• Short-term lodging

Headquarters

HQ city

Tybee Island

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Vacation Rental Fees: Nightly and weekly rental fees for vacation cottages, beach houses, and historic homes on Tybee Island. Properties range from cozy cottages to spacious oceanfront homes. Booking fees include a non-refundable Guest Services Fee of $115.00 + tax, 14% sales use and lodging tax, and $5/night Georgia Hotel/Motel Fee. Initial payment of 50% at reservation, final payment 30 days prior to arrival.
2. Mermaid Morning Bliss Coffee Sales: Proprietary coffee brand roasted exclusively by PERC Coffee. Sold at Seaside Sisters gift shop on Tybee Island. Proceeds support Georgia Sea Turtle conservation projects.
3. Beach Bum Dog Treats Sales: Dog biscuit product sold exclusively at Seaside Sisters. Profits support service dog organizations and animal rescue groups.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Mermaid Cottages manages and rents a curated collection of vacation properties on Tybee Island, Georgia, including historic cottages, beach houses, and family residences, with most units pet-friendly. Bookings are processed through the Escapia reservation platform, supplemented by direct-booking discounts, branded merchandise (Mermaid Morning Bliss Coffee and Beach Bum Biscuits), and a writer/artist retreat program.

Product overview

Mermaid Cottages operates a vacation rental platform offering a curated collection of Tybee Island properties including historic cottages, beach houses, and family residences. The core offering is property bookings via their Escapia-powered reservation system, supplemented by proprietary merchandise (Mermaid Morning Bliss Coffee and Beach Bum Biscuits), creative retreats (Mermaids Who Create), and a direct booking discount program with promotional codes for AAA, AARP, educators, military, and girls getaways. Properties feature keyless entry in some units and a Google Maps-based location finder.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Mermaid Morning Bliss Coffee: Coffee roasted exclusively for Mermaid Cottages by locally owned PERC Coffee. Proceeds support Sea Turtle Projects in Georgia and around the world.
• Beach Bum Biscuits
• Mermaids Who Create Retreats

Products and services

• Tybee Island Vacation Rental Properties Curated vacation rental homes on Tybee Island, GA, including historic cottages, beach houses, and family residences, many pet-friendly. Bookings include a $115 non-refundable Guest Services Fee covering 24/7 assistance, lock-out service, mobile app, Wi-Fi, and starter coffee.
• Mermaid Morning Bliss Coffee Branded coffee product roasted exclusively for Mermaid Cottages by locally owned PERC Coffee, sold at Seaside Sisters gift shop on Tybee Island, with proceeds supporting Georgia Sea Turtle conservation.
• Beach Bum Biscuits Organic dog biscuit product sold exclusively at Seaside Sisters gift shop, with profits supporting Southeastern Guide Dogs, Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, One Love Animal Rescue, and Labrador Retriever Rescue of Florida.
• Mermaids Who Create Retreats Writer and artist retreat program offering complimentary cottage stays in exchange for creative submissions (stories, photography, artwork) about Tybee Island, with potential publication in a compendium.

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• PERC CoffeecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocally owned and operated coffee roaster that creates Mermaid Morning Bliss Coffee exclusively for Mermaid Cottages. Proceeds from coffee sales support Georgia Sea Turtle conservation projects.
• Seaside SisterscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal Tybee Island gift shop at 1207 Hwy. 80 East that sells Mermaid Morning Bliss Coffee and Beach Bum Biscuits. Full of local art, American-made crafts, and beach-inspired gifts.
• Southeastern Guide DogscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPuppy sponsorship program. Part of proceeds from every rental goes to sponsor guide dog puppies. Also assists returning soldiers with PTSD.
• The Guide Dog Foundation for the BlindcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSince 1946, provided guide dogs free of charge to blind people. Part of proceeds from every rental supports this organization.
• One Love Animal RescueminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit Savannah, GA organization that helps abandoned, neglected, abused, and unwanted pets by partnering with shelters and facilitating adoptions.
• Islands Feral Cat ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization that stabilizes and maintains local feral cat colonies through trapping, spay/neutering, and releasing. Mermaid Cottages sponsors all transports and contributes to procedures.
• Labrador Retriever Rescue of FloridaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRescue organization focused on adoptable Labs and upcoming events.
• Tattered Paws and Golden Hearts RescueminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGolden Retriever rescue providing assistance to dogs needing medical attention, safety, foster homes, adoption, transportation, and financial support.
• Tybee Island Marine Science CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with Sea Turtle Project. Several Mermaids participate in 6AM Turtle patrol from May 1st - Sept 1st. Supports annual Tybee Turtle Trot 5K.
• Tybee Clean Beach Volunteers / Re-BeachablesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCampaign to remove discarded toys from beaches and recycle them into reusable beach bags. Mermaids support this initiative to prevent microplastic pollution.
• Savannah Area Chamber of CommercecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProud member providing regional business promotion and networking.
• Visit TybeecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial tourism partner promoting Tybee Island vacation rentals.
• Visit SavannahcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTourism partnership promoting Savannah's Beach (Tybee Island) to visitors.
• Explore GeorgiacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial Georgia tourism partnership for promoting coastal destinations.
• Vacation Rental Management Association (VRMA)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndustry association membership for vacation rental management companies.
• Tourism Leadership CouncilminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional tourism leadership organization membership.
• Tybee Beach Ecology Trips (Dr. Joe Richardson)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMarine biologist offering beach ecology trips examining tide pools, pulling seine nets, measuring salinity, and finding fossil shark teeth. Great for groups of all ages.
• Savannah Beach WeddingsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal wedding planner/coordinator for Tybee Island and Savannah with over 13 years of experience. Helps guests coordinate events at cottages.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Tybee Beach Vacation Rentals: Direct competitor on Tybee Island offering vacation rental homes and cottages in the same beachfront market. Most directly comparable in geography, inventory type, and target customer base.
• Tybee Island Vacation Rentals (Savannah Beach Realty): Locally-owned Tybee Island vacation rental management company offering beach houses and cottages to similar family and leisure travelers. Comparable scale and direct-booking/OTA distribution approach.
• Beachside Vacation Rentals (Tybee Island): Tybee Island vacation rental operator managing a portfolio of beachfront homes and cottages. Directly comparable in property type, coastal Georgia market, and family-vacationer segment.
• Turner Vacation Rentals: Tybee Island-based vacation rental company managing beach houses and family homes. Same geography, similar inventory type, and overlapping target segments (families, leisure travelers).

Broad incumbents

• Vacasa: National full-service vacation rental management company operating across U.S. coastal markets including the Southeast. Comparable business model (professionally managed whole-home rentals) but at vastly larger scale and broader geographic footprint.
• Evolve Vacation Rental: National vacation rental management company with a presence in many U.S. beach destinations. Comparable professional management model for whole-home short-term rentals, but operating at much greater scale across multiple states.
• Airbnb: Largest global vacation rental marketplace and the primary OTA Mermaid Cottages deliberately bypasses. Comparable in product category (whole-home short-term stays) but operates as a demand-generation platform rather than a property manager.
• Vrbo (Expedia Group): Major U.S. vacation rental OTA specializing in whole-home stays, particularly family-oriented coastal rentals. Directly comparable in target customer but operates at global scale as a marketplace rather than a local operator.

Regional players

• 30A (St. Joe Club & Resorts / 30A Vacation Rentals): Vacation rental operator along Florida's Highway 30A corridor, another Southeast U.S. beach-coastal destination. Comparable product (curated beach cottages and homes) and target customer (family beach vacations), but serves a different geography.
• Southern Tide Vacations (Hilton Head / Coastal SC): Coastal Southeast U.S. vacation rental company operating in a similar 'beach cottage / family vacation' category but in a different geography (Hilton Head / South Carolina). Comparable business model and customer segment.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/mermaidcottages
• Facebookfacebook.com/MermaidCottagesTybeeIslandGeorgia
• Instagraminstagram.com/mermaidcottages
• TikToktiktok.com/@mermaidcottages
• Pinterestpinterest.com/mermaidcottages
• Xx.com/mermaidcottages
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mermaid-cottages

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Mermaid Cottages