We never set out to build a travel platform. We just wanted to own a vacation rental. Then we saw how much of every booking the big platforms keep, and Don said four words that changed our plans: “We should do that!”
We are Michelle and Don, and DM Getaways is what came next. It is built on a simple belief: travel is better when guests and hosts connect directly, without a middleman taking a cut.
Where it started
The more we looked into short-term rentals, the less we liked what we saw. Hosts were giving up a big share of every booking and had little control over their own bookings and businesses.
So we started listening. Podcast after podcast, hosts talked about the same frustrations. They wanted more control, fewer fees and a direct line to their guests. Some podcast hosts said it outright: someone needed to build a website where guests could book directly. That is when the idea clicked.
We were not website developers or travel industry experts. But we believed there was a real need for change, so we asked questions, did our research and found people who could help us bring the idea to life. That is how DM Getaways began. Just the two of us and an idea we believed in.
What “DM” stands for
DM stands for Don and Michelle. But we also love that it stands for “Direct Message.” That is what DM Getaways is all about: bringing hosts and travelers together and making it easier for them to connect directly.
What DM Getaways is (and what it is not)
DM Getaways is a collection of unique stays across the US. When a traveler finds a place they love, they click through to the host’s own website and book there. Directly. With the person who runs it.
That means a few things are different here:
- We do not process bookings. The host handles reservations, payments and policies on their own site.
- We do not charge guests booking fees. Travelers pay the host’s price, with nothing added.
- We do not take commissions. Hosts pay a simple flat membership to be listed and keep 100% of every booking.
We like to compare it to a membership club. You join once, and the value keeps coming back to you, instead of paying a toll every time a guest walks through the door.
Every host is welcome
DM Getaways is open to every host who runs their stay through their own direct booking website. Beachfront homes, cozy cabins, glamping sites, campgrounds, bed and breakfasts, tiny homes and one-of-a-kind stays all have a place here.
We do review each listing before it goes live, but not to keep people out. We simply check that every host is real, has a working booking website and is running a legitimate business. That keeps things safe for travelers and fair for the hosts who are doing it right.
Built for independent hosts
We built this for independent hosts and small operators who already put real work into their stays. Many of them have a beautiful direct booking website that barely gets traffic, because the big platforms soak up most of the searches.
We want to change that. Our job is to send the right travelers to their door and let them build the guest relationships that bring people back year after year.
And if a host does not have a website yet, we can point them to people who build simple direct booking sites, so they are not stuck.
The Founding Host program
To get things started, we are inviting our first 500 properties to join as Founding Hosts. They get a reduced first-year rate, locked-in pricing, priority support and permanent recognition as one of the hosts who helped launch DM Getaways.
These hosts are exactly why we created DM Getaways. Starting something new takes a lot of faith, and having hosts willing to take that leap with us means everything. They are not just joining another booking platform. They are helping us build a better one.
We hope they look back one day and feel proud they were part of this from the very start.
A little about us
Don has a background in agriculture, the service industry and environmental consulting. Michelle has spent much of her career in education, nonprofit leadership and business operations. DM Getaways is a new adventure for us, but we bring years of experience running businesses and working with people.
We also just love to travel. Give us a beach, warm sunshine and the sound of the ocean, and we are happy. But we can also spend hours wandering old streets, cathedrals and museums. What we love most is discovering somewhere new together, and that is the kind of trip we want to help others find.
Where we are headed
We are starting along Florida’s beautiful Emerald Coast and 30A, but we have some pretty big dreams. Our goal is to grow across the United States and eventually around the world, featuring everything from beachfront homes and cozy cabins to truly unique stays.
We would love to see DM Getaways become a household name in travel, right alongside Airbnb and Vrbo, but with an approach that puts the connection between hosts and travelers first. We are also planning destination guides and local recommendations to help people discover incredible places.
As DM Getaways grows, we want our ability to give back to grow with it, supporting families, schools and communities in need. For us, success is not just about building a big company. It is about building something meaningful.
Come say hello
If you are a host who believes in direct booking and great hospitality, we would love to feature your stay.
And if you are a traveler looking for something a little different, take a look at our latest picks.
Thanks for being here.
Michelle and Don
Founders, DM Getaways
