Bringing Vacation Rentals Back to What Matters.
Real Homes. Real People. Real Connections.
Poconos Vacation Rentals was born from a simple belief: renting a home away from home shouldn't be complicated.
Over the years, the vacation rental industry has changed dramatically. What began as a simple relationship between a homeowner sharing their property and a traveler looking for a memorable getaway has become increasingly controlled by large booking platforms.
Constantly changing policies, growing fees, shifting algorithms, and new restrictions have made it harder for property owners to run their businesses on their own terms. At the same time, guests are often left navigating complicated booking processes, added costs, and limited opportunities to connect directly with the people who know their vacation homes best.
We believed there had to be a better way. So we decided to build one.
Meet the Founders
Poconos Vacation Rentals was founded by Jamie Shelton and Roxana Pelin. Jamie and Roxana are both Poconos property owners and active vacation rental hosts themselves. We're very involved in the local Poconos community, and we built this site as hosts, for hosts and their guests.
Jamie is a Poconos property owner and an active host. He knows firsthand what it takes to care for a rental home, keep guests happy and earn five-star reviews, and what it's like to run a rental business on someone else's platform. He started Poconos Vacation Rentals to give owners like him a direct, fair way to connect with guests.
Roxana is a successful realtor, a Poconos property owner and an active host who has run multiple Poconos vacation rental properties, and she is deeply involved in the local community. Her real estate background gives her a deep understanding of homes, owners and what buyers and guests look for. She brings a host's eye for detail and a passion for warm, friendly guest communication, making sure every traveler feels welcome from their first question to checkout.
What We Believe
- Everyone deserves a five-star stay. We believe every guest deserves a five-star Poconos vacation rental experience.
- Responsible property management. Well-cared-for homes, good neighbors and respect for the communities our guests visit.
- Friendly, honest communication. Positive, responsive conversations between hosts and guests, before, during and after every stay.
- Real connections. Guests should be able to get to know their host, not just a giant corporation's booking system.
- More people enjoying the Poconos. We want as many people as possible to discover, visit and fall in love with the Pocono Mountains.
Why We Created Poconos Vacation Rentals
We created Poconos Vacation Rentals to bring simplicity, transparency, and personal connection back to vacation rentals.
We believe homeowners should have the freedom to manage their own properties, establish their own rental terms, communicate directly with guests, and build lasting relationships without constantly adapting to decisions made by large corporations.
And we believe travelers deserve something just as important: an easy way to discover beautiful vacation homes, ask questions, understand what they're paying for, and connect with the people who make those homes special.
Because behind every vacation rental is a real person, a real investment, and often years of hard work. And behind every reservation is a family, a group of friends, or someone looking forward to making memories.
Those relationships should matter more than an algorithm.
Our Mission
To reconnect vacation rental owners and travelers through a simple, transparent, locally focused platform that puts people, not platforms, at the center of the experience.
Our goal is to empower property owners, give travelers more direct access to exceptional vacation homes, and support the local communities and businesses that make the Pocono Mountains such a special destination.
We don't want to control the relationship between hosts and guests.
We want to make that relationship possible.
A Better Way to Stay. A Better Way to Host.
For homeowners, that means more independence, greater control over their rental business, and an opportunity to build their own reputation and relationships.
For travelers, it means discovering unique homes, communicating directly with hosts, and enjoying a more personal experience without guest booking fees charged by our platform.
And for our local community, it means connecting visitors with the restaurants, attractions, outdoor adventures, and small businesses that make the Poconos unforgettable.
We're proud to focus on one destination, because we believe local knowledge, genuine relationships, and a shared love for the Pocono Mountains can create something the biggest platforms cannot easily replicate.
Let's Bring It Back to the Basics.
A beautiful home.
A welcoming host.
A traveler excited to get away.
An honest conversation.
And memories waiting to be made.
That's what renting a home away from home was always meant to be.
And that's what we're here to bring back.
Welcome to Poconos Vacation Rentals.
Stay Local. Book Direct. Experience the Poconos.