When you find a cabin or lake home on a big booking site, the nightly rate is only part of the story. By the time you reach checkout, platform fees have been built into the price or added on top — and you’re the one paying them. Here’s how that works, what it adds up to, and how to get the best price on your next Wisconsin Getaways stay.
Why the same stay costs more on Airbnb and Vrbo
Both big sites take a cut of every booking:
- Airbnb now charges most hosts who use booking software a 15.5% fee on each reservation. Hosts have to raise their Airbnb prices to cover it, so the cost lands on the guest.
- Vrbo moved to a 12% host commission in October 2026, charged on the rent and the cleaning fee. On top of that, Vrbo adds its own traveler service fee at checkout.
We’re a small local operation. We can’t absorb those fees without raising prices for everyone, so we pass them on only to guests who book through those sites — and on Vrbo you’ll see it as its own line, so you know exactly where it comes from.
When you book directly with us, none of those platform fees apply. You pay our rate.
What the difference looks like
Here’s an example 3-night stay at a $200/night home with a $150 cleaning fee (before taxes, which apply no matter how you book):
- Book direct on wisconsin-getaways.com: $750
- Book on Airbnb: about $888 — roughly $138 more
- Book on Vrbo: about $864 before Vrbo’s traveler service fee — that’s already $114 more, and Vrbo’s own fee is added on top at checkout
Same home, same dates, same hosts. The only difference is where you clicked “book.”
Why booking direct is better for you and for us
- Lower total price. No platform markup and no booking-site service fee.
- You talk to the people who actually manage the home. Questions about the dock, the beds or a late arrival go straight to us.
- Access to our own deals. Promo codes and returning-guest discounts are only available when you book with us.
- Your money stays local. More of what you spend goes into caring for the homes and the Tomahawk community, not a corporate commission.
Tips and tricks for booking direct
- Found us on Airbnb or Vrbo? Look us up. Search “Wisconsin Getaways Tomahawk” or go straight to wisconsin-getaways.com — you’ll find the same homes here.
- Compare the final total, not the nightly rate. Go all the way to the checkout screen on each site. The real difference shows up in the fees.
- Use a promo code. Right now UPNORTH takes $50 off your stay for departures through March 31, 2027, and returning guests can use WelcomeBack2026 for 10% off.
- Ask before you book. Use the inquiry form on any property page — we’re happy to help you pick the right home or check dates.
- Coming back every year? Book direct and tell us. Our yearly guests get first choice on their usual dates.
- Book early for summer. Lake weeks in July and August go fast, and direct bookings open as soon as the calendar does.
- Bookmark us. Save wisconsin-getaways.com so next time you skip the middleman from the start.
Ready to plan your stay? Browse our homes and book direct.