I own 10 vacation rentals and manage close to 100 through FunStay Florida. About half sit in Davenport. There’s a reason for that.
Why Davenport
Why Investors Choose Davenport
Davenport vacation rental communities offer what Kissimmee and Orlando can’t: lower buy-in prices, lower taxes, and a regulatory environment that works in your favor. If you’re evaluating a Davenport short-term rental investment for the first time (or the fifth), this is where the numbers actually make sense.
Here are the 10 best Davenport FL STR communities I’d put money into in 2026. These are all vacation rental communities near Disney with verified pricing and fee data from properties I own and manage.
Why Not Kissimmee?
Most investors start looking at Kissimmee because it’s closer to Disney. But Davenport properties sit in Polk County, which has no STRO zoning overlay. Any Polk County vacation rental can operate without map restrictions on which neighborhoods qualify.
In Osceola County (Kissimmee), you have to verify your property sits inside the approved overlay before you can rent. Here’s how Osceola County STR regulations compare.
The Davenport short-term rental investment math works because a Polk County vacation rental has lower carrying costs across the board. You need a DBPR vacation rental license ($220 first year), a local business tax receipt, and you’ll collect 11% in combined taxes (6% state + 5% Polk County TDT). Many Davenport vacation rental communities also carry lower HOA fees than the big-name Kissimmee resorts.
Community Breakdown
All 10 Communities, Side by Side
I’ve compared every major Davenport vacation rental community and narrowed it to these 10. These are the best Davenport FL STR communities with verified 2026 data, from properties I work with through FunStay.
| Community | Price Range | Monthly Fees | Gated | Disney |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ChampionsGate | $265K – $1M+ | $450 – $650 | Yes | 17 min |
| Solterra Resort | $350K – $1.4M | $333 – $500 | Yes | 20 min |
| Windsor Island | $400K – $1.05M | $451 – $750 | Yes | 20 min |
| Providence | $275K – $2.5M | ~$130 (no CDD) | Manned | 20 min |
| Highlands Reserve | $385K – $665K | $33 – $90 (no CDD) | 24hr security | 16 min |
| Watersong | $290K – $795K | ~$531 | Manned | 20 min |
| Regal Palms | $165K – $365K | ~$665 | Yes | 17 min |
| Tuscan Hills | $330K – $500K | ~$207 | Yes | 17 min |
| Sandy Ridge | $309K – $424K | $100 – $400 | No | 17 min |
| Posner Reserve | $561K – $578K | TBD (new) | No | 18 min |
What Each Community Is Known For
The table gives you the numbers. Here’s the personality behind each one.
ChampionsGate Flagship
Davenport’s flagship resort. 36 holes of Greg Norman golf, the Oasis Club waterpark with a 1,024-foot lazy river, and David Leadbetter Golf Academy. Occupancy runs 65-75%, hitting 80%+ in peak season. Browse current ChampionsGate properties.
Solterra Resort Cash Flow
Gated resort with lazy river, waterslides, and on-site dining at Cafe Sol. Over 1,000 homes across multiple phases since 2013. Strong for both cash flow and appreciation. See available Solterra homes for sale.
Windsor Island Sold Out
Pulte-built resort (617 units, opened 2019), already sold out of new construction. Dual racing waterslides, tiki bar, mini-golf, and arcade make it a booking magnet. Windsor Island Resort homes start around $400K on resale.
Providence Golf
Full golf and country club community with an 18-hole championship course and 24-hour manned security. ~4,000 homes with the lowest ongoing fees on this list at $130/month, no CDD. 7-day minimum rental period applies.
Highlands Reserve Budget
Older community (1999-2004, ~769 homes) with 18-hole golf. Monthly fees from $33 with no CDD make it Davenport’s cheapest to carry. About 10 miles from Disney, not 5 as some listing sites claim.
Watersong Resort Boutique
Just 220 homes by Park Square, over 90% backing up to preserved wetlands and woodland. 24-hour manned gate. Nature setting attracts repeat guests who prefer quiet over theme parks.
Regal Palms Low Entry
Gated resort with Davenport’s lowest buy-in at $165K. High HOA ($665/month) and older units (20+ years) mean renovation costs on top. See current Regal Palms listings.
Tuscan Hills Quiet
Small gated community with a low ~$207/month HOA. No water park, no crowds. Good for investors who want minimal carrying costs without the mega-resort traffic.
Sandy Ridge Value
Ungated with conservation views and no CDD. Monthly fees from $100-$400. A solid mid-range pick for cost-conscious investors who want nature-backed lots.
Posner Reserve New Build
Brand new (2025-2026), purpose-built for STR investors by EDEX Incorporadora. 124 units with a 3,100 sqft pool, splash pad, fire pit lounge, and full sports courts. Priced $561K-$578K.
Match Your Strategy
Which Davenport Community Fits Your Strategy?
Every investor has a different goal. Here’s how the best Davenport FL STR communities break down by strategy. All 10 are vacation rental communities near Disney, so you can skip straight to what matters for your portfolio.
First-Time STR Investors
Regal Palms has the lowest buy-in at $165K, but the $665/month HOA is steep and units are 20+ years old. Budget for renovation.
Tuscan Hills (~$207/mo HOA) and Sandy Ridge ($100-$400/mo, no CDD) offer better ongoing economics in the $300K-$500K range. Browse current vacation homes for sale in Davenport to compare.
Cash Flow Investors
Solterra Resort and Providence deliver the strongest Davenport short term rental investment returns right now. Solterra’s resort amenities (lazy river, waterslides, Cafe Sol) drive bookings consistently. The community started in 2013 and now spans 1,000+ homes across multiple phases.
If you’re already an owner, selling your Solterra Resort home is straightforward because buyer demand stays high.
Providence is the sleeper pick among Davenport vacation rental communities for cash flow. HOA is just $130/month with no CDD. That’s the lowest monthly fee on this entire list.
It’s a full golf and country club community with 24-hour manned security, ~4,000 homes, and an 18-hole championship course. One thing to know: Providence requires a minimum 7-day rental period within City of Davenport limits.
Premium and High-Revenue Investors
ChampionsGate is the gold standard among the best Davenport FL STR communities. Thirty-six holes of Greg Norman golf, the Oasis Club waterpark with a 1,024-foot lazy river, David Leadbetter Golf Academy, and over 5,790 homes at full buildout.
Townhomes from ~$265K, single-family from $400K. I manage multiple ChampionsGate properties through FunStay, and occupancy runs 65-75%, hitting 80%+ during peak season.
Selling a home in ChampionsGate is one of the most common calls I get. The Retreat at ChampionsGate is the newest phase and a strong value play for investors who want newer construction within an established resort.
Windsor Island is already sold out of new construction. Pulte built 617 units with dual racing waterslides, lazy river, tiki bar, mini-golf, and an arcade. Resales start around $400K.
For a resort that opened in 2019, it’s already one of the most recognized Davenport vacation rental communities on the booking platforms.
Long-Term Appreciation Plays
Watersong sits on conservation land. Over 90% of homes back up to preserved wetlands and woodland. Only 220 homes total, built by Park Square Homes.
The 24-hour manned gate and nature setting attract repeat guests who prefer quiet over theme parks. Floor plans range from 3-bedroom homes up to 7-bedroom estates. Phase 2 homes on conservation lots command the highest prices.
Highlands Reserve is older (built 1999-2004, ~769 homes) but the 18-hole golf course and fees as low as $33/month (no CDD) make it attractive if you want minimal carrying costs. It’s about 10 miles from Disney, roughly 15-20 minutes by car. Some listing sites claim “5 miles.” That’s wrong.
New Construction
Posner Reserve is the newest short-term rental investment opportunity in Davenport. Brand new (2025-2026), 124 units across 20 buildings, purpose-built for vacation rental investors by developer EDEX Incorporadora.
Priced at $560K-$578K with a 3,100 sqft pool, splash pad, fire pit lounge, and full sports courts.
AirDNA Numbers
Davenport STR Market Data (June 2026)
The Davenport vacation rental communities market is stabilizing after the post-COVID correction. AirDNA’s June 2026 numbers for a Davenport short-term rental investment:
12,152
Active Listings
-14.8% YoY
$27,500
Avg Annual Revenue
+2.2% YoY
55%
Occupancy Rate
+2.6% YoY
$255/night
Avg Daily Rate
-3.7% YoY
Supply is contracting (14.8% fewer listings) while occupancy climbs. Fewer hosts competing for steady demand means better pricing power for the best Davenport FL STR communities heading into 2027.
For the bigger picture, see how Davenport fits into investing in Orlando vacation rental communities.
Coming Soon
Coming in 2027: Aquarama Resort
1,065 Homes on 200+ Acres
Davenport vacation rental communities keep growing. Pulte purchased 200+ acres for $51.8M and plans 1,065 homes for a 2027 opening. This will be the largest new resort community in Davenport in over a decade.
I’m already tracking it. See the full plans at Aquarama Resort Orlando.
Market Comparison
Davenport vs Kissimmee: Quick Comparison
The Davenport vs Kissimmee vacation rental question comes down to math. Both offer vacation rental communities near Disney, but if your focus is cash-on-cash returns over gross revenue, Davenport wins.
Davenport
- Lower buy-in prices
- Lower property taxes (Polk County)
- No STRO zoning overlay
- Simpler STR regulations
- Higher cash-on-cash returns
VS
Kissimmee
- Closer to Disney
- Higher nightly rates
- STRO overlay required
- Higher buy-in prices
- Higher gross revenue
Both areas have strong Davenport vacation rental communities and Kissimmee resorts worth considering. I’ve compared both markets side by side in my Kissimmee vacation rental communities guide. Also see top STR communities near Disney for the broader view.
Let’s Run the Numbers
I buy in Davenport vacation rental communities because the math works, and I help other investors do the same. Whether you’re comparing Davenport FL resort communities for investment or need revenue projections for a specific property, I’ll show you what the real numbers look like.
Mike Chen | La Rosa Realty Celebration | 503-888-8070
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