Our stay at Compass Resorts at Sterling Sands was enjoyable overall. The condo itself was excellent, clean, spacious, comfortable, and had an amazing view. It accommodated our family.My biggest concern was the communication and check-in/check-out process. The day before arrival, we were asked for our ETA and told they’d do their best to accommodate an early check-in if possible. We appreciated that, but it ultimately felt misleading. We arrived around noon, checked in several times throughout the afternoon, and didn’t get access until 4:30 PM. Combined with the late 4–6 PM check-in and 10 AM checkout, it made for a very short first and last day.The listing should also clearly disclose the mandatory 15 per person HOA fee (ages 5) for parking and amenity wristbands. This was the first VRBO property we’ve ever stayed at that required a mandatory per-person HOA fee, and it wasn’t something we expected. The fee itself wasn’t the issue. It was the lack of transparency beforehand, which made it feel like a hidden charge.FYI, the condo does not provide beach or pool towels or beach equipment like chairs and umbrellas, so plan accordingly.Before checkout, I messaged twice asking about a late checkout and never received a response. Even a simple “NO” would have been appreciated instead of leaving us wondering and rushing to pack.The condo itself deserves 5 stars, but better communication and transparency would have made the overall experience a true 5-star stay.