About

Wren Beach Rentals is a local, family-owned business. Like most small businesses, we have a very humble beginning. In 1978, Judy Wren, a full-time professor at the University of North Florida, purchased a beach house in this sleepy little beach town called South Ponte Vedra Beach. While the family enjoyed spending time at the beach house, Judy discovered that she could rent it as a short-term vacation rental, advertising in the Jacksonville and Atlanta newspapers. Fast forward to the early 90’s and the internet was born. This was a game changer when it came to marketing the beach house. Judy was able to reach customers from all over the globe. Realizing the rental potential, she purchased two more oceanfront homes and began renting them as well. Judy did this for another 15 years or so, renting her three houses and managing one other for a friend.

Somewhere around 2008 the real estate market bubble burst. Judy’s son, David Lombana, owned a very successful residential appraisal business. Needless to say, the bubble burst took its toll on the appraisal business, so David switched gears, got his Real Estate Broker’s license and came on board with Wren Beach Rentals. While Judy was content with handling her few homes, David was much more interested in growing the business. His outgoing personality and easy-to-talk-to character made him the perfect person to begin the expansion. Within a few years, Wren Beach Rentals had grown from 4 properties to 20, and counting. After David had been in the business for about 10 years, it was clear that more help was needed. Enter the tech savvy Daphne!

Daphne Lombana was also a full-time educator for 10 years, but the time had come for her to move on from teaching. She has always enjoyed the connections she made while teaching, so she became a licensed personal trainer and still teaches fitness classes to this day. However, her addition to Wren Beach Rentals has been invaluable. Daphne is a wiz in the “behind the scenes” areas of the business. By introducing new software and reservation platforms, Daphne has streamlined the day-to-day operations and brought Wren Beach Rentals into the 21st Century!

The latest addition to the team is Daniel Lombana, David and Daphne’s sun-loving son. In June, 2020, Daniel completed 4 years of service in the U.S. Coast Guard. His last two years of service were spent in chilly Bayfield, Wisconsin. Needless to say, as soon as he had the opportunity leave the mid-west, he raced back home to sunny Florida. Having grown up with the rental business all around him, it was in his blood. Daniel is learning the ropes from the ground up and will one day be at the helm (so David and Daphne can enjoy some time off!).

Three generations of family, all living right here in the Ponte Vedra area, we do love this business we have all helped to create. While it is a “work every day” kind of business, it also provides us with the freedom to work remotely. This freedom has allowed all of us to live a unique life that revolves around the family business. We cherish our repeat guests who have been coming back year after year, and we look forward to meeting all of the first timers. If you are ever in the area, give us a call. We’d love to meet you, too.