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We Sell, Manage, Rent Homes & Vacation Villas in Florida
Tips for vacationers in Florida
Villa & Apartment vacations are a great choice if you're looking for peace, quiet and the freedom to come and go as you please with no set itineraries or meal times to keep to.
They're great for families of all ages and for groups.
Villa rentals are homes away from home with
plenty of choices to suit everyone.
This guide will help you to pick the best villa holiday
to suit your needs;
If you're planning a family villa holiday or a break with
a group of friends, there are some things you should
think about when choosing your accommodation to
ensure everything runs as comfortably and as smoothly as possible...
* Guest numbers - If you're planning to sneak in a few extra guests than your villa sleeps, check that there's room first. Some companies have strict rules stating that you must not exceed the maximum occupancy levels.
You may even be evicted by theSherrif
* Bedrooms - Check the details of the villa thoroughly for the number of bedrooms available and whether they are twin, double, single or bunk rooms. If you fill the villa to capacity, some people could be sleeping on sofa beds in the lounge. If this is the case, you may wish to choose a villa that sleeps more people than you need to ensure that everyone has a proper bed.
* Bathrooms - The number of bathrooms and toilets are important - especially if you don't want to be queuing for the shower every morning. If a large group of you are staying together, think about how many you need and if some rooms have en-suites, decide who gets these before you arrive - to avoid any arguments.
Make sure you know what's included?
* Accommodation
* Utilities (gas, water, electric etc.)
* Bed linen and towels (unless otherwise stated)
* Cooker
* Fridge
*Taxes
When you're taking a villa Vacation the owners of the property will do their best to ensure it is safe and secure, but remember that you are staying in unfamiliar surroundings and it's up to you to take care of yourself and your family.
This may sound straightforward, but things like this are easy to forget whilst you're busy having a good time.
In particular...
* Ensure you know the whereabouts of any fire extinguisher or fire blanket.
* Check the layout of your accommodation so you can escape easily in an emergency.
* Ensure you use the fireguard if your property has an open fire.
* Check for any dangers in the garden e.g. pond, steps etc. that could put children or any one else at risk.
* Keep young children off balconies.
* If you are unsure how to use any electrical appliances or think they are broken, contact the owner/caretaker.
* Check all appliances are switched off when you go out or go to bed.
Also, if there's a swimming pool at your property:
* Check which end is shallow/deep - don't go diving straight in.
* Always supervise children or anyone else who may be at risk.
* Check for lifejackets or other buoyancy aids.
When planning and booking a villa holiday there are a number of things to think about
* Set a budget - Villas vary in price and range from budget to luxury accommodation. Think about how much you want to spend - remember, on top of the price of the villa you will probably need to factor in the cost of car hire as well as flights or ferry crossings.
Villas are usually charged by the week - for the whole property, not per person. Therefore, booking a villa that sleeps eight for a group of only four is going to work out more expensive.
Decide where you want to go
Once you have decided on your destination, consider the location - are you looking for somewhere near the beach, the countryside or near a city? An isolated retreat may seem ideal when you're booking it, but think about the practicalities too - especially if you're with children or a large group.is there a shop or restaurant within walking distance (remembering not to risk drinking and driving after a night out or having to arrange taxis).
* What do you want out of your holiday? - Do you want to relax with your family around the pool and fit in sightseeing at a leisurely pace, or do you want to base yourself in a centrally located position to minimize the travelling distance to major theme parks?
List the amenities you would like, check off the ones you must have,
and have an open mind when you are choosing between the villas you like.
* Cooking - Villa holidays are generally self-catering. Some homes are supplied with large, well equipped kitchens while others will have a kitchen corner or kitchenette. You should always have enough pots, pans etc for the maximum amount of people that can occupy the villa, but if you are planning on a lot of cooking it is best to inquire about these facilities.
* Swimming Pool - A good or bad pool can make or break your holiday. Before booking your villa, check the size of the pool, whether it is heated and if so, will you have to pay to switch the heating on? If you're holidaying with children, check that the pool has
a shallow end and a shelved entrace or steps for toddlers. Other factors to consider are whether the pool is exclusive to your villa or if you need to share with other properties
nearby, is the pool overlooked and are there enough sun beds for everyone.
* Children - Check the children's facilities. If the villa has a television, does it also have UK satellite channels or a DVD player (in which case, you might want to pack some favourite films).
If travelling with a baby, make sure there is a cot and high chair.
* Duration - Some villas have specific days of the week for check in and out
(usually a Saturday) so ensure this fits in with your plans - if you're looking for a ten day break you might want to book a week at a villa plus three nights at a hotel. The same goes for weekend breaks -during peak holiday periods these may not be permitted unless it's a last minute booking or a cancellation.
Date - Finally, think about the date of your villa vacation. The school holidays obviously book up the quickest so be prepared to book in advance to get the accommodation you want - the best villas often book up a year in advance by repeat holiday makers.
Alternatively, be prepared to be flexible and change your dates. Also, check your flight times.
Most villas need to be vacated in the morning and are not available for new arrivals until late afternoon. Try to time your flights or ferries accordingly to prevent having to hang around.
Villa & Apartment vacations are a great choice if you're looking for peace, quiet and the freedom to come and go as you please with no set itineraries or meal times to keep to.
They're great for families of all ages and for groups.
Villa rentals are homes away from home with
plenty of choices to suit everyone.
This guide will help you to pick the best villa holiday
to suit your needs;
If you're planning a family villa holiday or a break with
a group of friends, there are some things you should
think about when choosing your accommodation to
ensure everything runs as comfortably and as smoothly as possible...
* Guest numbers - If you're planning to sneak in a few extra guests than your villa sleeps, check that there's room first. Some companies have strict rules stating that you must not exceed the maximum occupancy levels.
You may even be evicted by theSherrif
* Bedrooms - Check the details of the villa thoroughly for the number of bedrooms available and whether they are twin, double, single or bunk rooms. If you fill the villa to capacity, some people could be sleeping on sofa beds in the lounge. If this is the case, you may wish to choose a villa that sleeps more people than you need to ensure that everyone has a proper bed.
* Bathrooms - The number of bathrooms and toilets are important - especially if you don't want to be queuing for the shower every morning. If a large group of you are staying together, think about how many you need and if some rooms have en-suites, decide who gets these before you arrive - to avoid any arguments.
Make sure you know what's included?
* Accommodation
* Utilities (gas, water, electric etc.)
* Bed linen and towels (unless otherwise stated)
* Cooker
* Fridge
*Taxes
When you're taking a villa Vacation the owners of the property will do their best to ensure it is safe and secure, but remember that you are staying in unfamiliar surroundings and it's up to you to take care of yourself and your family.
This may sound straightforward, but things like this are easy to forget whilst you're busy having a good time.
In particular...
* Ensure you know the whereabouts of any fire extinguisher or fire blanket.
* Check the layout of your accommodation so you can escape easily in an emergency.
* Ensure you use the fireguard if your property has an open fire.
* Check for any dangers in the garden e.g. pond, steps etc. that could put children or any one else at risk.
* Keep young children off balconies.
* If you are unsure how to use any electrical appliances or think they are broken, contact the owner/caretaker.
* Check all appliances are switched off when you go out or go to bed.
Also, if there's a swimming pool at your property:
* Check which end is shallow/deep - don't go diving straight in.
* Always supervise children or anyone else who may be at risk.
* Check for lifejackets or other buoyancy aids.
When planning and booking a villa holiday there are a number of things to think about
* Set a budget - Villas vary in price and range from budget to luxury accommodation. Think about how much you want to spend - remember, on top of the price of the villa you will probably need to factor in the cost of car hire as well as flights or ferry crossings.
Villas are usually charged by the week - for the whole property, not per person. Therefore, booking a villa that sleeps eight for a group of only four is going to work out more expensive.
Decide where you want to go
Once you have decided on your destination, consider the location - are you looking for somewhere near the beach, the countryside or near a city? An isolated retreat may seem ideal when you're booking it, but think about the practicalities too - especially if you're with children or a large group.is there a shop or restaurant within walking distance (remembering not to risk drinking and driving after a night out or having to arrange taxis).
* What do you want out of your holiday? - Do you want to relax with your family around the pool and fit in sightseeing at a leisurely pace, or do you want to base yourself in a centrally located position to minimize the travelling distance to major theme parks?
List the amenities you would like, check off the ones you must have,
and have an open mind when you are choosing between the villas you like.
* Cooking - Villa holidays are generally self-catering. Some homes are supplied with large, well equipped kitchens while others will have a kitchen corner or kitchenette. You should always have enough pots, pans etc for the maximum amount of people that can occupy the villa, but if you are planning on a lot of cooking it is best to inquire about these facilities.
* Swimming Pool - A good or bad pool can make or break your holiday. Before booking your villa, check the size of the pool, whether it is heated and if so, will you have to pay to switch the heating on? If you're holidaying with children, check that the pool has
a shallow end and a shelved entrace or steps for toddlers. Other factors to consider are whether the pool is exclusive to your villa or if you need to share with other properties
nearby, is the pool overlooked and are there enough sun beds for everyone.
* Children - Check the children's facilities. If the villa has a television, does it also have UK satellite channels or a DVD player (in which case, you might want to pack some favourite films).
If travelling with a baby, make sure there is a cot and high chair.
* Duration - Some villas have specific days of the week for check in and out
(usually a Saturday) so ensure this fits in with your plans - if you're looking for a ten day break you might want to book a week at a villa plus three nights at a hotel. The same goes for weekend breaks -during peak holiday periods these may not be permitted unless it's a last minute booking or a cancellation.
Date - Finally, think about the date of your villa vacation. The school holidays obviously book up the quickest so be prepared to book in advance to get the accommodation you want - the best villas often book up a year in advance by repeat holiday makers.
Alternatively, be prepared to be flexible and change your dates. Also, check your flight times.
Most villas need to be vacated in the morning and are not available for new arrivals until late afternoon. Try to time your flights or ferries accordingly to prevent having to hang around.
