villa-shopper.com|
Dec
24
Filed Under (villa) by
Hally asked:
we have already booked the villa and flight, what else?
apart from the theme parks?
Glynis
we have already booked the villa and flight, what else?
apart from the theme parks?
Glynis
Dec
22
Alice H asked:
I’ve just got back from a holiday at a friends parents villa. We went out one night and got wasted. I wet the bed, I tried to clean it up as best I could with the limited time and products I had. I took the sheets home with me and washed them. I didn’t tell my friend when we were there and now need to some up with some explaination as to why I took the sheets. I’m very worried about next time her parents go to the villa. Will there be a horrible smell as it is in a hot country? Will they know? What should I do? My friend is very funny about cleanliness and I think she may freak out if I tell her. And of course I’m ashamed that as an adult I can’t control my bladder.
Perla
I’ve just got back from a holiday at a friends parents villa. We went out one night and got wasted. I wet the bed, I tried to clean it up as best I could with the limited time and products I had. I took the sheets home with me and washed them. I didn’t tell my friend when we were there and now need to some up with some explaination as to why I took the sheets. I’m very worried about next time her parents go to the villa. Will there be a horrible smell as it is in a hot country? Will they know? What should I do? My friend is very funny about cleanliness and I think she may freak out if I tell her. And of course I’m ashamed that as an adult I can’t control my bladder.
Perla
Dec
22
Filed Under (villa) by
Gareth Jones asked:
Don’t dismiss a Caribbean Villa Holiday on Antigua especially when it is part of the Jolly Harbour Villas complex at St John’s.
A Caribbean Villa Holiday, on Antigua, or anywhere else for that matter, doesn’t seem on the face of it to that attractive an option. To choose a self catering family holiday, you have to be absolutely certain of the quality of the villa, then how close and convenient it is for restaurants and shops. Then you have to be certain that the kitchen is at least as well equipped as you have at home, or it will be no vacation for the lady of the house, who not only will have to face up to catering in the heat, but also in unfamiliar surroundings, and this won’t make her a happy bunny at all, which is perfectly understandable. After this you have to consider the accessibility of beaches, swimming pools, leisure facilities, and the costs involved here, which can unexpectedly add up.
Jolly Harbour Villas at St John’s on Antigua could be the perfect answer for your Caribbean Self Catering Villa Holiday. What you are looking at here are duplex two bed roomed villas in a self contained compound surrounding a marina.
There is absolutely everything you could want from restaurants to shops, from casino to golf course, with a pool and kid’s club, the last two are free to use.
Jolly Harbour Villas is split into two areas, the North Finger, and the South Finger. Whichever you choose, you will find has its supporters. A Villa on the South Finger is within walking distance of Jolly Beaches beach, and more convenient for restaurants and bars, whereas the North Finger especially the far end is a long way out from the centre of the resort area, but it does have the advantage of being close to a beach that is almost unused, generally being a much quieter area, and quite honestly if you have a buggy to get around in, then distance isn’t a problem.
There are a few good bars and restaurants in the resort, amongst which is Coco’s which is a short walk down South Beach. You’ll get shrimps and lobster at most restaurants for not that much money. Peter’s restaurant in the marina served great steaks, There are good restaurants, serving delicious well presented reasonably priced food both inside and outside Jolly Harbour Villas, and this goes a long way towards ensuring that all the family enjoys this particular self catering holiday.
One of the things you have to remember is that each villa is individually owned, and as a consequence are of different standards in terms of fittings and equipment. A bit of reading between the lines may be required, and often you need to be guided by the price tag. Whilst cheap isn’t always as good as it seems, it often means older, sometimes expensive isn’t either.
Before making your luxury holiday villa selection, you should allow for the hire of a buggy to get you around in Jolly Harbour Villas, and certainly consider a hire 4×4 to explore Antigua itself.
The other piece of advice is to ensure you see some photographs of the villa, and find out what equipment they have. There are a few stories that the luxury holiday villa guests thought they had booked, proved to be not as smart as they looked, so the advice is to book through a reputable holiday company and not an individual. Companies to use include HBK Villa Rentals, ReMax Antigua, Jolly Harbour Realty, or Antiguan Estates.
To summarise, Antigua can provide you with the almost perfect Caribbean Self Catering Villa Family Holiday at Jolly Harbour Villas, just be careful who you rent your villa from.
Neila
Don’t dismiss a Caribbean Villa Holiday on Antigua especially when it is part of the Jolly Harbour Villas complex at St John’s.
A Caribbean Villa Holiday, on Antigua, or anywhere else for that matter, doesn’t seem on the face of it to that attractive an option. To choose a self catering family holiday, you have to be absolutely certain of the quality of the villa, then how close and convenient it is for restaurants and shops. Then you have to be certain that the kitchen is at least as well equipped as you have at home, or it will be no vacation for the lady of the house, who not only will have to face up to catering in the heat, but also in unfamiliar surroundings, and this won’t make her a happy bunny at all, which is perfectly understandable. After this you have to consider the accessibility of beaches, swimming pools, leisure facilities, and the costs involved here, which can unexpectedly add up.
Jolly Harbour Villas at St John’s on Antigua could be the perfect answer for your Caribbean Self Catering Villa Holiday. What you are looking at here are duplex two bed roomed villas in a self contained compound surrounding a marina.
There is absolutely everything you could want from restaurants to shops, from casino to golf course, with a pool and kid’s club, the last two are free to use.
Jolly Harbour Villas is split into two areas, the North Finger, and the South Finger. Whichever you choose, you will find has its supporters. A Villa on the South Finger is within walking distance of Jolly Beaches beach, and more convenient for restaurants and bars, whereas the North Finger especially the far end is a long way out from the centre of the resort area, but it does have the advantage of being close to a beach that is almost unused, generally being a much quieter area, and quite honestly if you have a buggy to get around in, then distance isn’t a problem.
There are a few good bars and restaurants in the resort, amongst which is Coco’s which is a short walk down South Beach. You’ll get shrimps and lobster at most restaurants for not that much money. Peter’s restaurant in the marina served great steaks, There are good restaurants, serving delicious well presented reasonably priced food both inside and outside Jolly Harbour Villas, and this goes a long way towards ensuring that all the family enjoys this particular self catering holiday.
One of the things you have to remember is that each villa is individually owned, and as a consequence are of different standards in terms of fittings and equipment. A bit of reading between the lines may be required, and often you need to be guided by the price tag. Whilst cheap isn’t always as good as it seems, it often means older, sometimes expensive isn’t either.
Before making your luxury holiday villa selection, you should allow for the hire of a buggy to get you around in Jolly Harbour Villas, and certainly consider a hire 4×4 to explore Antigua itself.
The other piece of advice is to ensure you see some photographs of the villa, and find out what equipment they have. There are a few stories that the luxury holiday villa guests thought they had booked, proved to be not as smart as they looked, so the advice is to book through a reputable holiday company and not an individual. Companies to use include HBK Villa Rentals, ReMax Antigua, Jolly Harbour Realty, or Antiguan Estates.
To summarise, Antigua can provide you with the almost perfect Caribbean Self Catering Villa Family Holiday at Jolly Harbour Villas, just be careful who you rent your villa from.
Neila
Comments Off
Dec
19
Filed Under (villa) by
SamBru asked:
What are the things to do or where are the ‘must visit places’ in KL if I can only spare 1day there?
Prayson
What are the things to do or where are the ‘must visit places’ in KL if I can only spare 1day there?
Prayson
Dec
17
Filed Under (villa) by
Kevino More asked:
Cyprus holiday villas are the perfect way to spend your Cyprus holidays. Why que for dinner or get up early for breakfast when you can please yourself what you do and when you do it? A private luxury villa in Cyprus with its own swimming pool makes the ideal base for exploring the rest of this beautiful Mediterranean Island paradise. Once you have experienced the luxury and convenience of a Cyprus villa holiday you will be coming back for more of the same year after year.
Renting a luxury villa in Cyprus doesn’t have to cost you a fortune either. There are literally thousands of Cyprus properties available all over the Island along the coast and in the picturesque villages too. With many of these luxurious properties having several bedrooms and bathrooms they are ideal for large groups or families. This is great news because the cost can be split several ways making Cyprus villa holidays even more affordable. Combined with the low cost of Cyprus living you are sure to have a great holiday at a sensible price.
Imagine having the use of a private villa with its own swimming pool, sun terraces and barbecue area. You can chill out with a cool drink after a busy day exploring Cyprus or wearing yourself out on the local beach. Fire up the barbi and enjoy a great alfresco meal in the warm Cyprus air. The one thing you can always rely on in Cyprus is the weather with over 320 days of sunshine every year. When you tell your friends in Cyprus that you are having a barbi next week you won’t need to cross your fingers that the weather won’t spoil it.
The quality and standard of Cyprus holiday villas is extremely high with all the mod cons you would expect with a home from home holiday. Air conditioning is usually standard in all the bedrooms and the kitchens are fully fitted with the most up to date appliances. No one goes on holiday to cook and wash clothes but we all know that that if you have kids it can be a necessity at times so you may as well have the best facilities to hand.
Many of these Cyprus holiday villas are in fact second properties owned by private individuals for their own use. They rent them out to holiday makers to help with some of the costs or even as payment towards a mortgage. Please bear in mind that when you rent a Cyprus holiday villa it could well be someone’s home even if you made the booking through a large holiday company. You will be getting all the benefits of luxury accommodation without the hassle of staying in a hotel with hundreds of other guests. The trade off is that you are in some ones home so please treat your Cyprus holiday villa with the respect it deserves.
Cyprus holiday villas are the perfect solution to all your holiday needs. Whether you feel the urge to explore the Island or just chill out round your own private pool with a beer or two. If you don’t go on holiday to cook there are sure to be plenty of restaurants where you can get a great meal. Then, later spend a relaxing evening on your own balcony with a good book or just chilling out with friends as you watch the world drift by. Enjoy Cyprus!
Isis
Cyprus holiday villas are the perfect way to spend your Cyprus holidays. Why que for dinner or get up early for breakfast when you can please yourself what you do and when you do it? A private luxury villa in Cyprus with its own swimming pool makes the ideal base for exploring the rest of this beautiful Mediterranean Island paradise. Once you have experienced the luxury and convenience of a Cyprus villa holiday you will be coming back for more of the same year after year.
Renting a luxury villa in Cyprus doesn’t have to cost you a fortune either. There are literally thousands of Cyprus properties available all over the Island along the coast and in the picturesque villages too. With many of these luxurious properties having several bedrooms and bathrooms they are ideal for large groups or families. This is great news because the cost can be split several ways making Cyprus villa holidays even more affordable. Combined with the low cost of Cyprus living you are sure to have a great holiday at a sensible price.
Imagine having the use of a private villa with its own swimming pool, sun terraces and barbecue area. You can chill out with a cool drink after a busy day exploring Cyprus or wearing yourself out on the local beach. Fire up the barbi and enjoy a great alfresco meal in the warm Cyprus air. The one thing you can always rely on in Cyprus is the weather with over 320 days of sunshine every year. When you tell your friends in Cyprus that you are having a barbi next week you won’t need to cross your fingers that the weather won’t spoil it.
The quality and standard of Cyprus holiday villas is extremely high with all the mod cons you would expect with a home from home holiday. Air conditioning is usually standard in all the bedrooms and the kitchens are fully fitted with the most up to date appliances. No one goes on holiday to cook and wash clothes but we all know that that if you have kids it can be a necessity at times so you may as well have the best facilities to hand.
Many of these Cyprus holiday villas are in fact second properties owned by private individuals for their own use. They rent them out to holiday makers to help with some of the costs or even as payment towards a mortgage. Please bear in mind that when you rent a Cyprus holiday villa it could well be someone’s home even if you made the booking through a large holiday company. You will be getting all the benefits of luxury accommodation without the hassle of staying in a hotel with hundreds of other guests. The trade off is that you are in some ones home so please treat your Cyprus holiday villa with the respect it deserves.
Cyprus holiday villas are the perfect solution to all your holiday needs. Whether you feel the urge to explore the Island or just chill out round your own private pool with a beer or two. If you don’t go on holiday to cook there are sure to be plenty of restaurants where you can get a great meal. Then, later spend a relaxing evening on your own balcony with a good book or just chilling out with friends as you watch the world drift by. Enjoy Cyprus!
Isis
Comments Off
Dec
16
Filed Under (villa) by
revia j asked:
I HAVE A BEUTIFULLY 2 BEDROOM VILLA IN ISLAND AND WOULD LIKE VISITORS TO KNOW MORE ABOUT IT, IS VERY CLOSE TO THE TOWN AND THE BEACHE I HAVE A WEB SITE BUT NOT GETTING ENOUGH TRAFFICE CAN SOME ONE TELL ME HOW. TO GET MORE PEOPLE TO COME TO THE VILLA FOR HOLIDAYS.
Betteann
I HAVE A BEUTIFULLY 2 BEDROOM VILLA IN ISLAND AND WOULD LIKE VISITORS TO KNOW MORE ABOUT IT, IS VERY CLOSE TO THE TOWN AND THE BEACHE I HAVE A WEB SITE BUT NOT GETTING ENOUGH TRAFFICE CAN SOME ONE TELL ME HOW. TO GET MORE PEOPLE TO COME TO THE VILLA FOR HOLIDAYS.
Betteann
Dec
14
Filed Under (villa) by
Joanna M Lawson asked:
If like me, you have been bitten by the ‘Holiday Villa Bug’, you will already know that no hotel can match the privacy and luxury of a good Villa Holiday. The great news is that today there are even more villa rental options out there than ever before. Not to mention the fact that if you know how to choose the right holiday rental villa you will be saving a lot of money in comparison to the same level of service in a comparable quality hotel.
It seems that no where in the world has seen as big an explosion of luxury fully serviced holiday villas, as the island of Bali in Indonesia.
OK, I happen to be blessed with a great line of work, as a Travel Writer, and have been lucky enough to stay in some of the best tropical resorts around the world, especially in Asia. But still for me, nothing compares to the peace, luxury and delights (not to mention the cost effectiveness) of staying in a good serviced villa in Bali.
So, what makes a ‘good holiday villa’?
Like everyone else, I have learned how to choose the perfect villa through luck, some mistakes and sheer experience.
Here are my top tips for choosing the right villa in Bali for your next Bali holiday.
Location-Location-Location
This sounds obvious, but it is not always easy to make the right location decision when we are sat at home, far away from our holiday destination.
Like every other world-class holiday destination, Bali offers a range of options, from ‘central’ locations, to those which offer ‘absolute tranquility’.
I personally like a balance between the two. On a Bali villa holiday, the last thing one needs is to be sooo central that you feel like you are an extension of a night club’s base unit till wee hours of the morning. On the other hand, I really don’t want to be more than 15-20 minutes away from where the restaurants, shops and the action is. I like my villa to be certainly quiet, preferably amongst rice fields, but at the same time accessible (within 30 minutes of the airport, and a few minutes from the action).
The great thing is that Bali caters for all of these tastes.
Those seeking a central location, with a lively night life may want to look into Legian and Seminyak, (I exclude Kuta area from this list, as there are hardly any proper rental villas left in this bustling tourist centre).
Those who don’t mind a bit of a trek, and don’t want to go out and about much during their holiday, may opt for areas such as Uluwatu or Canggu and beyond.
For me the perfect choice is Kerobokan and Umalas areas. Quiet rural environment, surrounded by rice terraces and real villagers going about their real daily routines (instead of trying to push you a handicraft (Kuta) or pull you into a restaurant you really couldn’t care for (Seminyak)).
Quality and Availability of Service Now this is an area where villas differ from each other immensely. In Bali most villas proclaim to be ‘fully serviced’. However, how ‘fully’ and how ‘serviced’ range from the most basic to being totally pampered.
A good villa should provide a guest to total staff ratio of nearly 1 to 1, or at least 1.5 to 1. So, if you are a group of 8 you should be looking at, at least, 5-6 full time staff, or for a group of 4 at least 3-4 full time staff. Sounds ostentatiously high? It really isn’t once you consider the effort it takes to keep a holiday villa, its gardens, and the pool in a tip-top shape.
Of course, quantity is never the only answer. The staff needs to be full-time and fully-trained at a professional level. There are too many villas out there, which are run by ‘part-time’ managers and staff who actually have other full time jobs elsewhere!
Your Own Chef
One of the great pleasures of traveling to a foreign destination is to experiment with and experience the local cuisine. And what better place to experience this, than in the comfort of your own villa!
So, make sure that your villa comes with its own Chef. Once you have tasted the delights of enjoying home cooking in your own villa, you will probably not want to venture out to restaurants at all. The best thing is, having your own private villa Chef in Bali, is substantially cheaper than eating out.
However, make sure to check how the Chef arrangement works.
Ideally, the Chef cost should be included in your rental rate. In this case all you have to pay for are the cost of the ingredients which are purchased for you, typically at the local market/supermarket prices, with no mark-up. So, financials of eating at your own villa becomes just like eating at home, but without lifting a finger, and at substantially lower Bali prices.
Some villas claim to offer a Chef service, but charge restaurant/hotel prices for each dish that the chef prepares for you. I prefer to avoid these, as I can always pop out to a restaurant if I so wished anyway.
So, check to make sure that the Chef is part of your villa team, and that you will not be charged incrementally for food on a per item basis.
Your Villa Manager
A professional Villa Manager makes a huge difference to your enjoyment of your holiday. Even if you have been to Bali many times before, a good Villa Manager can be a much valued life-line, a great source of shopping tips, and a problem solver. A good villa manager can provide a wealth of directions/advice, from where to eat, to which river to choose for your white-water rafting adventure in which season, or where the cheapest golf courses are, to which temples to visit to see which local ceremonies.
Needless to say, they should also be managing the villa team, and making sure that the quality of service and cleanliness are never compromised.
Before I book a villa in Bali, I always check to see what the Villa Manager arrangement is like, and that there is a full time Villa Manager on site at the villa I am planning to rent. Typically, for good villas, you can expect to have your own dedicated Villa Manager, or have a Villa Manager who is working at 2-3 adjacent villas. However, if a Villa Manager is expected to look after 5-6+ villas, then you are most likely not going to see him for more than a few minutes a day, only during his courtesy visits (at best), so you loose out on the real benefits of having the inside-track.
Villa Quality & Upkeep
Be very, very weary of any rental villas which can not provide you with more than at least 20 recent photos of the property. These photos should show you not only the outside of the buildings, but also the living/dining areas, as well as insides of bedrooms.
If you are not provided with a sufficient number of photos giving you a clear idea of the property, then it is quite likely that there is something substantially wrong with the property, such as a building overlooking it, an abattoir next door, or at the least peeling paintwork or missing fixtures/furniture.
Remember, not all villas are created equal. But additionally, not all villas are kept and maintained equally well. It is your right to request and see these photos of the property.
Mod-Cons
OK, you are planning to stay on a tiny island, in the middle of the tropics. What mod-cons should you expect? From own experience, I would suggest that even in the middle of the tropics, good Bali villas should be able to provide at least the following mod-cons:
Air-conditioning in all bedrooms
Clean, Western style kitchen -fully equipped with a fridge, microwave, electric kettle, and a coffee maker, as well as sufficient crockery and cutlery
Safe deposit box - at least one for your private villa use, and preferably one in each bedroom
TV/Satellite/DVD Player - as there will always be someone who wants to catch the news, or children who will need entertaining
Telephone - whilst many of us live attached to our mobile/cellular phones, it is important that there is a permanent phone connection at the villa, in case of emergencies
En-suite bathrooms - if you are looking at going as a family or a group of friends, you really don’t want to spend your holiday in Bali queuing for the next available slot at shared facilities!
Enjoying a fully staffed and serviced villa with your own Chef may seem like an un-attainable dream in most other parts of the world. However, renting a Villa in Bali is by far one of the most cost effective ways of enjoying this beautiful island and the company of its hospitable people.
Now armed with this check-list you are ready to plan you next dream holiday in a Villa in Bali. Like me, you will probably never want to leave, and go back to reality!
Many happy returns…
Ruth
If like me, you have been bitten by the ‘Holiday Villa Bug’, you will already know that no hotel can match the privacy and luxury of a good Villa Holiday. The great news is that today there are even more villa rental options out there than ever before. Not to mention the fact that if you know how to choose the right holiday rental villa you will be saving a lot of money in comparison to the same level of service in a comparable quality hotel.
It seems that no where in the world has seen as big an explosion of luxury fully serviced holiday villas, as the island of Bali in Indonesia.
OK, I happen to be blessed with a great line of work, as a Travel Writer, and have been lucky enough to stay in some of the best tropical resorts around the world, especially in Asia. But still for me, nothing compares to the peace, luxury and delights (not to mention the cost effectiveness) of staying in a good serviced villa in Bali.
So, what makes a ‘good holiday villa’?
Like everyone else, I have learned how to choose the perfect villa through luck, some mistakes and sheer experience.
Here are my top tips for choosing the right villa in Bali for your next Bali holiday.
Location-Location-Location
This sounds obvious, but it is not always easy to make the right location decision when we are sat at home, far away from our holiday destination.
Like every other world-class holiday destination, Bali offers a range of options, from ‘central’ locations, to those which offer ‘absolute tranquility’.
I personally like a balance between the two. On a Bali villa holiday, the last thing one needs is to be sooo central that you feel like you are an extension of a night club’s base unit till wee hours of the morning. On the other hand, I really don’t want to be more than 15-20 minutes away from where the restaurants, shops and the action is. I like my villa to be certainly quiet, preferably amongst rice fields, but at the same time accessible (within 30 minutes of the airport, and a few minutes from the action).
The great thing is that Bali caters for all of these tastes.
Those seeking a central location, with a lively night life may want to look into Legian and Seminyak, (I exclude Kuta area from this list, as there are hardly any proper rental villas left in this bustling tourist centre).
Those who don’t mind a bit of a trek, and don’t want to go out and about much during their holiday, may opt for areas such as Uluwatu or Canggu and beyond.
For me the perfect choice is Kerobokan and Umalas areas. Quiet rural environment, surrounded by rice terraces and real villagers going about their real daily routines (instead of trying to push you a handicraft (Kuta) or pull you into a restaurant you really couldn’t care for (Seminyak)).
Quality and Availability of Service Now this is an area where villas differ from each other immensely. In Bali most villas proclaim to be ‘fully serviced’. However, how ‘fully’ and how ‘serviced’ range from the most basic to being totally pampered.
A good villa should provide a guest to total staff ratio of nearly 1 to 1, or at least 1.5 to 1. So, if you are a group of 8 you should be looking at, at least, 5-6 full time staff, or for a group of 4 at least 3-4 full time staff. Sounds ostentatiously high? It really isn’t once you consider the effort it takes to keep a holiday villa, its gardens, and the pool in a tip-top shape.
Of course, quantity is never the only answer. The staff needs to be full-time and fully-trained at a professional level. There are too many villas out there, which are run by ‘part-time’ managers and staff who actually have other full time jobs elsewhere!
Your Own Chef
One of the great pleasures of traveling to a foreign destination is to experiment with and experience the local cuisine. And what better place to experience this, than in the comfort of your own villa!
So, make sure that your villa comes with its own Chef. Once you have tasted the delights of enjoying home cooking in your own villa, you will probably not want to venture out to restaurants at all. The best thing is, having your own private villa Chef in Bali, is substantially cheaper than eating out.
However, make sure to check how the Chef arrangement works.
Ideally, the Chef cost should be included in your rental rate. In this case all you have to pay for are the cost of the ingredients which are purchased for you, typically at the local market/supermarket prices, with no mark-up. So, financials of eating at your own villa becomes just like eating at home, but without lifting a finger, and at substantially lower Bali prices.
Some villas claim to offer a Chef service, but charge restaurant/hotel prices for each dish that the chef prepares for you. I prefer to avoid these, as I can always pop out to a restaurant if I so wished anyway.
So, check to make sure that the Chef is part of your villa team, and that you will not be charged incrementally for food on a per item basis.
Your Villa Manager
A professional Villa Manager makes a huge difference to your enjoyment of your holiday. Even if you have been to Bali many times before, a good Villa Manager can be a much valued life-line, a great source of shopping tips, and a problem solver. A good villa manager can provide a wealth of directions/advice, from where to eat, to which river to choose for your white-water rafting adventure in which season, or where the cheapest golf courses are, to which temples to visit to see which local ceremonies.
Needless to say, they should also be managing the villa team, and making sure that the quality of service and cleanliness are never compromised.
Before I book a villa in Bali, I always check to see what the Villa Manager arrangement is like, and that there is a full time Villa Manager on site at the villa I am planning to rent. Typically, for good villas, you can expect to have your own dedicated Villa Manager, or have a Villa Manager who is working at 2-3 adjacent villas. However, if a Villa Manager is expected to look after 5-6+ villas, then you are most likely not going to see him for more than a few minutes a day, only during his courtesy visits (at best), so you loose out on the real benefits of having the inside-track.
Villa Quality & Upkeep
Be very, very weary of any rental villas which can not provide you with more than at least 20 recent photos of the property. These photos should show you not only the outside of the buildings, but also the living/dining areas, as well as insides of bedrooms.
If you are not provided with a sufficient number of photos giving you a clear idea of the property, then it is quite likely that there is something substantially wrong with the property, such as a building overlooking it, an abattoir next door, or at the least peeling paintwork or missing fixtures/furniture.
Remember, not all villas are created equal. But additionally, not all villas are kept and maintained equally well. It is your right to request and see these photos of the property.
Mod-Cons
OK, you are planning to stay on a tiny island, in the middle of the tropics. What mod-cons should you expect? From own experience, I would suggest that even in the middle of the tropics, good Bali villas should be able to provide at least the following mod-cons:
Air-conditioning in all bedrooms
Clean, Western style kitchen -fully equipped with a fridge, microwave, electric kettle, and a coffee maker, as well as sufficient crockery and cutlery
Safe deposit box - at least one for your private villa use, and preferably one in each bedroom
TV/Satellite/DVD Player - as there will always be someone who wants to catch the news, or children who will need entertaining
Telephone - whilst many of us live attached to our mobile/cellular phones, it is important that there is a permanent phone connection at the villa, in case of emergencies
En-suite bathrooms - if you are looking at going as a family or a group of friends, you really don’t want to spend your holiday in Bali queuing for the next available slot at shared facilities!
Enjoying a fully staffed and serviced villa with your own Chef may seem like an un-attainable dream in most other parts of the world. However, renting a Villa in Bali is by far one of the most cost effective ways of enjoying this beautiful island and the company of its hospitable people.
Now armed with this check-list you are ready to plan you next dream holiday in a Villa in Bali. Like me, you will probably never want to leave, and go back to reality!
Many happy returns…
Ruth
Comments Off
Dec
08
Pinkpeagle asked:
Family with 3 children under the age of 6 want a villa holiday in Europe, last week July, first week August. Can annyone suggest some good sites? Anywhere in Europe, but preferably where a low-cost airline flies to!
Gail
Family with 3 children under the age of 6 want a villa holiday in Europe, last week July, first week August. Can annyone suggest some good sites? Anywhere in Europe, but preferably where a low-cost airline flies to!
Gail
Dec
04
Filed Under (villa) by
Michael Lee asked:
If your travel budget allows a lavish setting with breathtaking views and manicured estates, you are in luck. You will find wonderful accommodations in Spain no matter your budget’s limitations or allowances. Luxury living is available in all areas of Spain. Some prime locations for luxury rentals include Costa del Sol, Barcelona, Ibiza, Costa Blanca and Menorca. There are no limitations to the luxury villas in Spain.
These amazing townhouses and estates feature a number of luxuries not found elsewhere. One villa in Mijas Costa offers three levels of expansive living space, a private heated pool with a large barbecue area and extensive private gardens. The home has full heating and air conditioning.
Luxury villas in Spain offer satellite television in both English and Spanish. The majority have surround sound throughout. They have enough sleeping facilities to accommodate large groups. Many feature full wardrobes or walk-in closets. The majority are equipped with full kitchens and all appliances. Dining areas are fully furnished.
There are many options if you have no interest in preparing your meals. Catering services and staff are available for hire should you require them. Your luxury villa broker can provide you with details on these services. Many of the larger properties include staff to cater to your every need.
Fireplaces are another common accommodation that can make your stay cozy and intimate. Fuel should be provided during your stay. Del Sol is noted for their luxury accommodations. This area offers 326 sunny days of every year. There are over 100 golf courses in this part of Spain. The nearby area of Marbella offers the shopper countless wares from popular stores all over Europe.
Larger properties regularly include many features suitable for wide groups of people. Several villas offer full cinemas and golf courses. Other features commonly found include personal tennis courts and indoor swimming pools. Heated floors, gyms and saunas are other features regularly in luxury villas. Clients can also locate luxury villas in Spain that offer small amenities such as coffeemakers, espresso/cappuccino machines or even juicers.
Your rate for a luxury villa in Spain will be based on two factors. The time of year you are traveling and how many people in your party. Prices can plummet during the off season. It is worth considering to make your travel arrangements during that period to avoid the crowds and rental competition.
You should read your rental agreement thoroughly and understand how the security deposit and payment will be accepted. You will need to know what types of staffing options are available. Does the facility offer a concierge service? Is this service a full-time benefit or are there specific daily hours?
Be aware of as many details as possible when you rent your property. If any small children are traveling with you check what accommodations are available for them. Are linens and towels provided? Will you have enough living space and the features you need?
It takes much planning and consideration to reserve a luxury villa in Spain, but the time invested is worthwhile. You will ensure all details are covered by approaching the holiday with the proper forethought. This will eliminate the possibility for any unpleasant surprises.
Vito
If your travel budget allows a lavish setting with breathtaking views and manicured estates, you are in luck. You will find wonderful accommodations in Spain no matter your budget’s limitations or allowances. Luxury living is available in all areas of Spain. Some prime locations for luxury rentals include Costa del Sol, Barcelona, Ibiza, Costa Blanca and Menorca. There are no limitations to the luxury villas in Spain.
These amazing townhouses and estates feature a number of luxuries not found elsewhere. One villa in Mijas Costa offers three levels of expansive living space, a private heated pool with a large barbecue area and extensive private gardens. The home has full heating and air conditioning.
Luxury villas in Spain offer satellite television in both English and Spanish. The majority have surround sound throughout. They have enough sleeping facilities to accommodate large groups. Many feature full wardrobes or walk-in closets. The majority are equipped with full kitchens and all appliances. Dining areas are fully furnished.
There are many options if you have no interest in preparing your meals. Catering services and staff are available for hire should you require them. Your luxury villa broker can provide you with details on these services. Many of the larger properties include staff to cater to your every need.
Fireplaces are another common accommodation that can make your stay cozy and intimate. Fuel should be provided during your stay. Del Sol is noted for their luxury accommodations. This area offers 326 sunny days of every year. There are over 100 golf courses in this part of Spain. The nearby area of Marbella offers the shopper countless wares from popular stores all over Europe.
Larger properties regularly include many features suitable for wide groups of people. Several villas offer full cinemas and golf courses. Other features commonly found include personal tennis courts and indoor swimming pools. Heated floors, gyms and saunas are other features regularly in luxury villas. Clients can also locate luxury villas in Spain that offer small amenities such as coffeemakers, espresso/cappuccino machines or even juicers.
Your rate for a luxury villa in Spain will be based on two factors. The time of year you are traveling and how many people in your party. Prices can plummet during the off season. It is worth considering to make your travel arrangements during that period to avoid the crowds and rental competition.
You should read your rental agreement thoroughly and understand how the security deposit and payment will be accepted. You will need to know what types of staffing options are available. Does the facility offer a concierge service? Is this service a full-time benefit or are there specific daily hours?
Be aware of as many details as possible when you rent your property. If any small children are traveling with you check what accommodations are available for them. Are linens and towels provided? Will you have enough living space and the features you need?
It takes much planning and consideration to reserve a luxury villa in Spain, but the time invested is worthwhile. You will ensure all details are covered by approaching the holiday with the proper forethought. This will eliminate the possibility for any unpleasant surprises.
Vito
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