Top things to consider when booking a villa holiday!

Our sister company, The Villa Collection, offers some great advice for those thinking of booking a villa for thir next holidays.

When thinking of booking a villa for your holiday, it makes sense to turn to a knowledgeable and experienced agent or tour operator to assist you. Here are the top things to consider and what you should expect to be asked by your chosen agent. These things will you help ensure that you enjoy the perfect accommodation for you and your friends or family on your next villa holiday!

Location Location Location….
One of the most important things is to think about what you want to be around the villa. Do you  want to be steps from the beach, walking distance to attractions, or far from anyone else and not visible to others?  Villas can’t be moved, so if you arrive only to discover it’s not in a suitable location, it can be difficult to find a suitable alternative, especially in peak seasons and at the last minute.

Who exactly is travelling?
It is critical the agent understands what your bedding requirements are for all those travelling. Do you require a certain number of twin or king beds or do you need a child room to be close to an adults room? If you are travelling with extended family, older children or friends, perhaps a villa with separate guest cottages or wings may be a good option. And if you are travelling with nannies be sure to make this clear as a self-contained apartment or cottage is useful in this instance.

What facilities do you want in your villa?
People expect and want different things when they travel so it’s important your agent knows in advance what you would like included in your villa. This can include a gym with specific equipment, a games, media room to keep the kids entertained or a tennis court. Do you need to work while away? If so, perhaps the villa can include an office space or study with a printer and high speed internet. Barbeques, bar and entertainment areas are usually requested for larger groups. Private pools are the most requested facility but some properties may have shared pools, such as apartment or townhouse developments.

Staff Expectations
The service levels that individual clients expect can vary dramatically. Do you want full service inclusive of butlers and chefs on hand or do you prefer to be more independent and be self-catering. Also consider that you may or may not want to have staff at the property all day, although most luxury staffed villas have professional staff that know how to balance guest privacy.  The vast majority of properties will have daily housekeeping services and laundries on property, however some may only provide housekeeping a few days a week. If you do want meals prepared then it’s important to know how sophisticated you expect this service. A professionally trained chef differs from a home trained cook and sample menus can usually provided in advance so you are aware of the standard and types of food that will be provided. Do advise the agent if you have certain allergies or specific dietary requirements in advance.

Villa Style
Villas are usually privately owned homes, meaning that no two properties are the same and can vary greatly in terms of style, architecture and furnishings.  This can also be true if you are booking a villa or home which is part of a community or development.  It’s important that you feel at home during your stay so be sure to advise what style of villa you are looking for. Homes can range from ultra-contemporary or palatial to very rustic or traditional with lots of antiques. Also keep in mind that security deposits are required for damages and if you book a villa with expensive artifacts that are then damaged, the bill on your return home can be a hefty one, so if you are travelling with children always keep this in mind.

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For More information or to book a villa visit The Villa Collection or email enquiries@thevillacollection.co.uk

BOUGAINVILLEA BEACH RESORT AWARDED TRIPADVISOR’S CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE AWARD

Bougainvillea Beach Resort has announced that it has received its sixth TripAdvisor® Certificate of Excellence. Now in its sixth year, the achievement celebrates hospitality businesses that have earned great traveller reviews on TripAdvisor over the past year. Certificate of Excellence recipients include accommodations, eateries and attractions located all over the world that have continually delivered a quality customer experience.

“Our team at Bougainvillea Beach Resort is committed to exceeding the expectations of our guests, and providing excellent service comes naturally to us as it’s a main component of our philosophy.  This of course enriches the experiences of our guests, who have not only become repeat guests, but always refer our resort to other guests.  We highly value the Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence Award and we commend our staff for their contribution and commitment in achieving it,” said Bougainvillea’s Sales and Marketing Manager, Jamal Griffith.

Mr Griffith added that the award comes on the heels of Bougainvillea Beach Resort winning Booking.com’s Guest Review Award gaining an outstanding guest rating of 8.6 out of 10 points.

“With the Certificate of Excellence, TripAdvisor honors hospitality businesses that have consistently received strong praise and ratings from travelers,” said Heather Leisman, Vice President of Industry Marketing, TripAdvisor. “This recognition helps travelers identify and book properties that regularly deliver great service. TripAdvisor is proud to play this integral role in helping travelers feel more confident in their booking decisions.”

The Certificate of Excellence accounts for the quality, quantity and recency of reviews submitted by travelers on TripAdvisor over a 12-month period. To qualify, a business must maintain an overall TripAdvisor bubble rating of at least four out of five, have a minimum number of reviews and must have been listed on TripAdvisor for at least 12 months.

Flamboyant Hotel to close its doors

Flamboyant Hotel Grenada has announced that it will be closing permanently at the end of July 2016.

If you have any forward bookings or questions please don’t hesitate to contact us on info@escapemarketing.net . If your booking was made through a tour operator or travel agent, please get in touch with them.

Our Favourite Restaurants in Barbados – from Fast Food to Fine Fare

Read this great blog from the operations manager of our sister company The Villa Collection!

If you are planning a trip to Barbados,  read this so you don’t miss out on some of the best places to eat, from beach bars to fine dining, we’ve got the top spots covered so you enjoy the best of Bajan cuisine.

Brand new images from Sugar Bay Barbados

Hot off the press! See our brand new images of newly opened 4* All Inclusive Sugar Bay Barbados from our latest photo shoot, access them here.

We currently have up to 30% off stays in 2016! Book with your favourite travel agent, to see which UK tour operators currently feature Sugar Bay click here

Butterfly Beach scoops prestigious award!

The staff and management of Butterfly Beach Hotel are very proud to announce that Butterfly has won the Telegraph Readers Choice Award for “Favourite Affordable Hotel in the Caribbean” at the Caribbean Tourism Organisation Caribbean Ball in London!
Butterfly’s focus has always been to provide the best holiday experience for their guests, at the best price; and it is an honour to be singled out from the entire Caribbean and earn such recognition. As a small family run hotel their budget does not allow for high end luxury but their friendly staff, cheerful rooms, ocean front location, and unbeatable value more than make up for this; and guests appreciate being able to return every year to experience all that Butterfly and Barbados has to offer.
The award was collected by Escape Marketing, UK & European Marketing Representatives for Butterfly Beach Hotel

Flamboyant Hotel awarded Hospitality Assured Standard

The Flamboyant Hotel Grenada has been awarded the Hospitality Assured Standard for Service and Business Excellence by the Institute of Hospitality and Caribbean Tourism Organisation.
The objective of Hospitality Assured is to promote a culture of quality, service excellence and continuous improvement in the Caribbean, which are driven by international standards and certification, in order to strengthen the business performance and overall competitiveness of tourism enterprises in the region. Hospitality Assured consists of 9 key –steps which focus on Customers, the Organization and its Employees.
Flamboyant hotel embarked on the journey to be hospitality assured over a three month period preparing the necessary documentation nad revamping standard operating procedures. After the preparation we they were then assessed by an assessor appointed by CTO in February of this year.

About Hospitality Assured
Hospitality Assured Standard for Service and Business Excellence is owned by the Institute of Hospitality in the (U.K.). The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) owns the license to operate the programme in the Caribbean. Within the nine steps are 44 key indicators which represent the minimum standards for service and business excellence. The steps and indicators help an organization to measure the effectiveness of its internal processes in meeting and satisfying its internal and external customers’ needs.

About Flamboyant Hotel
The Flamboyant hotel is located on the world famous Grand Anse Beach in Grenada, a
beautiful two mile stretch of white sand with calm Caribbean waters, just 3 miles from the airport and 4 miles from the Capital St Georges. The property has fantastic views of the harbour, Caribbean Sea and the mountains of Grenada in the background. A key selling point is that all 68 rooms have spectacular ocean views from their balconies. The property offers an Ideal choice for couples, families, weddings and groups. The resort also features its own PADI scuba centre. www.Flamboyant.com

Bougainvillea Beach Resort Inducted into Hall of Fame

Bougainvillea Beach Resort, a four-star resort located on one of the best beaches on the south-coast of Barbados, announced that it has been recognized as a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence Hall of Fame winner. The Certificate of Excellence award celebrates excellence in hospitality and is given only to establishments that consistently achieve great traveller reviews on TripAdvisor.
The ‘Hall of Fame’ was created to honour those businesses that have earned a Certificate of Excellence for five consecutive years.

“It is always our mission to consistently surpass our previous goals of offering our guests the best possible experience,” said Bougainvillea’s General Manager, Sharon Hugh-White. “Receiving a Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor is a clear confirmation of the success of that mission. Being inducted into the ‘Hall of Fame’ is a true source of pride for the entire team at Bougainvillea Beach Resort and we’d like to thank all of our past guests who took the time to complete a review on TripAdvisor. There is no greater seal of approval than being recognized by one’s customers.”

Butterfly Beach – Dedicated Green Hotel In Barbados

Butterfly Beach Hotel, located on the South Coast of Barbados, offers secluded beach and casual ocean front accommodation with convenient access to a variety of recreational activities, shopping and dining experiences.

Butterfly Beach Hotel continues to improve its overall sustainability performance and recently received Green Globe certification in acknowledgment of its commitment.

Anne-Marie Kent, Reservations Manager & Assistant Hotel Manager at Butterfly Beach Hotel said, “We, at Butterfly Beach Hotel are thrilled to have recently been awarded Green Globe Certification. This is a step in the right direction on our path to commitment in running a sustainable, environmentally and socially conscious hotel.  Our Team works hard on a daily basis to ensure all our guests are happy and comfortable and the entire team, and especially the Green Team, look forward to improving even more next year.”

Butterfly Beach Hotel’s Sustainability Management Plan focuses on the conservation of energy and water usage and reducing waste output .The hotel’s Energy Management Plan is comprehensive and includes the improvement of energy efficiency through the deployment of LED lighting fixtures and the change over to inverter air conditioning units across the property. In addition, energy consumption is significantly reduced through initiatives such as limiting the use of lighting during the early hours of the morning when most areas of the hotel are not in operation.

As a green hotel, the property adheres to strict guidelines on waste prevention through the use of segregated sorting bins in guest rooms that encourage the recycling of plastic containers and glass bottles. In restaurants, plastic cups and straws are provided on a request basis only. Guests are also encouraged to support eco-friendly programs by re-using towels and buying locally. And, the hotel prefers local businesses and green suppliers as a means of contributing to the local economy.

“We are proud of our in-room recycling program and look forward to expanding this throughout the hotel.  We are also proud of using local and regional products throughout the property including Earthworks (Local Pottery) who create our vases, and sign boards, as well as displaying local artists’ artwork in the lobby,” added Anne-Marie Kent.

As part of their corporate and social responsibility, hotel associates are involved in a number of initiatives that utilize their knowledge within the wider community. The Guest Notice Board, also known as the Green Notice Board, provides a wealth of information on activities and local history as well as wildlife information.  It features the hotel’s Environmental Policy as well as updated information on things to do. It also includes important information on the types of souvenirs that cannot be legally purchased such as coral. If coral is removed from its natural environment in large numbers the local eco-system’s survival would be threatened.

Butterfly Beach Hotel’s Environmental and Purchasing Policies can be viewed on the hotel’s website at www.butterflybeachhotel.com

“We look forward to working with Green Globe for many years to come,” concluded Anne-Marie Kent.

About Green Globe Certification

Green Globe is the worldwide sustainability system based on internationally accepted criteria for sustainable operation and management of travel and tourism businesses. Operating under a worldwide license, Green Globe is based in California, USA and is represented in over 83 countries.  Green Globe is an Affiliate Member of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). Green Globe is also a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). For information, please visit www.greenglobe.com

 

 

Bougainvillea Resort Achieves Travelife Gold Award

April 23, 2015 – Bougainvillea Beach Resort has again achieved the prestigious Travelife for Hotels & Accommodations Gold award. Recognized globally, the Travelife award is an industry led scheme, where tour operators and accommodation providers work in partnership to display their commitment to sustainability. It is one of the few schemes that values social policy as highly as environmental management and it helps its members develop and promote good sustainable practices.

Travelife was able to assess the hotel’s performance in managing their social, environmental and economic impacts. To gain Travelife Gold certification, Bougainvillea Beach Resort met all of the 150 sustainability criteria, which included environmental issues such as minimising waste, energy, water and chemicals, as well as taking positive action on social issues, such as employee welfare and working with the local community.

In addition to the day-to-day environmental measures, Bougainvillea Beach Resort goes further to protect the environment by organizing community beach clean-ups, and working with schools to educate students on the importance of environmental sustainability. The hotel measures its performance regularly to monitor the impact of its sustainability efforts, report on results and plan improvements.

A key reason for tourism businesses to care about sustainability is to help protect the unique natural and cultural characteristics of their resort, so it continues to attract tourists in the future.

“We’re very proud to receive this significant international award,” said General Manager, Sharon Hugh-White. “This accolade represents our commitment towards environment sustainability, and would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of our staff.”