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