Announcements

New Additions to Florida villa - www.luxuryflvilla.com

The lastest additions to the villa have been added. We now offer:

1. Nationwide free long distance calls to anywhere in the US.
2. Faster High-speed Internet.
3. Wireless Network available for laptops.

Items coming in 2007:
1. New Game Room with Pool table, Foosball table, Air Hockey and more.
2. New kids Disney theme room.

More details to come.

Are game rooms really worth it?

Q. Should a villa have a game room? Is it worth it?

A lot of owners have started to convert their garages to game rooms. However, before you go out and convert yours, you need to ask some simple questions. First, how will you utilize the space and will your customers appreciate not having a garage during the typical rainstorm that comes with vacatioining in Florida?

How do you deal with damage/theft? How do you know your pool cues or Air Hockey pucks haven't been taken or damaged when you live in England or Europe and your rental property in in Florida?

What I have seen happen is that game rooms are very profitable for the owner and is now becoming a requirement if you want to increase your customer traffic. The vacationing family wants to have everything at their fingertips should they get bored or if they are waiting for family members to wake up or get ready for the day.

The costs to setup a game room is not very expensive as it only takes a minor change to your A/C unit to provide cooling/heat in the garage when used.

What about you? What have your experiences been with villas that do and don't have a gameroom? Which do you prefer?

We are adding a gameroom to our villa (www.luxuryflvilla.com) in 2007. We think it will improve the interest in our villa.

How to go about booking your holiday.

Q. How to go about booking your holiday.

A. Obtain brochures in which you feel the properties have the facilities that you require. Check websites using the keyword "Florida Villa". Most owners will be happy to advise you on all flights and other travel arrangements, and will usually 'hold' a villa for a few days while you secure your flights arrangements. Owners may have a regular contact for flights and they are often people with mounds of experience when it comes to dealing with independent travelers who realize the importance of efficient service. Don't forget the owner travels to this destination frequently and can offer many useful tips.

On securing the flights and accommodation the customer will be dealt with in a similar, but obviously more personal, way then that of the travel agent and will receive booking confirmation, acknowledgement of monies paid, when the balance is due, etc. If you have a query you can contact the owner at more flexible times than that of a travel agent and you are always dealing with the same person as opposed to just 'an assistant'. Phone calls to ask if there is an iron, hairdryer, washing machine available are not a nuisance. Help and advice are free and the owners are willing to distribute this as there is nothing like hearing, "it was a wonderful holiday, everything was great, I've booked again for next year".

Questions asked by First Time Villa Renters

Q. "Where do I collect the keys? What if something goes wrong? What if something gets broken?"

A. In Florida, all the properties are looked after by a Management Company, often run by English people. Full details of key availability are advised when directions are forwarded to the client. In the event of breakdown or breakage's - that's what the Management Company is for - they are on call 24 hours a day with help, advice and guidance far superior that that of a travel rep. Their knowledge of the area are also often includes useful money saving tips that the customers ordinarily know nothing about. The luxury and freedom of living in your own Florida villa gives your holiday the 'wow factor' Whilst you can book a similar arrangement with a tour operator you could find that it will cost a great deal more, require payment of supplements if your party doesn't fit their criteria, and you will not be guaranteed the exact villa or location that you thought you were booking. By booking directly with the owner the price you pay is usually per villa per week. There are no hidden extra's, but a lot of free help and advice.

Questions asked by First Time Villa Renters

Q. "I've always booked a package vacation with my local travel agent. Where do I start and how hard is it to book everything I will need at your Florida Villa?"

Q. "What do I book first, flights or accommodation? What if there are no flights and I've booked the villa?

These are the questions, as a villa owner, that I'm asked most often during that initial call from a potential customer. Let me reassure first time customers how straightforward and comforting it can be to book a villa direct with an owner.

For the majority of owners their Florida Villa is their second home and treated as such. It is loved and looked after, as well as frequently visited by the owner for their own enjoyment. Usually the first contact is with the owner who is probably so enthusiastic about their second home that they find it difficult not to spout off at any opportunity about their pride and joy. Owners are full of knowledge about their property, the surrounding area, its suitability for families, couples, singles, disabled persons etc. They can offer so much more than the average travel agent.

My experience has been that people will ask more questions of the owner than a travel agent regarding their vacation package, and frequently the owner will be able to answer all of these questions, and comply will all of the requirements - most importantly in plain English!