villas to hire

[andy007]

Hi All

New to this so pls hang in there with me. Myself and partner are off to Florida in November. We are usuing a company called [name edited] ABTOL Reg... and have booked flights and car hire for 3wks there at a good price. They also advertise Villas with pools at very comp..prices.
Problem is they dont have to hand info on the areas, they cannot gaurantee which of the following areas it would be let alone which villa and say they could not know an exact location until 3 wks b4 we fly.
Does this sound a bit ODD? I've checked the ABTOL reg and they are gen, but maybe I'm being over cautious. We've not parted with any money for accom but if anyone could advise on the following areas as well, which Am Ind.. have supplied.....

Davenport lakes - Southend dunes - Loma De Lomavist - Bridgewater crossing and Lake Berkeley

We're looking for a quiet open area, with views if pos, and not highly populated with children or other noise such as motorways or pubs.

This is a holiday of a lifetime so we would like it to be right.
I thank any of you in advance for all and any help you can provide..

Andy

[Genie]

Having been there and done that...... I think I would rather know exactly where I was going and exactly which villa I was staying in, at least on the sites here you can see each villa and know that they have been verified, especialy when you hear stories about people arriving to find the one they were told they were having isn't even built yet , and other stories, as for prices I think all of the ones advertised on the OFV VF & OV sites take some beating and 99% of them have pools etc, and all have that extra personal touch.

[caroline]

We booked a villa where we didn't get to know tha address until just before we travelled, suffice to say I wouldn't do it again!

If this is a holiday of a lifetime, I really think you'd be better choosing exactly where you want to stay - you can then ask the owner all your questions and know you're getting the info "from the horses mouth" not from an agent that has never even seen the community nevermind the villa.

[Tracey K]

I have to agree with Jean - on the odd occasion we have booked and been allocated on arrival we have been disappointed - the house is usually smaller because the agents will put you in the smallest home possible and views, privacy round the pool etc is all very hit and miss.

With so many private owners offering their homes and being willing to give you lots of information BEFORE you even make the booking why take any chances? Like you said, it is the holiday of a lifetime - make sure you remember it for all the right reasons.

[huckleberry house]

Andy

In all seriousness , given that this is a holiday of a lifetime I would advise you to spend some time looking for a home that suits you and your family and book it yourself privately with the owner through a site such as this one. It isnt unusual for a letting agent to sell you a house without saying where it will be etc but as they wont be booking it until the last few weeks the chances are that the only ones left for them to reserve for you will not necessarily be of the best in terms of facilities and location. The majority of well cared for homes are rented out privately by owners who have no need to use a letting agent as the best properties are always in high demand and it isnt unknown for these agents to pay such low sums for the houses that, putting it diplomatically, most owners of decent homes would not accept. Leaving the letting agent with...well you decide on that.

The areas you mention are very varied in their location and atmosphere and while all will contain good houses and maybe with a decent view and quietly located this wont apply to all the houses on those estates. The only way to be sure of getting what you want is to DIY.


Cheers and good luck, Lesley

[NinaUK]

Hello Andy
We have been to Southern Dunes on a couple of occasions and find it a really nice community. It is situated in a gated secure community on a championship golf course. You have views across the golf course which is rather relaxing. There are not many children on the community (well I haven't seen that many when I stayed there)and we find it peaceful. There is a Walmart at the gates which is rather handy when you don't want to go too far and food places across the Highway which are also handy to have convenient. We are going there aagin next week and can't wait - looking forward to it. Sorry but we haven't been on the other communities you listed so I don't know what they're like. Southern Dunes is a bit further out than the other communities but we don't find it too much of a prob if you have a car

Hope this has helped

Nina

[Lynnes]

SD is not really that far out 20 minutes Disney and lets face it it is really relaxing after a day in the theme parks. The roads to Disney are quieter from Douthern Dunes as once you reach the 192 you are going against the traffic.

[benfilo]

hi Andy welcome to the forum, I got a quote off this site for car hire, 2 wks £225full ins plus 2 drivers, out of curiosity how does this compare with yours.
I'm with all the others it makes more sense to book direct with owners ( ignoring the fact we would all like the bookings) Greater savings can be made by booking your own flights/car/villa and you know where you'll be staying.
I've been down the package route (as I'm sure we all have} when you arrive at the arport it's the same if you're independant or package, you still have to pick up the car and find your way to your accommodation. But you don't have to waste the next morning with a rep trying to sell tickets, you can be in Sea World instead. (after all you'll be up at 6 and they wont see you until 10)

benfilo

[KevinT]

Hi Andy,
I don't think you would be at all disappointed with any of the areas you mention as they all have their good points, depending on what you like. Southern Dunes is great if you like golf as it's on a golf course. Loma Vista is a very nice quiet area to the south of Disney. Davenport Lakes is on the SR27 to the west of Disney and the US 192, Bridgewater Crossing is in a peaceful area just south of Disney and Lake Berkley is close to Disney on the east side set around a natural lake. If you really haven't made your mind up browse this site. You are then dealing directly with the owners and can ask them whatever you need to know. Moreover you can see exactly the home you will be staying in.
Regards

[benfilo]

that's a good point kevin they are all good locations with different things to offer. having 3 weeks there is fantastic we've done that twice now and it makes a huge difference to the holiday[msnsmile2]
benfilo