Like most home owners, I'm usually looking out for things to improve our home for our guests but what do you look for when renting a Florida home?
Will you make your decision based on price, location, facilities or outlook or is there something else you're looking for from your holiday or vacation base?
blott
We recently booked a villa on the Gulf coast. For us we looked for something not overlooked at the rear because our own villa at Highlands is like that. It was then someone who was flexible about midweek bookings, then number of bedrooms and then price. We found a lovely home in Hudson and can't wait to go.
Kerry
I've been to Florida quite a few times but only rented a villa last two visits.
For the first villa location wasn't an issue as we had no idea where it was (we'd always stayed on Int'l Drive). But on the second visit we did return to the same place (Lindfields). Price is a factor but I must admit that if I saw a 4 bed/3 bath for cheaper than I paid I would be suspicious as to the quality.
Outlook was not a concern for any of us (3 couples and 1 child) but it was nice in the second villa to have a fence surround because of the privacy and would look for similar in our next place.
Another 'nice' thing was in the first villa we had a "Welcome Pack". But saying that most of the things in it were of no use but it was the thought that counted!!
We have stayed in two villas and are about to stay in our third. They have all been different.
We look firstly for a villa that is central to Disney, International Drive and Highway 192. We have to have a fully heated pool, and a nice modernish interior. It is nice to have a pool that is not overlooked (at least one way). The extras are definitely a seller. We need a washer/dryer/dishwasher. It would have been nice for the children to have pool toys, a stroller, a high chair, a car seat, toys, books and videos. These are great to have in the villa but are definitely not the selling point.
Last year at Chatham Park we really liked the fact that it had a patrolling security guard.
All that and of course guaranteed sunshine!!!
Security would be a big draw for me knowing that when you come back at the end of the day everything will be o.k. also knowing someone is about if any thing should go wrong ie illness of course location, villa size and creature comforts are also important
kym
hi,
we have always stayed in villas but never reterned to the same one not because they were not any good, mainly because we always book late to get the cheapest flights and have to take whats available, but there are definate things we look for, a screened pool is a must, the position of the property in relation to sun shine, (its no good if your always in the shade!) a management company on hand in case anything needs fixing this is especially important when we rent direct from the owner, size is important we preffer a bedroom each, a washing machine and dryer is essential as I hate coming home with cases full of dirty washing and although not vital a fenced garden for privacy, and a cover on the pool, we've found that it retains a lot of the heat overnight and makes it great for an early morning swim! Some of the features commonly offered that don't really influence our decision is TV, Playstation, games rooms, because if we are home were in the pool!, we do like having inflateables for the pool it keeps the kids busy!
hope that helps
Kelly
kelly
This is my first post here so please bear with me
My family stayed at a vacation home two years ago for two weeks, 2 adults, 2 young children, we are all from Alaska, winter is the best time for me to travel both because its cooler and I'm off season.
Last time we went it was perfect, home beatiful, quiet, clean, about 6 miles from WDW and easy to get to, this time I would really like to stay longer,have more luxury, possibly 3 weeks, would dearly love to have a jacuzzi, widescreen and most important internet access for my laptop.
What I mostly want is security, no noisy traffic or near areas of traffic noise. A king size bed would be great,a large master tuo and a fully equipped kitchen, my family is very food conscious, the kids and myself have certain food allergies so we must prepare our own meals, also a large heated pool because pools are basically unknown in Alaska
I would also like to have rental car options included, our next stay is being planned for about 12/01/2003-12/18/2003 but have not found a home yet, we rented from Families First last time, they were very good. I want a few more extras this time for a more memorable effect.
If a owner wants to they may contact me about a rental for above dates and wishes, thanks!
Daniel
if you put a general enquiry into the site with your wish list on it i am sure you will get someone with a home that meets your needs
ann
Daniel, as owners we are not supposed to contact you in this way. That is part of the site rules. However, if you send a request as Ann suggests, then anyone with availability for your dates is able to contact you.
Asking on open forum means that anyone could offer you a villa, and it may not be from a verified owner advertising on this site. Be wary of anyone who has sent you their villa/villas details so far.
I'm sure that you will find somewhere lovely and memorable.
Carla
Sorry, I respect the board and as soon as I figure where to post it I will, found this board about 4 am this morning before I went to work so I only glanced through it, and most definately yes I want only a reputable home.
I thank all those owners of their replies in my mail, I have narrowed my search down a bit and now awaiting availability of the dates I requested, If I had only known of these fabulous homes last year I would have booked then instead of buying a laptop for $3000
A factor in my decision rode on having internet access, two years ago while staying near Orlando I paid for one month from a local ISP, they stole my credit card number and charged me over $900 worth of AOL and ****, and we need access for my work and my wifes family contacts.
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