What do you look for?

As I said internet is a must because we run our own business and need email access 24/7, wish we could just switch off but when it's your own business you cant!

Things we look for are................

WOW Factor! Upgraded furniture not the standard floral sofas etc (sorry if anyone has foral sofas!)

Location - within 20 mins of Disney

Large TV + TV's and DVD's in all bedrooms + TV's in both lounge/living areas
Good cable TV package

Playstation

Privacey fencing down sides of pool area

Lake view/south facing

Games room

Free intenational telephone calls, answerfone/fax

Attention to detail/personal touch, something a little bit different.

Julie R

[Joolz]

OOh had another thought- I saw somewhere on my recent trawl ... that had walkie talkies avaialable (at a small fee) that would be a nice touch too.

[blott]

A question in a different direction but on the same subject.

Would you be willing to pay higher rental for a home that met all your 'wish list' criteria or expect it to be the same price as an 'ordinary' home without those amenities?

[chrizzy100]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Carla
Arnie, you only had one guest reply re computers - the other replies are from homeowners, like me!!

All I know is that it has been a definite plus for my home. Most of my guests either run their own business or have to stay in contact with the company they work for, at least via email, so having a computer with free highspeed wireless internet access is a distinct advantage.

I had one guest who brought his family to Orlando so that they could have a holiday. He stayed in my home and worked on the computer for a lot of the time during the day, but at least they were then able to be together for the late afternoon/evenings. If I hadn't had the internet access, he wouldn't have been able to do this and may not have come with them to Florida, or they may all have had to give up their vacation because of his work commitments.

When you advertise that you have a facility such as a computer, then those guests to whom that facility is important, are more likely to request your home.
[/quote]

I am sort of still a guest......[8)].I'd pick the villas for my friends and family to stay in if we need an extra home.....and I know them with a PC......we would never get anywhere.......and there would be fights all the time over it......so if I were looking for a home with a PC...it would have to have 2 or more..one for us and one for the kids.....or maybe one for each of the kids if I'm truthful.....

My son just came in and I asked him.....and he agrees with me about the fighting....hehehehehehe......
I really don't want fights over the PC on a holiday.......if its not there most people don't miss a PC unless they are working while on holiday......we went 6 weeks without one....and I loved every minute of it.......

[Lyn]

When looking for a villa I want to know exactly where it is, I once had a bad experience of being miles away, so now I only look on sites that give me the address of the villa (there are not many sites that seem to do this) To me it doesn't matter if the pool spends most of it's time in the shade in fact that would be a plus point for me as I like to keep out of the burning sun.

[Claire M]

Blott

In answer to your question - yes I would be prepared to pay extra for a home that met my wish list.

I haven't looked for a home to rent for 2 years, but all things came into consideration before I had decided on the right one. One thing I would like to ask is why do so many owners charge for the use of a highchair and cot? These should be included in the cost of the rental, you wouldn't charge for the use of a bed or dining room chair, so why are the smaller guests not catered for? Also if you have a 2 story home, then a stairgate is essential!! All of these things were on the top of my list, as unhappy children make very unhappy parents . The owner of the home that we finally rented was very helpful and made sure that all of these things were there when we arrived.

Claire

P.S. I havent looked to rent for a while so some of you owners may include all this now!

[Carla]

Now, many owners do cater for smaller guests and have equipment for young babies which is available free of charge and includes things like a travel crib and a highchair. These "pack-away" items can often be found in a suitable closet and are easy to put up and then put away after use.

A full-size wooden crib/cot though is a different matter and is often charged for. Many owners don't want a wooden crib sited permanently in one of their bedrooms (it's a bit off-putting if you're looking for a romantic time and there's a large crib in the corner of the Master bedroom - not so good for ambience ), so this is often dismantled after a guest has used it, and then erected for the next guest who needs it. Last year only 4 of my guest families needed baby equipment of any kind and only 2 needed a full-size crib.

You will also find that different guests want the baby equipment in different bedrooms, so even if an owner did have a full-size crib permanently sited, there is every chance that it would be in the wrong room. This involves extra work for the MC, who have to do the erecting and dismantling, and this has to be paid for.

A number of owners get around all this by renting the full-size crib from their MCs, and the rate paid to the MC includes the cost of erecting and dismantling, plus all required bedding etc. is provided. The cost of this is not normally included in the rental rate.

It isn't always as cut and dried as a bed or dining room chair, which are in place and require no assistance.

[Claire M]

Carla

Having just checked out your house, I see that you cater very well for small guests. My point is that not everyone does. I am just saying that it is something that I needed and found that at that time was not very well catered for.

Claire

P.S. Ambience and Romance! What's that?

[Carla]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Claire M
Carla

P.S. Ambience and Romance! What's that?
[/quote]

It's what you get back when your kids have finally grown and wouldn't be seen dead sharing a room with you!!!

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by blott
A question in a different direction but on the same subject.

Would you be willing to pay higher rental for a home that met all your 'wish list' criteria or expect it to be the same price as an 'ordinary' home without those amenities?
[/quote]

I would yes.

Julie R