Highlands Reserve Question

[JayCee]

First time poster..........Hello to all !

I will be making my annual trip to Orlando starting May 6th, staying at Highlands Reserve (4 bed villa with Pool). Booked through Travel City Direct.

I have been told that a number of the villas at Highlands Reserve have views of what a believe is an incredible golf course. Having previously stayed in a villa were the pool was literally feet from the 9th hole of a course I have to say it was nice experience standing in the pool with a cold beer watching the golfers.

My question is.........Can I request exact details of the home I have booked and can I specifically request a home with a view of the course. If it is possible, do I need to speak to Travel City or a local agent.

Im not 100% sure how or when the homes are allocated. Any info would be gratefully received.

[blott]

Hi Jaycee

Welcome to the forum!

Unfortunately, if you've booked through a travel agent or booking agent (such as TCD), there's no way to know what home will be allocated to you on arrival. You can try requesting a specific view but I suspect that the answer will either be that your request will be taken into account or that you can't. Homes are normally allocated by the Florida management companies they work with a day or so prior to your arrival.

The only way to guarantee the home you'll stay in is to book direct with a private home owner. That way, not only do you ensure that you get the home you want but you can ask any questions about the home which your home owner will happily answer for you.

Have a great holiday in Florida!

[JayCee]

I thought that might be the case.

I did look to book direct rather than in a package, but the price (5 adults, 1 child, 2 x intermediate cars plus platinum ins, Highlands Res exec villa for £3300)on offer from Travel City just seemed so good I just jumped in and booked it.

Is it just a small number of villas on the course or do the majority have a course view? Looks like I'll just have to wait and hope.

[Ruth]

Hi JayCee, welcome to the forum. Not all the homes on Highlands have golf course views I'm afraid. Some have conservation views but some will back onto other homes I'm afraid. Next time you come to book it is well worth pricing up all the components separately as by booking direct with the owner you can usually find a much better villa. A large number of owners like myself on Highlands do not take tour operator bookings. We do all our own bookings and have extras like jacuzzis, games rooms, playstations etc and our homes are excellent value for money. Having said that Highlands is a lovely community and I am sure you will have a great holiday

[JayCee]

Ruth,

I will certainly do that for the next trip.

I have been toying with the idea of buying a villa in a development around the 192/27 area for a number of years now. I've stayed in this area in the region of 15 times and absolutely love the place. Is there any new developments around this area with houses in the $125-150,000 bracket that I should look at?

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by JayCee
Ruth,

I will certainly do that for the next trip.

I have been toying with the idea of buying a villa in a development around the 192/27 area for a number of years now. I've stayed in this area in the region of 15 times and absolutely love the place. Is there any new developments around this area with houses in the $125-150,000 bracket that I should look at?
[/quote]

Hi,

There's a buying frenzy at the moment due to the good exchange rate and programmes like'I want that house'. I think you would have to spend at least $250,000+++ to get a 4 bed 3 bath resale and if you want new builds they are rising in price so rapidly as builders get greedy.

I have been advised to hang on in there until next year when things have hopfully slowed down.

Julie R

P.S Have a look at www.realtor.com for houses for sale in the Davenport area it will give you a good idea of whats available for the price you want to spend.