If you are undecided about whether to stay in a hotel or a villa or if it’s your first time in Florida and you have only considered a hotel then read on.
When visiting Florida for our first time in 1996 and for a number of years after we stayed in different hotels purely because we traveled via package deals. Staying in a villa had never even crossed our minds. At this point I have to be honest and say that had we known about renting a villa we would have still gone via a package deal because all our holidays prior to this had been through travel companies and we would have been frightened to book it ourselves. However, if we had known then what we know now our travel plans would definitely have been very different. If somebody asked me now which would I choose for my holiday destination – a villa or hotel room, there is no contest, staying in a villa wins ‘hands down’. Why?
First of all renting a villa is very easy to organize yourself. There are plenty to choose from that will meet everybody’s requirements in terms of the facilities offered, location and price. Even if it is your first visit to Florida and your first time booking a villa there is nothing to worry about. Probably the most difficult part of this process is deciding which villa to choose.
One of the main advantages for us is the space that a villa offers. Having a daughter who constantly moaned about not having her own personal space in a hotel room was easily rectified when she had a bedroom of her own. On many occasions my husband and I have had to stand outside a hotel room until she had got up, showered and dressed!!!
Another big advantage is the freedom that a villa gives you. Having a daughter who, from becoming a teenager preferred to get out of bed nearly at lunchtime whilst on holiday became quite embarrassing in hotels. Having ‘do not disturb’ on the door every morning, was something I am sure the cleaners did not want to see. On numerous occasions we finished up apologising and asking the cleaner either to come back later or not at all. Staying in a villa also allows everybody within the group to do what they want to do, which is not always possible in a hotel. For example if some of your party decide to laze by the pool all day and others prefer to stay indoors this is easily accommodated without any worries. In a hotel, particularly if you have young children unless the pool is outside your hotel room this is not an option.
A villa also provides choice at mealtimes. You do not have to eat out all the time as would be the case in a hotel. In fact, having lunch or an evening meal by the pool is a lovely experience and if you have a number of children this is where staying in a villa can save you some money and allow them to continue playing in safety whilst you relax and perhaps have a glass of wine after your meal.
One of the best things for me is being able to have my breakfast by the pool – sheer luxury!!!
Staying in a villa is not expensive if you consider the cost in terms of per person per night and the many facilities that are offered. If the size of your party means you have to book more than one hotel room then opting for a villa can work out cheaper.
Have I convinced you about the benefits of choosing a villa over a hotel? The only way to find out is to spend your next holiday in a villa. I am sure you will not be disappointed.