What should you expect from your villa holiday is a huge subject, but I will try to break it down into a small article.
First, you get what you pay for; do not expect all the “bells and whistles” if you are not paying top dollar. In general, the more facilities and top quality fittings, will generate a higher rental rate.
You can get some very cheap villa rates but these will be very basic. When I first bought my villa from previous owners who had used it as a rental home, there were no mirrors apart from in the bathrooms, no ceiling lights, no ceiling fans and very poor quality towels and sheets. What was being offered was very basic furniture and fittings. The pans in the kitchen were very flimsy and thin as was all the silverware/cutlery.
The first thing we set about doing was upgrading ourselves to be 5 star standard. That meant replacing just about everything and installing a games room. We also had to paint throughout including outside and the pool deck.
So what to expect. Well for a good rental rate you should get, top quality bed coverings or duvets, fresh pillows yearly, sheets and towels of high quality, however they will not be cotton sheets as they can not be washed and dried in time for the changeover, plus I have yet to meet a cleaning service that is prepared to iron sheets! However, they will be of a high thread count (300 or more).
All pots, pans and utensils will be of a superior grade – i. e. chrome rather than plastic and silverware/cutlery will be of a quality that will not bend when used.
Furniture
This will be of a high grade fabric or leather and will be hard wearing and durable. The beds will have upgraded mattresses and include at least one king size in a four bedroom villa. All will have en-suite facilities to the master bedroom.
TVs should be plasma HD type and include TVs in all rooms. Free phone calls is normal in 5 star rentals as are upgraded cable TV channels.
Pool areas will have the best soft, padded sun loungers and matching chairs around a dining table and will have either or both, pool door alarms and/or pool fences for the safety of children. Many will provide pool toys, BBQs, hot tubs and pool towels.
Games rooms will have full sized pool table and foosball plus extras.
But, all of this comes at a price to the owners and they take a great deal of financial maintenance, hence the larger rental rates in the luxury villas. They all claim to be luxury villas but many are not, so read carefully what they offer and ask questions of the owners for example, “How often do you replace linens, towels and pillows. ” Check what equipment they provide in the kitchen, is it plastic or chrome? And do they have all the gadgets you will require.
Hot tubs and pools require a lot of maintenance and cost money to keep in tip top condition and good cleaners are required to keep the interior of the villa spotless.
The answer to what should you expect is – You get what you pay for.