A Villa offers so many more advantages over a hotel, and below are the top 10 reasons why.
Price - For a large family or group of friends, a private Villa will work out significantly cheaper that a resort.
Service - No more waiting on room service or getting your laundry in by noon.
Food - Imagine a poolside BBQ with enough lobster, prawns and fish to feed a small army and the cost is less than an entree at a 5-star resort.
Facilities - These days most private resorts offer as much, or even more than a 5-star resort - Cable TV, free Wi-Fi, DVD players, iPod docks and fully equipped kitchens, BBQ's and more. Many villas have home gymnasiums, saunas, Playstations, pool tables... and you never have to wait for 2 hours for your turn.
Privacy - Want to wander your villa in your bikini or stay in your dressing gown all day? Or listen to your choice of music or watch your DVD's? Or perhaps use the private gymnasium or home theaters that many private villas have? Perhaps another gin and tonic?...your call.
Location - Most villas are located is beautiful locations, such as beachfront, ocean views, or even on private islands. Villas are usually designed to maximize the outlook with common areas overlooking the best view and bedrooms with views and doors opening to the sea.
Luxury - These days, the luxury villa market is very competitive, and to stay relevant, villas must continually invest in the quality of the furniture and fixtures to provide a level of luxury that you just can't get in most hotels. Most villas are extremely tasteful and comfortable.
Serenity - Don't you hate how the pool in a 5-star resort resembles "kid soup" at about 5pm every day? At a private Villa, some of the best times are the early evening as the sun sets, a gin and tonic by your own pool and some Dean Martin on the BOSE system. Some moments just can't be captured in a glossy brochure or website. This is one of them.
Security - Most Villas offer a high level of security. Whilst all Villas will have in-room safes, leaving your iPod, laptop, sunglasses or wallet around the villa is usually not a problem.
Low season - In the Low Season, villas can offer unbelievable deals, especially if you have a little flexibility in your dates, or you are booking last minute. Sure the weather may show some rain, but it will still be balmy warm.
Villas offer so much more than a resort but many people are nervous about finding and booking a Villa and paying a hefty deposit up front. Many people see so called "Villas" that are nothing more than a self-catered holiday. Luxury Villas live up to their name and it pays to seek out a qualified agent that is responsive, knowledgeable and offers suggestions and options.
Use the internet to look around, look at the photos and ask questions of the villa Owner or agent. A good agent will always listen to your requirements and recommend a perfect villa for your family or friends. So next vacation, don't wait to check in to your hotel and to your garden view room - book a villa and experience a holiday to remember.