Most travelers are accustomed to the hotel industry and how everything works with a hotel stay and booking, but when it comes to villa rentals, they are less familiar. We have answered 10 of the most frequently asked questions from first time guests with Rental Escapes to help you familiarize yourself with luxury vacation villa rentals and to help you feel at ease when booking for the first time with us!
How do I make a booking?
You can reach out to our Reservations Managers by phone, email or through our website inquiry form. One of our Reservations Managers will assist you in finding the best available rental for your needs and then send you a rental agreement to hold the property.
Along with the signed rental agreement, we will request a deposit to confirm the booking. Deposits are usually paid by wire transfer. In most cases, we require a 50% deposit at the time of booking and the remaining balance 60 days prior to travel, but this does vary in some destinations and at certain times of year (the payment conditions for the property you are booking will be indicated in your rental agreement). Once we have received the deposit, you will be assigned to a member of our Concierge team!
What is the best way to choose the right villa for me?
Our Reservations Managers are knowledgeable of our inventory and the destinations that we work in, so they are the best people to assist with choosing the right villa for you. Providing them with as much information as possible (groups size, composition, budget, top destinations of choice, preferred design style, wants and needs, etc) will help them really narrow down the best options for you and put together a curated list of homes that fit all your needs.
Are villas more expensive than hotel rooms?
It can be more expensive than hotel rooms depending on the group size, time of year and destination. However there are many benefits to staying in a villa over a hotel and the experience is completely different.
Villas are much more private than hotels and offer a better setup/layout for groups travelling together. The majority of our villas have private pools, so there is no need to reserve a chair by the pool first thing in the morning and there are no strangers getting rowdy. Our large villas have enough bedrooms for everyone to have their privacy, but have lovely common spaces so you can all dine and hang out together while on vacation.
It is also quite ideal when travelling with children! Rather than parents having to go to their hotel rooms, and stay there, after dinner, the kids can go to sleep while everyone can enjoy the evening together on the pool deck or watching a movie!
We also have many staffed villas, where your every need will be catered to from cooking your favorite meals to bringing you a cold beverage while you lounge by the pool. Sounds amazing, doesn’t it?
Are your villas available for special events and weddings?
We offer many properties that are available for special events and weddings; however you will need to reach out to a Reservations Manager with the details of your event and they will let you know which properties can host your event and if there are any fees to be paid.
After I book a villa, can you help me arrange transport, boats, chefs, activities etc?
Yes we can! After we receive your signed rental agreement and deposit, you will be assigned to a member of our Concierge Team. They will assist you in booking and organizing everything needed for your villa stay.
They can organize and book a wide range of services like chefs, masseuses, live entertainers, activities and excursions, transportation (car rentals, airport transfer, private jets) and so much more. If you are even planning an event, wedding or special surprise, they will assist you every step of the way and make it truly unforgettable.
Is there a minimum night stay?
Usually, yes. The minimum night stay will vary depending on the property, time of year and destination. Generally, the minimum night stay is shorter in low season and longest during holidays.
Some destinations, like Europe, are very strict on their minimum night stays and will require Saturday to Saturday stays during their high seasons, while other destinations, like the Caribbean, tend to be a little more flexible. The minimum night stay for each property and season is indicated on our website, along with the rates.
How are groceries obtained?
Our Concierge Team offers pre-stocking services and your designated concierge will provide you with a pre-stock grocery list where you may select the desired items that you would like to be stocked in the villa prior to your arrival. If you wish to create your own pre-stock list, you may do so as well. This service will incur a small fee that will be paid upon arrival with your onsite concierge.
Once you arrive at the villa, there are a few options available to obtain the additional groceries you will need for your stay. If you have a chef included with your villa, or if you have booked chef services through our concierge team, the grocery shopping will be organized with the chef. Otherwise, we can book a car rental for you to go to the grocery store or organize for someone onsite to pick them up for a fee.
Are there ever any promotions/discounts?
Yes! There are promotional discounts available on different properties throughout the year. Properties with promotions available will have a yellow banner on our website with the information and conditions of the promotion.
What is the difference between RE and listing websites?
Rental Escapes offers a personalized, hands on approach to villa rentals. We know our properties and destinations well and can make the best recommendations to meet your needs. We also offer a full concierge service to all our clients to really take your stay to the next level.
All of our properties and partners are vetted to ensure legitimacy, peace of mind for our guests and top quality. There are however sometimes unforeseen issues that arise, which is why we offer a 24/7 emergency line. You will always have someone here at Rental Escapes ready to assist you.
To top it all off, we offer a loyalty program where our guests earn points on every confirmed villa rental and they can use those points towards discounts on future stays with Rental Escapes or on concierge services.
Do you work with Travel Agents?
Yes we do! Rental Escapes has been committed to working with Travel Agents from the very beginning. We offer training, marketing materials and much more to travel agents. Reach out to our Partnerships Manager, Isabelle, for additional information.
If you have any further questions or are interested in booking a villa with us, please visit our website!
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