How to Find the Best Deals on Luxury Villa Rentals

[View of Magic Bird, a luxury villa in St. Barths, Caribbean]
Vacations anywhere in the world can get expensive, especially for those who aren’t prepared ahead of time. If you’re considering a luxury villa rental, an increasingly popular alternative to hotels, here are some tips to help you find the best deals.
1) Examine carefully the bedrooms and bathrooms. Just looking at the number of bedrooms isn’t enough; two luxury villas with similar room numbers may nevertheless have very different beds inside of them. Would you prefer to sleep on a Double or a King? Do you want everyone to be together, or would people prefer their own room? And how many people are coming along? If you have a lot of people, but few bathrooms, there may be some grumpy waits in the morning or after you’ve just gotten back from a long day at the beach. You may even find very different beds in some similarly-priced facilities, so with some careful study, you can get a lot more for your money.

2) Consider the amenities. Many luxury villas offer laundry facilities, a stocked kitchen, a swimming pool, and other such common items, but some offer additional facilities like tennis courts, benefits in local resorts, and similar items. Even if a villa isn’t the least expensive one you can find, it may be that the amenities included are enough to offset the additional cost, helping you find a great bargain and enjoy your trip a lot more. Pay particular attention to the things you may actually use; swimming equipment, for example, for easier fun at the beach.
3) Determine when you will be traveling. Villas frequently offer different rates throughout the year, and you may be able to find a lower price if you travel at a different time… or a higher one. Prices are usually marked out well ahead of time, so take a look at the future rates and decide when you want to go there.

4) Inquire! There may be some special deals or bargains that are available, but not widely advertised. If a villa has more than one building, you may be able to get a discount by only renting part of the property and having the owner lock up the other part. There may also be Early Bird specials for reservations well ahead of time or other discount packages you can take advantage of. Talk to the rental company and see what specials they have going on. You may find some unexpected savings.

5) Location, location, location! If you’re visiting one of the St. Barths villas, it probably won’t take very long to get anywhere you want to go, and it can be convenient to be able to explore most of an island rather than just a little part of it. On the other hand, if you’re visiting a larger area, figure out how far you’ll have to go to get to the beach or any cities you want to visit. Picking a villa close to where you want to be can save money on gas, time on travel, and help you to have more time to do what you want to do. The best bargain in the world isn’t worth much if you’re spending half your time just shuttling around in a rental vehicle.