VILLA RENTALS 101 | Travel + Leisure
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VILLA RENTALS 101

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Get Over the Word Villa
That's what virtually every rental in the Caribbean is called. And though it might sound like an extravagance, if you do the per-head math, you realize that spending a week or more in a rental is generally less expensive than staying in a hotel, especially if you share it with extended family or friends. Nicely furnished, ocean-view two-bedrooms can be had for less than $2,000 a week. Besides value, villas typically offer complete privacy, room for your group to spread out, your own pool, a kitchen (equipped, thank you, with an industrial-strength blender and a good supply of Coco López), and the delicious feeling, however fleeting, that you are living on the island—often quite lavishly—and not just visiting it.

Book Through an Established Agency
Though renting directly from an owner is typically more affordable, it's also riskier: What happens if, on arrival, you're unhappy with your digs? The best firms will help match your family to an island and a house (one that is regularly inspected) and, during the trip, will follow up with on-island support. For a list of recommended rental agencies that cover the Caribbean, see Top Rental Agencies.

Think Worst-Case Scenarios—Such as Jackhammers Next Door at 7 a.m.
Ask a lot of questions: Is construction going on nearby? Is the house at the top of a serpentine ascent that will leave you or Grandma quaking? Are any of the facilities shared with other houses? What is the refund policy? Agencies sometimes have strict cancellation procedures—and those terms can differ from island to island. Consider trip cancellation insurance; you can compare rates and policies at www.insuremytrip.com.

Don't Immediately Rule Out the Largest or Most Expensive Spreads
If you're willing to travel in the off- season, or with a large group, you might be surprised at what you can afford. Throughout the Caribbean, "off-peak" extends for eight months—from around April 15 (even when Easter falls late) until mid-December. You'll find prices 25 percent to 40 percent lower and weather that varies little from winter. (Exception: Avoid the height of hurricane season, mid-August through mid-October.) Also, during summer months, agencies often offer "breakdown rates," which allow larger-than-needed villas to be rented for only the cost of the bedrooms required. That means you may be able to snag a five-bedroom house at a three-bedroom rate. And with your savings, you might want to spring for some villa staff, such as a chef, a housekeeper, and even a laundress who will send you home with clean, pressed clothes. (Don't worry, no one expects you to get over the word laundress.) Rates vary—for a local cook, figure on spending a minimum of $40 a day, not including the grocery bill. Nannies, drivers, house-call massage therapists, and yoga instructors can, of course, all be arranged through the rental agency.

Have Realistic Expectations
You may be thinking "on the beach" is a must, but the fact is that most Caribbean villas are not steps from sand. Especially on mountainous islands, rental houses tend to be built into hillsides: sensational views, yes; a short walk to beaches, no. Rent a four-wheel-drive car to get yourself to the ocean and town. Also remember that you're heading to an island. Even in the most luxurious settings, the power may go off or the hot water may peter out. There will be lizards and, yes, mosquitoes.

Get Starter Food Delivered
Who has the stamina to push a grocery cart after a day of travel with kids? Veteran renters and frugal types add a cooler of frozen steaks to their luggage pile. An easier option is to have a catering service or your rental agent fill your cupboards before you arrive. It's well worth the expense to be able to turn the key and find a kitchen stocked with breakfast and lunch staples—and a bottle of dark rum.

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