Frequently Ask Questions About Rental House In Florida
Q: Why stay at a villa instead of a hotel?
A: Staying in a good hotel or motel in the Disney area can prove very expensive for a family and you’ll only get one or two rooms to accommodate everything and everyone. There is no real privacy especially when you need to relax. Other guests can be very noisy. We all have stayed at a hotel with a screaming baby or a loud TV next door.
Our luxury Florida Villa has all the space you could want as well as a wonderful pool, which your family can enjoy in privacy, comfort and peace. Eating in is so easy. The place becomes yours for the whole vacation – a real home away from home.
As individual property owners we’ve set higher standards than you’ll find in properties normally managed by a tour or management companies. The value is outstanding when compared to a hotel or motel in price, facilities, space, privacy, convenience and location.
Q: Where is the villa located?
A: Our luxury Florida Villa is located in the beautiful Westridge community on Highway 27 three miles north of the junction with the I–4. It is just a 15 minute drive to Walt Disney World.
Q: How many people can stay at the villa?
A: The villa will sleep up to 10 people (2 in each bedroom, plus two people on a sleeper sofa). This is the maximum number of guests permitted in the home due to Florida State Fire Regulations and includes all people regardless of age or size.
Q: Can multiple families share a booking?
A: Absolutely! In fact many of our bookings are for two families. The Master Bedroom has an en-suite facility with the remaining bedrooms consisting of one room with a queen bed and two rooms with double beds. The living accommodation is also very spacious with a large family area, a dining room, a fully equipped kitchen, and breakfast area. Out back is a fully enclosed south facing sun deck and swimming pool complemented by a cool shady lanai.
Q: Is the villa suitable for children?
A: Almost all of our guests are families with children of all ages. When the youngsters are not out at Disney or Universal they will want to be in the swimming pool or playing on the Nintendo Gamecube system.
The family room contains a large TV with cable TV, VCR & DVD player, but if the kids want to watch something else there is a TV in the other bedrooms to watch.
With a cot, high chair, booster seat, safety gate and stroller, we’re also well equipped for younger children.
As a safety precaution all of the exit doors to the pool area are fitted with alarms so that you’ll know when the children head for the swimming pool.
Q: How do I make a reservation?
A: Simply send us an email at [email protected] with the dates you are interested in. We will respond within 24 hours with availability. We will then send you a Booking Form and Terms and Agreement Form to complete and return. Once returned you can pay your deposit of $300.00 via PayPal.
Q: How do I pay for the rental?
A: We take sterling or dollar personal checks, cashier’s checks, or money orders. Wired or mailed payments can be sent directly into our bank account in the US. Alternatively, you can pay securely using any major credit card with PayPal in sterling, dollars or euros. Online payments made by PayPal are subject to a 4% surcharge to cover the transaction costs. We will contact you with payment methods as soon as you send the online booking form.
Q: How do I know that this is the villa that I’ll get?
A: We are not your MEGA Villas Management Company that show you one villa and then give you another. This is our home, what you see is what you get. These are actual pictures of the property. We only rent the villa you see on our web site.
Q: What do we do when we arrive?
A: You will be sent a complete “Welcome Packet” with everything you’ll need to find the property so you can go straight to the villa from the airport and let yourself in.
The pack will contain a list of items to do when you arrive, our management company information and list of codes for the door and alarm system. There are no special trips to the Management Company offices to collect door keys when you’ve just gotten off the plane!
Q: How does the security deposit work?
A: If you are required to make a security deposit, your security deposit must be paid at the time of booking. It will be returned within 2 weeks of your return, subject to confirmation with the Management Company that the villa and its contents are in the same condition as on your arrival. Any damage, breakages, excessive use of utilities and/or leaving the villa in such condition that warrants extra cleaning will be made good from your security deposit along with an administration charge.
Q: What if we get a problem?
A: We employ a local property Management Company to look after day-to-day villa operations. The one we chose is friendly, helpful and efficient. If you get a problem you can call them anytime and make it their problem. That is what they get paid to do. Their office is just a couple of blocks from the villa. You can also call us:
From the US CALL: 817-637-6176
From the UK CALL: 0845 287 8930
Q: What do we need to bring?
A: Just bring the essentials: clothes, toiletries and some favorite toys for the children. Also, bring lot’s of money because there is so much that you’ll want to see and do.
Q: Towels? What about towels?
A: Our luxury Florida villa is furnished and fully equipped for self catering. The kitchen is fully equipped with all the modern appliances you’ll need plus dishes, cookware, cutlery, coffee maker, blender, toaster and even plastic ware for eating out by the pool. It has a washer and dryer, ironing board, vacuum cleaner and hair dryers. There are two sets of sheets for each bedroom and two sets of towels for each bathroom. We do ask that towels are not removed from the villa and if you intend to visit local water parks or beaches you will need your own beach towels.
The management company does leave a small bar of commercial soap and a roll of toilet paper in each bathroom for your arrival convenience. Further supplies are your responsibility during your stay. It is not necessary that you replace these items before your departure. Please note that we do not provide dishwasher or laundry detergent although previous guests may have left some behind.
Q: Can we smoke in the villa?
A: The villa has a strict no smoking policy that extends to the lanai, sun deck and pool. Any damage caused by guests smoking will be taken very seriously and will be claimed against the security deposit.
Q: Can we bring a family pet?
A: Apart from guide dogs, pets are not allowed.
Q: Is the pool heated?
A: We charge separately for pool heating but you probably won’t need it during the summer as the pool will be naturally warm. It is generally advised to have the pool heated from October to April. If you haven’t booked this in advance it can be turned on by the Management Company, however even with our fast, efficient gas pool heater the water may take up to 24 hours to heat up to 92 degrees.
Q: What are the furnishings like?
A: Our luxury Florida villa is constantly being upgraded. Our goal is to provide the best stay for our guests. Currently the villa has an upgraded furniture package and a beautiful coordinated decor. The family room is comfortably furnishedwith sofas and armchairs, coffee and end tables to help your relax and enjoy your surroundings.
Q: Does the villa have a telephone?
A: Our luxury Florida Villa has one telephone number for outgoing and incoming calls. Local calls and select 1-800 numbers to local attractions, airlines & rental car companies will be free of charge. Out of area and international calls are blocked, which means they can only be made with a credit card or a telephone card. The telephone cards from places like Walmart and Walgreen’s are an especially good deal for those making calls to the UK from the villa telephone cost just 9 cents a minute with a Walgreen’s telephone card.
Q: Internet Access?
A: As owners we are always needing to stay in contact with family and business. Therefore, we understand that our customers may need access to the Internet. In the back bedroom there is a computer with high-speed Internet access. We have also installed a permanent 2mbps broadband internet router.
We currently have a computer terminal running Windows XP at the villa, but if you have a laptop – feel free to bring it as we have installed additional ports for our customers to connect.
Q: Cable television?
A: The villa has the basic cable package. There are no movie or pay-per-view channels. The villa has a large television in the Family Room plus DVD and VCR. Every bedroom also has it’s own cable connected television.
Q: Is maid service included?
A: Our Florida villa is ‘self-catering’. The home will be clean upon your arrival and will be cleaned once again when you leave. The villa is equipped with a washer and dryer, dishwasher, vacuum cleaner and mop. Contact the Management Company if you want a daily or weekly maid service for an additional fee.
Q: What is the swimming pool like?
A: The extended south-facing sun deck is completely enclosed in mosquito proof screening. Receiving the sun from morning to night, the property backs on to natural woodland making the pool and sun deck very private. The large crystal clear swimming pool can be quickly brought up to temperature by optional electric heating.
A deep shady lanai complements the sunny pool and sun deck. With comfortable loungers, table, chairs around the lanai is the perfect cool place to watch your children play in the pool while you read a book or relax and take a nap.
Q: What security is there?
A: The villa includes a built-in smoke detector system plus a fire extinguisher. The villa has a burglar alarm.
All house exit doors and windows to the swimming pool are fitted with an audible alarm but guests are asked to not allow children to use the pool unsupervised at any time. Use of the pool is at each guest’s own risk. No diving is permitted. Crockery and Glassware (bottle of wine, etc.) are not permitted in the pool area at any time.
Q: What are the bedrooms like?
A: The master suite bedroom has a king size bed. The second bedroom has a queen size bed. The other two rooms have twin beds in each. There is a queen size sleeper sofa in the family room. Every bedroom has closet space, a chest of draws, a cable connected television and clock radio.
Q: Where is the closest Supermarket?
A: The villa is located in within 5 minutes of a Publix supermarket one mile north on US 27.
Q: How far away are the main attractions?
A: The villa is only 15 minutes from Walt Disney World. There you can visit The Magic Kingdom, Epcot, MGM Studios and Animal Kingdom as well as themed water parks and Downtown Disney with evening entertainment, restaurants and retail outlets. Sea World is about 20 minutes away and Universal Studios and Universal’s Islands of Adventure 25 minutes away.
About an hour to the East you will find the Kennedy Space Centre and the wonderful Atlantic beaches of Cocoa and Daytona. Head west and within an hour’s easy drive you can visit Busch Gardens or historic old Tampa. Drive on further to find the Gulf Coast with its wonderful warm waters, beautiful silver sand beaches and great fishing in the calm waters of the Caribbean.
Shopping is easy and convenient from our Florida villa with a great mall only a few minutes away down at the I4 intersection. However if shopping is a more serious occupation then a 30 minute trip to Florida Mall is well worthwhile.
Q: Are there any medical services nearby?
A: Walgreen’s drug store and pharmacy is one mile south on US 27. The Heart of Florida Hospital is 5 miles south on US 27 towards Haines City.
Q: What about a round of golf?
A: If you are coming to Florida for the golf the closest courses are only five minutes away at the Highlands Reserve Golf Club and at Champions Gate; a magnificent PGA championship golf course designed by Greg Norman. A couple of miles south on Highway 27 is the highly recommended Ridgewood Lakes Golf and Country Club championship course.
Q: How hot does Florida get?
A: At the height of the summer it gets very hot and quite humid. Our Florida villa air conditioning system was recently replaced by a newer, more efficient system. You might find yourself getting too cold. Therefore, you can decide to use the air conditioning or just the ceiling fans.
The cool, deep shady Lanai is the perfect place to watch your children play in the pool while you read a book or take a nap.
With its warm weather Florida is an all round year destination. The busiest time is from October-April when Americans come to enjoy the mild winters. Most will have left well before the summer arrives, when it can be extremely hot.
The spring temperatures in Florida are in the upper 80’s, and lows possible in the 50’s. There is plenty of sunshine, but spring showers are common. You should be comfortable in swimwear, shorts and light clothing for the day and sweaters for the cooler evenings.
Typical June through September Florida daily temperatures can be in the 90’s. Thunderstorms are possible in the late afternoon, but usually last no more than an hour and can be refreshing. Why not return to the villa during the afternoon, or visit the malls, returning to the theme parks or attractions in the evening to view the shows.
Remember to cover up with a high SPF suntan cream and drink plenty of water. Those who aren’t used to it may find 90°F and 70%-90% humidity a strain. Careful pacing, loose, light clothing and a hat with a brim will help. Be particularly careful where long waits in line occur: Some of the theme park attractions can have you standing in the sun longer than you might like.
October to December still offers plenty of Florida sunshine with highs in the 80’s and lows in the 60’s. This is ideal weather for those who don’t want the extreme heat of the summer.
The Florida winter temperatures are cooler, but can still be in the 70’s during the day with low temperatures in the evening around the mid 50’s. You will still need swimwear and light clothing, but take sleeved clothing or jackets for the cooler evenings. The native Floridians will be noticeable for their warm winter clothing but it’s more like spring weather for those used to the UK weather.
Q: But I’ve never driven in Florida before!
A: The use of a car is essential. But don’t worry; driving in Florida is really easy. If you’ve not driven in Florida before there are a few things to know.
You are allowed (and expected) to turn right on red at most traffic lights if it is safe to do so. When traffic lights continuously flash yellow it is just a warning – you can proceed with caution.
It is quite normal when highway driving to overtake vehicles on the inside which means that you can happily drive in any lane. If you want to change lane, signal, wait for a gap and then go – everybody does it.
Stop signs at junctions mean just that – you must always stop and then proceed if is safe to do. At four way stop junctions everyone stops before proceeding. The rule is that cars leave the junction in the same order that they arrived. It works very well; minimizing traffic and making roundabouts unnecessary.
You must stop behind a school bus when children are disembarking even if you are in a different lane. Stick to the speed limits. Some automated tollbooths are unmanned so it is worthwhile keeping a few dollars worth of quarters in the car. You don’t need to use the parking brake on an automatic car – the car won’t move if you leave it in Park.