Scheduling, Costs, Cancellations
Q: Does it cost more to rent a villa than to stay at a hotel or resort?
One important attribute of renting a villa is cost savings. Many vacationers assume an upscale vacation villa would be too costly to rent. However, villas are competitively priced and it is possible to rent a luxurious home for the same amount or less than the cost of a hotel or resort room.
Q: Is there a minimum stay requirement for a villa rental?
Most villas require a 7-night minimum rental during high season a 5-night minimum rental during low season and a 10-14 night minimum rental during Christmas and New Year's.
Q: When are the Caribbean high season and a low season, and what is the difference between these two seasons?
The Caribbean low season typically occurs May 1 - December 15. This is when the islands tend to experience a decrease in U.S. travelers due to the mild weather in America. During this time period, many villas can cost about a third as much as normal.
The Caribbean high season typically occurs January 5 - April 30 and Holiday Season is typically December 15-January 5. This is the most expensive time to travel in the islands as most travelers are looking to depart the cold weather in North America and Europe for the warm Caribbean islands.
Q: How do I book a villa rental with Blue Escapes?
When you have decided on a property to rent for your island stay, please contact Blue Escapes via phone or email to confirm it is available for your travel dates. Once this is confirmed we can proceed with the villa booking.
Rental procedures vary for each island and villa. All of our villas require a deposit (typically 50%) to confirm the reservation. We accept payment by personal check, cashier's check, money order, wire transfer, VISA and MasterCard. Deposit payment must be received within 3-5 days of villa booking to confirm the reservation. Depending on villa property, the balance due of rent, hotel tax and damage deposit must be received within 60-90 days prior to arrival.
Q: What is the cancellation procedure for a villa rental?
Cancellation procedures vary for each island and villa. Some properties will submit a partial refund for guests canceling well in advance of their arrival date, less a 20% handling fee. Other properties will offer no refund unless your travel dates are re-booked to another guest, less a 20% handling fee. Blue Escapes will forward you the Cancellation Policy for your particular villa rental along with your villa confirmation form. We recommend guests purchase trip cancellation insurance to ensure you are covered for any unforeseen problems.
Q: Where can I purchase trip insurance for my vacation?
Trip insurance is highly recommended. Don't let a last minute emergency ruin everything. Guests can purchase trip insurance from CSA Travel Protection by clicking on this link and following the instructions.
On the Island...
Q: Do I need to rent a car when staying at a private villa?
We strongly recommend guests rent a vehicle when staying at a private villa. Taxis do not service private homes as many island roads are unmarked and they do not know how to locate the villas. Guests will find that there are many instances when they will need transportation to access beaches, restaurants and grocery stores. Furthermore, it's fun to explore the island by car to fully view its beauty and local culture. Car rental agencies offer vehicles that comfortably seat 2-9 passengers. If you're traveling with another couple or a large group you may want to rent two cars as many guests wish to take advantage of different activities.
Q: What happens when I get to the island? How do I find my villa?
Upon arrival, an island representative will meet you at a pre-arranged destination -- usually the island's main airport or ferry dock. She will then escort you to your villa so that you become familiar with directions to the home. Because most villas don't have a specific address and many island roads are unmarked, it is essential guests be escorted to the property. Upon arriving at the villa, the representative will show you the property and explain any pertinent information about the home. We recommend you arrive prior to nightfall to ensure you get a good view of the island and directions to the villa.
Departure rules vary according to villa and island. Most often you will be asked to leave the villa key on the kitchen table or with your car rental company prior to departure. We'll be sure to let you know the appropriate protocol for your villa when you rent with us.
Q: Does our villa rental come with maid service and a cook?
The majority of villas offer maid service once a week for your stay. The maid will most likely stop in mid-week for general cleaning. Personal laundry services are usually not included. Additional maid service can be arranged for an additional cost.
Some of our larger, private luxury villas have a full staff to cater to its guests including housekeeper, personal chef, and gardener. We can arrange for a personal chef service at any of our properties at an additional cost.
Q: Does Blue Escapes offer any additional services for our island stay?
Guests can choose to receive a variety of services to pamper themselves during their villa stay. We can help you arrange grocery provisioning for the villa, general meal preparation services, chef services, day trips, and even a private massage on your sundeck to relax from your trip. Just let us know what you need and we'll do our best to ensure you have it.
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