When you are planning a holiday, location is usually the first consideration, and having chosen your destination the next decision is accommodation.
Traditionally holiday makers immediately look at hotels with the idea they will be the best value for money and provide more facilities, however, recently renting villas has become a popular and flexible option, according to Siam Real Estate.
Imagine a family of five, two parents and three children. In a hotel they would have to book at least two rooms and possibly a parent would have to stay in each room if the children were small. In this case the hotel room is simply a place to sleep and not the most ideal situation.
Now imagine the same family booking a villa for the same price as the two hotel rooms. Now they all have their own bedrooms, the security of being together as well as indoor and outdoor space where they can spend time together. A private swimming pool and garden are a lot safer for children, and makes parental supervision so much easier.
Renting a villa is not only a great idea for families; it works well for couples who like privacy and is also perfect for honeymooners or a group holiday.
As villas in Phuket are available with two-bedrooms right up to six- or even eight-bedrooms it is easy for everyone to find a suitable property. Many groups holiday together, from young friends to a few couples. What could be better than sharing the cost of a fabulous six-bedroom villa and experiencing the ultimate tropical lifestyle, which other options can simply not offer?
A fully-equipped kitchen, indoor and outdoor dining areas and lounges, balconies and terraces offer a choice of spaces in which to spend time.
Villas in Phuket often have the most stunning locations are completely private and provide guests with more freedom. Being detached properties means there are no other guests in your personal space and gardens and pools are solely for your use. Some villa developments are designed like resorts with tropical gardens, communal pools and facilities such as spas, restaurants and full management service.
Those who opt to rent a villa can choose to be near the busy tourist areas, although they usually choose villas that are high above, in a prime hillside location or in quiet areas out of the way for the most peaceful and relaxing stay. There are villas all around Phuket with a location suitable for everyone – near all of the major beaches, inland among the jungle or dotted along the picturesque east coast.
Renting a holiday villa also provides the option of self-catering, reducing the cost of dining and eliminating the restrictions of fixed restaurant hours. Some villas also provide an in-house chef who will cook whatever you desire. The majority of villas have security measures, such as guarded entrance gates, CCTV and alarm systems or peace of mind.
Extra services, such as a maid, laundry, babysitting and airport transfer, are often available as are in-villa massage and spa treatments. A villa owner or management will often provide more personalised services and make your stay completely stress-free. A car and driver, or vehicle rental, is often offered and staff can provide ideas of where to go and what to do.
Villa rentals also have no hidden charges, no 17 percent tax or service charges, and are more flexible with check in/out times.
When looking for a villa to rent in Phuket, using a local, independent real estate agent, such as Siam Real Estate who authored this column, can provide not only better a better comparison of properties but also provides peace of mind that your booking is guaranteed. There are so many villas available that a search tool is invaluable, you can choose which features are most important to you, such as number of bedrooms, sea views, proximity to beach or accessibility.
Most villas offer high speed internet connection in the price. Many hotels still charge. An agent will deal with the villa owner, making booking fuss free and more convenient without time difference or language constraints.
This column was supplied by Siam Real Estate and edited by Andrew Batt, Group Editor of Dot Property Group. For more information visit www.siamrealestate.com or call Khun Dew on +66 (0) 762-88908.
Main image: A nine-bedroom sea-view villa available through Siam Real Estate from THB 50,750 per week during the low-season.
