5 Ways a Villa Vacation Can Ignite Romance

Villas of Distinction offers stays in a luxurious, private villa, with vacation experiences planned by a concierge.

Wilmington, Mass.– Villas of Distinction_®, a full-service premier luxury villa provider with an extensive portfolio, is revealing the reasons why staying in a private, luxurious villa can ignite romance and make memorable vacation experiences.

Unlike online vacation rental companies, Villas of Distinction_® provides a full-service, top-of-the-line experience, and in addition to reserving a premier luxury villa, clients have an entire experiential vacation planned by a private Villa Concierge from start to finish.

The company, which is part of World Travel Holdings, offers five reasons why a villa stay can rekindle the romance:

1. Stress-Free Planning. Whether traveling for a honeymoon, couples getaway, an anniversary celebration or just to reconnect, Villas of Distinction provides clients with their own personal villa concierge that plans every aspect of a vacation from the time you leave your house to the time you return. The Concierge can recommend some of the most romantic spots in a destination; make reservations for a candlelight dinner; or arrange a couple’s excursion like a wine-tasting or a guided morning yoga/meditation session on the beach.

1. Not Just A Stay, But An Experience. When you book your romantic retreat with a Villa Specialist, you are not only booking the villa, but you are planning an entire, unique and customized vacation. Want a favorite wine or food upon arrival? It will be pre-stocked in the villa. What about rose petals on the bed and candles throughout. A Villa Concierge can make it happen. Couples massages by the pool or on the beach, a private chef, fireworks on the beach, a private yacht charter for dinner and champagne — these are just some of the unique experiences a concierge can make happen.

1. Private Pool. Rekindling the romance means enjoying quality time together … alone. Privacy is something that is not offered at a resort pool with other guests crowding you. Villas offer privacy for alone time including private pools and most villas even have private beaches.

1. Chef-Prepared Candlelit Dinner. A dinner by candlelight is the ultimate in romance, but a dinner by candlelight with a meal made by a couples’ own private chef to their liking is even more romantic. How about the morning of the romantic dinner, accompanying the Chef to the water’s edge, where the local fisherman arrives in the morning, with his evening’s just-caught fresh fish and having that prepared for dinner? Or, picking fresh fare from the villa’s gardens and using the herbs in cooking class together to learn how to make local dishes — how romantic does that sound?

1. Quality Time To Reconnect. Being in a beautiful, luxurious and private locale is the perfect setting to reconnect with one another — this is the cornerstone of what a villa vacation offers. From a private pool or beach and couples massages to an excursion or cooking class together and enjoying the breathtaking views villa destinations provide, couples will find a villa vacation that can be customized to fit their relationship personality and vacation desires.

To learn more about the destinations and villa options Villas of Distinction offers, and how a Villa Concierge can help plan a one-of-a-kind vacation filled with romance, visit www.VilllasofDistinction.com or call 800-289-0900.

Villas of Distinction_®, as part of World Travel Holdings, is a full-service premier luxury villa provider with an extensive portfolio of thousands of privately-owned villas in more than 50 luxury destinations including the Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii, Costa Rica, Belize, Italy, France, Greece, Spain, Thailand, Croatia, the Continental United States and many private Islands. For nearly 25 years, Villas of Distinction and its team of expert concierges have been helping travelers find their perfect vacation home without a membership fee. The company takes pride in offering customized vacations to meet every need, with most villas featuring private pools, butlers, maids and chefs. www.VillasofDistinction.com.

 

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Ski in Style at Villas of Distinction’s Luxurious Vacation Homes in Utah, Colorado, Wyoming

Northside Villa in Deer Valley, Utah,. one of the vacation homes in Villas of Distinction’s portfolio.

Wilmington, Mass. –Villas of Distinction_® provides travelers looking to hit the slopes this winter with luxurious, private villa vacation homes in some of the hottest ski destinations — Utah, Colorado and newly added Wyoming. And, with a vast array of upscale amenities, plenty of space, privacy, personalized attention, and full-service vacation planning including unique and customized experiences, visitors will fall in love with the perks of vacationing in a villa as opposed to staying in a resort.

Newly added destination and villa — Gray Wolf in Jackson Hole, Wyoming is the perfect location for the avid skier because it sits at the base of the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and is just 3/8 of a mile from the ski lifts in the Teton Village area. After a full-day of outdoor adventures, visitors will enjoy Gray Wolf’s rustic charm and contemporary luxury setting with an array of amenities including a fireplace in the great room and master suite, private outdoor hot tub, full concierge service and more. More villas will be added to Jackson Hole soon.

Northside Villa in Deer Valley, Utah gives skiers access to the perfectly groomed runs of Flagstaff Mountain just off of its quiet cul-de-sac. This 6,600 square-foot ski chalet features five bedrooms, seven baths, spacious living areas, a projector screen theater, gourmet kitchen and game room making it perfect for two families who want to travel together and have room to spare. Guests will be spoiled with daily housekeeping and on-call shuttle service in the winter months, concierge service and a private outdoor hot tub … and all of this is included at no extra charge.

Travelers who may have had trouble finding a large luxury home in the downtown area of Park City, will be happy to find this gem —  Woodside Villa, which is just one block from historic Main Street and only 50 yards from ski access to the Town Lift. The stunning 5-bedroom Old Town ski home offers a private bath for each bedroom, a wet bar, two-way fireplace, private hot tub and a heated garage. During the winter season, daily housekeeping and complimentary in town shuttle service is available, and the villa always offers a personalized check-in and a private concierge giving the guests a top-notch experience.

In addition to skiing, both destinations in Utah have other fun snow activities including Heli-ski and Snowcat tours, snowmobiling, sleigh rides, jet or helicopter charter and Utah Olympic Park where visitors can ride the official bobsled track of the 2002 Olympics.

In one of the most sought out ski destinations, Colorado, skiers will find The Colorado Lodge, a 3,250 square foot private penthouse offering dynamic ski mountain and valley views. This is the perfect place for a couples retreat with friends as it accommodates eight guests with traditional bedding and up to 10 with the use of a trundle bed and twin pullout. Located on the 11^th floor this 4-bedroom, den, 4.5 bath penthouse features a fully-equipped commercial kitchen, dining area, family room with moss rock fireplace, wine cave, and an outdoor terrace with seating and a commercial gas grill. The most valuable amenities of this winter vacation haven are its definitive ski-in/ski-out location with full access to The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch’s five-star services and amenities including daily housekeeping and turndown services, overnight laundry service, private chef available upon request, babysitting services, 24-hour in-room dining, complimentary Wi-Fi and more.

Arrabelle 655 at Vail Square in Colorado brings the warmth and character of the European Alps indoors with its imported French and Austrian antiques. Being located at the base of North America’s #1 ski resort and just steps from the Eagle Bahn Gondola coupled with providing Arrabelle Resort’s high-end in-suite services provides one-of-a-kind appeal to die-hard skiers. This luxurious 5-bedroom boasts striking ski mountain views from every window, two master suites and a wraparound 270-degree terrace where guests can relax and enjoy the spectacular views or use the commercial gas grill to prepare a meal. After a long day on the slopes, visitors will want to warm up in the rooftop hot tub while taking in the Vail Mountain scenery.

In addition to value-added amenities at the villas, Villas of Distinction’s expert concierges provide every client a personalized encounter planning every aspect of the trip from the time they leave until the time of their return. A villas concierge customizes every vacation to the client’s needs from home to airport transfers; pre-stocked groceries; and villa yoga and massages to booking tours and excursions; ski lift tickets; chef services and restaurant reservations, customers won’t need to lift a finger or waste precious time planning the vacation.

So, get friends and family together to start planning the next big ski vacation. You can’t beat the value of quality time with family and friends, space, privacy and the chance to be spoiled with personalized service and high-end amenities that a hotel room doesn’t offer.

The villa experts at Villas of Distinction want to spoil you with a full-service villa vacation experience. For more information or to book a luxurious villa rental, call a Villa Specialist at 800-289-0900 or visit VillasofDistinction.com.

 

Villas of Distinction_®, as part of World Travel Holdings, is a full-service premier luxury villa provider with an extensive portfolio of thousands of privately-owned villas in more than 50 luxurious destinations including the Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii, Costa Rica, Belize, Italy, France, Greece, Spain, Thailand, Croatia, the Continental United States and many private Islands. For nearly 25 years, Villas of Distinction and its team of expert concierges have been helping travelers find a vacation home without a membership fee. The company takes pride in offering customized vacations to meet every imaginable need, with most villas featuring private pools, butlers, maids and chefs. www.VillasofDistinction.com

 

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WeNeedaVacation Expert Reports Cape Cod, Nantucket & Martha’s Vineyard Rental Price Hike, Offers Tips

Vacationers booking their vacation homes on the Cape and Islands may or may not have noticed a small price increase for the weekly costs from last summer to this one. On average, listing prices have gone up 3-4%, according to Jeff Talmadge of WeNeedaVacation.com. Talmadge and his site specialize in advertising vacation rentals on Cape Cod, Nantucket, and Martha’s Vineyard.

“There’s no science dictating how homeowners price their rentals,” Talmadge says, “and it’s important for vacationers to do plenty of research before putting down a deposit.”

Although renters begin booking their Cape and Islands vacation rentals as early as Christmastime or before, Talmadge says there are still plenty of properties available and deals to be had. “Even this late in the bookings season, I predict we’ll be getting about 150 new homes on WeNeedaVacation.com from listers who have just bought or renovated a home or whose current advertisements aren’t getting the job done,” Talmadge says. “They are able to list with us just 2 or 3 months to fill any remaining vacancies.” To get a great deal, he says, it’s important to use vacation search engines like WeNeedaVacation to sort by price and even such amenities as “Walk to beach” or “Waterviews” – and check back frequently. He discusses the matter in further detail in his appearance on FOX 25 Boston.

Here are more tips from Talmadge:

• A week’s rental on Cape Cod, on average, costs $2,737, Martha’s Vineyard is at $3,636, and a rental on Nantucket, the most expensive, will run about $4,800.
• If you want to get a good deal, the closer you get to summer when booking a rental, the fewer amenities you should insist on.
• Cost-conscious vacationers should be sure to check for any Last-minute Availability Alerts or Owner Specials.
• Though renters may not want to hear it, the price increase is a good thing for the local economy – it means it’s finally recovering from the recession.
• Before putting down a deposit, it’s important to speak with the homeowner by phone if at all possible. And always use a lease for protection.

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HouseTrip has over 100,000 private holiday rentals to choose from

HouseTrip.com has over 100,000 private holiday rentals to choose from.  Here are five options:

1. A ROMANTIC HIDEAWAY IN SHIMMERING SANTORINI FROM £62/NIGHT
Enjoy Greece’s most picturesque island from the comfort of a cave house, tucked into the hills and a five-minute walk from the island’s capital, Fira. This elegant little gem has one double bedroom and can accommodate up to four guests. The house features a private sea-facing sun terrace, complete with loungers, from which guests can relax and soak up the glittering views of the Caldera and volcano from just £62 per night. Book through HouseTrip.com on www.housetrip.com/en/rentals/64428 or by calling 0203 463 0087.

2. BASK ON THE BEACH IN BARCELONA FROM £69/NIGHT
Barcelona is a key sunshine destination for those who want to combine sightseeing and great nightlife with lounging on the beach. This stylish apartment is located mere moments from the beach, while remaining within easy walking distance from the heart of the lively city. It has two bedrooms, a spacious living area and can comfortably accommodate up to five people. Guests can enjoy the Barcelona sunrise on the charming terrace that looks down towards the sea, and all from just £69 per night. Book through HouseTrip.com on www.housetrip.com/en/rentals/68173 or by calling 0203 463 0087.

3. PEACE AND PRIVACY ON PRINCE’S ISLAND IN ISTANBUL FROM £86/NIGHT
The island of Buyukada, the largest of the Prince’s Islands, is just a stone’s throw away from the city of Istanbul. There are no cars allowed on the island so peace and tranquility are guaranteed for those who want to get away from it all and explore the lush forest and beaches. This two-bedroom apartment costs from £86 per night and can accommodate up to four people. It features a balcony with stunning views of the Marmara Sea and the neighboring Heybeli Island. Book this apartment through HouseTrip.com on www.housetrip.com/en/rentals/87619 or by calling 0203 463 0087.

4. SIGHTSEE IN THE SUNSHINE IN ROME FROM £288/NIGHT
Live like a Roman Emperor in this luxury apartment superbly located in front of the famous Pantheon temple. The apartment was fully renovated in 2010 and can accommodate up to six people. It includes a modern fully fitted kitchen, two double bedrooms, two bathrooms as well as a large lounge and dining room, and all the amenities a modern traveler would expect. This typically Italian apartment has been authentically decorated with antique touches, and is perfect for culture vultures that want to be right in the center of Rome’s incredible history. Book through HouseTrip.com on www.housetrip.com/en/rentals/97819 or by calling 0203 463 0087.

5. RELAX IN A RIAD IN MARRAKECH FROM £959/NIGHT
Get lost in a luxurious Riad in Morocco’s most exotic city. This beautiful house accommodates up to 23 guests, with ten exquisitely decorated bedrooms, an indoor pool and various hidden-away nooks for pure relaxation. It’s the perfect oasis from which to explore the Souks of Marrakech or take a camel ride through the desert. When the heat gets too much, retire up to the Riad’s vast sun terrace and take shelter under the draping canopies. Book through HouseTrip.com on www.housetrip.com/en/rentals/18874 or by calling 0203 463 0087.

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