Villas rented directly from owners?

[bonniejoy03]

Does anyone know of a website or contact information for villa rentals directly from the owner? We have found that certain times of the year (typically off season), renting directly is economically more feasible. Has anyone found this to be the case?

[curtiejoe]

Hi bonniejoy



When my wife and I visited Costa Rica last November, we stayed at a wonderful luxury resort on the Gulf of Papagayo. While there, we heard about a number of fabulous private villas for rent in various part of Costa Rica. They sounded very attractive, so I dug deeper and obtained the following website addresses : http://www.costaricavillas.com/http://www.villascostarica.com/index1.html that provide detailed information on numerous such private villas for rent. The beauty of all of these, is that they're often big enough to accommodate from two to six couples att a time! To me, that's a great way to take family or friends on a vacation in Costa Rica for a fraction of the cost of staying in a resort. Plus, you have your privacy and flexibility to do as little or as much as you want. Hope this helps you.



Curt

[bonniejoy03]

Thanks CurtieJoe: This is great information. My sister also directed me to a web site called vacation rentals by owners (www.vrbo.com. Verify Address.) This shows rental properties around the world. Its quite nice. I think you also save some fees by renting this way. I like the villa rental idea for Costa Rica. We go twice a year. It would definitely save us money! (unless we keep getting LL properties!!!)

[curtiejoe]

Hi bonniejoy



I'm happy the links on villa rentals in Costa Rica are useful to you. I knew from your past posts that you frequently travel to Costa Rica and Nicaragua (especially to Morgan Rock). To me, staying in a large private villa has a lot of benefits not available at resorts. It'd be a wonderful thing if LL actually included some private villas in their auction packages. Then anyone perusing the LL site would have the option of bidding on either the more traditional luxury resorts/hotels or on just as luxurious private rental accommodation.



Curt

[bonniejoy03]

Hi Curt. Yes, I have seen a wonderful villa offered by LL. It is the one in St. Barths. I had actually looked at staying there last year. It is offered by the villa company that we would have rented with. I hope it is offered in 2008 because I have booked all of my 2008 trips already! Looks like LL is listening to our needs!

[curtiejoe]

Hi bonniejoy



I'm amazed. You truly are wonderfully organized to have all your travel plans for 2008 already booked. WOW! I wish I could plan as far ahead myself. Usually, if we can book our vacation itineraries six months ahead we're doing very well. Glad you saw the villa for rent in St.Barths. It looks absolutely stunning!



Curt

[bonniejoy03]

Curtie Joe. My error. Travel plans are finalized for 2007 not 2008!!! I am keeping my eyes and ears open for 2008 travel now and hope the St. Barth's villa stays on! We will be in the area in May so will check it out. Sorry about that error!

[cruisinred]

Another "technique" I've used to get good rates by renting directly is by trying to find the owner's personal website after seeing the villa featuredon a rentalagency website. By renting directly instead of through an agency, its possible to save big $$$. Sometimes rental agencies try to get tricky and change the name of the villa from the actual name (to make it more difficult to find it directly)...but googling by the villas location and critiera (# of bedrooms etc) usually works.



Here is the villa/castle we rented for our wedding in Tuscany 4 years ago. We rented directly with the owners and saved molto euro.

[curtiejoe]

Hi cruisinred



I've got to hand it to you. You are very clever! In all our many years of travel, I've never thought of contacting the owner of a private villa directly. Wonderful to know that you rented the one in Tuscany shown in your photo and got fabulous-looking accommodation for a fabulous price. Thanx for the marvellous suggestion. I'll be googling villas in Costa Rica 'your way' from now on.



Curt

[cruisinred]

curtiejoe-



Good luck with your search for accomodation in Costa Rica. As someone mentioned above, the website www.vrbo.com is very useful for owner direct rentals.



I'm not sure how many bedrooms you'd need, but I can recommend the "rustic chic" beachside place I stayed in in Malpais, Costa Rica. Its run by a French woman...so of course the food is amazing.



http://www.milarepahotel.com/