With luxury rentals booming, finding a good online broker is trickier than ever. Here’s a four step guide.
STEP 1. The best villas get booked a year in advance, so it pays to plan ahead.
STEP 2. Focus in on a specific area you want to visit and a price you are willing to pay. This will narrow down the number of regional specialists (see Resources).
STEP 3. Do a background check. Some brokers brokers are registered with the Better Business Bureau (bbb.org): otheres are partnered with trustworthy companies like American Express. Ask for references and make sure the broker employs a concierge or representative nearby. (If a pipe bursts in your Barbados villa at 3 am. for example, you won’t want to wait until the morning hours to call your broker in New York.)
STEP 4. Sweat the small stuff. Ask for a floor plan: often rooms are of varying sizes, an issue if you’re dividing the bill. If a villa is described as near the beach, find out exactly what that means, and how you access the ocean. If it’s on the water’s edge, is the beach sandy or rocky? Is it private or open to the public? Ask for its GPS coordinates and check it with Google Earth.
HAWAII
HAWAIIHIDEAWAYS.COM Operated by locals, this broker has 150 villas spread throughout the islands; prices start at $5,000 per week. It also serves as an adventure fixer, organizing surf lessons and rounds of golf.
We had a wonderful time at Sail Away and I recommended Hawaii Hideaway to dozens of people. You were a delight to work with and I will definitely use you again the next time we rent a home in the islands.
Roseville, CA
Like a Dream
Bliss doesn’t even describe our experience. It was almost like a dream. We are ready to do this again with Hawaii Hideaways – you guys are the best. Everything was perfect!!!
Amarillo, TX
Outstanding Experience From Beginning to End
It was in an outstanding experience from beginning to end, I would work with Hawaii hideaways again in the future unquestionably. Sunny Madeiros was terrific with her recommendations of everything from leisure activities to restaurants and even equipment rentals.
Coral Gables, FL
Perfect Combination of Elegance and Comfort
First time to Maui (and Hawaii). This is a spectacular setting and the home is a perfect combination of elegance and comfort. I could stay on the lanai all day long and be happy. Of course there’s a ton of fun activities, but it was great to have Gull Cottage as our base to come back to!
Arlington Heights, IL
You’re Going to Want to Stay
Our family spent a splendid week in Kauai in early 2017, basing ourselves out of the Touching Green house. It’s in a great location, has everything you need, and is just lovely. The pictures don’t do it justice. You’re going to want to stay!
New Rochelle, NY
A Treasured Memory For Life
We had a wonderful time in Kauai! We remained in awe at the unimaginable beauty, both of the rental home, as well as Kauai itself. It will be a treasured memory for life. I hope we can come back and make more memories.