There are endless possibilities in today’s age of lodging accommodations; Sometimes, you want to live privately like you own the property in the city you are visiting, and sometimes you want the 5-star amenities at the tip of your fingertips. We have developed a comprehensive pro and con list of each option to help you make your decision when deciding where and how to vacay.
Villa Vacation
Villa / Private Apartment:
Pros
- Immersed in the culture
- Economically priced better than hotel per week/month
- Private Space
- Larger than hotel room (We like this one the best)
- Private amenities all to yourself: ie; gym, Swimming pool
- Home-like atmosphere
- Kitchen
Cons
- Cleaning services not provided
(You can mitigate this by hiring a maid)
- Going out of Villa for food (no restaurants in lobby- because there is no lobby)
(You can mitigate this by hiring a personal chef and driver to take you around the hot spots in town) - Could be lonely
5 Star Hotel
Pros
- Room service: 24 Hours A Day
- Cleaning services: Twice A Day
- Swanky Lounges and Hotel Bars for Meeting and Greeting
- Hotel Spa’s and Pools
- Concierge
- Swanky Atmosphere, People Watching
Cons
- Less space
- Neighbors
- Could Be Overpriced and Overbooked
- Could be noisy
Sun City, South Africa.
Who Wins Where?
Group of Friends in the Mediterranean: no brainer, Villa. With plenty of bedrooms, it’s nice to be in the same house together and not have to worry on knocking on hotel room doors to gather everyone up for a meal.
By yourself Exploring the city: Apartment or Villa. With an apartment or villa in the middle of a historic city, it’s fun living like a local, buying groceries, cooking for yourself, and having space to yourself.
Traveling on Business: 5-star hotel It will have a business center, breakfast, room service, things you do not need to worry about. After a long day of meetings, you can come back knowing you don’t have to cook or clean.
Family Vacation in the Tropics: From the Caribbean to the Mediterranean: Villa. Hire that maid, cook, and driver. You can thank us later.
Now, take a few moments to contemplate what would make your vacation the most relaxing and what you really desire and then consider these factors.
Noise: If noise is something that bothers you then you may prefer a villa. Why? Because you aren’t sharing wall space with others and villa are often located in more remote parts of towns or islands. After all, villas are known for their private and secluded luxury.
Sharing: Does having to share a pool with other guests bother you? If so, a villa may also be better for you. Since it is secluded and only for the current guests, your whole family can post up pool side and not worry about others. However, if you like interacting and meeting other travelers or enjoy having a poolside waiter who can pour endless drinks, then a hotel is better for the social butterflies.
Space: If you are taking a multigenerational trip or have numerous children, a hotel may be hard to fit everyone. Unless your children don’t mind sleeping on a fold-out sofa bed or a cot, then a villa is the way to go. Along with this, as parents, sometimes you want time alone or your privacy – that is why a villa is perfect. Everyone gets their own room and plenty of privacy. Having a living room is also perfect for game nights or a place for parents to hang out while their kids are asleep in their rooms.
However, if you are traveling solo or with other couples, a hotel is a perfect solution. You aren’t sharing a room, therefore, space isn’t a problem! Also, a quiet villa may not be the setting adults hoping to party may have in mind when they think of vacation.
Location: You know what travelers say “location, location, location!” If being near the action – bars, main streets, attractions and restaurants – matters to you, then a high-end hotel is where you should stay. Often times they are in the heart of a city. Meanwhile, villas are often set into rustic and quiet countryside or away from the action. At a villa, you may be a short drive to the action!
Room Service: Do you count on breakfast in bed? Late night dinner in the room? At a villa, this won’t be realistic. You will likely be cooking your own meals since you have access to a kitchen. Some travelers love to cook on vacation while others prefer to eat out as much as possible and taste the local cuisine. If getting to a restaurant easily and conveniently is something that matters to you, then a high-end hotel is the solution. Again, since they are situated in the heart of the action you can go out to eat easily and have the convenience of room service at the touch of a button.
Amenities: Think fitness center, kids’ club, concierge, bars and restaurants. If these amenities are important to you then a high-end hotel is better for your needs.
If you want the best of both worlds, you can always stay at a Villa that is also a luxe hotel: Villa Aminta, Lago di Maggiore, villa Feltrinelli in Lago di Garda, Villa D’este in Lago di Como, and Villa Crespi in Lago di Orta.
By Kristina Scuoteguazza & Mahogany Turner-Francis
