Getting the right Windsor Palms Vacation Rental home, along with the right owner, can help make your vacation a magical one. So, where do you start selecting the right vacation home? Every home is different, every home is special in some way - but what matters to you?

Make a list of the features that are very important to you - these are your 'must haves'. These are the things that would greatly impact your stay if you don't have them. For example, if you need high speed internet in the home to keep in touch with work or business, then that item probably belongs on a 'must have' list. If a home doesn't have your 'must haves' then move on the next home.

In addition, think about the features that would be 'nice to have'. These are things that are not absolutely required but would be appreciated if provided. Perhaps having board games provided in the home is not that important - it would be nice but it certainly is not a deal breaker.

When comparing Windsor Palms Vacation Rental homes, remember that extra amenities come with a cost to provide and maintain - some have a negligible cost whereas others are more significant (consider additional purchase costs of items such as a larger pool deck as well as running costs of, say, internet access or premium TV channels). These costs are often reflected in the price so you may want to balance price and amenities. Windsor Palms Vacation Rental homes are still a bargain compared to staying in an equivalent hotel room, so splurge a little. Enjoy your vacation in your vacation home away from home.

Things to think about

Here's a list of things that should be considered - ask about them if they are important to you and it's not clear in the information that you have already.

  • Sleeping arrangements - you'll know the number of bedrooms and how many can sleep there, but this assumes larger beds will be shared. Will your group fit in OK?
  • Meal seating - how many people can be seated at once? In large homes you may need to eat in shifts if there are not enough tables and chairs. Some homes provide outdoor seating for meals too.
  • Cooking utensils - are you planning to cook? Kitchens supplies can be basic or comprehensive so you need to ask about the things that you need. For large groups, are there large pots and pans, how many toasters, coffee-makers, fridges. Is there a freezer or freezer compartment?
  • Outdoor seating - how many can sit at the same time outside. Some places have a shaded lanai area with tables and chairs and others do not.
  • Consumables - generally, vacation rentals are self-catering. Some provide start-up items such as toilet tissue, trash bags, washing powder, dishwasher soap etc and some do not. Make sure you know which things you'll need to purchase at the start of your stay and which things you'll need to purchase during your stay once the initial supply has been used up.
  • Linens - be sure to check if you need to bring linens
  • Cleaning - typically, there's no cleaning service during your stay. Check that there is a vacuum cleaner, dustpan and brush and mop - the things needed to keep the place clean day-to-day.
  • Laundry - where is the nearest washer/dryer. Is it coin operated? Does it require special detergent?

For homes with pool or spa

  • Deck space - how much space is there around the pool or spa itself - is there enough space for sitting?
  • Safety - to help prevent unsupervised access to the pool or spa by children, homes often have a (removable) fence around the pool or spa and/or child-proof alarms on the doors that lead to it.
  • Pool/Spa blanket - in the colder weather heat-loss from the pool is greater at night. Be sure there is a pool blanket available to keep the water warmer, as heating is generally turned off over night.
  • Heating type - some heaters have a dependency on the environment (sun or air temperature) and others consume oil or gas. The oil or gas heaters are much more expensive to run but provide heat no matter what. The environmental ones are designed for typical/common conditions and may not be able to provide enough heat under some circumstances (extended cold or overcast periods). Make sure you know which is provided so that your expectations are set correctly.

Checking out

What you'll need to be before leaving the home varies a great deal from home to home. You should be told what is required, here are a few things that you may be asked to do:

  • Tidy the home up - remove and dispose of trash
  • Remove linens from bed - either leave on floor or put in a specific location
  • Washing/drying linens and towels - using the washing machine/dryer and putting away
  • Cleaning kitchenware - dishes, silverware, pots and pans cleaned and put away
  • Clean the home - vacuum, mop and dust ready for the next guest