Traveltalkonline.com Forums


SXM Cruise Schedule TTOL Sponsors SXM Travel Calendar
Forum Statistics
Forums39
Topics39,378
Posts319,315
Members26,665
Most Online3,755
Sep 23rd, 2024
Top Posters(30 Days)
bdeeley 83
jazzgal 39
RonDon 35
jomarc 32
fabila 31
GaKaye 31
Todd 26
erb923 25
Member Spotlight
lhbsurf
lhbsurf
East Tennessee
Posts: 196
Joined: January 2003
Today's Birthdays
CDJ
Who's Online Now
7 members (WWII, IWIWSE, louismcc, sxmpete, IslandBoi, 2 invisible), 851 guests, and 240 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,647
Traveler
OP Offline
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,647
Does the thread count matter?
Air-conditioned or ceiling fans?
Internet access?
Ocean view from a hill?
Number of bedrooms?
King-size beds or Queen?
Bathtub or Showers?
Maid service daily or every other day?

Please add to the list....

Please help me in deciding to rent or not to rent? Thanks!


SXM Sponsors
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 19,342
Likes: 2
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 19,342
Likes: 2
TV, Pool and BBQ

Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,647
Traveler
OP Offline
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,647
TV smile Pool wink BBQ charcoal or propane?

Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 19,342
Likes: 2
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 19,342
Likes: 2
Propane is a lot easier and less messy.

Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,647
Traveler
OP Offline
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,647
Thanks! I agree safer and less messy. I do think food taste better on a charcoal grill but will consider a propane grill.

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,499
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,499
Does the thread count matter? No
Air-conditioned or ceiling fans? a/c
Internet access? yes
Ocean view from a hill? yes
Number of bedrooms? two+
King-size beds or Queen? King
Bathtub or Showers? showers
Maid service daily or every other day? every other

Bathrooms 2+
Outdoor sitting area
Outdoor dining area
Privacy
Pool
Dishwasher
Icemaker
Well-equipped kitchen

Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,647
Traveler
OP Offline
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,647
Ice Maker? Don't have? Everything else I can check off. will lots of ice cube trays work for you?

Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,556
Likes: 2
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,556
Likes: 2
Good sheets, pillows, towels
water view/access,
good kitchen (gas preferred) and decent selection of cookware (I love to cook but not every meal)
blender & a pitcher for lemonade etc.
coffee filters (forgot to bring some last trip)
wine bottle opener
pool
Hubby says big TV but I say no TV (lol)
a selection of books

actually, in March Beachside Villas had all we could want and more.

Joined: May 2012
Posts: 681
J
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
J
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 681
We make ice every day and put the cubes in a bowl in the freezer, sometimes twice a day for freezer drinks!

Ceiling fans and AC, sometimes the fan is enough

Washing machine - dryer rack can work if no dryer - cuts down on clothes we take, nice to refresh bathing suits during the wk or some shirts or? - not really any trouble, quick load in the am, dry when home from beach - probably depends how long you are staying

We take a kitchen knife, but are picky on knives

J&B

Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,556
Likes: 2
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,556
Likes: 2
Oh yes John & Bev---forgot ceiling fans. And washer/ dryer would be great

Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,647
Traveler
OP Offline
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,647
Need to buy new coffee maker, five burner stove with griddle is new, actually everything in the kitchen cabinets was not damaged. No selection of books but I find most people use kindles or don't like my selection of authors... haha. Wine bottle opener? I think I have a few wink

Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,647
Traveler
OP Offline
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,647
Knives no problem but actually I never had a clothes dryer. The clothes line was huge and held three loads of wash and the sun/ breeze dried the clothes unless it rained.
Still thinking on a clothes dryer?

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 763
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 763
Originally Posted by RonDon
Oh yes ---forgot ceiling fans.


If you are buying ceiling fans, get Fanelite Ceiling Fans. They are great! Get them in Hope Estates.


--ChiTownHarry
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,647
Traveler
OP Offline
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,647
Fanelite Ceiling Fans? I will check them out. I really don't like air condition and find the ceiling fans are fine. Considering a big air condition unit in Living room but really I feel the other rooms don't need a/c.

Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 263
L
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
L
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 263
I'd prefer no maid service or once weekly....hubby needs be in touch with the office in the mornings and we find that the maid is distracting

Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,647
Traveler
OP Offline
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,647
I think if the maid arrived after 10 AM it would give the guests time for coffee and their morning routine... Pack for the beach and let the maid change the bedding and clean up the kitchen and bathrooms. Once a week is OK if it is a studio but a three bedroom, four bathroom villa would need a little more attention.

Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,847
Likes: 3
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,847
Likes: 3
Internet access is an absolute must
King sized beds
A/C in the bedroom, a must. A/C in the living room is very nice.
Ice maker is not a must, so long as there are lots of ice cube trays.
Showers, for sure, no bathtubs.
Dishwasher is very nice
Don't have to have daily housekeeping, but at least every other day is a must.
Washing machine AND a dryer would be a LOVELY amenity
Grill is a MUST, propane is easier.


Carol Hill
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,647
Traveler
OP Offline
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,647
I was thinking two twin beds that can be connected to make a king in two bedrooms and a King in the Master of course.
The clothes dryer is becoming a reality if I were to rent. Propane BBQ instead of my smokey joe frown and A/C in the bedrooms is not something I considered because the breeze and the ceiling fans are very comfortable. Internet access is not available at the moment so I would have to bring in wifi... Lots to think about.

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,499
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,499
Yes, I could live without an icemaker. I actually rarely use ice here at home, but it seems more important on vacation wink

Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,847
Likes: 3
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,847
Likes: 3
For me, personally, a/c in the bedroom is an absolute necessity. You are talking about what will make people BOOK and what will make them not. Perhaps there is a wonderful breeze and a/c may not be necessary for most people, but there is a good percentage of people that would not book anywhere that a/c is not available. Same is true with internet. I think you will find that internet is pretty much a requirement for rentals these days, almost anywhere.


Carol Hill
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 19,342
Likes: 2
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 19,342
Likes: 2
That would be a deal breaker for me. Three couples go together to rent the place. Who gets the King? All three should have a king bed.

Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 19,342
Likes: 2
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 19,342
Likes: 2
"For me, personally, a/c in the bedroom is an absolute necessity. You are talking about what will make people BOOK and what will make them not."
Correct. An absolute must.

Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,912
B
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
B
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,912
Does the thread count matter? Not to me, as long as the quality is good.
Air-conditioned or ceiling fans? A/C in the bedroom is a must. Anywhere else is a bonus.
Internet access? A must.
Ocean view from a hill? Definitely, unless you plan to slash your rental price to match the lack of view.
Number of bedrooms? 2 is good.
King-size beds or Queen? I prefer a king, but I can live with a true queen, but not a full/double masquerading as a queen. Stuffing two singles together? Just no.
Bathtub or Showers? Shower. A bathtub is a waste of water.
Maid service daily or every other day? Daily, with Sundays and Holidays off works. I can get by just fine with every other day when renting as a 1BR.

I've rented many, many villas since I sold my place on the French side. "Thinking" my way through a few of my favorites, here are some of the things which I found to be either Must Haves, Nice To Haves, or just Nice Touches:

A decent sound system with outside speakers and a Sonos box (internet radio, smartphone app, stream your own music) is nice to have (but cranking the volume and rocking the 'hood isn't cool).
A hammock is very nice to have.
An icemaker is nice to have, but only if the filters are changed on a regular basis.
A shady place to read - I read a lot when I'm on vacation.
A safe large enough to store an iPad Pro or a laptop.
Adapter plugs so that both European and US guests can plug into outlets. Most (all?) "power bricks" and "wall worts" are multi-voltage these days, so a transformer shouldn't be necessary for guests.
Access to a washer and dryer is a major plus, but not a requirement.
If there is satellite TV, which I would rarely watch, US satellite TV such as Dish Network.
A reasonable selection of cookware/utensils/glassware/dinner ware/basic spices (I'll settle for salt and cheap pepper grinder) such that I can do basic cooking/entertaining for 6 people (I once rented a villa on St Barth which had no corkscrew!) Plan on breakage, so buy for more than 6.
Toaster, coffeemaker
A hairdryer which actually dries hair
A list of important phone numbers such as villa manager, emergency numbers such as fire/police, perhaps a list of favorite restaurants
Kleenex!
I'm reaching here, but a wi-fi printer which I could use to print boarding passes, including from an iOS device
A makeup mirror.
A "leftovers" drawer, for leftover sunscreen and bug stuff - invaluable when you forget to pack one your own.
Another drawer for reusable shopping bags.
Sufficient hangers in the closet. Even better, more than sufficient so that I don't have to borrow from the 2nd bedroom.






Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,647
Traveler
OP Offline
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,647
Thanks! Everyone's feed back is so helpful... keep it coming please. There is so many amenities I did not even think of.
I had kept it very simple for my husband and myself. My At&t service gives me enough data for my usage but I can understand
when renting how important in house internet would be. I do everything on an ipad and wifi printer in New York.

Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 357
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 357
Originally Posted by sxmmartini
Does the thread count matter? Not really
Air-conditioned or ceiling fans? AC definitely in bedrooms
Internet access? Yes, a must
Ocean view from a hill? Yes a view of sorts, doesn't need to be from a hill.
Number of bedrooms? Depends on number of people.
King-size beds or Queen? Either
Bathtub or Showers? Shower
Maid service daily or every other day? Every other day

Please add to the list....

Please help me in deciding to rent or not to rent? Thanks!


Pool with nice deck area.
Safe
Washer
Grill- prefer charcoal
Coffee maker
Blender
No smoking
Parking
Walk to beach

Enjoy!

Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,647
Traveler
OP Offline
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,647
I forgot about smokers! I hate ashtrays and smoke in the villa. How in the world would I control that?.
I would have to have the maid report the violation and impose some warning and tell the villa manager who by the way smokes cigars!

Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,847
Likes: 3
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,847
Likes: 3
Safe is a must, for sure. As far as smoke, many places have rules about no smoking inside.


Carol Hill
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 559
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 559
I would add secure off street parking.
And screens on all windows and doors. An odd thing but not all properties have them in the islands.
Without screens you can't enjoy the topical breezes without the bugs.


GaryB
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 717
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 717
I think I've got all that covered at my place, except no dishwasher or clothes dryer. Also, I have screens which are rare indeed.

Joined: May 2005
Posts: 309
M
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
M
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 309
We once had Dish but everything was in French.... 10 days of English CNN.


[Linked Image]
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,647
Traveler
OP Offline
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,647
Originally Posted by dannan
I think I've got all that covered at my place, except no dishwasher or clothes dryer. Also, I have screens which are rare indeed.


Sounds like your all set... I decided to go with air conditioning in all rooms, internet for sure, dishwasher and clothes dryer. Our Brunswick billiard table survived the hurricane so it will be fun for guests, still thinking about a hammock on the roof terrace and storage for repeat renters.
[Linked Image]

Got an ocean view too!

Last edited by sxmmartini; 04/04/2018 03:19 PM.
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,847
Likes: 3
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,847
Likes: 3
Not sure why a villa would need storage for repeat renters. What would they store? Many people store cooking utensils, knives, umbrellas, coolers, chairs, that kind of thing. To me, those things should already be provided in a properly furnished villa.


Carol Hill
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,647
Traveler
OP Offline
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,647
I agree chairs, umbrellas, coolers etc. would be available but I have friends for the past 28 years that have stored stuff in my storage room. What they leave behind runs the gamut. They were not renting the villa but had timeshares mostly at Pelican and Oyster Bay Beach Resort. Snorkel equipment, golf clubs and things they did not want to pack for airline travel. Projection for availability is 2019. Lots of work to be done!

Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,278
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,278
Is there a covered and shaded area for outdoor dining? One of my favorite villas in Anguilla has a large terrace with plants, couches, a hammock, and dining table. All outside.


"It is good to do nothing all day, and then to rest" wink
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,647
Traveler
OP Offline
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,647
Shade is a must... plenty of shade to sit outside for dining. I actually never sit inside for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Miss the place so much but will be back in May 2018.

Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,847
Likes: 3
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,847
Likes: 3
OK, why is that your problem?? Sounds like something that friends expect you to do for free. Not sure how it is related to renting out the villa.


Carol Hill
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,278
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,278
Wow Martini! You are wayyyyy too nice. I would be charging per square foot for storage of their crap! Hopefully these are VERY good friends! If you aren't staying at my place, have a timeshare, and are just "using" me for a place to put your things? Yikes! uh uh...ain't happening.

You are a better person than I! Family might get that treatment, or EXCELLENT friends that things are reciprocal with me. JMO

Last edited by BeachKitten; 04/04/2018 06:22 PM.

"It is good to do nothing all day, and then to rest" wink
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 19,342
Likes: 2
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 19,342
Likes: 2
I don't see why you and Carol ar questioning sxmmartini for his generosity of storing things for friends he has known for over 28 years. I would do the same for my friends if asked to or would actually volunteer to do it for them. I have kept a box on island with friends for many years. I have to force them to take any thing for their trouble. Friends are friends and I admire sxmmartini for being such a good friend to others. Great example for others to follow.

Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,288
P
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
P
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,288
Real king bed
AC
Washer
Pool with privacy
Safe
Internet

Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,847
Likes: 3
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,847
Likes: 3
OK the point was that SHE said that she needed to provide space for her friends, and I assume for free. And yes, martini is a lady...


Carol Hill
Page 1 of 2 1 2

Link Copied to Clipboard
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5