For Agents: Top things to ask a villa client

If you have a client who is considering booking a villa, please use these tips on what to ask them in advance so that we, the specialist operator, will be able to suggest the ideal property for them and ensure you have satisfied and loyal clients.

Location Location Location….
One of the most important things to know is what they want around their property. Do they want to be steps from the beach, walking distance to attractions, or far from anyone else and not visible to others?  Villas can’t be moved, so if the clients arrive at their villa only to discover it’s not in a suitable location, it can be difficult to find a suitable alternative, especially in peak seasons.

Who exactly is travelling?
This is critical to ensure the bedding requirements for all those travelling. For instance, we recently had an enquiry for 6 adults, only to discover, after asking for further details that this included two nannies and a bodyguard! This would require a much different villa than a family travelling together. It’s also important to know if twin beds or king beds are needed in each of the bedrooms. If children are travelling, their ages are needed as some villas will not come with cots or high chairs as standard and will need to be pre-booked. If it does involve extended families or nannies, then separate guest cottages may be the ideal option.

What facilities do they want?
People expect and want different things when they travel so it’s important to know in advance what they want their villa to include. This can include a gym with specific equipment, a games or media room to keep the kids entertained or a tennis court. Some may need to work and will appreciate an office space with a printer and high speed internet. Barbeques, bar and entertainment areas are usually requested for larger groups.   Pools are the most requested facility but not all villas have them, and some may have shared pools so if this is the case then ensure clients are aware of this.

Staff Expectations
The service levels that individual clients expect can vary dramatically. Some clients will want full service inclusive of butlers and chefs, whilst others will want to be more independent and cook their own meals and not have staff on hand all day. The vast majority of properties will have daily housekeeping services and laundries on property, however some may only provide housekeeping a few days a week.  For those who expect meals to be provided, it’s important to know how sophisticated they expect this service. A professionally trained chef differs from a home trained cook and sample menus can sometimes be provided in advance so clients are aware of the standard and types of food that will be provided.

Villa Style

Villas are usually privately owned homes, meaning that no two properties are the same and can vary greatly in terms of style, architecture and furnishings. This can also be true if you are booking a villa or home which is part of a community or development.  It’s important to know your client and what their tastes are so that we can suggest a villa they will feel at home in or what type of property they want to experience when they are on holiday. Properties can range from ultra-contemporary or palatial to very rustic or traditional with lots of antiques. Also keep in mind that security deposits are required for damages and if you book a villa with expensive artifacts that are then damaged, the  bill on their return home can be a hefty one!