What is a Villa?

Do you want a hassle-free vacation from start to finish? Villa rentals combine all the best parts of your favorite holidays and a world of destination options with a human element that no other type of accommodation can match. We like to say that after you've tried a villa rental holiday, going back to hotels just isn't an option.

Here's what they're all about:

Villas aren't timeshares; they've got nothing to do with destination clubs and they involve no long-term commitments. These homes are luxurious private residences made available by their owners as holiday accommodations. You can rent a villa at any time of the year, for a week or two or even longer—no fixed dates, no blackout periods dictating when and where you can go to relax.

They're also not reserved just for the rich and famous with big celebrity budgets. Villa rates vary depending on the number of guests, but there is always just one price to split between everyone. That includes the house, all of its amenities, and dedicated staff in some cases. With several families or couples traveling together, even the most luxurious villas can be a more economical option than hotels.

Villas of all sizes are scattered across the world's hottest destinations, so finding the right one is never a problem, wherever you want to go. Stay on a cliffside in Cabo San Lucas overlooking the Pacific, a villa sitting beachfront in St Barts, or a historic farmhouse dominating the Tuscan countryside.

Absolutely every kind of traveler can find a villa that's suited just perfectly for them.

How Do I Rent a Villa?

Renting a villa starts with a simple request for information. You can call us from the beginning, or use the website. On every villa webpage, you'll notice a button where you give as much, or as little, detail as you'd like about your travel plans. Using the forms doesn't mean you've booked or committed to anything – it's just a jumping off point to tell us about your interests. We take it from there, assigning a villa specialist to guide you through in selecting the best villa based on your needs and travel dates.

But choosing your villa is just the beginning.

If you decide to book a property, villa holidays let you customize your vacation experience with extra services and tailor-made staffing. Have a snorkeling tour of St. John or tee-times at Maui's best golf courses organized in advance. Even have all your favorite foods stocked in the fridge and a few special gourmet dinners catered on nights of your choice. That's all part of the complimentary concierge service offered by Nagisa Bali.

When you arrive, we let you know exactly how to get to the property or who is going to be at the airport to meet you. Either a manager or house book will be there to guide you through the villa's unique ins and outs. A Nagisa Bali representative is also just a phone call away if you ever need anything.

Finally, Nagisa Bali works with you after you've returned home to settle any outstanding orders of business (ie returning your security deposit). We're also happy to receive photos from your trip. Seeing the happy fruits of our labor is the best part of this business!

From start to finish, renting a villa is an easy, enjoyable process.

• Are the villas equipped with air-conditioning?
• That depends on the location and the time of year you are renting the villa. Some villas may have central air while others cool just the bedrooms. Please refer to the appropriate villa page for exact information.

• Are there any restrictions regarding children?
• That depends on the unique villa owner and its location; if the villa is situated on a cliff, for example, or is filled with breakables. Some owners may place age restrictions or ask for liability waivers. Please refer to the appropriate villa page for exact information.

• What is the cost to rent a villa?
• There are villas for every budget. We offer secluded villas starting from around $300/nt, to private islands from $35,000/nt and have everything in between.

• Is there a minimum night stay?
• Yes, depending on the region, the season and the villa owners. For example, in the Caribbean and Mexico, there is usually a minimum between 3-5 nights. In Europe and Hawaii on the other hand, minimums are more in the range of 5-7 nights. During peak holiday periods, minimums are usually in the vicinity of 10-14 nights.

• Can we have a courtesy hold?
• Yes, we offer courtesy holds of 48 hours with no financial obligations.

• Are there weekly rates?
• No, all our rates are pro-rated on a nightly basis.

• Is there a daily meal charge?
• Some villas include a chef, while others have meal plan options. Meal plan options range from $45-$200/person/day. Depending on the villa, some offer staff to pre-stock your fridge everyday, with a bill for food costs presented to you at the end of your stay. Some villas are completely self-catered.

• Is it possible to add additional guests later?
• Yes, if there is sufficient room. If there is a per guest or per bedroom charge, you will be billed for the additional costs.

• Is the photo in this link the exact villa we would be staying in, along with the views etc.?
• Yes. All of our villas have their own pictures that represent that exact property, excepting a very small number of resort units that resemble each other. Villa specialists may even send you their personal photos from visits to the property.

• Can we hire a cook while we are there?
• Most of our villas have the option of adding cook services where none are included; costs vary by destination.

• Is the pool shared with other guests?
• The vast majority of our villas have their own private pools. Occasionally, some may be shared with other guests in small villa communities.

• How far is the beach? Walking distance?
• That depends on the villa. The beach may be private and right outside your door, a short drive away, or a short walk.

• Is there any night life? How far away?
• That depends on the villa and its location. Some villas are fairly secluded from the action, with the intent on providing maximum privacy. You may also rent a villa right in the heart of town and close to bars and restaurants.

• Who would be our contact for anything we may need while we are there?
• Depending on the villa, there might be a property manager or owner who lives on the property or very close by. Nagisa Bali contacts are also provided to you when you travel.

• Do you have any villa suggestions/recommendations?
• Please visit our main page to see some of our featured villas. You can also sign up to our monthly newsletter to keep up to date on new properties and hot destinations. Our villa specialists are also always available to make recommendations based on your specific needs.

• Are cribs available to rent?
• Yes. Local agencies can provide baby gear to put in your villa where necessary, and our concierge service is happy to make those arrangements.

• Is the price of the unit per person?
• No, all the villa prices are for the entire villa. Rates per night may be listed by bedroom, only as an offer of savings for you; the unoccupied rooms are never rented out to other guests.

• What are some extra expenses (e.g. travel from airport to villa)?
• The villa rental does not include food costs (unless there is a meal plan included), transportation, activities, tax or gratuities.

• Is there vacation insurance to cover costs in case of bad weather?
• No. Refunds are only given if the villa is rendered unlivable or if there are restrictions of entry.

• How do I arrange for transportation?
• We offer our clients a full concierge service, which can assist you in any way possible. Generally, transportation to and from the airport is available and arranged by the concierge before you travel.

• How are groceries obtained?
• Villa pantries can be pre-stocked with a list you provide before arrival. Most villas have grocery stores nearby for pre-stocking and the villa's staff, where applicable, often provides the shopping service.

• Do you offer discounted weekly rates?
• Discounts are at the discretion of the property owner and we will advertise when they are being offered. Discounts may also be considered for stays longer than 14 nights and will be evaluated on a case by case basis.

• How much privacy will we have around the property?
• Most of our properties are as secluded and private as your own home, often with land or vegetation providing a buffer. Some resort community villas may be attached, but remain private units for you and your guests only.

• Will it be possible to renew our wedding vows? Can you help with arrangements?
• Wedding ceremonies are possible depending on the villa and the location. We can have a local wedding coordinator get in contact with you to organize the details.

• Who cleans the villa? Is the maid included?
• Some of our villas have a maid included in the price listed, and frequency depends on the individual properties; please check the villa pages for all the details.

• Do you have any villa suggestions (e.g. where we can play golf)?
• Please visit the appropriate villa pages for all information concerning the different activities offered in the area. A villa specialist can also suggest a number of villas suitable for the kind of holiday you're looking for.

• Is there Internet access?
• Most of our villas have Internet access; connection speed, costs and equipment available varies. Please visit the appropriate villa page for all information.

• Can you provide references from previous clients?
• Yes, simply ask one of our villa specialists for references and we can put you in touch with a client who has rented with us before.

• Can you send me a brochure?
• Please ask one of our villa specialists for a complete PDF format brochure. Hard copies may also be available depending on the season, though all villas aren't included. The best way to view our entire collection of villas is online.

• Is there satellite TV?
• TV connections and channels vary depending on the location. Please refer to the appropriate villa page or ask your villa specialist for that specific information.

GENERAL

PMC

Property Management Company. These are the individual companies in each of our regions that maintain and manage the groups of villas. We consider them our on-location partners. A few villa owners manage their property on their own and do not employ a PMC.

Minimum Night Stay

The minimum number of nights that a villa owner or manager will allow their home to be booked. These may vary from 3 to 14, depending on the destination and time of year. If you're set on a particular property but can't stay the entire time, you may always pay for the minimum.

Waterfront vs. Beachfront

A waterfront villa will either be sitting right against a body of water or have land that extends down to the water, but does not have a beach. Many of these villas still offer swimming out front, however. A villa listed as beachfront always includes a portion of sand.

Alfresco Dining

An area, usually informal, where guests can dine outdoors. This area is sometimes covered.

Transfers

The trip from the local airport to the villa, usually by private taxi. Individual villa owners sometimes include this transportation in the rental rate, but your transfer details are always organized in advance, regardless of who is responsible for payment.

Ensuite Bathrooms

Bathrooms that are located within a bedroom, so that the guest has private access through their suite.

Double Occupancy

A rate that is charged per bedroom when it is occupied by two guests. Most villas do not offer single occupancy discounts – that is, the rate remains the same whether the room will house one or two people – and generally allow a maximum of two adults per bedroom.

Infinity Pool

A pool with a disappearing edge. The effect is often used as a trompe-l'oeil when the villa has views of the sea, so that the pool appears to drop into the sea.

Private Island

A privately-owned island, usually with just a handful of villas for rent. The island may be rented exclusively or, depending on the location, shared with just the guests of the other properties.

Ohana

A Hawaiian guesthouse or cottage.

Lanai

A Hawaiian word to describe any outdoor living space. It may be a patio or terrace, covered or uncovered.>

Estate vs. Villa

Villas located on "estates" (often in Italy and sometimes the Caribbean) generally share common private property with at least one other residence. The large grounds of an estate typically make the distinction unimportant, as the villas remain just as private.

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STAFF

Fully-staffed

A villa that includes at least one individual in each of the basic staff positions – cook, housekeeping and maintenance. A butler may be present as well if the cook does not also serve or act as a manager.

Manager

An on-site villa representative who is on-call to answer questions. Villa managers very seldom live on the property itself, but are always available to help you during your stay.

Maid Service

Housekeeping. Some villas have daily maid service while others offer clean-ups mid-week or sometimes twice per week.

Chef vs. Cook

Villas that include the service of a chef hire someone that is professionally trained and whose only job is to prepare meals for guests. Villa "cooks", on the other hand, often double as housekeepers and usually have no formal training. As a general rule, their dishes are local specialties and leave guests raving!

Butler

A villa's senior staff member – usually in charge of serving as well as general house management.

Gratuities

Staff tips. Tipping the villa staff isn't mandatory. However, as is customary in the travel industry, recognition for a job well done is appreciated.

Maintenance

General villa upkeep. Maintenance technicians sometimes visit the homes mid-week for aesthetic work like gardening and pool cleaning.