HomeAway.com
By Lisa Cheng
If you have ever planned a beach vacation, you've weighed the potentially hefty price of a hotel and the costs on top of it (dining, resort fees, activities, cabana rentals). If you haven't budgeted for all the extra fees, the charges can add up to an eye-popping total that can derail your quest for a relaxing vacation.
Vacation rentals can be an alternative that's lighter on the wallet -- and one that comes with more space, more privacy, and often the same amenities as a full-service resort like a concierge, a cleaning staff, and chefs.
From a five-bedroom villa near a white-sand beach in Jamaica to a thatched-roof bungalow in Bali, these fabulous beach rentals for families and large groups are all more than affordable than staying in a nearby hotel.
Photo Caption: Drinks on the beach at Robinson Cove, Moorea
Rental Tips: Seasons for villa rentals follow the traditional Caribbean calendar, meaning you'll find the most bargains in the least heavily booked months -- January, May, September, and October (but keep in mind that some of those months will fall during hurricane season). Start your search early for summers and holiday weeks -- the best villas book out up to a year in advance.
Our Pick: Southwestern coast of Jamaica
Property: Lime Acre on the Beach
Rental Company: Villas by Linda (www.jamaicavillas.com)
Minimum Night Stay: Seven days
How Much: $114 per person per night (or $8,000 total based on 10 people for one week)
Why We Love It: About a five-minute drive from Whitehouse, this five-bedroom villa comes with snorkeling gear, kayaks, and a pool with panoramic ocean views. On a private pier that juts out into the turquoise waters, you can dine on fresh Caribbean fare prepared by a personal chef.
Compare To: An oceanfront room at a nearby all-inclusive costs $280 per person per night based on double occupancy. Without factoring in the cost of food, that's a total savings of $1,660 if you fill the villa to maximum capacity.
Other Companies to Consider: Lacure Villas (www.lacurevillas.com), Wimco (www.wimco.com), Villas of Distinction (www.villasofdistinction.com), Villas and Apartments Abroad (www.vaanyc.com), Villas Caribe (www.villascaribe.com)
Photo Caption: Lime Acre is a luxury villa on Jamaica's south coast, near Whitehouse.
Rental Tips: St. Barts has more villas than hotel rooms, running the gamut from one-bedroom beach cottages to near palatial compounds. Note that few developments actually border the shore. Try St. Jean or Lorient for oceanfront real estate, says Stiles Bennet, Wimco's president and CEO. Or consider Petit Cul de Sac and the inland Vitet for sweeping ocean views and for feeling like you're in the "middle-of-nowhere" or Gustavia for the capital's vibrant harbor scene.
Our Pick: St. Barts
Property: The one-bedroom Villa WV Cap, on St. Jean Beach
Rental Company: Wimco (www.wimco.com)
Minimum Night Stay: Seven nights
How Much: $157 per person per night based on two people (or $2,198 for two people for seven nights)
Why We Love It: This pastel-hued bungalow plays peek-a-boo with the palm trees -- tucked out of view from passersby, though within steps to the restaurants of St. Jean Beach. The canopy bed, doll-house architecture, and flowering gardens make this Caribbean hideaway a romantic retreat.
Compare To: $1,350 for a beachfront room at a famous hotel, a five-minute walk from the beach
Other Companies to Consider: Sibarth Villa Rentals (www.sibath.com), Ici & La Villas, Marla (www.marlavillas.com), and St. Barth Properties (www.sbpeurope.com).
Photo Caption: WV Cap in St. Barts
Rental Tips: Rental scams in Bali are not uncommon, according to a recent flurry of posts on TripAdvisor's community board. Even sites and agencies that appear legitimate can prove to be spurious (and expensive) affairs. Check to see if your agency is accredited by reputable trade organizations, like ASTA or PATA; they should be working with rentals whose owners have both a license to rent and a tax registration number. Other signs of a legitimate business: it accepts credit cards. Make sure your quote includes the mandatory 21% local tax (which comprises a government tax and service charge).
Our Pick: Kuta, Bali
Property: www.marketingvillas.com)
Minimum Night Stay: Five nights
How Much: From $260 per person per night during high season or $189 during low season (or $12,975/$9,475 total based on 10 people for five nights)
Why We Love It: Atas Ombak, Indonesian for "villa on top of the waves" is exactly what its name suggests. Views of the crystalline ocean are best from the living room, housed in a thatched roof pavilion behind the pool. The full staff (from the villa manager to the room attendants to the cooks) stand at the ready for sprucing up the master suite (furnished with a deep soaking tub and private plunge pool) as well as restocking the entertainment pavilion with DVDs and CDs.
Compare To: $800 for a deluxe suite at a luxury hotel in Legian during high season -- a nightly savings of $140 per person.
Other Companies to Consider: Puri Ganesha Villas (www.puriganesha.com), Bali Villas (www.balivillas.com), Foreign Independent Tours (www.foreign-independent-tours.com), Jetsetter.com, and Lacure Villas (www.lacurevillas.com)
Photo Caption: Villa Atas Ombak, on the beach near Kuta, Bali
Rental Tips: On Hamilton, rates will peak from mid-September to mid-October, and from mid-December throughout the month of January. Plan early if you're scheduling a stay during the Audi Race Weekend (mid- to late August), and be prepared to make a full payment further in advance than during a normal booking period. Surcharges apply when paying by credit cards (1.25% for Visa and MasterCard, and 3.36% for American Express).
Our Pick: Hamilton Island, Whitsunday Islands, Australia
Property: Four-bedroom Hamilton Yacht Club Villa
Rental Company: Hamilton Island Yacht Club
Minimum Night Stay: Three nights in low season; four in high season
How Much: From $161 per person per night (or $3,864 total based on eight people for four nights)
Why We Love It: Australian architect Walter Barda built this timber and stone abode on a waterfront lagoon with unobstructed views of his other architectural masterpiece: the Hamilton Island Yacht Club, which mimics a soaring silhouette of sails. Inside, four bedrooms are spread out on multiple levels. Modern tech touches (flatscreen TVs, Bose sound systems, Miele appliances) make you feel up-to-the-minute, even if you're vacationing on island time. Crowning the villa is a master bedroom suite that has a terrace overlooking Dent passage, a migration path for humpback whales.
Compare To: A boutique hotel with a comparable level of service and luxury costs $611 for two people ($100 more than a Yacht Club Villa per person per night)
Other Companies to Consider: Hamilton Island is the only Whitsunday Island that offers rentals. You can book a wide range of accommodations through Hamilton Island Homes and Rentals (www.hihh.com.au).
Photo Caption: Looking toward the water at Hamilton Island Villas, Whitsunday Islands
Rental Tips: There are a growing number of rentals in French Polynesia, particularly on the islands of Moorea, Tahiti, and Bora Bora, which are at their most affordable from October through May during non-school holidays. On Moorea, villas in Maharepa and Temae will command the highest prices, thanks to the white-sand beaches, mountaintop views, and easy access to shopping and restaurants. Be aware that the most rustic accommodations -- the traditional bungalows -- won't come equipped with air-conditioning. Tipping service staff isn't customary, though guests may always leave gratuities.
Our Pick: Moorea, French Polynesia
Property: Two-bedroom Deluxe Beach Villa, in Robinson's Cove
Rental Company: HomeAway (www.homeaway.com)
Minimum Night Stay: Five nights
How Much: From $107 per person per night (or $3,000 total based on four people for seven nights)
Why We Love It: The setting of this bungalow -- located on a private beach -- hasn't changed since the discovery of Opunohu Bay by Captain James Cook in the 18th century. The villa is equipped with a full kitchen, indoor and outdoor showers, beach chairs and outriggers. Colorful tropical fish swirl around an underwater plateau 80 feet from the shore, making it a perfect spot for snorkeling.
Compare To: A resort in the area costs $525 for a double room, or almost $265 per person.
Other Companies to Consider: Rentals are a relatively new concept in French Polynesia. Tahiti in Style (www.tahitiinstyle.com) offers luxury vacation homes in Moorea and Tahiti; otherwise book on direct owner sites like HomeAway.com, Roomorama.com, and VRBO.com.
Photo Caption: A bedroom on the beach at Robinson Cove, Moorea
Rental Tips: The coastal city of Pattaya has the greatest concentration of reasonably priced luxury rentals, not to mention a solid infrastructure. Sister isles Ko Pha Ngan and Ko Tao will get you more square footage for your baht than on popular Phuket, especially during the rainy and wet seasons (from May to August).
Our Pick: Koh Samui, Thailand
Property: Kisiti, a three-bedroom villa on Plai Laem Beach
Rental Company: VRBO (www.vrbo.com)
Minimum Night Stay: Four nights
How Much: From $75 per person per night (or $1,800 total based on six people for four nights)
Why We Love It: This Thai-style villa in a coconut grove is perfectly configured for families, with two separate pavilions adjoined by a spacious bathroom (one of three on the property). A sala (open pavilion) wraps around the infinity pool and bubbling Jacuzzi, while the master bedroom and living room boast floor-to-ceiling glass sliding doors to take in sweeping ocean views.
Compare To: A resort on the northern end of the beach goes for $614 for two people.
Other Companies to Consider: Jetsetter.com, Roomorama.com, HomeAway.com, FlipKey (www.flipkey.com)
Photo Caption: Kisiti is a modern private luxury villa in a coconut grove at Plai Laem, on the north coast of Koh Samui
Rental Tips: Vacation rentals in Hawaii are regulated by county; local laws in Kauai dictate that rentals -- allowed only in designated visitor areas -- hold a transient vacation license. Though these rules are only periodically enforced, it's a good idea to ask an owner or agency for a home's registration number which, in theory, should already appear in all print and Internet advertising as well as on the front or back doors of the sleeping quarters.
Our Pick: Kauai's North Shore
Property: Two-bedroom eco-friendly bamboo villa, in Haena
Rental Company: HomeAway.com (www.homeaway.com)
Minimum Night Stay: Seven nights
How Much: $99 per person per night (or $2,765 total based on four people for seven nights)
Why We Love It: Perched on stilts, this 1,500-square-foot villa -- made entirely of bamboo has lauhala ceilings and island touches (Hawaiian print bedspreads, decorative surfboards, and hand-carved outriggers). The lanai wraps around the entire perimeter of the property so you can soak up views of the lapping Pacific and the lush tropics from more than one vantage point.
Compare To: An oceanview room at a nearby luxury hotel costs $700 for two people (or $350 per person).
Other Companies to Consider: Tropical Villa Vacations (www.tropicalvillavacations.com), Parrish Collection Kaui (www.parrishkauai.com), and Garden Island Properties (www.kauaiproperties.com)
Photo Caption: Eco-friendly vacation villa on the north shore of Kauai
Rental Tips: Most rentals lie on the French side of St. Martin, in a cluster around the secluded peninsula of Terre Basse Martin (while large resorts make up the majority of accommodations in Dutch territory). Tranquility seekers can find refuge in Baie Longue, while partygoers may want to lodge near Orient Bay, home to lively beach bars. St. Martin's rental inventory runs deep, and even in high season (November to April), a last-minute search can turn up an unexpected value.
Our Pick: St. Martin
Property: 3-bedroom Casa Branca, in Anse Marcel
Rental Company: Villas in Paradise (https://villasinparadise.com)
Minimum Night Stay: Five nights
How Much: From $98 per person per night (or $4,100 total based on six people for seven nights)
Why We Love It: Built into a hillside, this fully air-conditioned villa has an infinity pool and a charming gazebo that both overlook the placid waters of Anse Marcel. Spacious rooms are filled with wicker furniture and objets d'art.
Compare To: A standard room at a newly-renovated hotel off Anse Marcel goes for three times the nightly per person cost of Casa Branca
Other Companies to Consider: Wimco (www.wimco.com), Blue View Escapes (www.blueviewescapes.com), Pierres Caraibes (www.pierrescaraibes.com), and Carimo (www.carimo.com)
Photo Caption: Terrace overlooking the pool at Casa Branca, St. Martin
Rental Tip: As a general rule, the farther from the hub of the island (Grace Bay Beach), the lower a villa will cost, says Tracy Lenz-Pessin, a villa specialist at Massachusetts-based Villas of Distinction. A still-secret enclave: Chalk Sound, a three-mile bay dotted with tiny islets that's only a 20-minute drive from Grace Bay. Carefully monitor your air-conditioning use, cautions Lenz-Pessin, since you'll be charged for it at the end of your stay. You'll also have to pay an 11% island tax that applies to all overnights on Turks & Caicos (villas and hotels alike).
Our Pick: Providenciales, Turks & Caicos
Property: Reef Beach House, in Grace Bay
Rental Company: Wimco
Minimum Stay: Seven nights
How Much: $121 per person based on eight people for seven nights (or $6,800 total)
Why We Love It: Four bedrooms are split into a main house and a guest house connected by a deck and raised walkway. Each of the bedrooms in the main house has its own en-suite bathroom. The artwork and Tommy Bahama furnishings freshen up the interiors, which are as bright and sunny as the outdoors. The deck of the private pool is ample enough for every type of beach activity: sunbathing, sipping cocktails, and dining under the stars; and the location on Provo's most desirable beach can't be beat.
Compare To: At a nearby hotel, a waterfront studio sleeping two costs $460 (or $230 per person) -- nearly double the per person price of the villa
Other Companies to Consider: Ocean Point and Northshore Villas (www.tcvillas.com), Island Escapes (www.islandescapestci.com), Sea Feathers Villa Rentals (www.seafeathers.com), Wimco (www.wimco.com), and Tranquility (www.turkscaicosluxuryvillas.com)
Photo Caption: Reef Beach House, on Provo's Grace Bay Beach
If you have ever planned a beach vacation, you've weighed the potentially hefty price of a hotel and the costs on top of it (dining, resort fees, activities, cabana rentals). If you haven't budgeted for all the extra fees, the charges can add up to an eye-popping total that can derail your quest for a relaxing vacation.
Vacation rentals can be an alternative that's lighter on the wallet -- and one that comes with more space, more privacy, and often the same amenities as a full-service resort like a concierge, a cleaning staff, and chefs.
From a five-bedroom villa near a white-sand beach in Jamaica to a thatched-roof bungalow in Bali, these fabulous beach rentals for families and large groups are all more than affordable than staying in a nearby hotel.
Photo Caption: Drinks on the beach at Robinson Cove, Moorea
Our Pick: Southwestern coast of Jamaica
Property: Lime Acre on the Beach
Rental Company: Villas by Linda (www.jamaicavillas.com)
Minimum Night Stay: Seven days
How Much: $114 per person per night (or $8,000 total based on 10 people for one week)
Why We Love It: About a five-minute drive from Whitehouse, this five-bedroom villa comes with snorkeling gear, kayaks, and a pool with panoramic ocean views. On a private pier that juts out into the turquoise waters, you can dine on fresh Caribbean fare prepared by a personal chef.
Compare To: An oceanfront room at a nearby all-inclusive costs $280 per person per night based on double occupancy. Without factoring in the cost of food, that's a total savings of $1,660 if you fill the villa to maximum capacity.
Other Companies to Consider: Lacure Villas (www.lacurevillas.com), Wimco (www.wimco.com), Villas of Distinction (www.villasofdistinction.com), Villas and Apartments Abroad (www.vaanyc.com), Villas Caribe (www.villascaribe.com)
Photo Caption: Lime Acre is a luxury villa on Jamaica's south coast, near Whitehouse.
Our Pick: St. Barts
Property: The one-bedroom Villa WV Cap, on St. Jean Beach
Rental Company: Wimco (www.wimco.com)
Minimum Night Stay: Seven nights
How Much: $157 per person per night based on two people (or $2,198 for two people for seven nights)
Why We Love It: This pastel-hued bungalow plays peek-a-boo with the palm trees -- tucked out of view from passersby, though within steps to the restaurants of St. Jean Beach. The canopy bed, doll-house architecture, and flowering gardens make this Caribbean hideaway a romantic retreat.
Compare To: $1,350 for a beachfront room at a famous hotel, a five-minute walk from the beach
Other Companies to Consider: Sibarth Villa Rentals (www.sibath.com), Ici & La Villas, Marla (www.marlavillas.com), and St. Barth Properties (www.sbpeurope.com).
Photo Caption: WV Cap in St. Barts
Our Pick: Kuta, Bali
Property: www.marketingvillas.com)
Minimum Night Stay: Five nights
How Much: From $260 per person per night during high season or $189 during low season (or $12,975/$9,475 total based on 10 people for five nights)
Why We Love It: Atas Ombak, Indonesian for "villa on top of the waves" is exactly what its name suggests. Views of the crystalline ocean are best from the living room, housed in a thatched roof pavilion behind the pool. The full staff (from the villa manager to the room attendants to the cooks) stand at the ready for sprucing up the master suite (furnished with a deep soaking tub and private plunge pool) as well as restocking the entertainment pavilion with DVDs and CDs.
Compare To: $800 for a deluxe suite at a luxury hotel in Legian during high season -- a nightly savings of $140 per person.
Other Companies to Consider: Puri Ganesha Villas (www.puriganesha.com), Bali Villas (www.balivillas.com), Foreign Independent Tours (www.foreign-independent-tours.com), Jetsetter.com, and Lacure Villas (www.lacurevillas.com)
Photo Caption: Villa Atas Ombak, on the beach near Kuta, Bali
Our Pick: Hamilton Island, Whitsunday Islands, Australia
Property: Four-bedroom Hamilton Yacht Club Villa
Rental Company: Hamilton Island Yacht Club
Minimum Night Stay: Three nights in low season; four in high season
How Much: From $161 per person per night (or $3,864 total based on eight people for four nights)
Why We Love It: Australian architect Walter Barda built this timber and stone abode on a waterfront lagoon with unobstructed views of his other architectural masterpiece: the Hamilton Island Yacht Club, which mimics a soaring silhouette of sails. Inside, four bedrooms are spread out on multiple levels. Modern tech touches (flatscreen TVs, Bose sound systems, Miele appliances) make you feel up-to-the-minute, even if you're vacationing on island time. Crowning the villa is a master bedroom suite that has a terrace overlooking Dent passage, a migration path for humpback whales.
Compare To: A boutique hotel with a comparable level of service and luxury costs $611 for two people ($100 more than a Yacht Club Villa per person per night)
Other Companies to Consider: Hamilton Island is the only Whitsunday Island that offers rentals. You can book a wide range of accommodations through Hamilton Island Homes and Rentals (www.hihh.com.au).
Photo Caption: Looking toward the water at Hamilton Island Villas, Whitsunday Islands
Our Pick: Moorea, French Polynesia
Property: Two-bedroom Deluxe Beach Villa, in Robinson's Cove
Rental Company: HomeAway (www.homeaway.com)
Minimum Night Stay: Five nights
How Much: From $107 per person per night (or $3,000 total based on four people for seven nights)
Why We Love It: The setting of this bungalow -- located on a private beach -- hasn't changed since the discovery of Opunohu Bay by Captain James Cook in the 18th century. The villa is equipped with a full kitchen, indoor and outdoor showers, beach chairs and outriggers. Colorful tropical fish swirl around an underwater plateau 80 feet from the shore, making it a perfect spot for snorkeling.
Compare To: A resort in the area costs $525 for a double room, or almost $265 per person.
Other Companies to Consider: Rentals are a relatively new concept in French Polynesia. Tahiti in Style (www.tahitiinstyle.com) offers luxury vacation homes in Moorea and Tahiti; otherwise book on direct owner sites like HomeAway.com, Roomorama.com, and VRBO.com.
Photo Caption: A bedroom on the beach at Robinson Cove, Moorea
Our Pick: Koh Samui, Thailand
Property: Kisiti, a three-bedroom villa on Plai Laem Beach
Rental Company: VRBO (www.vrbo.com)
Minimum Night Stay: Four nights
How Much: From $75 per person per night (or $1,800 total based on six people for four nights)
Why We Love It: This Thai-style villa in a coconut grove is perfectly configured for families, with two separate pavilions adjoined by a spacious bathroom (one of three on the property). A sala (open pavilion) wraps around the infinity pool and bubbling Jacuzzi, while the master bedroom and living room boast floor-to-ceiling glass sliding doors to take in sweeping ocean views.
Compare To: A resort on the northern end of the beach goes for $614 for two people.
Other Companies to Consider: Jetsetter.com, Roomorama.com, HomeAway.com, FlipKey (www.flipkey.com)
Photo Caption: Kisiti is a modern private luxury villa in a coconut grove at Plai Laem, on the north coast of Koh Samui
Our Pick: Kauai's North Shore
Property: Two-bedroom eco-friendly bamboo villa, in Haena
Rental Company: HomeAway.com (www.homeaway.com)
Minimum Night Stay: Seven nights
How Much: $99 per person per night (or $2,765 total based on four people for seven nights)
Why We Love It: Perched on stilts, this 1,500-square-foot villa -- made entirely of bamboo has lauhala ceilings and island touches (Hawaiian print bedspreads, decorative surfboards, and hand-carved outriggers). The lanai wraps around the entire perimeter of the property so you can soak up views of the lapping Pacific and the lush tropics from more than one vantage point.
Compare To: An oceanview room at a nearby luxury hotel costs $700 for two people (or $350 per person).
Other Companies to Consider: Tropical Villa Vacations (www.tropicalvillavacations.com), Parrish Collection Kaui (www.parrishkauai.com), and Garden Island Properties (www.kauaiproperties.com)
Photo Caption: Eco-friendly vacation villa on the north shore of Kauai
Our Pick: St. Martin
Property: 3-bedroom Casa Branca, in Anse Marcel
Rental Company: Villas in Paradise (https://villasinparadise.com)
Minimum Night Stay: Five nights
How Much: From $98 per person per night (or $4,100 total based on six people for seven nights)
Why We Love It: Built into a hillside, this fully air-conditioned villa has an infinity pool and a charming gazebo that both overlook the placid waters of Anse Marcel. Spacious rooms are filled with wicker furniture and objets d'art.
Compare To: A standard room at a newly-renovated hotel off Anse Marcel goes for three times the nightly per person cost of Casa Branca
Other Companies to Consider: Wimco (www.wimco.com), Blue View Escapes (www.blueviewescapes.com), Pierres Caraibes (www.pierrescaraibes.com), and Carimo (www.carimo.com)
Photo Caption: Terrace overlooking the pool at Casa Branca, St. Martin
Our Pick: Providenciales, Turks & Caicos
Property: Reef Beach House, in Grace Bay
Rental Company: Wimco
Minimum Stay: Seven nights
How Much: $121 per person based on eight people for seven nights (or $6,800 total)
Why We Love It: Four bedrooms are split into a main house and a guest house connected by a deck and raised walkway. Each of the bedrooms in the main house has its own en-suite bathroom. The artwork and Tommy Bahama furnishings freshen up the interiors, which are as bright and sunny as the outdoors. The deck of the private pool is ample enough for every type of beach activity: sunbathing, sipping cocktails, and dining under the stars; and the location on Provo's most desirable beach can't be beat.
Compare To: At a nearby hotel, a waterfront studio sleeping two costs $460 (or $230 per person) -- nearly double the per person price of the villa
Other Companies to Consider: Ocean Point and Northshore Villas (www.tcvillas.com), Island Escapes (www.islandescapestci.com), Sea Feathers Villa Rentals (www.seafeathers.com), Wimco (www.wimco.com), and Tranquility (www.turkscaicosluxuryvillas.com)
Photo Caption: Reef Beach House, on Provo's Grace Bay Beach