Flights to Orlando Florida from the UK usually arrive at Sanford Airport (SFB) or Orlando International Airport (MCO).

Orlando International Airport (MCO) is the busiest airport in the state of Florida and closet to major tourist attractions of Orlando. Major British airlines flying into Orlando International include Virgin Atlantic and British Airways. (Virgin Atlantic also fly into Miami International Airport and British Airways Tampa International Airport).

Sanford International Airport (SFB) is 18 miles northeast of Orlando, Florida, circa an hour from the main tourist areas and is the main airport for most charter flights (cheap flights). Major British airlines flying into include Sanford International Airport include, Monarch, Thomas Cook and Thomson Airways.
Monarch flights from the UK include departure airports of Cardiff, Glasgow, London-Gatwick, Manchester and Newcastle. Flights from Ireland include Shannon and Dublin airports.

Thomas Cook flights from the UK include departure airports of, Belfast, Cardiff, Glasgow, London-Gatwick, Manchester and Newcastle.

Thomson Airways flights from the UK include departure airports of Birmingham, Bristol, East Midlands, Glasgow, London-Gatwick, Manchester, and Newcastle.

Airport address details;
Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB)
Sanford Airport Authority, 1200 Red Cleveland Blvd, Sanford, Florida 32773
Tel: 407-585-4000

Orlando International Airport (MCO)
One Airport Blvd, Orlando, Florida 32827-4399
Tel: 407 825-2001

A vacation rental home in Florida is a popular choice for thousands of Canadian Snowbirds. 

Send a General Enquiry to lots of villa owners to find a great long term rental rate, quickly and easily.

In addition residents of northern European countries also flock to the warmer areas of the States. There are many direct flights from areas such as Germany with Air Berlin flying direct to Tampa International on the Gulf Coast.

From January through to April many choose to take advantage of the sunnier warmer climate found in Florida. The Gulf Coast is a popular choice followed by the Orlando area. This influx of people for longer periods establishes second communities of seasonal residents.   

Typically retirees, snowbirds are people who can afford to be away from their normal home for longer periods. Due to the length of stay the following points would be considered important by snowbirds staying at your home for periods of a month upwards.

•             Community meeting points close by, perhaps via a church or activity e.g. Golf

•             Close proximity to supermarkets as many cook at home rather than dining out every day.

•             Good reliable Management Company who attend to things promptly at the home if required.

•             Some “extras” within the home to make a stay more comfortable, such as books, games, comfortable loungers. Essentially a villa that you can feel at home in.

•             Pool heating will normally be required.

•             Pet friendly rental homes are attractive to snowbirds with pets.  

So as a villa owner what would be the benefits of letting your home for a longer term to a snowbird?

·         A full calendar, with no occupancy gaps between bookings normally associated with traditional 1, 2 or 3 week bookings. Remember if the villa is empty it’s costing you money.

·         Reduced cleaning fees.

·         Reduced management booking fees associated with each new booking.

·         Reduced time in advertising and communicating with prospective renters.

 Do bear in mind however that Snowbirds understandably are looking not only to get away from the cold climate, but looking for good quality accommodation  that offers value for money, so you cannot expect to charge the same nightly rate as you would with for example a one week booking.

Additionally wear and tear on your home is another factor to balance in the equation. Most Snowbirds with be using your villa and all its facilities on a daily basis, such as cooking , rather than a group who come for a short time, but are actually out away from your villa most of the time visiting attractions.

So yes offer a competitive rate but do ensure that the income covers the extra usage of electricity, telephone, pool, wear and tear etc.

Do remember however that Snowbirds tend to want to return to Florida over and over again. They get to know other residents in the “community” and many wish to return to the same place over and over again every year. Therefore there may be a good opportunity to attract repeat regular visitors.

If you are planning to go to Florida for your holiday this year a villa is a great option rather than a traditional hotel or motel. In a villa you can have space luxury and privacy at a surprisingly affordable price, and is becoming the option of choice by many Brits travelling to Florida.

Florida Villa Holidays are easy to arrange with a number of options of how you book, each with their own advantages and disadvantages.

Book via your tour operator

This is a quick and easy method of booking your villa from a recognised tour operator, but unfortunately the reality is you don’t really know what you have booked!  Often you have a long wait at the airport to establish your exact villa address etc. You usually do not have the chance to choose the exact facilities or location either. Frequently you are paying a Premium to the tour operator who often charges under occupancy rates, so this can work out as relatively expensive option with the tour operator gaining and not the villa owner.

Book with a Management Company Directly

 99% of Florida Villa Owners employ a Management Company to look after their villa. The Management companies promote these villas by websites and other forms of advertising.  Again a  the Management Company takes their cut of the rental fees you pay so you usually end up paying some sort of premium.  You do however get, local knowledge, the choice of home, location and you should know the facilities prior to arrival.

3. Book Direct with the Florida Villa Owner

 There are many websites and magazines available which list properties available for your Florida Villa Holidays. On many rental websites such as Wannavilla you can search using your required date range, location and bedroom to mores specific requirements such as do you want a games room, a cot, an internet connection, a spa etc.

By booking directly with the owner, there are often some fabulous deals to benefit from, as the owner is more able to negotiate on price as they are directly incentivised to rent the villa, having mortgage and utility bills to pay.

Start the search process by sending some enquiries from websites to owners for a free no obligation quote. It may also assist to phone the owner directly and discuss their home for a truly personal insight into the accommodation you want to book. Remember there are few things a Florida Villa Holiday home owner likes better then to talk about their home and Florida!