So why did we decide to buy a villa in Orlando?… We had been thinking for some time about buying a vacation home and had considered Spain and the Florida Gulf Coast, as well as Orlando.  We decided on Orlando because of the value for money of the properties, the buoyant rental market (they say Orlando is the most visited city in the World!), the year-round sunshine and because there is so much do there!

We contacted a number of organisations that market to UK-based buyers through the internet. After speaking to a few organisations, we found one that seemed very ‘customer-friendly’ - they sent us regular photographs and all of the emails that we sent them were replied to within a matter of hours. We were sent some details on a number of new developments and resales and arranged a trip to look at possible properties, combined with a two-week

vacation in Orlando over Christmas. We were shown round various developments and resales and we settled on a new development at Watersong (which is where we were also staying at the time, in a lovely 5-bed villa). Watersong is a gated community in the Davenport area, which is about 15 minutes’ drive from Disney World.  The property we bought is a five-bedroom, 4½-bathroom pool home, backing onto a conservation area.  It also benefits from a fabulous clubhouse, including a large swimming pool, gym and internet café - all of which are free of charge for us and our guests.

We bought an executive furniture package which was provided by the same interior designer who furnished the villa we were staying in.  She did a fantastic job and everyone who stays there absolutely loves it!

One amusing anecdote of our purchase was when we completed on our new home….we were presented with a nicely packaged gift, tied with ribbons, on behalf of the builders. However, rather than the Champagne etc. that we imagined it would contain, instead it was a set of items including a pack of toilet rolls, some kitchen towels, soap, screwdrivers and a hammer. Well, as least it was practical!

We completed on the villa in late June 2008 and stayed there for a vacation in August.  We adore the house and are back again this Christmas.  In between we have had six rentals (which helps cover the cost) and are really pleased that all our guests have provided great feedback and seemed to have loved the villa as much as we do!

If you are thinking of buying a villa in Orlando, we’d definitely recommend doing what we did - stay in a similar villa first and get a really good feel of what it will be like to own your own dream vacation home! If you want to support the cost of running your home advertsise on villa rental sites such as Wannavilla.com 

If you are planning a Florida package holiday next year, instead of booking the full package holiday through a travel agent why not book independently, cut out the travel agent middleman and save some money, whilst having a bit of fun planning your holiday!

The internet makes it so easy to find competitively priced flights, try searching on - fly drive holiday florida, you maybe surprised at the options available. Ever thought of staying in a privately owned villa but been put off by the travel agent surcharges for not filling the villa? Well privately booked villas can be more affordable than you first think, make up your own package holiday.

With vacation rental sites such as Wannavilla you can find a vast array of privately owned villas to choose from, including the more modest villas to truly outstanding luxury villas with every possible extra you could think of as standard.

So why stay in a villa while you’re vacationing in Florida and not a hotel? Simply because a villa has everything you need and much more without the price tag and restrictions of hotel lifestyle. Staying in a hotel is fine, if you want to eat out every single night, share your room with all the members of your party with no thought of privacy or individual time for relaxation.

A villa is a luxury house with plenty of space and privacy for everyone, many having their own private swimming pools. What better way can their be to relax and soak up the Florida sun whilst sunbathing by your own private pool, with the kids burning off their excess energy in the pool?

Instead of a bedroom which you share in a hotel, villas afford you a more relaxed vacation, you don’t all have to go to bed or get up at the same time and why should you are on vacation! You have space to read a book, play a game, watch TV, sunbathe, play in the pool or simply relax.

These days there are many different villa styles available up to 7 bed accommodating 16 people. From the luxurious, with spas, extended decks and grand furnishings, to the simpler - two bedrooms, kitchen and bath. Whatever your preferred accommodation, a villa can accommodate! Villas with heated swimming pools, disabled access, computer, CD/DVD players, internet connections, non-smoking homes, pool/game rooms (some with game systems), baby facilities cots (cribs), highchairs, air conditioning/fans, alarms and linen/crockery/cutlery, are all available.

Wherever you’re staying in Florida, a vacation rental home is the answer to your accommodation needs. Whether it is just having the comforts of home on hand while you’re on vacation, or a means to have family and friends stay in the one location, a villa rental is the only way to have your cake and eat it too.