Luxury villa rentals are a typical alternative for consumers in the market for a luxury second home. They fulfill demand for less time commitment than a destination club or luxury fractional home, but what else should consumers know about about renting a luxury villa? Helium Report spoke with luxury villa rental expert, Annie Dickerson, about making a smart villa rental choice.

Helium Report: What steps can consumers take to simplify looking for a luxury villa rental?

Annie Dickerson: First make a list of the things that are most important to you in a vacation villa and share them with your reservations agent. Responsible agents will make sure to inquire about the ages of the guests in your party, as not every home may be suitable for children or elderly guests. Many consumers can find luxury villas online now fairly easily, but they shouldn’t assume that all of the details are immediately available.

HR: Availability can be a concern with options like destination clubs and luxury fractionals. What are some typical availability concerns with luxury villas?

AD: The availability of a property can take time to determine. Some homes are listed non-exclusively with different companies, meaning there is more than one calendar maintained. Homeowners often want to know the details of a reservation before going forward with a booking — for example, renting out a home for an event for 200 guests is fine by some, but for others it may depend upon the nature of the event (for example, a black tie wedding reception vs. a 21st birthday party).

Be patient, and if it turns out the home you had your heart set on is unavailable, ask the agent about comparable alternatives. Agents may have homes in their portfolio that are not featured on a website.

HR: What luxury perk stands out among these villas?

AD: Although not all villas rentals offer it, and some may see it as an unnecessary indulgence, personal concierge service is the best luxury perk. Even at an added expense, an on the ground, bi-lingual concierge can be an invaluable resource. Local knowledge about the area and insider access to the tough-to-reserve restaurants and attractions can make or break a vacation. It is so reassuring to know that the option to hire a capable and reputable babysitter, driver, or housekeeper, even at the last minute, exists with the help of a personal concierge. Simply knowing that you will have the support of someone 24/7 to answer specific questions (in English) about a villa—even something as simple as “how do I work the cappuccino machine?”—can be incredibly comforting.

HR: What are some typical hang-ups with renting a luxury villa?

AD: While the goal of villa rental companies is to make your vacation as flawless as possible, a vacation villa can have the same maintenance issues as any second home. Most problems at hotels can be alleviated with the switch to an upgraded room; at a private villa this is not always so easy.

Reputable companies will certainly do their best to spare you any trouble (and to compensate appropriately if you are troubled), but if an appliance breaks during your stay and it takes 24 hours to repair, for example, try to be understanding. Also, if you find that something important, but not necessarily promised, is missing from the home (beach towels, for example), be sure to mention it to the concierge or agent as it is noticed—they should be more than happy to provide a quick resolution to such a simple issue.

Annie Dickerson has a BS in Marketing and Communications from Miami University of Ohio, and experience in every aspect of the villa rental business. You may email her at adickerson@timeandplace.com