Frequently Asked Questions

Orlando Villas Direct is a Internet travel company which specialises in booking self catering accommodation and hotels in Florida. All reservations are made online through our easy to use booking engine and via direct links into our suppliers in Florida. We only offer accommodation that is available at the time. By not having the overhead of an expensive reservations department, we are able to offer you what we normally find to be the lowest prices. Below we try to answer the most popular questions we receive but if you have any others please do not hesitate in asking by completing any of the enquiry or contact forms on the site. A contact administration telephone number will be provided to you at the time of booking should you need to speak to anyone.

The answer is simply yes, please feel free to contact our reservation department on 01342 53 72 72 and we'll be happy to answer any questions you may have. Our office hours are Monday - Friday between 10.00 and 16.00

Whilst many rental properties now include free WiFi , we offer the choice of having this guaranteed for a small supplement normally included within prices shown under each category. All four star plus properties include free WiFi as a standard but this can often be also available to three and four star accommodation either as an inclusive price or subject to a daily supplement when shown as an optional extra to your chosen accommodation.

In the USA there are no official ratings provided or allocated to this type of self catering accomodation so Florida Management Companies grade each individual accomodation according to the age and general condition, location, and general amenities on offer at each property. Grades applied by each Management Company vary slightly and do not correspond in any way to hotel star ratings but only indicate the standard of accomodation you would normally expect. Full details on our accommodation gradings can be found by following this link.

We can offer these extras for four star and four star plus accommodation as at an inclusive rate or as a daily supplement when shown as an optional extra to the basic accommodation you are booking.

You only have to pay a non refundable deposit of £50 at the time of booking. This is a total deposit amount, irrespective of the number of properties booked at the same time. By paying your deposit with a credit card (no fee charged) you obtain full financial cover for the whole value of your reservation irrespective of how you pay your balance. Further details of this can be found on our homepage under the 100% financial guarantee banner.

Your final balance is due in full 10 weeks before departure. We do however operate an easy payment scheme where you are able to pay off chunks of your balance in a mimum of £100 installments as and when you can. This can be done after making your booking via our customer zone

Yes, our system will allow you to do all this as one booking reference and with only a deposit of £50. Please note that although you may book several properties on the same booking, there is no guarantee that they will be near each other. Allocated on arrival could be at different developments whilst named location guarantees that all properties will be at the same development.

You are able to change your reservation up to 35 days prior to arrival at the property for a fee of £25. Changes can be to duration of stay, location, size of property, number of persons, etc. They are subject to availability at the time of your request and subject to the pricing applicable at that time. To request a change please email or administration department on [email protected] or by telephone, during office hours to the number provided with your confirmation invoice.

The answer is that we do not work with agents as it would involve us increasing our prices to offer Travel Agents a commission which would be added to the prices you pay. Our aim is to provide the lowest prices, using reliable management Companies in Florida and by dealing directly, with you, the client.

All relevant accommodation and car hire vouchers, will be emailed to you 10-14 days before your travel date (depending on supplier). If you haven't received your vouchers one week prior to your travel date, please contact us urgently either by calling 01342 53 72 72 or emailing: [email protected] The accommodation vouchers will direct you to either the address of the appropriate local Management Company, or directly to your property or Resort. Car hire vouchers will be for the relevant car hire desk at the location you have booked.

Villas and apartments are generally booked via local Management Companies most of which are centrally located on Highway 192 or similar areas. Upon arrival at Orlando you will be directed to their offices, when you arrive you will need to complete a registration form (a Florida legal requirement) and will at the same time, collect directions and the relevant keys or entry codes for your booked property. In case you arrive after opening hours, we shall also provide you with entry codes into a lock box situated by the door of the office; from here you can collect a named envelope with all your details enclosed.

All our accommodation is booked via reputable Management Companies in Florida, for whom we act as booking agents. They are the first port of call should you find any problems whatsoever to do with your accommodation. You must ensure that you keep a record of calls made, to whom and what action was taken. If you should find that matters are not being handled properly on your behalf you must contact us so that we can take this up with the relevant supplier as soon as possible. Full contact details will be provided with your accommodation voucher.

This is a scheme normally covered by an insurance company where by paying a variable waiver, depending on supplier at the time of booking you are covered against any accidental damage to the property you have rented to a value of $1000 to $1500. This does not cover any malicious damage and there are some exceptions which vary with each supplier of the scheme. We highly recommend that you add this at the time of booking. You can add this locally but at a higher cost on arrival or, you will have to provide security deposit via a credit card to an amount in the region of $500.

All clients are required upon arrival at check in and register and provide a valid credit card of which the local Management Company will take an imprint to cover any other possible extras not covered by the Damage waiver.

Regretfully, we will not get involved in any claims made against you by the Management Companies in the event that you have declined this option.

Because every property is individually owned, what is included as far as kitchen utensils varies but it should cover most of your requirements. Most Property Managers do provide basic items, such as toilet paper, soaps and shampoos and in some cases coffee and tea. Linen and towels are provided at all properties, as is the use of a washing machine, tumble dryer and dishwasher. All properties are air conditioned but it is most important that you try to keep doors and windows shut at all times as the cooling unit may freeze and breakdown, for which you will be charged. Some properties have safes but they may not be available as they are for owner use only.

Property Management Companies carry out measures to ensure that the properties are not invaded by ants and other insects. This includes spraying both the inside and outside of the properties by pest control specialists. Because of the weather, insects can arrive at any time of year so if you find this during your stay you must contact the local office so that they can act and solve the problem immediately by calling the pest control company.

Whilst all Executive graded villas have heatable swimming pools, this does not apply to any of the older, Standard grade villas and cannot be guaranteed unless a pool heat supplement has been requested at time of booking. Pool heating charges vary according to each supplier and whether the pools are heated by electricity or gas. Rates shown under optional charges are at specially negotiated rates. Those are lower than the rates you will pay should you request pool heating on arrival. As a general rule you should only need pool heating between mid October and Easter but it all depends on local weather conditions. Pool heaters will not work if the outdoor temperature drops below 55 degrees. Electric pool heaters can take up to 48 hours to heat your pool whilst gas operated units are more expensive but more efficient and will heat your pool quicker.

All the properties we provide are non-smoking and you will be liable for costs related if you break this rule at any time when within the confines of the unit. Smoking outside by the pool area is allowed.