OUR SERVICES

Once you have reserved your Villa stay with USVIP, we will begin to help you plan your vacation before your arrival and during your stay. These are a few services, but by no means limited to, that we are happy to provide you as our guest:

• Concierge services: suggestions and reservations for activities and dining prior to and while on St Thomas, Car Rental, Provisioning, Arrival Escort.

• Wedding Consultant: Island Bliss - the one and only wedding planner in the US Virgin Islands that is here for you and your wedding needs. This is not your ordinary cookie cutter wedding site, but a personalized wedding consultant business and your connection to the islands. Click here to visit their website.

• Wedding and special occasion photography: Gary Felton Photography - Mr. Felton combines artistic sensibilities, photographic expertise, marine knowledge, engineering training, and most important, a passion for the ocean, to create award winning photos. Click here to visit Gary's website.

1. Renting a villa is too expensive for me.
What many people don't realize is that renting a villa is often equal to or less than the cost of staying at a hotel or resort, with several very unique benefits.

• The more people you are vacationing with, the lower the costs. Rather than paying for 3, 4 or 5 separate hotel rooms, you can rent an entire home and share the costs. Plus, you get extra space and won't have to share the pool.
• Most villas offer tiered rates which means that if your group has less than the maximum number of people in it, the rates are lower but you still have the run of the rest of the home (the unused bedrooms are usually closed off).
• Every villa has a fully equipped kitchen, giving you the option to prepare your own meals. You'll be paying for groceries from the local store which results in considerable savings in food costs.
• Buy alcohol directly from the store and enjoy alcoholic beverages at cost.
• You will not pay hidden fees for services or activities that you don't need or want. Add on the extras that you're interested in and they'll be specifically arranged just for you.
• Many villas come with staff that is already included in the price, so you'll be taken care of by your own personal chef, butler or other staff for no additional cost.

2. A villa rental doesn't offer the same services as a hotel.
Indeed, a villa rental's services aren't the same as a hotel - they're better. If you like to be pampered and have meals prepared for you, a bartender always available and maid service every day, you can have it. Plus, this staff will be taking care of you and your group exclusively. If you enjoy organized activities or have a special hobby, we arrange the same services, only privately. That means that instead of snorkeling, spa services or cooking classes with a large group of people you don't know, these are catered specifically to you and your family's or friends' needs.

3. Renting a villa is complicated.
Nothing could be further from the truth. Even if you have never rented a villa before, we can help you every step of the way. To start your villa search, you can either call us directly to speak with a villa specialist, or browse our website. When you call, a villa specialist will speak with you to learn more about what you're looking for, and will choose a selection of villas for you. If you find a villa on our website that you like, simply click on Rent this villa or Check Availability; when the villa specialist receives it, they will contact you with more information. Once you decide on a villa and it's available, we can put it on hold for up to 3 days. You will receive a rental contract and a deposit or full payment is made. While you're at your destination, your concierge and on-site representatives are available if you have questions, and will follow up with you after you come back.

4. You have to know a lot about villa rentals in order to find the right one.
You don't have to know anything about villas to plan the best vacation of your life - that's what we're here for! Our villa specialists are certified Destination Specialists and have personally been to these places and seen our villas. They are the ultimate resource and can answer any question under the sun about our villas and locations. They will work with you to find out what kind of vacation you're seeking and can do the searching for you - just tell us what kind of vacation you're dreaming of and we'll take care of the rest.

5. When I arrive at my villa rental it won't be at all what I expected.
Rest assured we only offer the best villas available in your price range. Every one of our villas has to meet a list of stringent criteria to ensure they meet our (and your) high expectations for your vacation. Our villa specialists have seen the villas and even stayed there so they'll be able to answer your questions from a first-hand perspective. You'll find quality photos of the villas on our website along with detailed descriptions and a list of features and amenities that will keep you entertained during your stay. And finally, we make sure that every one of your questions is answered before you reserve your villa rental so there are no surprises. If, however, you have any concerns once you've arrived at the villa, we will work with you to resolve the matter as quickly as possible so you don't waste any precious moments of your well-deserved vacation.

What makes villas different from other vacation accommodations?

More and more, travelers are looking to villa rentals for their vacations because villas offer many advantages that you won't find elsewhere. Simply put, a villa rental is the ultimate private vacation experience.

Here are a few features that make villa rentals different from hotels or resorts:

Maximum Privacy
Secluded and intimate, villas are the perfect retreat. Far from the crowds and strangers, you'll be able to relax in peace and solitude or enjoy the company of your family and friends in a comfortable gathering space.

Enhanced Experience
Villas are not just a place to sleep - villas are part of your vacation experience. From its decor to its ideal location, a villa will immerse you in the region's culture and give you the opportunity to participate in the rhythm of everyday life.

Ultimate Comfort
When you're on vacation, a villa is your home away from home, which means you can enjoy your vacation your way. Create your own meals in the kitchen, soak in your private pool or lounge around the living room if that's what you want. Enjoy the spaciousness of a house all to yourself and create your own time table.

Personalized Service
Savor the luxury of attentive maid service and personalized meals prepared by your private cook, or if you prefer solitude, take pleasure in the knowledge that you won't be disturbed. When you rent a villa, you choose the level of service that will make your vacation experience complete.

Superior Value
Renting a villa is often equal to or less than the cost of staying in hotel rooms, especially for larger groups, with the added benefit of having your own space. Plus, you control which extras would make your vacation special, rather than having to agree to pre-packaged vacations. People who rent villas often say they'll never go back to vacationing any other way.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q. Can a villa rental be booked for one or two nights?
A. No. Although prices are listed per night on each villa for your convenience, most villas have a minimum stay requirement of 7 nights during high season and 5 nights during low season (high & low season dates vary with every villa rental). An exception to this is during the weeks surrounding Christmas and New Year's at which time a longer minimum stay is required and prices on many villa rentals will be higher than the posted high season rates. Exceeding the minimum stay requirement at any villa rental by one or two days or one or two weeks is not usually a problem (except in Italy where most rentals are only done on a weekly basis) if the villa is available. Villa rentals are priced according to the per night cost of the villa and length of your stay.

Q. Does each villa rental have a maximum number of guests?
A. Yes. As a general rule, the maximum occupancy of a villa rental can be determined by allowing two people per bedroom. A villa for rent with 2 bedrooms, for example, would allow up to 4 guests. There are situations in which the quota for a villa can sometimes be worked around, for instance if the villa rental maintains hide-a-beds or trundle beds, or if some guests are children. It is best to check with a villa specialist if you feel your group may exceed the maximum number of occupants of any villa rental that we offer.

Q. Is renting a villa a good idea if I'm traveling with children?
A. Villa rental accommodations are excellent for a family. For the most part, a villa can make traveling with small children much less stressful and much more enjoyable; it's easier to keep an eye on your children at a villa rental than a crowded hotel. There are, however, a small number of villas for rent that will not allow children as guests. Owners may sometimes set restrictions if their rental homes include expensive furnishings, for example. Certain villas, though they do not expressly forbid children, also may not provide an ideal environment for very young children. If you are traveling with young children, contact a villa specialist who will help you make a family friendly decision.

Q. How are villas priced?
A. Villa rental prices are listed in one of two ways:

• a) $xxx/night : price per night for the entire villa. This means that the price you see is how much your combined travel party will have to pay per night for the villa. A villa rental with 2 bedrooms might be listed at $250 USD per night. This cost could then be divided by the villa capacity of 4 guests (remember it has 2 bedrooms which allows up to 4 guests). Keep in mind however, that most villas require a minimum stay requirement of which is longer then traditional hotels.
• b) $xxx pp/wk : price per person, per week. This means that the price you see is how much one person would pay for a week at the villa if the villa was at maximum occupancy, i.e. the lowest possible price. Normally, the more people you have in your party, the lower the costs for each person. With fewer guests, the price may be a bit higher.

Prices on villa rental listings are subject to change without notice. Please note that the maximum number of guests per room is two. Villa rates will show 1-2 people, representing 1 bedroom. A villa rental showing 3-4 people would represent 2 bedrooms, 5-6 people represents 3 bedrooms, and so on.

Q. Why do rates for each villa rental have a high and low season period?
A. The difference between high and low season is simply price. In some regions, there's a greater demand for villa rentals during certain seasons, therefore the price of travel is more expensive. Generally, the high season price for a Caribbean villa begins mid-December and continues until mid-April, and the low season lasts from mid-April to mid-December. In Europe, the villa high season is generally in the summer (July and August) when Europe is at its busiest. Booking a European villa in the spring or fall can result is significant savings while still being able to partake in the history, culture, and beauty of the region! Keep in mind that most villa rentals will post special holiday rates during the holiday season.

Q. Are there additional costs at the villa that we should factor into our trip expenses?
A. Yes. Renting a villa is no different then any other travel adventure in that it can include additional costs. So that you feel more prepared for your travel experience, let us review some of the additional costs you might encounter:

Villa rental taxes: A villa rental is subject to the tax system of the country in which it is located. This means that an additional cost of tax, which is 8% in the USVI, will be added to the cost of the villa rental.

Villa deposits: Security, damage, or telephone deposits are sometimes required on a villa rental. This is not exactly a cost, as all deposits are refundable so long as there's no damage to the villa rental or outstanding phone bills; however it will account for some initial output.

Tipping at a villa rental: Tipping is always a touchy and confusing aspect of travel. It is important to remember that tipping is always at the discretion of the traveler. If you are satisfied with the service received at your villa, a good guideline to be used at a villa is hotel-style tipping. If the villa staff exceeds your expectations, a great tip would be roughly 10% of the rental price.

Food costs at a villa rental: A villa will not always include a chef; the price of food would then be at your discretion. If you have chosen one of many villa listings that does include a chef, haute cuisine with a splash of regional flavor will be prepared for you based on the food they're provided with. In many cases, our concierge team can arrange for food delivery to a prior to a clients' arrival to the villa. Guests are encouraged to meet the head Chef and work out a custom meal plan and seating times.

How to pay for a villa rental: Payment of a deposit totaling 50% of the entire rental fee is required and must be received to confirm the reservation. The remaining balance is generally required no later than 45 days prior to the date of arrival at the villa rental. In the event that the Agreement becomes binding inside the window of the specific payment dates, 100% payment is required to secure the villa. Payment may be made via credit card (Visa or Mastercard), check or through a telegraphic (wire) transfer.

Canceling your villa rental: The following is a general guideline to use for villa rental cancellations. 60 days prior to the Client's arrival date at the villa, the Company will refund 75% of the total rental fee to the Client if and when the Company receives written notice of the cancellation. Less than 60 days prior to the Client's arrival date at the villa the Company will refund 0% of the total rental fee to the Client.

Q. Does every villa rental provide a full staff?
A. Each villa always has a villa manager or representative that is on-call at all times so that if you have questions about your rental or need any help, you have someone nearby. Apart from the villa manager or representative, villa staff varies from property to property. Most villas come with maid service once or twice a week or even every day. Staff hours are generally from 8am till after dinner.

Q. How is reserving a villa different during the holiday season?
A. Booking a villa during the very busy holiday season generally means that prices and minimum stay requirements will peak for each villa rental. Minimum stay requirements usually extend to 10 nights surrounding these holidays. If you are planning on traveling in any holiday period we recommend speaking to a villa specialist to find out what conditions would apply to the villa rental you're considering.

Q. How far in advance should a villa be booked?
A. Villa rental properties are always booked well in advance, which is why we recommend inquiring up to one year before your travel date. It would be best to have all papers and details settled 6 - 8 months prior to departure in order to ensure availability of your requested villa and your requested dates. This, however, does not mean that reservations are limited to several months before departure. It has certainly happened several times in the past that clients have made a reservation for a villa rental within a day or two of departure, in which case we do our very best to accommodate them.

Q. How do we get to our villa after we arrive at the destination?
A. Your personal escort who will guide you in your rental car will be arranged with the concierge team prior to their arrival. It is mandatory to have an escort, as some villa properties do not have addresses but are referred to only by their villa name and trying to find a villa rental without proper guidance is never a good way to begin a vacation! A few weeks before your departure, a member of our concierge department will contact you to go over all the details of your vacation and make the necessary arrangements.

Q. Is renting a villa safe?
A. As in any travel adventure, safety is a normal concern to have when considering a villa rental. All of our villas have been selected with these concerns in mind, both in terms of the destination and the villa itself, and are generally very safe. Depending on the destination, there are several features offered for your peace of mind which may include secure gated entrances and/or safety-deposit boxes for storage of your valuables. If you have questions regarding safety of a destination or villa, please don't hesitate to discuss them with a Villa Specialist; we have personally visited these villas in order to give you the best information about them and can answer any questions you may have. Because we live here, we are the experts!