How to get the best rate at Windsor Hills?

[sherry7]

Hello all. I've read all of the wonderful things on here about Windsor Hills. We were planning on staying at a hotel, but I'd love to stay at WH if I can get a good rate.

Our trip is Jan 26 - Jan 25 (9 nights). I did an inquiry on windsorhillsrent.com earlier today. So far, the lowest rates I've gotten back are $850 and $905 (including tax, cleaning fee) for 3 bedroom/2 bath condos.

I really don't need a 3 bedroom. It's just me, DH, and DS (18), so a 2 bedroom would be adequate.

So, how are the rates I was quoted so far? Are those reasonable for this property, or high, or low?

Thanks for any advice and tips.

 

[FayeW]

I did an quote request for Windsor Hills, but it was several months ago and I don't have the link anymore. I am sure somebody here can provide it for you, though. I got dozens of email responses, but before I settled on who I wanted to book with I decided to do a search on the Florida Sun Vacation Homes website. They have an excellent reputation on the DIS and everyone who has booked with them has always been happy with the property and any minor problems they have had have been fixed right away. There are other properties that don't have very good management companies so people have reported that the units are dirty, missing items that are supposed to be there, and service repairs take a long time if they come at all. The Florida Sun properties have the keys in a lockbox at the unit. They give you a code to access the lockbox so you don't have to find your way to the management company and pick up a key first. That makes it very convenient for people who may be arriving late at night.

Anyway, we got an excellent rate for a beautiful 3 bedroom condo. Total, including tax is $762 for 9 nights. That includes free internet which I need to keep in touch with clients while I am gone.Works out to less than $85 a night. Could have paid less if we wanted a 2 bdrm, but with my daughter will be 14 and my son will be 12 when we go so I figured the extra $10. a night was not a lot to pay for everyone to have their own space and privacy.

The website for Florida Sun is http://www.floridasunvacationhomes.com.

 

[momofdbsdc]

Try www.vrbo.com and www.vacationcentralflorida.com

You will be able to find more 2 bedroom condos there.

Happy Planning!

 

[steelebug]

Also try vacationrentals.com I saw some $80.00 a night on there today.

 

[conniehar90]

we always go with www.disneyneighbor.com. They have a 2BR for $90 a night. This is about what you are getting elsewhere, but they have always given me an early booking discount. We have rented from them 3 times and have always been satisfied.

 

[mommy2paris]

You might try www.dworlando.com
This is a 2 bedroom property we were looking at, second room has 2 double beds, which is hard to find. They ended up getting a booking during our time frame, before we could make up our minds... Our 7 night quote came in at just under $600.

Good luck!

 

[LuvindisCruiser]

Is it better to book directly through the owners?

It seems like you would get a better rate ?

 

[orlando167]

We're hoping to next visit Windsor Hills in Oct 09. With all the foreclosures happening, we do have a concern about accepting what frankly are ridicilously low offers from owners - our worry is that the owners offering very low rates may be desperate and on the brink of foreclosure - how do we know the house will still be there when we arrive?

Our thought is that may be better to avoid the numbskulls offering really low rates. Even if they still own the house in Oct 09, what are the chances the owners are maintaining the houses properly if they are renting to us and everyone else at knock down rates.

Any thoughts?

 

[CinderellaDreamer]

I got offers around $700 or below (and as high as $900) for a 3 BR/2 BA condo for one of the busiest weeks - T-giving. I would wait for more offers to filter in or try another site. People could be out of town for the weekend and not responding yet to your inquiry.

I got offers for townhomes with pool and heat included for around $800.

I took a chance with the lower rates. We went in May and got a place that had not been professionally cleaned before we got there, but otherwise was in good shape. ($550 for the week)

Luvindiscruiser - most, if not all, of the website listed just send your inquiry to all of the owners. You are renting directly from them. That's why you get a wide variety of rates sent to you from each of the owners.

 

[Brian Noble]

I've always found www.windsorhillsrent.com to be the easiest way to get many quotes for the same dates---you send one request, and the owners get back to you (either by hand, or automatically) with their quotes. Then you'll have several to pick from.

 

[danny25]

you must negociate the price we have rented in May and we have negociate a 200 discount for 10 days, at these days with the economic situacion you must negociate the price.

 

[sherry7]

you must negociate the price we have rented in May and we have negociate a 200 discount for 10 days, at these days with the economic situacion you must negociate the price.

Wow, I didn't know that you could negotiate the rates. I will definitely try that.

So far, most of my rates are coming in at $850 - $950 for 9 days, with taxes and cleaning included. The first part of our stay is during MLK weekend, so maybe that's raising my rates some?

 

[sympatico]

We're hoping to next visit Windsor Hills in Oct 09. With all the foreclosures happening, we do have a concern about accepting what frankly are ridicilously low offers from owners - our worry is that the owners offering very low rates may be desperate and on the brink of foreclosure - how do we know the house will still be there when we arrive?

Our thought is that may be better to avoid the numbskulls offering really low rates. Even if they still own the house in Oct 09, what are the chances the owners are maintaining the houses properly if they are renting to us and everyone else at knock down rates.

Any thoughts?

What are you calling ridiculously low offers, any examples?

 

[sugabutt]

a

 

[sherry7]

delete

 

[TinkerbellNYC]

I just asked the owner we rented from about this (who has great rates) and he said this is a trick by other higher priced owners to spread these rumors. The higher priced owners lose bookings to the lower priced owners, and want to raise rates, so they try to scare us, the vacationer, into believing this, and want us to rent from them and pay a higher rate. Don't believe it, and don't fall for it, he said. Look for the best rates and read the reviews about a company or owner to see whether or not they are good. We changed our dates to December and we are getting SOOOO Excited!!! Can't wait to get the Windsor Hills!

 

[Beechnut]

I find it hard to believe if these guys can make at least 1000.00/week renting to tourists that they are having a hard time paying their mortages.

Even if the unit was empty 1/2 the time they would still be making 25grand extra income. (Assuming that they have a real job and life besides the condo) Less maintance and a rental company, they shouldn't be losing their shirts.

This is a highly lucrative area, and I doubt they would be mortaged to the the hilt at risk of forclosure.

Mind you maybe I am just naive. (We're staying there in December )

 

[cey]

For this year (2008), we went through www.windsorhillsrent.com which is the owner's website and dealt directly with the owner. It really depends on the time of the year you are booking for if they are willing to negotiate on a price. Most of the owners increase their prices for Christmas, Easter and Spring break. They know that renters will pay the premium because they are familiar with increased airfare, hotel prices at that time. When I booked for next year (2009), when I booked, I went for the villa next door based on we liked what we saw. I emailed the owner direct and got a better deal that way. It turned out he had been staying in the villa when we were there and remembered us as friendly next door neighbours, who respected the property we were renting! I was very happy with the rate he quoted me! Most owners will also give returning renters a price break if they know you were good renters the first time around. We just love Windsor Hills and this year have friends who have booked a condo and will also be there with us!