North Facing Pool, any thoughts?

[Kaslee]

Hi,

We are looking to rent a villa in Sunset lakes next May. It has all our requirements including solar heating for the pool and spa. The only thing stopping me booking is that it has a north facing pool. The owner says it gets sun from about 11am til sunset which wouldn't be a problem as we always go out early to breakfast and then on to the parks for rope drop but I'm still a bit unsure.
Any advice?

Kay

 

[Riverside]

To be honest I have never taken pool orientation into consideration when booking a villa. It is usually so hot when we are out there, it doen't really bother us. Unless you are a true sun worshipper I wouldnt be that concerned.

 

[Jakey Rowling]

It really depends on how much sunbathing you want to do.
If you're out every day then it's maybe not an issue.

It's true the pool, or most of it will be in the sun but there is a good chance that the decking/lanai will not with a north facing aspect.
In fact with a north facing pool sometime you can hardly get any seats in the sun depending on the decking config.

It depends on the poolside arrangement. I assume you have some pictures of around the pool, get the owner to confirm where North is. The villa ceilings are very high in the "great room" which cast quite a shadow and these are normally alongside the pool.

 

[jools]

I'm a bit of a sun person and we bought a villa with a north facing pool, which I must admit I was a little concerned about at the time. However it has never been a problem even when we visit in winter time, although there is much more shade during the winter months there is still always sun on some part of the pool or deck right up until sunset.

I wouldn't worry about it.

If you are visiting during the summer months it can get extremely hot and you will be gratefull for the shaded areas on the deck as it will allow you to still enjoy the outdoors but in a little more comfort. I also find it better for the kids as there is not as much chance of them getting sunburnt and they can play by the pool for much longer.

 

[TinkTatoo]

To be honest I have never taken pool orientation into consideration when booking a villa. It is usually so hot when we are out there, it doen't really bother us. Unless you are a true sun worshipper I wouldnt be that concerned.

I agree - if the villa ticks all your other boxes then go for it. We love Sunset Lakes and it's a great location to stay in

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Personally I would go for south facing every time, I am not sure North would even get the sun from 11am onwards, we had a west facing one last year (owner said it was south)...and we didn't get any sun until after 12.
We don't get great weather at times in the UK so one of the benefits (in our case) of a villa is a lovely pool with the sun shining, if it's hidden a lot of time it's a disadvantage in my opinion.

You will see many owners advertise their villas as 'south facing' as it is a selling point.
I do agree though it can depend on how much you want to relax in the sun, we quite like to in the morning's on our rest days as Joshua loves playing in the pool.

If I want shade I go indoors, although again I agree it is nice to just sit out there........ sun or no sun.
Overall it has to be south for us as I want to make the most of the nice weather, and with Josh we often don't get much chance for relaxation at home , all part of the reason why for part of the holiday we stay in a villa.

At the end of the day though if you are paying for a villa, it's about your own preferences, we all have different ideas after all.

 

[TraceyL]

Ho w much sun the pool will get will depend on two major factors - what time of year you are visiting & whether the villa is single or 2 storey. Having had an east facing pool (that claimed to be south!), with a two storey house in April - the pool cooled down really quickly when it lost the sun (about 4pm). In the summer, as the sun is higher in the sky it would not make as much difference.

Aspect of the pool is very important to us - from personal experience, but does not worry others. We like a warm pool in the afternoon/ evening so south or west is a must for us

...and Sunset Lakes is a lovely location

 

[aaronandterri]

hi tacking onto this rather than open another villa thread, i have been offered use of a pool at emerald island anyone heard of it or been there
thanks in advance x

 

[JohnnySharp2]

hi tacking onto this rather than open another villa thread, i have been offered use of a pool at emerald island anyone heard of it or been there
thanks in advance x

Emerald Island is very nice, great villas and ideal location.

 

[deejay-55]

Kaslee - you will get sun until late afternoon OK, and midday when it can be a bit too hot your lanai will be nicely shaded. Mostly the USA residents don't get as concerned about pool orientation as Europeans.

Aaronandterri - Emerald Island is a resort community in the Formosa Gardens area near to Disney; two others in the area are Windsor Palms and Windsor Hills.