Renting a 4+ bedroom at Windsor Hills

[bunky8384]

I'm seriously flip-flopping on staying on site vs staying off....

So I've come across Windsor Hills and am looking into getting a 4 bed home. How does this work?? Should I book through a site like Bookit.com or is it best to contact the owner on my own? I've been looking at all the different houses on HomeAway and it seems like Bookit rates are a little higher than if I went through the owner on my own.

Now with bookit I can put $100 down to reserve our dates, than make two additional payments.... How does it work if I book through the owner? Can I put a deposit down and pay it off in the future or does that vary owner to owner?

Are there any other things I need to know about going this route?

 

[Dave1234]

If you rent through the owner you'll definitely save money. I'd try and website like Windsor Hills Rent. Its been going for a while. You can submit a general enquiry and you'll get a response from a whole load of property owners. You can then negotiate. The site has been running for years and most property owners will have their property listed on the other main sites such as homeaway, vrbo etc. Once you get quotes back you can start to negotiate. You'll usually be expected to pay a holding deposit. This will obviously vary from property to property then a few months before you arrive you'll be expected to cover the rest of the booking cost. Doing it this way will definitetely save you money. You';ll find a lot ofg owners might offer great deals to fill awkward spaces in the booking calenders etc so there are no clear rules about what/how to do it. I've booked and stayed at Windsor Hills in the past through Valhalla Villas. I'd try them as you'll get a personal phone call and the owner was willing to negotiate. After booking regular contact was made re. next payment, arrivals times/dates. All in a good service and Windsor Hills in lovely as was this villa (he has two next to each opther.)

 

[Disneyliscious]

I have never used Bookit but generally websites who provide a service for someone (like renting their home) charge a fee and that fee is added in to your total cost somewhere along the way.

I have personally used VRBO.com as have many others here and never had any problems at all. You deal directly with the owner and can ask for deals or set up arrangements to pay. You can search Windsor Hills properties through VRBO if thats the community you are looking to stay in.

I have been using VRBO since 2004 and have never found a 'website' to beat the prices I find by dealing directly with the owner.

 

[sympatico]

Booking directly with owners usually costs less than going through an agency. Find out what their cancellation policy is. Usually you pay a deposit when you first book which is sometimes non refundable but not always. Then about 6 -8 weeks before you dates you pay the remainder of the rental. At this point usually the entire amount is non refundable. It's recommended that you buy cancellation insurance in case you have an emergency and can't go.
Other agencies that get good reviews are floridasunvacationhomes.com and allstarvacationhomes.com

 

[Loveallthingsdisney]

I'm seriously flip-flopping on staying on site vs staying off....

So I've come across Windsor Hills and am looking into getting a 4 bed home. How does this work?? Should I book through a site like Bookit.com or is it best to contact the owner on my own? I've been looking at all the different houses on HomeAway and it seems like Bookit rates are a little higher than if I went through the owner on my own.

Now with bookit I can put $100 down to reserve our dates, than make two additional payments.... How does it work if I book through the owner? Can I put a deposit down and pay it off in the future or does that vary owner to owner?

Are there any other things I need to know about going this route?

How long are you staying, and when are you going?

 

[bunky8384]

Thanks for all the help so far everyone! I don't know how I would have planned this vacation without you all!

Dates are October 14th-23rd 2011

 

[Loveallthingsdisney]

Thanks for all the help so far everyone! I don't know how I would have planned this vacation without you all!

Dates are October 14th-23rd 2011

I think you would like www.romancingthemouse.com You would have to tweak your dates a bit...did you already buy airfare? The 5 bedroom is the same price as the 4, and it is available October8-21st. Check it out, see if it works for you! BTW I sent no money ahead of time---paid in full w/ a credit card on the day of arrival.

 

[bunky8384]

No plane tickets bought yet so one less day isn't going to hurt us. Thank you!!

 

[Loveallthingsdisney]

No plane tickets bought yet so one less day isn't going to hurt us. Thank you!!

I LOVED staying there-short walk to the clubhouse/water slide, etc. And the owners are terrific. Just a good experience all around. The house was squeaky clean, and that's very important to me. I usually have to clean at least the bathroom I'm using (hair on the floor grosses me out) but I was pleased this time. No cleaning!

 

[traisgirl]

Rented a condo 2 years ago and we will NEVER stay on wow property again! I was very apprehensive too but I can't emphasize enough how wonderful it was to go back to that 3 bedroom condo each night. Everyone had their "space" and that was never the case when we stayed on site. The grounds are beautiful and you just can't beat the cost. I really want to stay there again this time but we are going to take our pooch so I am now investigating other neighborhoods that tend to be more pet friendly.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[dtum]

I think you would like www.romancingthemouse.com You would have to tweak your dates a bit...did you already buy airfare? The 5 bedroom is the same price as the 4, and it is available October8-21st. Check it out, see if it works for you! BTW I sent no money ahead of time---paid in full w/ a credit card on the day of arrival.

Ditto for RTM. Their price is all inclusive-no hidden fees. Just got back from their 4-bed/4-bath house and it was wonderful. Our family is mostly adults so it was nice that everyone had their own bathroom. The pool area was so nice, just sitting and relaxing each day. You deal with the owners and they are great. Check out their site. Didn't find anyone any cheaper for what we needed. We didn't pay anything upfront either. Paid with cc after we got their and had our walk-through of the house and property. Have to say, we will NEVER stay on property again. Great!