Why am I getting so freaked out over a condo rental???

[ChrisinNJ]

I have been online every day for about a week now looking at condo after condo, townhouse after townhouse, villa after villa.

I have never rented a vacation home before, so I know it is fear of the unknown, but I am just worried that the place will be icky, and my DH will say, "See, I told you we should have gone back to the Marriot Residence Inn, but NO, you had to save money & book this crummy place instead!"

I am trying to get the most for our limited $$$$, but I don't want to screw up my vacation in the process!!!

The one I am leaning toward is Mickeys Safari Condo in Windsor Hills.

Help me decide!

Christine

 

[lucyanna girl]

Sorry, I can't help you, I'm about to drive myself batty trying to find a villa that will sleep up to fourteen people this summer. The ones I find that I am sure they will like are over my budget, the ones that fit my budget are booked.

I think I am over-analyzing this. Surely just being in Orlando for two weeks will be enough.

Good luck to you.

Penny

 

[HeatherC]

ChrisinNJ - I think you will be fine. I've never stayed at that particular one, but we rent villas every time we go. Have NEVER been disappointed.

Because there is so much competition in Orlando, owners do have to keep their places nice if they want them to rent and have people come back again.

Windsor Hills is very nice and in a great location. Have you checked out the reviews on tripadvisor?

I'm sure you will have an awesome time!!

HeatherC

 

[FLA NUT]

I was in your same spot this time last year. We had never stayed off-property. I was so scared that I was going to screw up our vacation. I must have asked the owner a thousand questions, requested references, more pictures, etc.

Once we unlocked the door and entered the unit, all my fear was gone. It was the best decision "I" ever made. We will never stay on property again. Relax, enjoy. I still look at VRBO almost daily, just to dream of my next trip.

 

[MickeyMouseMomofSix]

I hear ya! Finding the *perfect* condo/townhome/villa can be so intimidating! So many to choose from, prices to high on one, prices just right on another but booked when you need it...ahhh! lol But we did our fisrt villa rental in Hamilton's Reserve last year and after all that worry I did, the minute we opened the door we knew we made the right choice. We have a wonderful time. Having all that room to ourselves was SO nice. We have never stayed on property because of the size of our family, so I cannot compare, but the last 2 times we went we stayed at a hotel once and then the villa last year. I am hooked on villas now! I am sure all will be fine and I have heard GREAT things about Windor Hills!

 

[isla bonita]

I have been online every day for about a week now looking at condo after condo, townhouse after townhouse, villa after villa.

I have never rented a vacation home before, so I know it is fear of the unknown, but I am just worried that the place will be icky, and my DH will say, "See, I told you we should have gone back to the Marriot Residence Inn, but NO, you had to save money & book this crummy place instead!"

I am trying to get the most for our limited $$$$, but I don't want to screw up my vacation in the process!!!

The one I am leaning toward is Mickeys Safari Condo in Windsor Hills.

Help me decide!

Christine

Could some thing like this happen yes probability is slim. If you do your home work things should be great. Trust me.

Have been doing this for a while and if there is communication on both parts, reviews, and your gut says yeas I would think it is ok.

Please let us know how it all works out when you have returned.

 

[momofdbsdc]

I was a wreck the first time we rented a condo also. This will be our third year returning to WH though! It is an awesome place and a great location!

Ask for references, read all the fine details...I am sure it will be a great trip!

 

[ado121]

i thought i was the only one becoming totally OBSESSED with this.

we are not even going til december but we are taking my mother in law and father in law......so pressure is on to be organized and pick the 'perfect' place.

last time we all went we stayed at hgvc on i drive. ok, so no pressure there to get a similar place. but i want a condo. so we are goin with

laza properties....pool view and lake view in windsor hills.

looks nice. talked to her on the phone. she seems really nice.

anyone stay there?

 

[ChrisinNJ]

I looked at their site also.

Christine

 

[momofdbsdc]

I PM'd you. I have stayed with them and they have been wonderful! We are returning for another stay in 44 days!!!

 

[davinakb]

We recently did our first villa rental over the holidays. Windsor Palms house was fine, plenty of room, good location; only issues were with management company. Already booked another place for future trip, just with private owner. Haven't stayed in Windsor Hills yet, but hope to soon. Good luck and enjoy your trip.

 

[queen_bee]

We are doing our first one too at Windsor Hills. We leave next Friday. I've never done this so it is new to me, but after seeing the price differences, it seemed a no-brainer to me. I'll let you know how it was when we get back.

 

[bdink921]

I went through the same thing you're going through right now before choosing the townhouse we're staying in this April at Windsor Hills . I spent tons of time looking through all different rentals in different places before I put the deposit down. Every time I wonder if maybe we should stay somewhere else, I look at the pictures and read the reivews of our TH and I feel much better about my decision. It is gorgeous and costs less than most of the hotels/resorts we looked at--and we are very picky . I can't wait for April!!!

 

[jeff968]

If you are worried then go with a name brand that you can trust like Marriott or Hilton. They have great villas and the quality is just as high as their hotels. You will pay a premium but you'll have less risk.

 

[KEVIN M]

Having stayed at Windsor Hills I recommend them highly - you should look into a townhouse. They are all relatively brand new and you can't beat the location!

 

[ruby33]

Christine, RELAX! We have stayed at that Marriott also. We rented a 3 bedroom condo at Windsor Hills twice already. Our next trip is in February and we rented a townhouse. (can't wait!) Tell your husband to "trust you"!
You will love Windsor Hills. I have done the same thing as the others- Checked out condos (you can do this forever), made inquiries and wonder if I made the right choice. Once you open the door and see the space, your family will thank you. Having a washer and dryer is handy (so don't overpack) and being able to have a relaxing breakfast before you leave for the day is great. I read the disboards daily even when I'm not going to Florida! It has a ton of info regarding Windsor Hills, management companies, shortcuts, grocery stores and restaurants. There was even a thread on "What do you look for in a condo". We even plan a day to spend at the pool. Good luck in your search - you have started in the right place! Ruby

 

[ChrisinNJ]

I went through the same thing you're going through right now before choosing the townhouse we're staying in this April at Windsor Hills . I spent tons of time looking through all different rentals in different places before I put the deposit down. Every time I wonder if maybe we should stay somewhere else, I look at the pictures and read the reivews of our TH and I feel much better about my decision. It is gorgeous and costs less than most of the hotels/resorts we looked at--and we are very picky . I can't wait for April!!!

Which one are you staying at? Please share!

Christine

 

[ChrisinNJ]

Christine, RELAX! We have stayed at that Marriott also. We rented a 3 bedroom condo at Windsor Hills twice already. Our next trip is in February and we rented a townhouse. (can't wait!) Tell your husband to "trust you"!
You will love Windsor Hills. I have done the same thing as the others- Checked out condos (you can do this forever), made inquiries and wonder if I made the right choice. Once you open the door and see the space, your family will thank you. Having a washer and dryer is handy (so don't overpack) and being able to have a relaxing breakfast before you leave for the day is great. I read the disboards daily even when I'm not going to Florida! It has a ton of info regarding Windsor Hills, management companies, shortcuts, grocery stores and restaurants. There was even a thread on "What do you look for in a condo". We even plan a day to spend at the pool. Good luck in your search - you have started in the right place! Ruby

Thanks Ruby. If you had a good experience there, please share which condo you stayed at. For all the great reviews I read, I hardly ever learn about a particular condo or townhouse, or renter or company. Let me know where you stayed & had such a great experience.

Christine

 

[ChrisinNJ]

Having stayed at Windsor Hills I recommend them highly - you should look into a townhouse. They are all relatively brand new and you can't beat the location!

My only concern about the townhouses is that most of the ones I have looked at have 2 bedrooms upstairs & 1 bedroom down. The King sized master suites are usually upstairs, which means, one or more of my kids would be downstairs on the first floor without an adult on that level. Call me an overprotective nut, but this makes me a bit uncomfortable. My Kids are only 7,7 (twins) & 4.

The condos are all one level so this isn't an issue for us.

OK now you all know how neurotic I am

Christine

 

[bdink921]

Which one are you staying at? Please share!

Christine

We're staying at VRBO #53573--check it out on www.vrbo.com. The owner's name is Laura and she is wonderful with answering all of my questions--makes everything very easy. Another Diser has also stayed there a couple of times and gave the TH great reviews. HTH