When choosing a villa for your dream holiday, there are many considerations you should take in order to ensure you get the most out of your getaway. While many properties share similar features and amenities, it's the small details that will make the difference in making your stay that extra bit special for yourself and your guests. This is part 1 of a 3 part series detailing points you should consider before committing to a holiday villa.

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1. Location

Who doesn't like a short journey to and from all their favourite hotspots? This point is often considered solely for entertainment purposes, say distance to the town centre, or to your favourite restaurant and bars. However there are many more important proximity points that should be taken into consideration, such as proximity to a medical facility should you have an emergency, as well as proximity to the airport and convenience stores. General proximity is also not the only aspect of the location that should be taken into consideration, especially in destinations where general infrastructure is not as developed, or has unique weather features.

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2. Weather

As is the case with many remote islands, wind plays a crucial factor in the climatic experience. These gales cannot be compared to the average gust of wind in the city, as there are far less buildings and general obstacles to shield you from the strong winds carried by the open waters. Mykonos for example has a south-westerly wind which if not appropriately shielded from, can cause extreme disruption to your relaxing sunbathing sessions, or evening cocktail gatherings beneath the glittering stars. Think flying poolside sun-umbrellas and dozens of spilled margaritas and shattered champagne flutes. Geographical knowledge is paramount in finding the best possible properties shielded from the wind.

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3. Accessibility

In destinations where there are a clear lack of main roads, traffic can be extremely heavy especially during the peak months of the summer. It is important to know which roads are susceptible to such traffic, in order to avoid long delays in often very short distance journeys. While this traffic can be somewhat avoided by not travelling during peak hours, this is far from optimal. It is also important to know if the property has a private jetty or access to a shared / public jetty - taking a water taxi can often save significant road traffic time. General road access into the villa is also important, as certain villas have somewhat hazardous and rocky roads with limited visibility post sundown leading into the entrance of the property.

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4. Orientation

Looking forward to posting that perfect sunset photo from your infinity pool? Then make sure your villa is west facing! This is a textbook point that should be considered far more than it does, as many holiday-goers are left disappointed by the lack of sunset from their villa. Sunset views however aren't always the best! Take the Maldives for example, where many of the famous resorts within the Atoll's are neighbouring other islands which can be cluttered with industrial structures. Your sunset view into the endless ocean may not be what you expected.

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5. Layout

While layout may seem glaringly simple and obvious, it can be far more complex especially if you are looking to utilise all areas within the property. What is the general purpose of your trip and where are you going to be spending most of your time? Choosing a villa that ticks all the boxes in terms of features and amenities is great, however if the layout does not work for you, you will likely leave without even using half the features and amenities. There is no point taking a grand property scattered across tens of thousands of sq ft if you are wanting to centralise you and your guests activities and time spent. Some villas are purposely built to encourage isolation within the group and even comes with private golf buggies.

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Stay tuned for part 2 of our guide which will focus on staffing, catering, and security.

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