GENERAL
PMC
Property Management Company. These are the individual companies in each of our regions that maintain and manage the groups of villas. We consider them our on-location partners. A few villa owners manage their property on their own and do not employ a PMC.
Minimum Night Stay
The minimum number of nights that a villa owner or manager will allow their home to be booked. These may vary from 3 to 14, depending on the destination and time of year. If you're set on a particular property but can't stay the entire time, you may always pay for the minimum.
A waterfront villa will either be sitting right against a body of water or have land that extends down to the water, but does not have a beach. Many of these villas still offer swimming out front, however. A villa listed as beachfront always includes a portion of sand.
Alfresco Dining
An area, usually informal, where guests can dine outdoors. This area is sometimes covered.
Transfers
The trip from the local airport to the villa, usually by private taxi. Individual villa owners sometimes include this transportation in the rental rate, but your transfer details are always organized in advance, regardless of who is responsible for payment.
Ensuite Bathrooms
Bathrooms that are located within a bedroom, so that the guest has private access through their suite.
Double Occupancy
A rate that is charged per bedroom when it is occupied by two guests. Most villas do not offer single occupancy discounts – that is, the rate remains the same whether the room will house one or two people – and generally allow a maximum of two adults per bedroom.
Infinity Pool
A pool with a disappearing edge. The effect is often used as a trompe-l'oeil when the villa has views of the sea, so that the pool appears to drop into the sea.
Private Island
A privately-owned island, usually with just a handful of villas for rent. The island may be rented exclusively or, depending on the location, shared with just the guests of the other properties.
Ohana
A Hawaiian guesthouse or cottage.
Lanai
A Hawaiian word to describe any outdoor living space. It may be a patio or terrace, covered or uncovered.
Estate vs. Villa
Villas located on "estates" (often in Italy and sometimes the Caribbean) generally share common private property with at least one other residence. The large grounds of an estate typically make the distinction unimportant, as the villas remain just as private.
STAFF
Fully-staffed
A villa that includes at least one individual in each of the basic staff positions – cook, housekeeping and maintenance. A butler may be present as well if the cook does not also serve or act as a manager.
Manager
An on-site villa representative who is on-call to answer questions. Villa managers very seldom live on the property itself, but are always available to help you during your stay.
Maid Service
Housekeeping. Some villas have daily maid service while others offer clean-ups mid-week or sometimes twice per week.
Chef vs. Cook
Villas that include the service of a chef hire someone that is professionally trained and whose only job is to prepare meals for guests. Villa "cooks", on the other hand, often double as housekeepers and usually have no formal training. As a general rule, their dishes are local specialties and leave guests raving!
Butler
A villa's senior staff member – usually in charge of serving as well as general house management.
Gratuities
Staff tips. Tipping the villa staff isn't mandatory. However, as is customary in the travel industry, recognition for a job well done is appreciated.
Maintenance
General villa upkeep. Maintenance technicians sometimes visit the homes mid-week for aesthetic work like gardening and pool cleaning.