MEDIA CONTACTS:
Kahn Travel Communications
Leigh-Mary Kearney/LM.Kearney@KTCpr.com
Alexis Taggard/A.Taggard@KTCpr.com
Telephone: (516) 594-4100
PRESS RELEASE #322
WHY BOOK A VILLA VACATION?
VILLAS OF DISTINCTION ANSWERS WITH IMPRESSIVE PORTFOLIO
OF OVER 5,000 LUXURIOUS VILLA VACATION GETAWAYS
PETALUMA, CA (Jan. 23, 2007) – Have you been dreaming of a luxurious vacation
in a private villa featuring all the comforts of home against a tranquil backdrop? This dream can become
an elegant and memorable reality thanks to the products and services of the travel industry experts at
Villas of Distinction.
"People often envision the concept of a villa vacation as something just the rich and famous can afford,
but that couldn't be further from the truth as long as a consumer knows where to look for their 'red carpet'
villa vacation," said Robert Eastman, senior vice president of Villas of Distinction.
"A villa vacation is about encompassing a luxurious travel experience where relaxation and privacy are
paramount goals. And, you don't need to break the bank to do it. Villas of Distinction has an impressive
portfolio of 5,000 properties around the globe and an experienced staff of villa specialists to customize
the needs of any individual trip," Eastman commented.
So, why book a villa vacation? And, why book with Villas of Distinction?
Luxury and Privacy
Located in picturesque settings, such as the shores of Hawaii or the colorful Italian countryside, villas
cater to those who seek luxurious accommodations in a private location. Spacious accommodations, gracious
appointments and serene settings combine for a luxury vacation experience that can't be matched in a traditional
hotel setting unless you book the most pretentious and unaffordable penthouse suite.
With more than 5,000 villas located throughout the world, Villas of Distinction features the largest inventory
of villa rental vacation options including properties in the Caribbean, Hawaii, Italy, Mexico, the South of France,
Tahiti, Greece, Napa and Sonoma.
Unlike resorts and hotels, Villas of Distinction properties are generally situated away from high-traffic tourist
areas allowing for even more privacy and enjoyment of personal services.
Personalized Leisure and Relaxation
Vacationing in a villa allows guests to have a holiday truly on their own schedule. Meal times and food preferences,
as well as pool and beach hours, are up to the vacationer's discretion. Many villas are supplied with the services
of a private cook, housekeeper and other attendants who focus on the individual needs of those occupying the residence.
Guests can feast like royalty but it doesn't need to be on a regimented timetable. For instance, instead of
breakfast, enjoy brunch. As for active pursuits, travelers vacationing at a villa don't need to wait for the water
sports desk to open if they desire to snorkel as early as 8 am. Regardless of when vacationers dine or play, they can
do it among the seclusion of however many people are occupying the villa together.
For guests looking for something extra special to complete their vacation experience, Villas of Distinction
offers the Villa Concierge service to assist travelers with planning their getaway in paradise. Whether guests want
an in-room massage or need to rent a car, the Villa Concierge experts can arrange personalized services for clients.
Size Flexibility
Properties in the Villas of Distinction portfolio range in size from two to 42 bedrooms, fitting the needs of
every conceivable vacationer from individual couples to larger groups such as a wedding party or family reunion.
Villas are often large enough to accommodate more than one family and therefore provide space so parents and children
can spread out to play, have separate sleeping areas, and indulge in the experience of really 'taking over' a private
property.
Weddings and Groups
Villas of Distinction not only prides itself on customer service, but also its ability to serve niche markets as
well with many properties catering to weddings and high-end group functions. Villas of Distinction has chosen 49
of its villas best-suited for destination weddings and will provide the services of a professional wedding coordinator
to help plan the affair, as well as offer assistance during the actual event. Examples include:
- The Sullivan Estate, six bedrooms, North Shore of Oahu
- Siren's Song, eight bedrooms, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
- Chateau du Soudun, 10 bedrooms, South of France
- Brazilian Emerald at Altamer, five bedrooms, Anguilla
- Villa Verano, 11 bedrooms, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Specialty Properties
From its portfolio of 5,000 properties, Villas of Distinction has selected 26 villas as the "crème de la crème."
These include villas on private islands, European chateaux and Caribbean mansions. Examples are:
- Goldeneye, the Ian Fleming Estate, three bedrooms, Jamaica
- Lismacue House, five bedrooms, Ireland
- Seis Fuentes, five bedrooms, San Miguel, Mexico
- Skinos Island, eight bedrooms, Ithaca, Greece
- Fattoria Santo Stefano Estate, 42 bedrooms, Tuscany, Italy
Corporate Retreats
Villas of Distinction has 30 properties suitable for corporate meetings, functions and retreats. These villas
are situated in the Caribbean, the French Riviera, Tuscany and Mexico, and offer a unique setting for any business
trip. Examples include:
- Chateau de La Colaissiere, 16 bedrooms, France
- Buttsbury Estate, nine bedrooms, Barbados
- Mia Waterfront Estate, 15 bedrooms, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
- Collalto Estate Chianti, 16 bedrooms, Tuscany, Italy
- Oasis, six bedrooms, St. Martin, FWI
Unparalleled Service
The accommodations in the Villas of Distinction group speak for themselves. While Villas of Distinction offers
the most diverse selection of villa properties in the industry, it is the unparalleled service of the expert team
of travel professionals that truly makes the company stand out among the competition. Following are some of the
most important reasons for booking with Villas of Distinction:
- Travel Experts will Help You Find the Perfect Villa Vacation – The Villas of Distinction team
takes tremendous pride and satisfaction in turning vacation dreams into reality. Villas of Distinction travel experts
work with consumers to find the best villa in the ideal location that caters to your style and requirements. The Villas
of Distinction team has personally inspected many of the villas for the utmost in quality control.
- We are Always Here to Help and Are Accountable for Your Trip – While the Villas of Distinction team
will do everything to make sure all is in place prior to your arrival so that you can enjoy the perfect villa vacation,
sometimes you may need assistance once on-site. While villa owners and staff are extremely accommodating, we invite you
to take comfort knowing that a Villas of Distinction team member is just a phone call away in case you need further assistance.
- We Are Not Biased, We Offer a Wide Selection, and We Take Credit Cards – By offering a
diverse selection of villas in a variety of locations, we are able to provide consumers with a CHOICE! If you have
a specific destination in mind, we will review all of the options with you. Unlike many individual villa owners who
will only recommend their property, we can offer you up to 40 options in some cases and will not let you settle until
you find exactly what you are looking for. In addition, we accept multiple forms of payment, including credit cards.
Often, individual owners will only accept cash.
- One-Stop-Shop Villa Vacation Planning – Villas of Distinction is unique in the luxury villa
vacation market because of its ability to provide consumers with the resources to buy "complete customized packages"
without having to make multiple phone calls to complete the same booking. The company is truly a one-stop-shop for
booking villa and resort accommodations, airfare, car rentals, activities and concierge services, all complemented by
first-class service from tenured reservation specialists.
- Villa Vacation Insurance – Villas of Distinction offers a comprehensive, optional "worry free"
Private Villa Insurance Plan so that a client's vacation investment is protected in case of various unforeseen
circumstances. Cancellation penalties can be very strict when booking on your own; however, when you book with
Villas of Distinction, your investment is secure.
Villas of Distinction
Established in 1989, Villas of Distinction is a pioneer in the luxury villa rental market with more than
5,000 luxury villa rentals offered throughout the Caribbean, Hawaii, Italy, Mexico, the South of France,
Tahiti, Greece, Napa and Sonoma.
The Villas of Distinction portfolio ranges in size from two to 42 bedrooms, fitting the needs of every
conceivable vacationer from discerning individuals and couples to larger groups such as wedding parties and
family reunions. With such an extensive and diverse range of villa options, it is often more economical for
large groups to stay in a villa than at a hotel or resort. And, for the ultimate retreat, a villa vacation
transcends the privacy and luxury of the residence.
Villas of Distinction travel experts cater to the vacationer's style and requirements, working with
consumers to find the best villa in the ideal location. Consumers can be confident knowing that the Villas
of Distinction team personally inspects villa properties to ensure the utmost in quality.
Villas of Distinction is unique in the luxury villa vacation market because of its ability to provide consumers
with the resources to buy "complete customized packages" without having to make multiple phone calls to complete the
same booking. From selecting the best destination for the traveler's particular preference to satisfying yearnings
for a lush Caribbean villa or charming European farmhouse, Villas of Distinction is truly a one-stop-shop for booking
villa accommodations, airfare, car rentals, activities and concierge services, all complemented by first-class service
from tenured reservation specialists. For the ultimate in luxury travel, many villas come with butler and maid
service, and, if desired, a personal chef. Meals are catered to the vacationer's personal preference just like
the rest of the entire villa experience.
Villas of Distinction offers special First Class, Business Class, and Economy airfares to all villa property
destinations through airline partners, including: American Airlines, Delta Airlines, United Airlines, Air Tahiti
Nui and Alaska Airlines. Hertz is the worldwide car rental partner providing the most competitive rates and the
largest selection of automobiles.
Villas of Distinction Reservations: 800-289-0900 –
www.VillasofDistinction.com