Blog Archive

Ten Questions to Ask Before Your Next Luxury Vacation Villa Rental

Here at Blue Sky Luxury Travels, we select only the best in villas, resorts, yacht charters and private islands for our discriminating guests. Our local team ensures quality and unique experiences as well as planning tailored and unique itineraries. When you’re making the decision of which villa is right for your island vacation, here are 10 important questions to consider:

1. What is the location of the villa?

Is it located near a city or town or is it in a more rural area? Are there any shops nearby? Banks? Ferry boats? Asking the right questions about the area can help you get a better idea of the location you’re staying at and how accessible it will be to pick up any last-minute supplies or gifts.

2. What services and activities are offered?

As an all-inclusive operation, Blue Sky offers a variety of services at most of our villas including private chefs, personal trainers, childcare professionals, massage therapists, tour guides, private transportation services, and more. We are able to tailor a dream vacation that is unique to your interests and desires. Experiences can include day charters for powerboats, catamarans, and sailboats, private jets, event planning, helicopter charters, excursions (guided hikes, kayak, and paddle boards), private local land and sea tours, and more. If you’re looking for a specific diving experience or for snorkeling near to where you’re staying, you might want to choose a close-by villa for your stay, and we will be glad to advise you on the best selections.

3. Can I send a wish list of important things we are looking for in a villa?

YES!  The more specific the better!  You can let us know the location you prefer, your range in budget, if full AC is important or if AC in the bedrooms only is ok, beachfront or a high up view, etc.  Asking the right questions can help narrow down your options.  From there Blue Sky will go to work on locating your perfect villa!

4. Do I get to choose the food?

If you’re opting for a private chef or villa provisioning, you’ll be able to make dining plans for your entire villa vacation in advance. For provisioning prior to your luxury villa vacation, you’ll fill out a shopping list so our team can do the shopping for you and have your kitchen stocked before you arrive. For private chef services, you’ll fill out a questionnaire to provide the chef with your food and beverage preferences along with any dietary or medical conditions in your party. Then the villa chef will work their magic to prepare gourmet meals for you to enjoy!

5. Can I have a party at my villa?

Blue Sky is a company with over 15 years of experience planning events from small intimate parties to large scale corporate gatherings and even worldwide tours. From arranging talent to planning production logistics, we handle all aspects of private events and believe anything is possible. Our team can make your party or wedding dreams come true during your vacation, but you’ll want to make sure that the villa you select allows this type of function.

6. Do the luxury villas allow pets?

We are pet lovers! Let us know if you have any pets joining you during your stay. We are at your service to create the ultimate luxury vacation for you and all your loved ones. Our concierge team will help you choose a villa that allows pets if you choose to bring your furry friends along on vacation.

What is the cancellation policy?

Great question! Cancellation policies vary by property, but we are always here to answer any of your questions. Please let us know which property you are interested in and we can discuss the cancellation policy with you before you plan your luxury vacation.

8. Is the area safe?

We personally visit all of our luxury villas to make sure we know what’s out there. Many villas have extensive security systems and are in guard-gated communities. When security is paramount, our concierge team will help you select the appropriate villa for your needs.

9. What should I pack?

Your villa will come fully equipped with everything needed for luxury, safety, and meal preparations. Of course, you’ll want to remember the basics like passport, prescription medication, reef safe sunblock (we can recommend some great ones as well as chemical free if you like), lip balm, and insect repellent. As far as clothing, definitely pack several cute swimsuits, comfortable walking shoes, and sunglasses!

10. How do I get there?

Some villas are more remote than others. If time is short, you may want to select a villa that has quick access to a local airport so you can start your vacation quickly. For longer vacations, it might not be such a big deal to take a ferry and a boat to get to your vacation home. Either way, our team will make sure you have all the information you need on the easiest and most convenient way to arrive at your vacation destination.

Here at Blue Sky Luxury Travels, our clients are our top priority and we strive for excellent service. You will have access to our luxury concierge, Shanna Dickerson, and her on-site staff to assist during your entire luxury villa stay. We hope these questions, along with our personalized assistance, will help you choose the perfect vacation villa for your next luxurious escape.

Introducing new Caribbean Destinations in 2019

As we expand our business and social media presence we are proud to introduce new Caribbean destinations in January – Belize and Costa Rica.

Belize is a small country the size of the state of Massachusetts. It is home of many beautiful tropical beaches you can hardly find anywhere else in the world. Belize’s barrier reef attracts thousands of tourists from around the world who are looking for the ultimate scuba and snorkeling diving experience,  as well as nature enthusiasts who love exploring the country’s unique national parks with their tropical flora and fauna. What makes this small Central American country yet even more unique is the presence of Mayan sites with rich history, so travelers who are interested in archaeology will be quite busy exploring the Mayan sites of Altun Ha, Lamani and Caraco.

Belize is well known in the upscale community as a prime travel destination, and being experts in Caribbean and Central American travel we at Blue Sky Luxury Travels are here for you to help arrange your trip to Belize and answer all questions you might have. As we are in the process of putting together our Belize villa portfolio, we can already make a strong recommendation of where to stay if you are headed to Belize. One of our favorite places we visited is Ray Caye, a private island resort at the Belize barrier reef. Located on the edge of the Gladden Spit and Silk Cayes Marine Reserve, this island offers the best of the best you can find in Belize – world-class fishing, swimming and diving combined with upscale dining and accommodations. If you are interested in this property, please let us know at info@blueskyconcierge.com.

If you like a vision of lush waterfalls and rainforests, unspoiled beaches and an abundance of wildlife, let us take you to Costa Rica, our second new destination we explored and highly recommend to our adventurous travelers. Costa Rica is one of the best places in the world to hike active volcanoes, zipline through rainforests and surf in the warm turquoise Caribbean waters. As we put together our villa portfolio, we would like to invite you to visit our first Costa Rican villa – Villa Punto de Vista. This is a generous sanctuary surrounded by the tropical rainforest and the beautiful coastline of Manuel Antonio. This modern villa contrasts against the natural surroundings, which gives you the impression of luxury living while being in nature. There are 10 upscale suites that can accommodate up to 30 guests. If you would like to know more about this villa or other Costa Rican properties, please don’t hesitate to contact us at info@blueskyconcierge.com.

Top Three Belize Beaches

Belize is a hot travel destination and its beautiful beaches attract people from around the world. The country is home to some of the most azure blue beaches in the world with the most pristine white sands. Many of these places are quite remote and not widely popularized in travel books, which makes them the perfect setting for romantic getaways, as well as for adventurers looking to travel off the beaten path. Here are the top three beaches in Belize loved by travelers and locals alike.

Placencia Peninsula

The Placencia Peninsula has the longest stretch of beach on the mainland Belize, spanning across three villages – Maya Beach, Seine Bight and Placencia Village. Access to all areas of the beach stretch are public. One of the most popular tourist areas is Placencia Village, where you will find some great bars and restaurants. If you are dreaming of a Belize vacation this might be your best choice. There are good accommodation options, shopping, nightlife and activities.

Hopkins Village Beach

This is a 5 mile long white sand beach lined with palm trees, a mixture of local homes, inviting guesthouses and a good choice of eateries. The beach is located in the eastern Garífuna village of Hopkins, an approximately 40 minute drive south of Dangriga town. This beach is ideal if you are planning to do a lot of swimming and sunbathing and be close enough to Garífuna, where you can experience and learn about the local culture. Innie’s Restaurant is a popular stop, and trying the local delicacy called “hudut” – fish soaked in a coconut stew – is a must! Another popular attraction nearby is the Lebeha Drumming Center, where you can take drumming lessons. Hopkins Village Beach offers quick access by bike to neighboring False Sittee, where there are more beautiful beaches, resorts and restaurants.

Ambergris Caye

Ambergris Caye is home of the best diving spots in Belize, and some will even argue that it is the best in Central America. Ambergris Caye is a water sports heaven, and there is so much to do if you like the water – snorkeling, swimming, diving, boating and more. Here you will enjoy an island-style atmosphere, and even though it can get a bit crowded, there is enough space for everyone, especially if you want to do shoreline exploring. Visiting the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef is a must. The reef has several protected areas, including the Belize Barrier Reef, the Cayos Cochinos Marine Park, the Hol Chan Marine Reserve and the Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park.

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