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FAQ: What's It Like to Have Staff?
Being waited on can seem awkward, so here's the lowdown
By Heather Whipps
It might feel a little weird at first, but you'll get used to it. By the second day, it'll probably feel really good. And by the time you leave, you won't be able to imagine going without it. We're talking about having a staff. Not all of our villas come with a staff. Some have none, some have one, some are fully-staffed and some part-time. Staffing depends mainly on the villa's individual owner and the island on which it's located. But regardless of the structure, many of our first-time guests hint at concerns they have when it comes to staffing since, unlike at hotels or resorts, villa employees are working for your property only. These are the questions that come up most often:
Do employees live at the villa?
Very rarely do maids, chefs or groundskeepers live at the villa, though some of our bigger villas have managers that live on the grounds in separate apartments. Otherwise, they arrive early in the morning to work and leave shortly after dinner, usually with a break sometime in the afternoon.
Don't they get in the way?
Villa staffs are trained to do their job as invisibly as possible, so your privacy's not disturbed. Baskets of warm, clean towels seem to pop up out of nowhere and rum punch is mixed and laid out just when you need a refresher, somehow. Many villas have staff lounge areas where employees will relax and wait between tasks.
How do you tip the staff?
Like any employee in a service position, villa staffs appreciate gratuities for a job well done (and you're usually nothing less than blown away). It's always at your discretion, but 10% of the rental rate is about average.
Is being waited on…awkward?
Being served and cleaned up after can feel a bit strange for some guests at first. Just remember that these individuals are trained professionals and do the same kind of work that you'd expect at a luxury hotel, only especially for you.
These Caribbean islands almost always include a cook and maid service, at the least:
These are just a few of our fully-staffed villas:
Want More?
The Caribbean economy relies on tourism, so each island has services in place specifically for visitors like you, including freelance chefs and housekeepers. If you feel you're missing some important individual or service, let us know and we'll arrange it. |
If you'd like to know more about any of our villas, please contact us:
Call 1-877-953-7400 or E-mail
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A Bit of News
It's been good to us, but this current newsletter format will be revamped next month. There'll be some new regular features we hope you like, a change in style and a few surprises. Stay tuned.
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