You are now ready to book that trip to the Caribbean that you have been talking about for so long. You go online to get your plane tickets. Easy.

But here’s the hard part… where to stay? So many options. You can book a hotel, a condominium complex or a vacation villa. How do you decide which one is right for you and your family or group?

Well, the best place to start is by asking what amenities and services you’re looking for. What are the most important options to consider before depositing your hard-earned money?

Space? Convenience? Privacy? Cost? Let’s look at the four features.

SPACE

In general, hotel rooms and condos don’t give you much space unless you’ve booked the penthouse suite. Many people justify this by saying that they won’t be spending much time in their rooms anyway. But unexpected bad weather can quickly change that forecast. And maybe one of the reasons they don’t spend a lot of time in the room is because there isn’t room for the whole group to gather! Many people choose a villa vacation for that reason alone. There’s usually a living room or family room where everyone gathers to drink and chat…if they’re not out on the pool deck. And sometimes the size of a villa room can be as big as an entire hotel room. (Tip: If space is important to you, always check the square footage of your accommodation before you book!)

CONVENIENCE

Let’s face it, there’s a lot to be said for the convenience of staying in a hotel and usually having an on-site shop, activities, concierge, and restaurants. However, unless it’s all-inclusive (which many find to be the way to go, especially with kids), you’re paying for all those meals and it adds up after a while. Because the condos and villas have kitchen facilities, they give you the option of shopping for groceries at the local grocery store and preparing meals on your own…whether it’s light snacks or full dinners. Many villas also have the benefit of providing or arranging for chefs to be brought in from the island so you don’t have to worry about cooking duties. Most villas also have gas barbecue grills for the outdoor chef in the family or group of them.

PRIVACY

If fighting the crowds isn’t your idea of ​​a vacation, then a villa rental may be the way to go. Unless you’re traveling out of season, you may spend more time trying to find a poolside lounger than relaxing in the sun. Some people don’t mind sharing their vacation with strangers, but others see this as a time to spend exclusively with family or friends. Add to that the fact that many villas are located on or next to secluded beaches, and vacation homes gain in privacy hands down. One tradeoff may be that villas typically don’t set out loungers on the sand for their guests; however, many provide beach chairs to borrow.

COST

This is a difficult question to calculate because there is a wide variety of prices and services from one island to another. At first glance, anyone looking to rent a villa may shy away because of the prices. But typically, once you break it down, you can rent a four-bedroom villa for about the same price as two standard rooms in a hotel or condo, all things being equal. Compare apples to apples and see how the cost works out for the places you’re considering… chances are you’ll actually pay the same price but get a lot more space and privacy when renting a villa! (Tip: Be sure to check what is included in the quoted rate. In many Caribbean countries, hotels, condos, and villas are required to collect a lodging tax from the government. Some hotels and condos also add a service fee, which in total could add another 20% to your bill. Ouch!)

So… villa, condo or hotel? You can see that where you stay in the Caribbean requires a bit of planning. The first step is to decide which features are the most important when searching for your piece of paradise. For a growing number of groups, couples, and families, renting a Caribbean villa provides the comfort, privacy, and space they desire.