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Hotels:
Pluses -

Great for shorter stays - no muss no fuss
Get in and crash - no thinking of driving, etc.
Someone cleans up after you everyday
Located close to major attractions -or the attractions that you want to visit - just
book hotel close to those
Concierge staff to assist you with tix to museums, plays, restaurant suggestions
On site restaurants
will probably have medical assistance if not on site then, very quickly (ask hotel
directly about policies)
Room service
American paper daily (in some)
Sense of safety in numbers, security
Most staff speak English - easy to communicate
Not a lot of work involved
Can stay in palatial setting - some European hotels took over palaces, manor
homes, monasteries etc. - Beautiful settings!

Minuses

Can get very pricey if paying for two rooms or staying in Paris, etc.
Can get crowded and need to book well ahead
Can be noisy - even at night
If not the "right" hotel - could feel awkward with kids (ie - business traveler hotels)
Can get expensive to eat here, do laundry
Can be very small in your one to two room area!
May not get a sense of place by being somewhere just like home
May find that hotel doesn't have "modern" conveniences or things we are used to
in US

Villas:
Pluses -

Great for longer stays - more room, gardens maybe a private pool - very charming!
Great for including family or friends to join you
Prices can be much better than stying at a hotel long term
Can make your own foods at home - have BBQs, microwaves for bottles, etc.
Can save a fortune in laundry bills - by getting villa with washer/dryer
Lets you immerse yourself in the country you're in. - Some villas we've stayed in
we literally over 600 years old!
Great place to decompress - enjoy your vacation more leisurely
Can make you feel like lady of the manor at a great price
Some villa rental companies can arrange a cook to come make a meal or teach a
class on making food of the region
Can find villa close to shops, go for espresso in the morning

Villas:
Minuses -

Can be much more remote (we were once in Chianti region and got very lost trying
to find our home!)
Can spend a lot of time looking, researching online before you get the right place
for you and your family
Most villas we've rented did not have US comforts - (large kitchens, bathrooms,
showers - only baths, etc.)
Be careful- electricity may not be included as well as telephone service - both can
be very expensive!
Will have to go food shopping at your local place - can be a bit tricky - but fun!
Villa stays usually require one week rental - some even two
Medical access is something you need to figure out in advance -are there any
hospitals close by? Pharmacies?
Can have pets staying there - dogs, cats , chickens - horses! - We rented a place
with all of the above -though they stayed with the caretaker in the guest house -
and we got to ride the horses!

Hint - we usually do both - we crash at a hotel first - get our "legs" - look around the major
city/cities and then relax in our very own villa rental for the week - perfect way to see both
sides of a country!

SOME GREAT WEBSITES FOR VILLAS THAT WE'VE PERSONALLY USED OR GOOD
FRIENDS HAVE AND CAN RECOMMEND:

For Italy only - Parker Villas: www.parkervillas.com

www.going2travel.com

http://www.globalartichoke.co.uk/

TRAVEL ABROAD
with KIDS
Hotels vs. Villas

Travel Abroad With Kids Books