When planning a vacation, you want to make sure you have the best of the best, but with so many options for a five-star escape, how do you decide the best way to spend your holiday? Both villas and yachts can offer a private and highly exclusive escape, with discreet staff on hand to cater to your every need. But which is more suited to you? We explore the benefits of a villa rental vs a yacht charter below.
Destination
The main difference when considering a villa rental vs a yacht charter is that with a villa you are committed to one destination, whereas on a yacht you can cruise between several spots. If you are the kind of person who likes to stay in one place and really get to know the local area, then a villa will suit you best. On the other hand, if you are prone to getting fidgety after being somewhere for a few days, then a yacht charter is perfect for you, allowing you to hop between stunning islands and coast towns as you please.
Both villas and yacht charters can be found even in the most exotic corners of the world, though if you are planning to venture out to somewhere like Antarctica you may prefer to book a yacht, as this will allow you to explore the icy straits from a warm and comfortable base. This is also generally true if you are headed to somewhere where each destination is very spread out but you wish to explore them all, as these journeys will be a lot quicker by boat than by train or car.
Activities
When considering the best way to spend your holiday, you’ll also want to think about the activities that will be available to you. The truth is that, for the most part, you will be able to do the same activities whether you choose a yacht or a villa. However, when on a yacht, it will be easier to do water sports at any time of the day and with a moment’s notice, the vessel typically being equipped with a range of water toys such as jet skis, stand-up paddleboards and even water slides. Likewise, with a villa holiday, it’ll be much easier to spontaneously go to a restaurant or for a stroll under the stars. So, it really depends on whether you prefer to be able to do water or land-based activities at the drop of a hat.
However, there isn’t much difference when we look at villa rental vs yacht charter, as whichever you choose, a dedicated team of staff (or concierge) will be able to arrange any activities you desire. Both exclusive superyachts and villas typically offer amenities such as private cinemas, gyms, pools, Jacuzzis, barbecues and more, meaning there will never be a dull moment. Likewise, if you wish to spend your entire holiday relaxing and sunning yourself, that can be easily arranged too.
Staff
Whether you are staying on a yacht or in a villa, you will have the option of having a full team of staff on hand to look after you. In a villa, this will usually include a house manager, a butler, maids, a chef, and possibly a gardener/maintenance person. There will also typically be a concierge there to make arrangements for you, offer tips on what to do and where, and generally answer and questions you may have.
On a yacht, you will have a stewardess who will wait on you, arrange onboard events for you as you wish, advise on the best places to visit, and ensure the interior of the yacht is spotless. Then there are the deckhands, who will set up water toys for you, serve you, and take care of the exterior spaces of the yacht. There will also be a chef, technicians, and of course the captain, who will deliver you safely to each destination.
On a yacht, the crew sleep in cabins below deck and will have their own area, so they will never be in your way. Some villas may have a separate house for staff, while others may have staff living offsite (which might mean they are not available at some hours). While a yacht charter is guaranteed to come with crew – unless you book a ‘bareboat charter’ – not all villa holidays offer staff as part of the package, so be sure to check before you book.
Whichever you choose – villa rental vs yacht charter – you are sure to have a fantastic holiday.
And if you truly can’t decide, why not combine both with a waterfront property, offering easy access to both land and water-based activities? It would certainly make for a holiday that you are likely to never forget.
