Renting vacation homes is a great idea this is because you will get more space, amenities, and overall value compared to staying in a hotel room.  The following are a few things to know when renting your vacation house.

It is a huge decision choosing the right vacation home, it is one of the up-most important investments that you will make for your vacation.  Be sure to give an interview to all of the possible property owners and then pick the one that will help make your dream home come true. While you are interviewing the property owners and/or managers be sure you ask all of the right questions;  how long have they been renting vacation houses, also if you can view any of his property websites, and to see references.  It is also advisable to choose home layouts that will make a good vacation rental home for your stay, the property owner can help with the selection process.

Before you plan your visit take these few things into consideration; your budget, the size of the home to be rented, number of bedrooms, design features that you would like, vicinity to attractions, safety features, all amenities included, and exterior features.

If you are having a difficult time picking the location of the furnished home you could make an appointment with the owner, as he should be prepared to guide you through this selection process.  Property managers are equipped to make sure you end up with the right home for your stay to every tiny detail.  When they have done all of their studying they will provide you with an information packet, be sure to have lots of time because this is a process and you will be sitting for a few hours discussing this.

Along with this information of things to know when renting vacation houses don’t forget other important things; added costs, extra fees, or additional services that ma make your family’s stay more pleasant such as turning the pool heater or adding some amenities.

Thanks to Eurocamp, those seeking some early summer sunshine have the opportunity to bag their summer break for less than £400 for the whole family.

Why not take advantage of fantastic early summer deals and enjoy magnificent Vendée? Spanning 300 kilometres of spectacular Atlantic coastline, endless golden beaches and crystal clear waters; it’s a paradise for watersports enthusiasts, while the region’s climate makes it an idyllic holiday destination for all the family.

Eurocamp’s Le Clarys-Plage parc in the Vendée is lively all season, making it a great choice for families, particularly those who enjoy splashing around in the sun. With its fantastic swimming pool complex, comprising of sun terraces and a selection of waterslides, there’s also the option of beach-side fun with a wonderful sandy beach located just a short stroll away.

The parc also offers a selection of first class activities and regular entertainment. And with an excellent children’s play area and free Mini Fun Station kids club offering – supervised fun activities like sand play and painting for children aged 6 months to 5 years – there’s plenty to keep the little ones entertained.

A seven night break, staying at Eurocamp’s Le Clarys-Plage parc, arriving 11 June 2010, staying in a 2 bedroom ‘Comfort’ mobile home (sleeps up to eight), costs just £327 for the whole party, including return Dover-Calais ferry crossings.

Another of Eurocamp’s popular Vendée parcs is Sol à Gogo. This modern parc has an exceptionally high standard of facilities, including a superb pool complex with waterslides, a covered pool and Jacuzzi.

The parc also offers direct access to a stunning beach and is just a few kilometres from the bustling resorts of St Hilaire and St Jean de Monts, where there’s a variety of restaurants and bars, for holidaymakers to enjoy.

A seven night break at Eurocamp’s Sol à Gogo parc, arriving 06 June 2010, staying in a 2 bedroom ‘Comfort’ mobile home (sleeps up to eight) including return Dover-Calais ferry crossings, costs just £348 for the whole family.

Ferry crossings, fly drive packages, rail travel and overnight stops – at hotels or parcs en route – can also be arranged through Eurocamp at a supplement.

For further information on Eurocamp, please call 0844 406 0552 or visit www.eurocamp.co.uk

Kuoni, Penguin books & Elite Island Resorts launch

first dedicated Reading Week at Palm Island, The Grenadines

Bibliotheraphy on the beach and bedtime stories over a sunset cocktails are on the agenda for the first dedicated Reading Week being hosted at Palm Island resort in The Grenadines.

Everyone knows books and the beach go hand-in-hand. But picking the perfect page-turner for the sunlounger isn’t always easy. The Reading Week, which is a partnership between Kuoni, Penguin books and Elite Island Resorts, is designed to be a week of pure relaxation with fellow readers in a paradise setting to chat about favourite novels and help get people out of a reading rut.

It’s taking place over five nights from 1 – 5 May 2010 and will be hosted by BBC Radio 4 playwright and founder of the “reader in residence” scheme Damian Barr. Damian hosts the Literary Salon at the exclusive Soho & Shoreditch House members clubs where authors ranging from Jenny Colgan to Louis de Bernieres read exclusive previews of their work before being interviewed live on stage.

He’ll be supported by Ella Berthoud, a bibliotherapist who works with the School of Life—she’ll be getting to know guests and their reading habits and finding new books for them to enjoy. Bestselling Penguin Books author and journalist Julia Llewellyn, whose books include The Love Trainer, Amy’s Honeymoon and most recently Love Nest, will host a dinner and sunset storytelling.’

There are limited places for the Reading Week. It’s an all-inclusive week and the literary program is in addition to the lavish facilities on offer on Palm Island, from snorkeling to mountain biking and spa treatments to sailing. The itinerary is relaxed with a programme of one-to-one bibliotherapy sessions, sunset stories and breakfast book banter. Guests can opt in or out as you like—there’s no pressure and no pretentiousness.

Prices for the Reading Week from £1,975 per person departing on 29 April 2010 for seven nights. The price is based on two sharing on an all-inclusive basis in a palm view room. Return flights, transfers and all food and drinks are included as well as the literary programmes.

To book contact Kuoni (01306 747008 or www.kuoni.co.uk)

Palm Island is part of the Elite Island Resort group, which has seven resorts throughout the Caribbean. For more about Palm Island visit www.eliteislandresorts.co.uk

See also www.readingweekend.co.uk

Oceania Cruises celebrated the floating out for its first new-build cruise ship, Marina, at the Fincantieri shipyard near Genoa on Friday 26th February with a surprise announcement that the company is building a second ship, Riviera. The building dock for its new 1,258-guest, flagship Marina began filling with water as the first steel was cut for Riviera, her identical sister ship. Marina is scheduled to sail her maiden voyage on January 22, 2011; plans call for Riviera to debut in April 2012.

To celebrate the occasion, more than 50 US and UK travel agents, Oceania Cruises past guests and journalists were invited to don hard hats and preview Marina. Guests even had the chance to partake in the first meal served in “Jacques” – the eponymous restaurant of Master Chef Jacques Pepin – which is one of six, open-seating gourmet restaurants on the new vessels.

Oceania Cruises’ Marina and Riviera will offer 629 elegantly appointed and custom-crafted accommodations that are among the largest at sea, ranging from 174 to a palatial 2,000+ square feet. Their top suites, destined to set new industry standards, will feature furnishings from Ralph Lauren Home and designs by Dakota Jackson and Tocar New York.

The sister ships will also feature a Lalique-designed grand lobby, 10 dining venues and several elegant bars and lounges. Facilities will include a full-service Canyon Ranch SpaClub and fitness center, innovative Bon Appetit Culinary Center, swimming pool and hot tubs.

During the festivities, a bottle of prosecco wine was smashed on the hull of Marina by the shipyard “madrina” in a nod to Italian maritime tradition. The official naming ceremony for Marina will take place in Miami; her godmother has not yet been announced.

In her inaugural year, Marina will cross the Atlantic, transit the Panama Canal twice, visit ports in Mexico, as well as Los Angeles and San Francisco, and call at a host of Caribbean island gems, sailing round-trip from Miami. Marina will sail along the U.S. Eastern Seaboard and call at Bermuda before repositioning to Europe for summer 2011.

For more information or to order a brochure, contact Oceania Cruises on 0845 505 1920 and www.oceeaniacruises.co.uk

Easter in Puglia, Italy

Truly quirky house for an Easter stay in Puglia

Spend Easter in Italy’s increasingly popular Puglia region staying in a `Hobbit’ style trullo house, the area’s characteristic and endemic conical roofed houses. Puglia is known for its natural beauty, ruggedly beautiful coastline and fantastic food and is far removed from the glamour of Porto Cervo or Capri. Over Easter enjoy day trips to local hill towns such as Ostuni and Locorotondo or head down to the coast for a swim on a quiet beach or to hire a boat. After the solemn build-up to Easter and some spectacular religions processions, Italians will be celebrating and eating out in force as Easter marks the end of spring and the start of summer. The lovely Parco del Vaglio is a collection of trulli houses set in gardens with its own pool, converted into a cool and quirky house for up to 7 guests and can be rented for £1545 for a week’s stay through CV Travel (020 7401 1039, www.cvtravel.co.uk) over Easter, excluding flights.

http://www.cvtravel.co.uk/EN/Destinations/Europe/Italy/Puglia/Puglia-Coast–Countryside/Accomodations/Pages/Parco-del-Vaglio.aspx

Easter in Morocco

Easter escape

Escape the traditional Easter trappings and be waited on hand and foot by a staff that includes a cook, maid and steward in a luxury villa in Morocco. For arrival over Easter (April 4th) CV Travel (tel 020 7401 1045, www.cvtravel.co.uk) has a week’s stay for up to 6 guests at the fully staffed Villa Agama, a contemporary styled villa, 15 minutes from the centre of Marrakech, Morocco. This lovely house has been stylishly created by its Swiss architect owner and has its own gardens and beautiful swimming pool. Currently on offer for £4325 for a week’s rental for six, was £5410, saving £1085, including breakfast, other meals payable locally.

http://www.cvtravel.co.uk/EN/Destinations/Africa/Morocco/Marrakech/Accomodations/Pages/Villa-Agama.aspx

Easter in France

Cote d’Azur chocolate fix

Easter is one of the quietest times on the Cote d’Azur and a time to enjoy the otherwise bustling resorts and chic harbours away from the heat of the summer sun. For those who can’t do without a chocolate fix, book a top to toe chocolate treatment with a body scrub, chocolate massage and warm chocolate face and body envelopment in the comfort of `Villa Jasmine’ a gorgeous Provencal villa. CV Travel (020 7401 1044, www.cvtravel.co.uk) has a week’s stay for the whole family in this large, traditionally styled house close to Grasse for £1825 for up to 8 sharing (equivalent to £228 per person), set in a scenic location above the Bay of Cannes, 45kms from Nice airport. A two hour chocolate treatment can be pre-booked at the house for 195 euros. Rental excludes flights, which are available on request. CV Travel 020 7401 1044, www.cvtravel.co.uk

Easter in the UK

Family Easter house party
Gather together the family for Easter in a magnificent oak panelled, Jacobean Manor close to Chester and the Welsh border. A four night stay over Easter costs £2950 for 15 guests, equivalent to £196 per person, including a housekeeper to change beds and make fires. Guests also have free run of the 3 acres of gardens, in turn surrounded by 100 acres of estate land. CV Travel 020 7401 1086, www.cvtravel.co.uk

http://www.cvtravel.co.uk/EN/Destinations/Europe/Great-Britain/Wales/Mold-near-Chester/Accomodations/Pages/Jacobean-Manor.aspx

A Cornish creek for Easter

Chill out over the long Easter bank holiday weekend, enjoy long woodland and coastal walks and stay one of 16 contemporary and chic apartments at Creek View in Lamorna, Cornwall, a beautiful period property amid three acres of land with an outdoor heated swimming pool, sauna, restaurant and children’s playground. A four night stay over Easter costs from £692 for an apartment sleeping 2 – 4 people. Nearby yoga classes and spa treatments for a truly relaxing weekend can be arranged on request. CV Travel 020 7401 1086, www.cvtravel.co.uk
http://www.cvtravel.co.uk/EN/Destinations/Europe/Great-Britain/Cornwall/Penzance/Accomodations/Pages/Creek-View.aspx

Spa heaven in a Cotswold cottage
Especially for spa lovers CV Travel has a four night stay from 2nd – 6th April at a choice of twelve beautifully restored stone cottages converted from the stables of a ruined abbey. The cottages all share an indoor pool complex and spa centre, so beauty and relaxation treatments are right on hand, including facials, scrubs, wraps and massage treatments, such as an Aromatherapy massage, (50 mins, £60) and `The Stables’ signature treatment, a two hour full body Thai massage using heated herb compresses (120 mins £135). A four night stay costs £1551 for two at Cope Cottage, or £1284 at Sara Cottage, which also sleeps 2. CV Travel 020 7401 1086, www.cvtravel.co.uk

http://www.cvtravel.co.uk/EN/Destinations/Europe/Great-Britain/Cotswolds/Milton-under-Wychwood/Accomodations/Pages/Wychwood-Cottages.aspx

Easter in the Caribbean

Easter in a family villa 100m from Caribbean sands
For arrival on 31st March CV Travel has a week’s stay at Hawksbill House, Tobago, a traditionally styled Caribbean house with masses of terraces and a circular pool, overlooking Grafton Beach, just 100m away. A week’s stay for 6 costs £929 per person, including return Gatwick flights, transfers and villa rental, including a saving of £345 per person. CV Travel 020 7401 1050, www.cvtravel.co.uk

http://www.cvtravel.co.uk/EN/Destinations/CARIBBEAN/Tobago/Accomodations/Pages/Hawksbill-House.aspx

Spice up Easter with a stay in Grenada
Spice up Easter with a stay on the spice island of Grenada where CV Travel has a £345 per person saving off a week’s stay at `Spice of Life’, a family villa for 6, now available for £1026 per person for departure on 31st March, including return Gatwick flights, transfers and villa rental. CV Travel 020 7401 1050, www.cvtravel.co.uk

http://www.cvtravel.co.uk/EN/Destinations/CARIBBEAN/Grenada/Accomodations/Pages/Spice-of-Life.aspx

Easter in Corfu
This year, unusually, the Greek Orthodox Easter coincides with our own. Corfu is one of the most popular and colourful destinations in Greece for experiencing Easter and has a number of its own unique traditions, such as throwing 1m high specially made ceramic pots of water out of house windows and processing through the streets with sacred relics.

Party sized villa with chef to prepare a Greek Easter feast

For a spectacular and traditional gathering of friends and family at Easter CV Travel is offering a private chef to prepare a Greek Easter feast in a glorious contemporary villa for up to 12 guests with a large, private pool on the island of Corfu. Villa Lefki Thea is set in a hillside location above the popular harbour of St. Stephano with far-reaching views over the water towards Albania’s mountains. A week’s rental is currently on offer for £4680 (usually £6060), including the Easter Day chef service (excluding food), a welcome champagne reception, welcome hamper, daily maid service and luxury toiletries. Flights available on request. Contact CV Travel, 020 7401 1026 and www.cvtravel.co.uk

http://www.cvtravel.co.uk/EN/Destinations/Europe/Greece/Corfu/St-Stephano/Accomodations/Pages/Lefki-Thea.aspx

Villa for 6, and take a trip to see the Easter pot throwing

Close to the popular harbour of Kassiopi on Corfu’s north east coast, Villa Lithari is a lovely family house for up to 6 guests, set in the middle of pretty lawned gardens, with views to Albania’s mountains and the coast. The house provides a convenient base in spring for walking, visiting Mount Pankrator and the inland ruined village of `Old Perithia’ or take a trip down to Corfu Town to witness the Easter Saturday pot throwing festivities. Villa Lithari is available for £1620 for up to 6 sharing for a week over Easter, excluding flights. Contact CV Travel, 020 7401 1026 and www.cvtravel.co.uk

http://www.cvtravel.co.uk/EN/Destinations/Europe/Greece/Corfu/Kassiopi–Kelia/Accomodations/Pages/Lithari.aspx

With Mother’s Day fast approaching, what better gift for long-suffering mums than a Luxury Included® family holiday in the Caribbean? A holiday at Beaches Resorts ensures that the individual needs of each family member are met so that everybody has a fantastic time away and mum has a break as well!

Beaches Resorts offer non-stop enjoyment for every member of the family – from the youngest to the youngest at heart. Expertly trained caregivers provide enriching, entertaining experiences for five different age levels, allowing parents to relax in the knowledge that their children are in safe hands. Tots, toddlers and tiny ones can meet their favourite Sesame Street characters, and older children can explore their creativity at the Crayola Art Camps. Meanwhile tweens and teens will delight in the very latest games at the cutting edge XBOX 360® Game Garage; get their adrenaline pumping at the Pirates Island Waterpark; spin and mix to their heart’s content at the state-of-the-art Scratch DJ Academy; and enjoy the pulse-pounding tunes at Liquid at Beaches, a happening nightclub of their own.

A Luxury Included® holiday at Beaches Resorts truly promises unforgettable family fun beneath the Caribbean sun, and of course parents are not overlooked. Whilst the kids are off having the time of their lives, adults can recline on the beach or by the pool, or enjoy the endless land and water sports on offer including windsurfing, kayaking, volleyball, and even scuba diving. Alternatively, for the ultimate in relaxation, pay a trip to the Red Lane® Spa which has an array of services and treatments inspired by the Caribbean.

Accommodations at Beaches are incredibly luxurious, with top suites offering separate kids rooms complete with their own XBOX 360® consoles, and Butler Service for truly indulgent pampering. Dining options are endless with up to 16 restaurants per resort, offering everything from Teppanyaki to Tex Mex, and even a ‘Kids Grille’ where children can help themselves to burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, ice cream and “mock”tails throughout the day! Plus with all premium brand wine and spirits, including an exclusive partnership with California’s legendary Beringer® Vineyards, guests are truly spoiled.

Seven nights staying at Beaches Sandy Bay costs from £3,988 for a family of four travelling in September 2010. Price is based on two adults & two children aged 2-15 years sharing a Deluxe Oceanside room and includes return flights from London, transfers and Luxury Included® accommodation. Prices are subject to availability. Book by 30th April 2010.

To book or for more information call 0800 597 0001 or visit www.beachesresorts.co.uk

CV Travel has come up with its top Mother’s Day short breaks and holidays from the UK to the Caribbean, including holidays with spa treatments, a visit to the perfumeries in Grasse or a stay in a fully staffed house in Morocco, with its own cook, maid and steward. Read on for more details…

Mother’s Day in the Caribbean

Girlfriends and Mother & Daughter special in Jamaica
For arrival on 13th March CV Travel has a `girlfriends’ and `Mother & Daughter’ special stay in Jamaica with a £221 per person saving off a week’s stay at the Jamaica Inn, Jamaica, a beautiful and friendly luxury hotel on Jamaica’s premier private beach. The price of £2499 per person includes a 2.5 hour spa treatment per person, return flights from Gatwick, 7 nights in a Premier Veranda Suite with breakfast and transfers, based on 2 sharing. CV Travel 020 7401 1050, www.cvtravel.co.uk

http://www.cvtravel.co.uk/EN/Destinations/CARIBBEAN/Jamaica/Accomodations/Pages/Jamaica-Inn.aspx

Mother’s Day in Morocco

Be waited on hand and foot; contemporary Moroccan villa with £1085 saving
Be waited on hand and foot by a staff that includes a cook, maid and steward. For arrival over Mother’s Day (14th March) and Easter (April 4th) CV Travel (tel 020 7401 1045, www.cvtravel.co.uk) has a week’s stay for up to 6 guests at the fully staffed Villa Agama, a contemporary styled villa, 15 minutes from the centre of Marrakech. This lovely house has been stylishly created by its Swiss architect owner and has its own gardens and beautiful swimming pool. Currently on offer for £4325 for a week’s rental for six, was £5410, saving £1085, including breakfast, other meals payable locally.

http://www.cvtravel.co.uk/EN/Destinations/Africa/Morocco/Marrakech/Accomodations/Pages/Villa-Agama.aspx

Mother’s Day in France

Chocolates and perfume on the Cote d’Azur
Rather than buying perfume visit the perfumeries of France’s scent capital, Grasse on the Cote d’Azur, instead of a boring box of chocoates, book a top to toe chocolate treatment with a body scrub, chocolate massage and warm chocolate face and body envelopment in the comfort of a gorgeous Provencal villa. CV Travel (020 7401 1044, www.cvtravel.co.uk) has a week’s stay for the whole family in a large, traditionally styled house close to Grasse for £1825 for up to 8 sharing (equivalent to £228 per person), set in a scenic location above the Bay of Cannes, 45kms from Nice airport. A two hour chocolate treatment can be pre-booked at the house for 195 euros. Rental excludes flights, which are available on request.

Mother’s Day in the UK

Spa heaven in a Cotswold cottage
Especially for spa lovers CV Travel has a three night stay from 12 – 15 March at a choice of twelve beautifully restored stone cottages converted from the stables of a ruined abbey. The cottages all share an indoor pool complex and spa centre, so beauty and relaxation treatments are right on hand, including facials, scrubs, wraps and massage treatments, such as an Aromatherapy massage, (50 mins, £60) and `The Stables’ signature treatment, a two hour full body Thai massage using heated herb compresses (120 mins £135). To stay over Mother’s Day a cottage for two costs £463 for min 3 night stay 12-15 March, and a cottage for four costs £629. CV Travel 020 7401 1086, www.cvtravel.co.uk

http://www.cvtravel.co.uk/EN/Destinations/Europe/Great-Britain/Cotswolds/Milton-under-Wychwood/Accomodations/Pages/Wychwood-Cottages.aspx

Take up residence at Wiltshire’s oldest manor house
For somewhere really special for Mother’s Day the `Cockloft’ is a gorgeous stone cottage in the grounds of Wiltshire’s oldest inhabited manor house near Chippenham and is available for two nights over Mother’s Day for just £240 for two people. A local beautician can be pre-booked to provide facials, massage, manicures and pedicures, the spa town of Bath is close by while the grounds of the manor house itself provide a lovely setting for strolling around.
CV Travel 020 7401 1086, www.cvtravel.co.uk

Hold a Mother’s Day family house party
Gather together mums, grannies and aunties for a Mother’s Day family house party in a magnificent oak panelled, Jacobean Manor close to Chester and the Welsh border. A two night weekend stay for Mother’s Day costs £2450 for 14 guests, equivalent to £75 per person, including a housekeeper to change beds and make fires. Guests also have free run of the 3 acres of gardens, in turn surrounded by 100 acres of estate land. For a special treat for mothers, a local massage and holistic treatment specialist can be booked at the house for a morning or afternoon for £250, for up to 4 persons. CV Travel 020 7401 1086, www.cvtravel.co.uk

Chill out for Mother’s Day
A Daphne du Maurier novel would be the ideal Mother’s Day gift to accomopany a relaxing three night stay at Creek View apartments in Lamorna, Cornwall, in an evocative setting in the heart of the novelist’s homeland. These 16 contemporary and chic apartments are set in a beautiful period property amid three acres of land with an outdoor heated swimming pool, sauna, restaurant and children’s playground. A three night stay over Mother’s Day costs from £519 for an apartment sleeping 2 – 4 people. Nearby yoga classes and spa treatments for a truly relaxing weekend can be arranged on request. CV Travel 020 7401 1086, www.cvtravel.co.uk

The Rooneys may have just whisked little Kai off to the Caribbean, but for a ‘baby’s first holiday’ without the Barbados price-tag, Keycamp’s Mini World breaks from just £196 per party, make the perfect getaway for a young family.

Holidaying with baby can be a stress-free experience at L’Atlantique, one of Keycamp’s 19 specially selected Mini World parcs, which offer free activities, safe play areas and lots of helpful extras for young families.

Little ones will adore the special free Gymbabes programme and free Mini World activities, including games, puzzles, bricks, blocks, ball pool and Leapfrog interactive toys. Meanwhile, mum and dad will enjoy the parc’s jacuzzi and sauna and visiting the quaint towns of Beg-Meil and Pont l’Abbe, which are close at hand.

A particularly baby-friendly setting, the parc has a relaxed atmosphere, children’s swimming pools, and is just a short stroll through shady pines to a fine sandy beach.

To help lighten the load when travelling with baby, Keycamp can also provide free hire of decking gates, travel cots, high chairs, baby baths and potties, while all-terrain buggies are available to hire for a small fee.

Seven nights starting from 12 May or a family of two adults and up to four children staying in a Supernova mobile home will cost £196 including a return Dover to Calais ferry crossing. Alternative ferry crossings or fly-drive packages can be arranged through Keycamp at a supplement. This price includes a 30% discount which is available on bookings made before 1 April.

To book, or for further information, call Keycamp on 0844 406 0319 or visit www.keycamp.co.uk.

Essential Italy are delighted to offer this early booking offer on mid-season weeks at this fantastic 2 bedroom  cottage in Sardinia with small pool just a short drive from the beach .

20% off all available weeks for bookings confirmed by the 31 March, 2010. Excludes weeks 10 July – 14 August,  2010.
Casa Quandra – http://www.essentialitaly.co.uk/casa_qandra.php

This 2 bedroom country retreat set amongst the natural greenery and the magnificent granite rocks is a simple but  original cottage in beautiful and tranquil surroundings.

The spacious home is set amidst olive trees, mimosa trees and many other fantastic plants indigenous to the  island. The whitewashed walls with green shutters along with the sprawling bougainvillea that shades the terrace  gives an air of romance making you feel at home from the very start of your holiday.

The cottage offers a brand new swimming pool set slightly away from the house on a terrace amidst the amazing  rocks with incredible views.

Location: San Pantaleo village centre – 4kms, nearest beach 7kms, Costa Smeralda 10 kms, Olbia airport 35 kms,  Alghero airport 150 kms

Price: £880 – £1380 per week (peak season rate £1590)

20% off all available weeks for bookings confirmed by the 31 March, 2010. Excludes weeks 10 July – 14 August,  2010.

Luxury hotel brand Ritz-Carlton has announced plans to open an exclusive 320-room oceanfront resort situated on Aruba’s famed Palm Beach.

The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba will bring a new level of elegance in accommodation and amenities to the island. It will offer several restaurants, a luxurious spa, two swimming pools and a 24-hour casino. In addition to spacious rooms and suites, the hotel will include The Ritz-Carlton Club Level, a private floor accessible only by elevator key, offering light fare and dedicated concierge service throughout the day.

The property will be located in Palm Beach, which is home to some of the island’s finest beaches, with lush tropical surroundings and a balmy temperature that allows for swimming, sunbathing and relaxation by the water all year round.

The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba is projected to open in late 2012 and will be the seventh property in The Ritz-Carlton portfolio in the Caribbean.

Aruba Tourism Authority UK director Joanna Walding said:

“Aruba is renowned as a quality welcoming destination. The island is home to some of the world’s most highly regarded brands and the addition of a prestigious hotel such as the Ritz Carlton raises the standards of our tourism industry even higher.”

For more information on visiting Aruba please go to www.aruba.com. For more information on the Ritz-Carlton brand please go to www.ritzcarlton.com