Villa Rental FAQs

How do I book?
Please email with your requested dates, stating the date you wish to Check-In and the date you wish to Check-Out. Please also state the numbers in your party, your name and a contact telephone number. Email address is: info@floridasunspirit.com. I will reply to you as soon as possible with availability.

How much do I have to pay now to secure my dates?
To secure your dates, I require a non-refundable deposit of 1 night's rental cost per week that you are booking. Your dates are not secure until the deposit has been paid. Please note that I also need your address and home phone number.

When do I have to pay the balance?
The balance should be paid in full 8 weeks before you arrive at Regal Palms. If your reservation is within 60 days of your arrival, you will be required to pay the full amount with your reservation.

What is the Cancellation Policy?
If we were to take a deposit for the reservation, this would be non refundable in the event of cancellation. If you pay up front to get a discount, we will refund the whole amount for any cancellation up to 10 weeks before occupation; we will refund the whole amount less the standard deposit for any cancellation up to 6 weeks before occupation and any later cancellation would forfeit the total amount.

How do I pay?
I accept payment in US$ or UKPounds, either by cheque or money order, mailed to the UK. We regret that we are unable to accept credit cards, while keeping our rental rates so low.

What about the Security Deposit?
The resort check-in operates much like a hotel. You have to register with your name & address when you arrive and will be asked to put down a security deposit. This is usually a swipe of your credit card with authorisation. This is returned to you at the end of your vacation if no damage or loss is discovered. Alternatively, you can either put down $250 in cash (which, again, is returned if there are no damages) or pay for Damage Insurance which costs $25 and covers you for any damages you might incur during your stay.

Is the house Wheelchair Accessible?
Apart from a low (approx 4 inch) step at the front door, the accommodation is on one level. There are, however, no specific facilities for disabled guests and the doorways are of standard width.

What time can I Check-In by? What time must I Check-Out?
Check-In is after 4p.m. which allows enough time for the whole house to be cleaned and prepared for guests. You may arrive earlier and complete the check-in procedure, and you can then relax by the pool, have a meal or drink at the bar until your house is ready. Check-Out is by 11am. Please be patient with the cleaning staff; if they call you to ask what time you are leaving the house, it is because there will be another guest party arriving that afternoon. If you have a late flight, the reception staff can take care of your personal effects, and you can use the clubhouse facilities until it is time to leave.

Where do I get the keys from?
The keys are obtained from the Regal Palms Reception desk at the Clubhouse, which is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Is there a "sleeper sofa"?
The largest sofa in the Living Room can convert into a double bed if required.

What about cleaning or maid service?
The house is cleaned thoroughly before you arrive, and will be cleaned after you depart. For rentals of a 5 days or more this is included in the price A cleaning fee will be charged for rentals of less than 5 days. There is no maid service included in your rental price, however, you may order a "mid-week" clean from the Management Company for an additional charge.

Does the house have a private pool?
Yes, the 12 ft by 24 ft pool is right outside the patio doors, and it is screened from insects. For the safety of youngsters, there is a removable fence to stop them reaching the pool unsupervised. This is installed ready for guests' arrival, but can be removed for your own convenience. Neither the owner or the management company accept any responsibility for personal injury or loss resulting from use of the swimming pool.

Does the house have a private Jacuzzi?
No, it does not have its own Jacuzzi. However, unlike many homes that do have a Jacuzzi, this villa comes with full Regal Palms Resort and Spa membership, which gives you much more than one Jacuzzi (there are 2 in the resort, plus all the other pool facilities).

Is there a covered Lanai?
The villa does have a small covered lanai, with a table and chairs, and of course the whole pool area and patio is screened in.

Do I have to pay for "Pool Heat"?
Pool heat is extra and can be arranged at the time of booking or when you check-in. The price varies depending on when you arrange it, and how long you want it for. There is a 4 day minimum charge of $80 in any event.

Guests who are undecided about the pool heat (e.g. because they want to experience the heated pool at the resort before committing to heat their own), can arrange it with the front desk. They charge $20 per day = $140 per week, which includes tax.

Guests can arrange pool heat directly with us, at the time of booking, if they know that they will want it. In those cases, we offer a small saving on the weekly rate - $120 plus tax at 12% = $134. There is not much in it, but we thought the slight saving and the opportunity to pay for the pool heat at the same time as the rental might be attractive to some guests.

What facilities are at Regal Palms Resort?
Please bear in mind that, unlike many other homes you may have looked at, it is the resort that makes this one special. The $6million "resort" is a self contained area, with 2 pools, lazy river, water slide, Jacuzzi, sunbathing terraces and tropical garden, adjacent to the clubhouse, day spa, fitness and business centers. The clubhouse offers 24-hour check in, a bar, restaurant, internet cafe and games room. The business and conference center and the day spa and fitness center are immediately adjacent. There are no homes in the resort, as such. Immediately adjacent to the resort is the Regal Palms community of townhouses, none of which have their own pools. Just across the road from the resort is the Highlands Reserve Golf Community of single family homes all with private pools and built among the 18 holes of the golf course. Our home is one of the closest pool-villas to the resort - just a 3 minute stroll away, and is closer than many of the townhouses. We specifically chose it because it has its own pool and is so close to the resort and also just 5 minutes stroll from the new Berry Town shopping center, with supermarket, restaurants and other outlets.

Is the resort suitable for Children?
The resort was designed entirely with children in mind! There are 2 large pools, one of which is shallow, with an almost lapping edge for the smallest of tots, a waterslide, lazy river and waterfalls. There is also a jacuzzi/spa, pool toys, a children's play area, a Games Room, Internet Cafe, etc. There is even a Children's Menu in the restaurant.

Does the house have a Games Room?
Better than a "Games Room" in the villa, there is a fabulous games room in the resort, with token operated Air Hockey, Pool, Basketball, Stock Car racing, Car chase, Marksman, Gunfighter.

Do I have to pay for the use of the pool or gym or amenities or facilities?
The rent of the house includes temporary membership of the Regal Palms Sports and Social Club for your visit. All 'communal' facilities are included in the $10/day (per villa, not each) resort use fee. 'Personal' services, such as pedicure, manicure, facial, massage, spray-tan, and the use of games and internet facilities are all subject to charge.

What about a Telephone and Internet Access?
The house has a credit card activated phone for long distance and data connections, but it is not broadband. Local (area code 863) calls are free. There is an internet cafe in the clubhouse, which is just a 3 minute stroll from the house, where you can combine a drink at the bar with some business. The charge is $15 for 1 hour, which can be used over several sessions during your stay. The clubhouse also has a free wireless internet service for laptop users.

What is the phone number of the house?
The house phone number will be provided in your final arrival instructions.

What is the Resort address and phone number?
Regal Palms Resort, 2400 Sand Mine Road, Davenport, FLORIDA FL 33897.
The Regal Palms Resort phone number is 1 863 420 0041

How do I find the resort and house?
Full (guest-tested) driving directions from the airport will be provided in your final arrival instructions.

Are Linens, Towels, Soaps etc provided?
All sheets, linens, towels and a small tablet of soap in each bathroom are provided. You might like to bring your own shampoo and extra of soap, or you can buy them at the large Publix Supermarket just 5 minutes walk away. Beach Towels for use at the Resort's swimming pool complex are available at the resort.

What about laundry?
The house has a clothes washer and drier, iron and ironing board. You will need to provide detergent.

What will I need if I wish to cook meals at the house?
Everything you need in the kitchen, including pots, pans, crockery, glasses, cutlery and a dishwasher is provided. There is even a vacuum cleaner, mop and bucket, to clean up those little spillages. It is just like a home away from home.

Is the house air-conditioned?
Yes, it has central air conditioning or heating and the temperature can be adjusted to suit yourself, within certain limits, to prevent equipment malfunction.

Do you accept smokers?
I am sorry but the house is strictly NON SMOKING. This is a requirement of the Liability Insurance.

What about pets?
I am sorry but NO PETS. This is a requirement of the Home Owners Association.

Does the house have a safe?
There is a combination safe provided in the house and the combination number will be provided in your final arrival instructions.

What if I want anything extra, like a crib, high chair or stroller?
Most items can be rented on a 'per week' basis. For example: Crib ($6 per day), High Chair ($3 per day), Stroller ($2 per day). If you want to make sure what they have and confirm the price, please phone the resort directly.

What about parking spaces?
The house has its own double garage and off road private parking for 2 cars.

What if something goes wrong or breaks down? What if we have an accident?
The Management is on call at the Clubhouse 24 hours a day 7 days a week. They employ a team of dedicated maintenance staff who administer to the needs of the guests. So, from something as trivial as a replacement light bulb, to a full blown emergency, they are there to help you.

Are the photographs on your webpage genuine pictures of the house and the resort?
They are all genuine pictures, mostly taken by the owner.

What's the weather going to be like?
The following are monthly averages for the Davenport area. As Florida is sub-tropical, summer thunderstorms can be sudden with very heavy rain, but they are often over quickly. In peak months (June to September) it generally rains in the afternoon for a while and then clears up.

Month	Avg High (°F)	Avg Low (°F)	Avg Rainfall(")
January	71	48	3.11
February	73	49	2.58
March	79	54	3.81
April	83	57	2.18
May	88	63	3.67
June	90	69	7.86
July	92	71	6.78
August	91	71	6.96
September	89	70	5.59
October	83	64	2.4
November	77	57	2.4
December	72	50	2.4

Where can I find out more about the golf?
Our villa is set in the beautiful Highlands Reserve Golf course, which gives it an attractive setting as well as the convenience of golf on your doorstep. The Highlands Reserve course is a public course for which you need to pay per round. The fees are available at the course website - www.highlandsreserve-golf.com