Interview with Vacation Perfect
When I’m planning a trip, finding the ideal accommodation is at the top of my list! I want to share a fabulous resource with you for when you’re planning your next vacation in Italy, Paris, or London. Vacation Perfect is owned by my Italian-born friend, Lisa, along with two of her sisters, Maddy and Pat. For over 26 years they’ve been offering luxury rental apartments and villas to discerning clients.
I hope you enjoy this interview with Lisa, which really highlights what they have to offer! They are truly a hands-on company. In fact, when I just texted Lisa, she was in Florence updating the décor of one of their apartments there. You can also get an in-depth view of their offerings on their wonderful Instagram pages. Trust me, you’ll be booking your stay once you see the properties!
What do you think sets Vacation Perfect apart from other rental companies?
Our in-depth knowledge, and love of each location where we offer properties. We carefully select which properties we offer based on quality and location, delivering a high level of service to our guests. We have lived extensively in Paris, Italy, and London so we speak from direct experience. With over 26 years in the vacation rental business, we have learned that staying focused, relatively small, and exclusive, in order to focus on what we do best, is the key to our success.
For someone who typically stays in hotels, what advice do you have for a first timer in selecting the right rental property?
Be open to new areas within a city or region, especially within the larger cities. Just because your friend/sister-in-law, etc. who has been to Paris/London/Tuscany etc. once tells you to stay in a certain neighborhood or location, trust your vacation rental experts, such as us. We are likely to have far more knowledge and can make recommendations specific to your travel goals, such as time of the year, walkability, appeal for families, accessibility, and length of stay.
Read all the information provided about the property! You’d be surprised at how many people overlook important details presented upfront that might enhance or detract from their stay, or that of their travel companions’ stay. For example, if stairs are an issue, check to make sure there is an elevator or if there are stairs to access it—or even steps within the property itself. While all our properties have air conditioning, many properties throughout Europe do not, so double check to see if there is AC, in which rooms, and what months it is available. Ask about the sizes of the beds, for example a ‘double bed’ can signify a range of widths and lengths.
What are the advantages of renting an apartment versus staying in a hotel?
There are so many advantages! While hotels provide the services of a front desk or concierge, it means you will have to navigate more on your own. With an apartment rental with Vacation Perfect we provide a wealth of information before you arrive: favorite restaurants, travel tips, insider knowledge, and more.
In addition, our award-winning blogs have tons of valuable information for travel planning. And with handy internet information, more and more travelers find great information online, both before their trip, and while they are in-market – nearest supermarket, pharmacy, good pizzeria, nice café’. Here are links to our blogs:
https://www.parisperfect.com/blog
https://www.italyperfect.com/blog
https://www.londonperfect.com/blog
What we hear from our guests time and time again, is that they love having a living room to hang out in! It is ideal for family travel or group travel so that you can lounge in your pj’s in the morning with a cup of coffee or enjoy a glass of wine before heading out to dinner.
Having the convenience of a kitchen and a washing machine is invaluable, especially for longer trips! With both, you can easily prepare a quick meal ‘at home’, and you don’t have to pack as much since you can do laundry.
Also exciting is experiencing a deeper connection with the local neighborhood that comes from buying groceries, visiting the local bakery or pastry shop, or returning time and again to a neighborhood restaurant or gelateria.
Do you have a favorite property in Rome?
I love the Sonata apartment. The location is fantastic near Campo dei Fiori and Piazza Navona, yet it is in a peaceful little, uncrowded pocket– it is quiet and feels like a throwback to the Rome where I grew up. Yet just walk two minutes and you’re in a bustling and vibrant area with restaurants, shops, cafes and historic sites. Sitting on the sofa you have views of a church belltower, it’s pretty magical. I love having my coffee out on the terrace in the mornings, especially on Sunday mornings when you can hear parishioners singing hymns at a church located a block away. The design and décor of the apartment is beautiful!
What’s the most opulent or unique request you’ve had from a guest?
We had very nice repeat guests who, because they traveled so frequently, would have their personal assistant arrive a few days in advance to prepare and stock the property to their preferences. This involved purchasing, at their expense, entire sets of a specific, very expensive brand of wine glasses, as well as replacing all the sheets and towels in the property with an exclusive Italian brand of the absolute highest quality. When they departed, they would leave everything behind!
I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to pack my bags! Thank you so much, Lisa, for your time and all the information.
