Villas in Florida

Welcome to Florida, the dazzling "Sunshine State," where endless summers and mild winters make it a year-round paradise. Picture yourself cruising down palm-lined boulevards, basking on golden sandy beaches, and diving into the exhilarating theme parks of Orlando—an ideal backdrop for an unforgettable family villa holiday.

Immerse yourself in the vibrant energy of Miami, where Art Deco masterpieces meet sizzling nightlife, or if you're looking for pristine beaches and exciting water adventures, venture up the coast to Fort Lauderdale.

Discover the charm of Anna Maria Island, a serene Gulf Coast paradise with its pristine beaches, vibrant sunsets, and laid-back atmosphere. This hidden gem offers the perfect escape for relaxation, adventure, and unforgettable coastal experiences in Florida.

At Oliver’s Travels, we’re passionate about Florida’s diverse charms. Our destination experts have meticulously selected the finest resorts and villa rentals in Florida, ensuring you're always close to the action. Whether you're chasing the enchantment of Walt Disney World Resort or craving a sun-soaked escape by the beach, we’ve got your perfect Florida getaway waiting!

Why visit?

  • Known as the theme park capital of the world, you can't visit Florida without a trip to Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, Busch Gardens or Legoland.
  • The year-round warm weather means can avoid busy summer crowds, enjoying Florida's soft sandy beaches, clear waters and incredible sunsets in early spring or autumn.
  • If you prefer your parks to be less man-made and more natural, you're in luck: Florida boasts many national parks for roaming around, as well as the world-famous Everglades.

Read the Florida Travel Guide

Why stay with us?

Style and character are everything at Oliver’s Travels, and our collection of handpicked villas in Florida have this in spades. We have destination experts who know the ins and outs of all our regions, picking villas that aren’t only unique, but also in the best locations. What's more, our villas are 100% family-friendly, and have the ‘wow’ factor.

Our helpful concierge team are on-hand to make your stay extra special. Whether you want a fully-stocked fridge, a local in-house chef to cook your meals, housekeeping or any other extra service – consider them your holiday genie, who will happily grant your wishes.

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Luxury Villas in Florida: Our Top Picks

Why visit

It’s no secret that Florida is a family holiday hotspot: think golden sandy beaches, friendly locals on every corner and, of course, the mind-blowing theme parks. So, whether you’re a thrill-seeker or looking to enjoy a little TLC, Florida has everything you need.

When booking your villa holiday in Florida, we want to make it easy for you. That's why we offer both villas with pools to keep the kids happy, as well as resorts close to theme parks to minimise travel time.

Food and Drink in Florida

If you’re a seafood lover, Florida is the place to be. From delightfully fresh fish and succulent oysters to the famous shrimp and grits and spiny lobsters, get ready to feast like a king. And if you really want to dine like a local, why not give the gator tails a try? We’ve heard they taste just like chicken…

The Orlando theme parks also offer an impressive range of cuisine to sample. You can sip on wizarding butterbeer served at Islands of Adventure's Hogsmeade, dine inside a castle at Disney's Magic Kingdom, and enjoy eating and drinking around the World Showcase in EPCOT.

 

What Oliver loves

Florida ticks all the boxes for every age, meaning you can plan a multi-generational villa holiday and there'll be something for everyone.

Best time to go

  • The best time to visit Florida is between January – April as this is outside rainy season, the temperature is pleasant, and the crowd levels are lower (particularly at the theme parks). However, if you’re looking to visit South Florida, temperatures and crowds are higher at this time of year.
  • The rainy/hurricane season lasts from June – November, when Florida is at its hottest and most humid. However, if you plan a trip around the cooler end of October and start of November, you'll get the chance to celebrate both Halloween and Christmas at the theme parks - a perk worth planning around.
  • March is Spring Break season, where a lot of college students and tourists head to Florida to let their hair down and party! So, if that’s not for you, you might want to avoid visiting at that time of year.

Top tips

  • If you’re driving, buy a SunPass from one of Florida’s welcome centres, supermarkets or pharmacies. You need to top this up for using at the cashless toll roads - otherwise, you’ll get a bill when you arrive home.
  • Tipping across America is customary and always expected. 15-20% is the norm, but make sure to check your bill as sometimes gratuity is already added.

Florida Resorts

Our villas in Florida are all within resorts across Orlando, allowing you to enjoy the laid-back, chilled lifestyle that the state is well-known for. Coming with plenty of amenities and on-site activities, plus the privacy of your own place, the whole family is catered for. Plus, they’re all located just a short distance from Walt Disney World Resort.

Some of the activities and facilities in the resorts:

Clubhouses are the heart of any resort, and you’ll find one in every resort we offer. The exact facilities will vary, but restaurants, bars, cafes, pools, function rooms and fitness centres are all common.
Resorts often benefit from at least one communal pool, but depending on which resort you stay in, you’ll find lazy rivers, waterslides, jacuzzis and, sometimes, stylish cabanas by the poolside (complete with pool bars!)
Resorts are naturally family-friendly, so you don’t need to worry about keeping your kids if you go off to play golf! From playgrounds to games arcades, they’ll easily find something to occupy their time - whether they have the energy to do so after the excitement of the theme parks is another matter!
Orlando is quite often referred to as a golfer’s paradise, so you’ll easily be able to find a good place to tee off. Many resorts in Orlando have golf courses, with some specially designed by world-famous golfers - Greg Norman is the big name behind Champions Gate. Even if your resort doesn’t have a golf course, it won’t be far away from one!

Things to do

You’ll never be stuck for things to do in Florida. While the theme parks are some of the best in the world, that's not all the Sunshine State has to offer. From sensational beaches and breathtaking state parks to a glimpse into mankind's journey into space, a villa holiday in Florida has something for all the family.

Top activities in Florida

  • Voted the number one beach in America by TripAdvisor, Clearwater boasts soft white sands and clear shallow waters that make it perfect for a relaxing afternoon of sunbathing and splashing around with little ones. However, if they start getting restless, head to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium: it's home to Winter the Dolphin, whose prosthetic tail made him the star of the Dolphin Tale movie.
  • One for the stargazers of the group, Kennedy Space Centre is sure to amaze aspiring astronauts of all ages. Get involved in the simulators for a realistic space experience, have a feel of genuine moonrocks, watch a shuttle launch or speak to one of the veteran NASA astronauts.
  • With over 100 exhibits, WonderWorks makes for a very special day out. This topsy-turvy building sits upside down, with the ceiling under your feet. Once you've explored all the exhibits, head down to the basement for a family Laser-Tag battle!
  • If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of central Florida, head down south to Fury Water Adventures and explore nature’s own water park at the beautiful Key West. From snorkelling and Jet Ski tours to dolphin watching and parasailing, there's something for everyone. And if you're not into water-sports, how about a romantic sunset cruise to end the day on a high?
  • If you're looking for an adventure that doesn't involved theme parks, the caves at Florida Caverns State Park are sure to wow. Take a tour through the underground rooms, go for a hike, or even camp over night. If you plan your trip on a hot summer's day, you can even take a dip in magnificent Blue Hole Spring.

Oliver's Hidden Gem

Take a day trip to Miami to experience the wonders of the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. This natural gem will treat you to lush rainforests, outstanding views, a sunken garden and a rare plant conservatory.

Every 5 years, watch out for the rare phenomenon that is the blooming of the amorphophallus titanum: this enormous, smelly plant emits an aroma of rotting flesh to attract pollination. It may not sound luxurious, but this unique experience is sure to be a hit with kids.

 

From the blog...

If you're mainly interested in experiencing the thrills and spills that Florida has to offer, check out our blog on the best theme parks in Florida.

We'll even sort the tickets for you, so you can sit back and really relax ahead of your villa holiday in Florida.

Theme Parks

No matter your age, a trip to Orlando will always be one you'll remember forever. The city is known around the world for its field-defining theme parks, exciting attractions and immersive lands, making it the perfect place to visit as a family.

The area boasts over a dozen theme parks, keeping kids entertained throughout the entire day and even into the night. If rollercoasters are your priority, don't miss Universal Orlando's Rip Ride Rockit or Incredible Hulk Coaster. Fancy yourself a future Jedi? Disney's Hollywood Studios will be your favourite with its Star Wars-themed Galaxy's Edge expansion.

We’ve got a whole page dedicated to all things Walt Disney World - take a look for opening times and other useful info.

The Parks

Walt Disney World Resort:

  • Magic Kingdom Park
  • EPCOT
  • Disney’s Hollywood Studios
  • Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
  • Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park
  • Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park

Universal Orlando Resort:

  • Universal Studios
  • Islands of Adventure

Other parks include:

  • SeaWorld Orlando
  • Aquatica
  • Legoland
  • Discovery Cove
  • Gatorland
  • WonderWorks
  • VR Territory Orlando

Getting there and around

Fly into Orlando International Airport, which has direct flights from most UK airports and airlines, and is only 6 miles from the centre.


Car rental or taxi

Because there’s so much to do in Orlando, particularly if you’re visiting the theme parks, we recommend hiring a car. Our concierge team can help you organise this.

This means that you’re not restricted to the areas immediately surrounding your resort, and you can easily travel to the parks or nearby beaches. This will also help you get from the airport to your resort easily.

 

If you’re visiting the theme parks, you’re able to park in one of the designated car parks.

Note that once you’ve paid to park in one of the car parks, you don’t need to pay in any of the other car parks – although it’s recommended to use the in-park transportation instead of hopping in and out of your cars (this will also save a lot of time.) The parks have a variety of options to get from park to park, including buses, water taxis, ferries and a monorail service.


Buses

Public LYNX buses run from Orlando International to various areas of Orlando, Florida – Downtown, Florida Mall, and International Drive. However, you won’t find public buses from Orlando Sanford.

Top tips

  • Want to travel around Downtown Orlando without a car? LYNX buses run LYMMO, which is a free circular route with 21 stops.
  • If you’re not going to hire a car, but need an easy way to grab some groceries before heading to your resort, Quiksilver do 30-minute shop runs from the airport before dropping you off at your resort. Just be sure to reserve in advance.
  • The I-Ride Trolley is an easy way to visit all the attractions on International Drive, and you can buy unlimited passes. If you’re paying for single rides, bring exact change with you as drivers don’t carry cash. It's $2 for a single ride, $1 for children aged 3-9, and 25c for senior citizens.

From the blog...