Though we’re still trying to hold onto summer, it is recommended for travelers to begin planning and booking a luxury vacation rental for the holidays before it’s too late.  Don’t wait for all of the best homes to be gone!

Speaking of the best homes, for those of you who dream of escaping to Cabo for the holidays, Lifestyle Villas not only offers the finest beach and oceanfront estates, but they also couple the terrific homes with unmatched services.  Lifestyle Management and Services is a team of dedicated professionals with over one and a half decades of combines experience in property management and luxury leisure services.  Lifestyle caters not only to families and groups of friends, but they are also well known for their hosting of VIP Groups and Events.  Whether casual or corporate, your group will be treated to an experience all your own.

Just check out the services that are included with all rentals booked through Lifestyle Villas:

Pre-arrival grocery shopping and stocking
Pre-arrival destination planning
Private transportation from the airport to the villa
Meet and greet by your personal concierge who is on call 24 hrs a day
Welcome package - Margaritas or lemonade, salsa, chips and guacamole
Daily housekeeping (excluding Sundays and Holidays)
L’Occitane toiletries

You won’t find a better value anywhere in Cabo.

Browse the available homes here to reserve your home for the holidays!

We have some exciting news to announce.  The Society is now a member of the LuxuryRealEstate.com family.  It’s great news for travelers, luxury home owners and property managers alike.  The official announcement was made this afternoon (press release below).

SEATTLE, June 3, 2010 - LuxuryRealEstate.com, the most viewed luxury real estate website in the world announced today it has acquired The Society of Leisure Enthusiasts (”The Society”), an online marketing solutions company focused in the luxury vacation rental industry… READ FULL PRESS RELEASE.

From the desk of an avid blogger and vacation rental owner, Heather Bayer just posted a great article, “10 Ways to Spot a High Maintenance Renter“.  Here are a few I thought you’d enjoy:

• The list of occupants doesn’t include any children although they have asked about facilities for them.  When you ask for more detail, they say they didn’t think that children counted in occupancy limits
• You have to chase them for a deposit and just as you are about to cancel, they call to say it’s on the way
• They tell you they are very busy people and don’t have time to read the information you’ve sent
• They ask questions about the nearest vet when they hadn’t mentioned bringing a pet
• They arrive 2 hours earlier than the check-in time states (a day earlier is not uncommon)

As a renter, you have to remember rentals are owned by individuals.  They (or their managers) are watching out for their property.  It’s not a Marriott, Ritz or some other “corporate” owned property.  When renters don’t tell the entire truth regarding a stay or try to bend the rules it breaks the “circle of trust” (for you Meet the Parents fans).  Most owners will work with your requests but its important to tell them the purpose of your stay.

As The Society rolls out our new travel membership Club we will research and negotiate with the owners on your behalf so you don’t have to waste countless hours.  You can think of our new service as a “vacation rental advocate”.

With Christmas just around the corner, The Society has some remarkable travel packages available with some of the finest rentals in Tuscany, Italy.  Take a look, and inquire now to reserve your perfect rental home for the holidays.

-Christmas Package 2008 at Luxurious 10 Suite Villa near Florence - S3035:

What better way to enjoy the festive season than by staying at this gorgeous villa in Florence. Discover one of Italy’s most charming cities as well as the Tuscan cuisine created by the villa’s private chef accompanied by the estate’s produced wines. Celebrate Christmas around a cracling fire, under an elegantly decorated Christmas tree. Not to mention having a beautiful spa at your fingertips as an oasis of relaxation and rejuvenation!

Offer includes Luxurious private villa accommodating up to 18 people, scrumptious buffet breakfast daily, bottle of Chianti Classico and Amedei Tuscan chocolates in room upon welcome, Complimentary Traditional Christams Eve dinner for the family including estate’s wines, Christmas gift compliments of the villa (placed under the lovely, adorned Christmas tree), and a festively decorated villa!

Minimum stay of 3 nights
Daily Rate of $7,016
-Bravo Winter Bliss Special at Exquisite Stone Villa in the Val D’Orcia Region - S3023:

Stay at this villa this winter for a blissful vacation in the ancient spa town of San Casciano dei Bagni!  This spectacular villa offers an escape from the ordinary and an entry to the sublime. The property is just steps from the famed therapeutic thermal spring spa for further pampering and relaxation.

Weekly Rate for 13 Pax – € 7,813
Weekly Rate for 9 Pax – € 6,250

Book 3 Weeks, Get an Additional Week FREE!!!

Offer includes:

• One week accommodation within the dates of November to March 26 (excluding Christmas and New Year’s Eve weeks)
• Complimentary Welcome Dinner at La Fontanella Restaurant, just minutes from the villa
• 15% off admission to world-renowned, luxurious spa center – steps from Federico
• 10% off dinners at La Fontanella restaurant

-Christmas and New Year’s Eve at Wonderful Tuscan Country Estate near Florence - S3031

This package is perfect for larger groups or family vacations during the holidays -This country estate can accommodate up to 10 people in the main villa. Just 25 minutes from Florence’s city center, this villa is a great holiday retreat for those that want to enjoy the villa experience and yet have the historical Florence nearby. Visit the world-renowned Uffizzi museum or go see Michelangelo’s David at the Academy… then gather in your cozy living room around the fireplace for a holiday toast!

Belize is a dazzling location to spend the holidays, and for members of The Society, our impressive villa rentals in Ambergris Caye are available at a 15% discount through the remainder of 2008 (including the full holiday season of Christmas and New Years).

Belize is a haven for waterlovers with premier snorkeling, windsurfing, sailing, fishing, kayaking, kiteboarding, and boat touring.  Ambergris Caye is also one of the world’s finest diving destinations.

If Belize sounds like the adventure you’ve been waiting for, simply send us a MatchMaker inquiry.  We’ll search the villas based on your criteria and send you the most ideal options.  With only a few months left, take advantage of this unique 15% discount, and experience the beauty of Belize.  Our villas are located at Las Terrazas Resort, the one and only preferred boutique (of Preferred Hotels and Resorts) in Belize.

At Las Terrazas there are various and diverse options: a fun barbeque on the gardens along with your friends; an amusing afternoon of family gathering in one of the pools; a diving expedition through the coral reef; a soothing Spa session; or a romantic dinner with your special one under the stars and the moon shivering its silver reflects on the Caribbean Sea everything is possible in this well cared and exclusive atmosphere.

Prices range from $575 - $1100 per night.  At 15% off, savings are up to $165 per night.

Enjoy!

For travelers looking to escape winter temperatures, Costa Rica is entering it’s high season for tourism.  November through April is an amazing time to explore this exotic destination, and The Society is offering quite a deal for vacationers planning a last minute trip.

Over 20 fantastic rentals are being offered at a 10% discount for any trips ending before December 17th, 2008.  Furthermore, this 10% discount is extended year round for any last minute trip booked within 2 weeks of the stay.

The rentals available for this deal range in price from $200 - $1,500 per night.
With the 10% discount over a week long stay, you are looking at up to $1,050 in savings.

Check out a few of the rentals being offered:

• Villa Encantada
• Villa Milagro
• Villa Oceana
• Sonidos del Mar
• Casa La Ostra

To take advantage of this deal, please submit a MatchMaker request for Costa Rica, and we’ll find you the perfect vacation home.

This offer is subject to availability.  Dates excluded: Dec 18th - Jan 6th.

Hurry, hurry!  The Society has a tremendous deal for trips to Cabo, but you must act fast.  For selected rentals, book before December 1st, 2008 and get the 4th and 8th night free!  Valid for 2008/2009 travel excluding holidays (subject to availability).

Selected rentals range from $900 - $4,500 per night.

Taking advantage of 2 nights free would result in up to $9,000 in savings!

Check out a few of the many rentals available for the deal:

Villa Amanda
Villa Las Olas
Villa Colibri

To inquire for this deal, simply submit a MatchMaker inquiry for Cabo San Lucas.  We’ll take care of your inquiry, search for available rentals and present you with options matching your criteria.  With less than a month left before the deal expires, submit your MatchMaker inquiries quickly to qualify for these unique savings.

Every year thousands flock to Cabo San Lucas and the Baja Peninsula to enjoy both its natural beauty and its great oofering of sun, surf, activites and nighlife.  Whether you prefer fishing, golfing, diving, kayaking, shopping or just lying on a gorgeous beach, you’ll find it all in Los Cabos!

We alerted you that Majestic Sedona, one of the most beautiful rentals in Sedona was available for a discount in October.  Well…its back again, and for Christmas week this place of relaxation is available again with a great deal for those seeking unique spa treatments.

Majestic Sedona is available December 21 - 29th for a Christmas week discount of $6,000.  The home usually rents for $1,500 per night.  This discounted rate saves you 50% during Christmas!

On top of the deal, guests will also gain access to a resoration package normally reserved for guests of the Chopra Center.

Enjoy a week of bliss in Sedona for the holidays.  Hurry to book Majestic Sedona for Christmas week, and pamper yourself like never before.

The Holidays are such busy days of preparations, that it is important to remember to restore ones self. Please remember this Holiday season that it is as important to give back to yourself.  To restore your spirit give the gift of  Wellness & relaxation to help you maintain the busy pace with a healthy happy heart.

DAY RESTORATION PACKAGE
“Come Early & Stay Late”
Pamper your body with a day of rest and restoration.
Enhance your experience by choosing
from among any of our custom treatments.

Two sixty minute sessions and lunch ­
$325 (includes tax and 20% gratuity)

Two ninety minute sessions and lunch ­
$480 (includes tax and 20% gratuity)

Spa and Wine Tasting Special:
One sixty minute session, one ninety minute
session, lunch, and afternoon wine tasting ­
$425 (includes tax and 20% gratuity)

We invite you to come 30 minutes early to
meet your therapist and get settled. Our
locker rooms are fully appointed with robes,
slippers, lockers, steam rooms, showers and
private outdoor hydro-tubs. After your treatment,
stay awhile and relax.

A last minute package has been made available for those of you seeking a rare “spiritual awaking”.

What does that mean, you ask…?

Majestic Sedona, the premier rental property in Sedona is available from October 22nd - 26th for a last minute rate of just $3,000 for the week.  On top of that, guests will receive unique access to attend “The Perfect Health” program hosted at the Sedona Rouge Hotel & Spa (normally reserved strictly for guests of the hotel).

This 5-day healing process presented by Chopra Center instructor and Ayurvedic practitioner Lorrie Lawrence is based on the global bestseller “Perfect Health”, by Deepak Chopra, M.D.  The program has helped thousands of people across the globe identify the imbalances in their lives, learn how to correct them, learn powerful Ayurvedic practices designed to balance body and mind, enhance nutrition, reduce emotional turbulence and re-awaken the senses.

For just $2,865 per person, the all inclusive package includes:

• Complete meal package. All of your meals for the 5 days are consciously prepared and are recommended Ayurvedic menus which your practitioner has planned with our chef.
• Daily morning instructed yoga for all levels, guided Meditation, and evening guided sunset meditations on our Observation Terrace.
• Daily Pancha Karma Wellness and Spa treatments by trained therapists.  Pancha Karma is a complete detox program consisting of 8 treatments that will purify, eliminate toxins and rejuvenate your system. This part of the program is pre-screened and designed by our Ayurvedic Practitioner for you, including any exams or follow up consultations that may be necessary.
• Daily lessons and workshops with instruction in understanding the ancient and powerful principles of Ayurveda, accessing your inner pharmacy, nutritional guidance for your mind-body constitution, stress releasing practices, effective and compassionate communication techniques, and a complete program that you can take home to effortlessly implement into your life.
• Guided Prana-inducing ceremony on the land creating Sacred Spaces.

To complete your Majestic Sedona experience, guests will be provided two tickets to enjoy a guided tour of the darkest night sky at Boynton Canyon.  This famed stargazing venue, a $120 value, is yours at no extra cost.

Enjoy a week of bliss in Sedona.  Hurry to book Majestic Sedona the week of October 22nd and experience “Perfect Health” forever.

For your next group vacation, how does a 9 bedroom luxury beachfront home sound?  Expensive?  Not necessarily…

In the Outer Banks of North Carolina, the Atlantic Ocean brings in thousands of visitors a week during the summer. Outdoor activities are extremely popular here, but the Outer Banks offer something for everyone, including kayak tours, Jet Ski rentals, fishing trips, surfing lessons, golf and tennis.

In a quieter part of the Outer Banks, Corolla is the perfect vacation destination for families, elusive travelers, or those who crave a beach vacation away from the crowds, and it is baffling the kind of deals large groups can find from the luxury rentals available here.

Carolina by the Sea is just one of literally hundreds of vacation rental values in the Outer Banks.  9 bedrooms, completely renovated for 2008, hardwood floors, an elevator, expanded rec room, private pool and hot tub, 2 home theaters, and beachfront (with private walkway)!

Price?… Peak season from late June - August = $16,000 per week.  If you go in May = $5,700 per week ($814 per night).

The home can sleep 22 people.  22 people at $814 per night = $37 per person per night.  Even if you had only 11 people sleeping in this 22 person house, the price is still only $74 per person per night.

How can you beat that for a 9 bedroom luxury home right on the beach?  Click here to inquire about this property or search our inventory of over 200 rentals in Corolla.