FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The frequently asked questions address these topics:


How large is the villa?
Villa Estrella is approximately 6,000 square feet, including the patio and outdoor areas.

Do you have a swimming pool and jacuzzi?
Yes, we have both. The jacuzzi will seat 6-8 people comfortably.

Is there a place to sunbathe at the villa?
Yes, we have a pool area that includes chaise lounges for sunbathing.

What is a palapa?
This is the Spanish word for gazebo. It is built over a ledge and overlooks all of Acapulco. Comfortable cushions invite you to curl up with a book during the day or gather with friends for margaritas at night. Seats 8 comfortably.

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How do I make a reservation to rent the villa?
First, contact us about availability for requested dates. When we have confirmed availability for your dates and you have your airline reservations, we will need a 50% deposit to confirm your reservation.

How do I get answers to some questions I might have prior to reserving Villa Estrella?
You are welcome to contact us at (775) 445-6243.

How do I pay you?
Payment is by check only. We do not accept credit cards.

Will I receive written confirmation for my reservation?
Yes, upon receipt of deposit, you will receive written confirmation for reservation.

Is my deposit nonrefundable?
Yes. Once we reserve your dates, they are not available for other guests.

Since I'm paying by check, can you provide a reference for me?
Yes, we are happy to provide you the name and phone number of our private banker.

Can I rent just 1 or 2 rooms rather than the entire villa?
Our quoted rate is for the entire villa. It is up to you how many rooms you use.

Do I have to rent by the week?
No, but once you are at the villa, we can assure you that you will want to stay as long as possible!

Do you give discounts on rates for long stays—for example, if I want to rent for 3-4 weeks?
Just give us a call and we'll be happy to discuss this.

What is included in the daily rate?
Pick up from and return to the airport in our Suburban.

Staff, including bilingual houseman, gourmet chef, maid, and gardener.

For groups of 6-8, we include an assistant cook and laundress at no additional charge to you.

Private club memberships: We allow our guests the use of our private club memberships for the following:

  1. Tres Vidas, our golf club on the ocean
  2. La Concha, the beach club for the Westin Las Brisas
  3. tennis courts and all facilities at the Las Brisas Hotel.

See Amenities for more details.

What is not included in the daily rate?
Airfare, food, liquor, purified water, tips, car.

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How many people can Villa Estrella comfortably sleep?
Eight (8) guests. However, we do have an extra long couch in Bedroom #1 and a roll out bed if you need to sleep children. If more than eight (8) adults are in your group, please contact us about special arrangements.

How many bedrooms are there and what type of beds are in each master suite?
Bedroom #1 Recamera Katarina Queen Bed
Bedroom #2 Recamera Jennifer King Bed
Bedroom #3 Recamera Alexandra King Bed
Bedroom #4 Recamera Pablito Two double beds

General Information about the Bedroom Suites

How would you describe the bedrooms?
All bedroom suites and bathrooms boast travertine marble floors and floor to ceiling windows overlooking Acapulco Bay. Paintings and Mexican treasures provide the decorative touches to make each suite unique.

Do each of the bedroom suites have views?
Every bedroom suite has an unobstructed, panoramic view of Acapulco Bay and downtown Acapulco. You can enjoy this fabulous view from the bedroom or lanai.

Are the bedroom suites air conditioned?
Yes, they all have air conditioning as well as fans.

What do I do if I want to play music in my bedroom suite?
Each suite features a CD disc player/cassette tape and radio system.

Can I pick out the suite with a lanai?
Each of the four master suites has a lanai.

Do each of the suites have a private bathroom?
Yes, including a bath and shower.

Do you have a television, satellite feeds, DVD player, and VCR?
Yes, we have all of these in Bedroom #1

What about closets?
There are spacious closets in each master suite. As a matter of fact, the closets are so large in Recamera #1 and #2 that you can fit a crib in and still have plenty of room.

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Who is included in your staff?
Roberto, our bilingual houseman, oversees the villa and makes sure that you and your guests are comfortable during your vacation. He is also the person who will coordinate any specific guest requests.

Roberto and Josefina plan meals and purchase all groceries.

Josefina is our gourmet chef. She doesn't speak English, but she prepares fabulous food.

Eva is our maid and she will make sure that the villa sparkles during your visit. She is also responsible for all the fresh flower arrangements in the villa.

Arturo is our gardener. He is responsible for the beautiful landscaping throughout the villa and maintains the pool as well.

What about additional staff?
When we have 6-8 guests at the villa, we add a laundress and assistant cook at no extra charge to our guests.

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How do the meals work at the villa?
Roberto and Josefina will plan the menus and shop every morning before arriving at the villa. If you have special requests for meals, a special occasion to celebrate, or special dietary restrictions, Roberto will work with you to accommodate your needs.

Is the water safe?
We use purified water at the villa. All cooking is done with bottled purified water and we have a carafe of cold water next to each sink in the master suites for brushing teeth etc.

Do I need to be careful about eating fruits and vegetables at the villa?
No, all perishable food is rinsed in purified water in which we add chlorine drops (tasteless) to assure all water is safe.

How much do we budget for food?
People always ask how much to budget for food. We can't tell you exactly, as it depends on the number of people in your group and daily fluctuating food prices, but we can give you a general idea. We usually budget approximately $25-$35/per person/per day depending on number of guests: $25/person/day for 8 guests, $30/person/per day for 4 guests, and $35/person for our honeymoon couples! This budget also provides simple, traditional Mexican meals for our staff, who average over l4 hours a day working for the comfort of our guests.

Is this food budget exact?
No, it's an estimate only. The exact cost of the food will be whatever the food actually costs. For example, if people request lobster several nights, it is going to cost more than if people request chicken! However, this is a good budget number.

What does the food budget include?
This includes food, margarita ingredients, soda pop, beer, purified water, coffee, and condiments etc.

What does the food budget NOT include?
Liquor (except for margaritas) and wine.

How do we coordinate paying for food?
We find that it is easiest to designate one person in your group to handle money and coordinate with Roberto for meals. Most guests collect the estimated per person food costs prior to departure for Acapulco or at the beginning of the trip and then settle up at the end of the trip if there is a credit or debit.

How do I know what is being spent for food?
Roberto will provide receipts for all purchases.

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How do I get to Villa Estrella from the airport?
Upon arriving in Acapulco, Roberto will be waiting outside the customs exit door to greet you and whisk you away to Villa Estrella. Our Suburban will accommodate eight guests and their luggage, including tennis rackets and golf clubs. At the end of the trip, Roberto will return you to the airport as well.

 

 

 

 

Is any other transportation included in the rental of the villa?
Transportation to and from the airport only.

Can I rent the villa's Suburban during my stay at the villa?
Yes. We rent the Suburban for a substantial discount over the car rental agencies. You can rent by the day or by the week.

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How do I find out more information about the villa?
Prior to arrival, we will mail our guests a detailed book that will provide a wealth of information about everything from our favorite shopping, excursions, restaurants and discos to practical tips for your trip.

Do you really have a library of books available for guests?
Yes, we have a large selection of paperback and hardcover books available for guests.

Can you help me with airline reservations or questions about other villas?
We are a private family and can only help you with the rental of Villa Estrella. We suggest coordinating other travel arrangements with your travel agent.

How do I have a mariachi band come to the villa?
Roberto can hire a group of musicians to entertain you at the villa. This is a very festive way to greet guests on arrival or celebrate a special evening.

Can I plan my wedding at the villa?
We have assisted our guests in planning a wedding and reception at the villa or at the Chapel of Peace at the top of the hill. We charge an extra fee for coordinating the minister, flowers, cake, music, transportation, and food.

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Can I hire a babysitter during my stay at the villa?
Yes, Roberto will coordinate this for you. We have lovely women that can be available for the entire day at a fraction of the cost charged in the US. This is especially great for families who want to be with their children but be on vacation at the same time.

Is a crib available?
We have a Graco playpen/crib/changing table or we can assist you in renting a crib for your stay. The closets in two of the bedrooms are large enough to accommodate a crib.

Are there activities for children in Acapulco?
Waterparks. Amusement Parks. Beaches. Sunshine.

There are wonderful activities for children of all ages. The waterpark, Cici's, attracts not only young toddlers who love to wade in the shallow pools and spray water, but also teenagers who love challenging slides and the enormous pool with man-made waves. The amusement park has fun rides for younger children. All the water sports, including jet skiis, banana boats, motorboats, parasailing, bungey jumping, and even roller blading are available in Acapulco. The teenagers love the discos. So there is something for everyone.

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Some fun, inexpensive books packed with information about Acapulco and Mexico.

(no photo)
Fodor's Pocket Acapulco (3rd Edition)
cover

Frommer's Portable Acapulco & Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo (1st Ed)

cover Frommer's Mexico 2000
cover Fodor's Exploring Mexico (3rd Edition)
cover Let's Go 2000 Mexico (Let's Go. Mexico, 2000)

Be a wine expert! Before traveling, answer all your questions about wine at http://winebasics.com.

Casa Noble tequila Want an exquisite keepsake from your trip to Mexico? Try Mexico's cultural passion at http://www.casanoble.com!

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