Our Guide to The Sunshine State of Florida | SPL Villas Blog

Our guide to your villa holiday in Florida

Finally ready to bite the bullet and tick the USA off your bucket list? Well, there is no doubt that Florida is the dream holiday - the ultimate destination for magic, excitement and adventure.

That being said, Florida is definitely not the type of trip you book on a whim. It requires research and planning rather than spontaneity, which can feel incredibly overwhelming for even the most experienced holiday-makers.

But don't let this put you off booking your dream holiday; we've got you covered. Let's dive straight into our complete guide to booking your villa holiday to Florida, covering what time of year to go, what to do while you're there and of course, where you should stay.

When to go to Florida

People flock to Florida all year round for its bright, sunny weather and perfect, unclouded skies. After all, it's not called the Sunshine State for nothing!

Although clear skies, warm temperatures and a welcoming atmosphere describe Florida almost every day, there are still times of the year to go that you may find much more will simply be much more enjoyable - both in terms of weather and crowds. After all, nobody wants to queue up for hours and hours on end for a rollercoaster.

The perfect balance of mild, sunshiney weather and minimal crowds is typically in the spring and early autumn (as long as you make sure to avoid the American Spring Break antics!). And as an extra little bonus, you'll probably find cheaper deals on your flights. However, if you are tied to the school holidays with the little ones, Easter break might be your best shot. Although the crowds will be thicker, you'll still manage to have a few turns on all your favourite rollercoasters!

If you're heading to The Sunshine State between the months of June and August, get ready for it to be hot, hot, hot! Blistering sunshine and the odd afternoon hurricane are to be expected, but if you can hack the heat and are looking to lounge all day by the pool or the sandy shores, well, this time of year could be perfect for you.

What to do in Florida

Well, where do we start? Bursting with attractions, adventures and activities, it's no surprise that Florida is the second most visited state in the US, just pipped to the post by California.

A trip to Disney's Magic Kingdom is a must, where you'll enjoy a jam-packed day of magic and fairy tales which will spill over into the night as you watch the awe-inspiring firework display (that's if you're letting the kids stay up way, way past bedtime!).

But for those seeking bigger thrills, there are many theme parks such as Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, Busch Gardens, Seaworld and more; the fun never stops in Florida.

However, while Florida might be best known for its adrenaline-pumping rides and rollercoasters, let us shine the spotlight on some of the other great things the state has to give.

The Sunshine State is famous for its vast stretches of idyllic shorelines and sparkling, crystal-clear waters, so wherever you stay it won't be too hard to stumble across a sandy haven of tranquillity.

If you fancy a little road trip, head over to Clearwater Beach or the Paradise Coast to see the pristine shores, both of which welcome tourists and locals all year round.

Or, for the nature lovers, take a drive over to Everglades National Park or the Blue Spring State Park, where you'll experience a world of greenery and waters, and the local wildlife might even pop up to say hello too. You might be surprised to find pockets of serenity away from the hustle and bustle of the theme parks, but rest assured, you can find it around every corner.

And finally, if you fancy a shopping spree, it's safe to say you won't have a problem there. Shopping malls are never far away, like Millenia Mall and Florida Mall, perfect for splashing your dollars on a little holiday treat.

We could go on about the best way to spend your Florida days, but we think it's best to let you experience it for yourself…

Where to stay in Florida

As we're sure your days will be filled with adventure and fun, it's crucial that you can come back to a calm, sophisticated space where you can relax, unwind and reminisce on the days before, whether this is in your room or by your pool.

Named vs allocation on arrival accommodation

Before we jump into our recommendations on where to stay, it's essential to understand the difference between named and allocation on-arrival accommodation.

When booking a villa holiday to Florida, many people unknowingly book what's called 'allocation on arrival' accommodation.

This essentially means that the accommodation you saw on the website or in the brochures is not actually the place you stay at when you arrive. And unfortunately, this can be quite a disappointment.

But with SPL Villas, what you see is always what you get, and that's our promise. Nobody wants to be disappointed on the holiday of their dreams. 

Anyway, let's look at where best to stay on your holiday to the Sunshine State.

For thrillseekers

Many people visit Florida, or more specifically Orlando, for one thing, and one thing only: theme parks. As such, it only makes sense to stay in close proximity to the main parks but far enough away that returning to your accommodation will allow you to unwind and chill out. A few moments of peace are absolutely essential to prepare you for a busy day of theme parks the day after, and the day after that, and well…you get the idea.

At SPL Villas, all our luxury villas are located not too far away from the major parks, so whichever you decide upon will have you covered. For example, our villas in the Storey Lake Resort and Paradise Palms Resort are ideally located just a few minutes drive away from Walt Disney Resort and Universal Studios, and as the name suggests, they truly feel like a paradise - just what you need on your dream getaway.

For families

Taking the family across the world to sunshiney Florida is the adventure of a lifetime. It's a holiday that'll create memories that leave you and the family dreaming wistfully about your getaway for years to come. As such, it's essential to ensure you're staying somewhere perfect for everyone, and luckily, we've got precisely what you need.

With villas dotted all across Orlando, each within close proximity to the parks and kitted out with its own set of amenities and fun-filled activities, the world is your oyster when it comes to picking the perfect Florida villa for the family.

For example, we have tonnes of luxury villas in the Solara Resort, most equipped with water slides and other activities to occupy the kids if you're taking a day off from Disney. And of course, while the kids play, the adults can enjoy a refreshing cocktail by the pool, read a book and soak up the glorious sunshine. We couldn't think of a better way to balance out those action-packed days of adventure.

But if your family doesn't like the sound of missing out on their touch of magic, don't despair. Many of our villas, including a couple in the Solara Resort like Villa Towhee and Villa Heller, are decorated with themed bedrooms for the kids. Whether your child is a Disney devotee or even a big Fortnite fanatic, stay in one of our luxury villas and add an extra touch of sparkle to your holiday. As we said, we want to make this a holiday you and your family will never forget.

For friend groups and couples

It's not just families that can enjoy the magic of Florida, the Sunshine State has plenty to offer when it comes to groups of friends or even couples.

Buzzing with lively nightlife, shopping malls, an array of diverse cuisines and world-famous beaches, don't be fooled into thinking Florida is just for those seeking thrills and action. Villas in our Solterra Resort make the perfect hideaway for friends and couples who want to spend their days relaxing and enjoying a few drinks by the poolside bar.

All our villas, including those in the Champion's Gate Resort, are located just a short drive from the International Drive. A world-renowned, thriving hub of fun, this 11-mile street is peppered with restaurants, bars, taverns and live entertainment, the perfect way to end your days in the Sunshine State.

Let us help you tick Florida off the bucket list

So, that concludes our overview of your villa holiday to Florida. As we said, there is so much to do, see and enjoy in Florida, too much to sum up.

But if you want to experience the magic for yourself, we'd love to help out. With years of experience and a wealth of expertise in booking Florida villa holidays, we'll ensure your holiday planning is seamless and easy, so you can hop off the plane with no worries in the world.

Our customer service is second to none, and our luxurious, stylish Florida villas are the perfect places to drop your bags and unwind. So, with all that in mind, now's the time to get in touch so that we can tick Florida off your bucket list today.