Why rent a villa as opposed to staying in a hotel?
Villas
A villa offers far more room than a hotel, this usually means a living room, kitchen, dining room, bedrooms, bathrooms and balconies, lawns or even a private pool or tennis court.
Because you have a kitchen you are not forced to eat every single meal outside. If all you want for supper is a bowl of cereal, you don't have to suffer a sneering waiter to do it.
By shopping for groceries at local markets you get an insiders view of Italian life. You become a participant and not an observer
Since a villa rental is for at least one week, you get to hang up your clothes once. It is easier to relax and just enjoy the views from a more spacious setting, or use your villa as a base to spoke out in different directions for interesting daytrips.
Hotels
Daily maid service. Although some villas have it and in others it can be arranged, a villa is generally self-catering.
Room service. In a villa it is rare that someone will serve you breakfast in bed.
Concierge. Villa caretakers, owners and neighbors may be very helpful but certainly not at your constant beck and call.
Cable TV, air conditioning, phones and faxes. Certainly some villas have these amenities and more, however it is more than the exception than the rule.
Comparing the two by cost?
It's not fair to either. Some villas cost more than hotels, and yes, many cost less. What really counts is what you are used to and how independent you are. If you look at each day as an adventure and find yourself excited with the prospect of being on your own, a villa is a good bet. Likewise, if you prefer your toast buttered only on one side and by someone else, you should probably stick to hotels.
