FAQs
Booking & Availability
How do I check availability?
Our website shows an availability calendar. Only open dates are visible — unavailable dates are hidden to prevent double bookings.
What types of bookings are possible?
- Event Only – weddings, celebrations, or gatherings without overnight stay.
- Villa Rental Only – accommodation only, no event use.
- Event + Villa Rental – full combination of both.
How do I start a booking?
Select your preferred booking type and dates. You’ll be asked to complete a mandatory pre-screening questionnaire. Our bookings administrator will review your request. If approved, you’ll receive a follow-up form, a Rental Agreement confirming the details of your stay or event, and payment instructions.
Who approves bookings?
Bookings are screened and approved by our administrator. There are no exceptions — all requests follow the same process, including those from wedding planners.
Payments & Cancellations
What payments are required to secure my dates?
A non-refundable deposit of 50% of the total rental fee is required within 72 hours of approval. If payment is not received, the requested dates are released.
What if my booking is short notice?
For bookings made within 6 weeks of arrival, 100% of the rental fee plus the damage deposit are due immediately and are non-refundable.
When is the final balance due?
For standard bookings, the remaining 50% balance and the damage deposit are due 6 weeks before arrival. Reminders are sent in advance.
What is the cancellation policy?
All deposits and payments are strictly non-refundable. In the case of Force Majeure (such as natural disasters, government restrictions, or pandemics), payments are not refunded but may, at the Owner’s sole discretion, be applied as a credit toward a future booking.
Villa Services & Inclusions
What services are included with my stay?
- Daily Maid service
- Property manager
- 24-hour on-site staff and security monitoring
Are meals included?
Breakfast and lunch are included daily. Menus are shared after booking. Guests pay for groceries in cash upon arrival.
Can Villa del Oso accommodate food allergies or dietary restrictions?
Our staff can only accommodate simple dietary preferences. Villa del Oso cannot guarantee an allergen-free kitchen. Guests with severe allergies must make alternative arrangements for safe meal preparation.
Does Villa del Oso provide catering or a private chef?
No. Villa del Oso does not provide chefs or catering services. Guests may hire a private chef or caterer at their own responsibility. Hired chefs are responsible for all food preparation and allergy or dietary needs.
When can vendors set up and tear down for events?
Setup may begin at 12:00 PM the day before the event, and teardown must be completed by 12:00 PM the day after. All external vendors must be pre-approved, sign a Vendor Agreement, and provide liability insurance (minimum USD $500,000). Guests are responsible for their vendors’ compliance, setup, and cleanup.
Does Villa del Oso provide golf carts, massages, spa, or yoga services?
No. Villa del Oso does not arrange external services such as golf carts, massages, spa treatments, or yoga. Guests may book these independently with local providers.
House Rules / Guest Experience
Is Villa del Oso suitable for guests with mobility challenges?
Villa del Oso is a private residential estate with steep pathways, multiple stairs, and fragile furnishings. It is not wheelchair accessible and may present mobility challenges. Young children must be supervised at all times.
Are pets allowed?
Villa del Oso is a pet-free property. Service animals are considered on a case-by-case basis. Emotional support animals are not permitted.
Is smoking allowed?
No smoking or vaping inside the Villa, Casita, or common areas.
What are quiet hours?
Quiet hours apply nightly from 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM. During these hours, amplified music, excessive noise, and disruptive activity are strictly prohibited.
How many people can attend an event at Villa del Oso?
Villa del Oso accommodates up to 120 attendees. Events larger than this require prior written approval. Exceeding the approved capacity may result in immediate termination of the rental without refund.
How many guests can stay overnight?
The Villa and Casita together accommodate up to ~18 people (with sofa bed).
Can we host any type of event?
Weddings, elopements, and formal celebrations are welcome. Setup may begin at 12:00 PM the day before and teardown must be completed by 12:00 PM the day after the event.
Not permitted: bachelor/bachelorette parties, clubbing/dance parties, house parties, or other disruptive gatherings.
Fireworks, lanterns, firecrackers, and all pyrotechnics are strictly prohibited on the property and beach.
Who is responsible for damages?
Guests are responsible for all damage to the Villa, grounds, or beach caused by guests, attendees, vendors, or contractors. Villa del Oso and its staff assume no liability for accidents, injuries, illnesses, allergic reactions, theft, loss, or damage to personal property, equipment, or vehicles.
Is there parking available?
Parking is limited to 2 vehicles on the property. The driveway is steep and narrow, best suited for small vehicles. Oversized or additional vehicles must use street parking.
Is Villa del Oso a commercial event venue?
No. Villa del Oso is a private residential estate, not a commercial event facility. Weddings and formal celebrations are welcome, but all activities must respect the community with limited capacity, quiet hours, and no disruptive gatherings.
Who is responsible for vendor conduct?
Guests are fully responsible for the compliance and behavior of all attendees, vendors, and contractors. Vendors must be pre-approved and follow Villa del Oso’s rules.
Cleaning & Hygiene
What are the cleaning procedures at Villa del Oso?
Our team follows a consistent cleaning protocol before every stay:
- Thorough cleaning of bedrooms, bathrooms, and common areas
- Sanitizing of high-touch surfaces
- Ventilation of all rooms before arrival
What happens if extra cleaning is needed?
If deep cleaning is required due to excessive mess, misuse, or failure to restore the Villa or beach to a clean condition, additional charges may be deducted from the damage deposit. Guests are notified within three business days of checkout with an itemized statement.
Is Villa del Oso pet-free and shoe-free?
Yes. Villa del Oso is a pet-free property, to maintain the highest level of hygiene for all guests. Service animals may be considered on a case-by-case basis and must be disclosed at the time of booking (emotional support animals are not accepted). Guests are also asked to remove outdoor shoes when entering the Villa; indoor footwear such as sandals or slippers is recommended.
Gratuities & Staff
Is a damage deposit required?
Yes. All bookings require a damage deposit, held until after inspection:
- Event Only – USD $3,000
- Villa Stay Only – equal to one night’s rental rate
- Event + Villa Stay – equal to one night’s rental rate
What is the tipping policy?
For overnight Villa stays, a gratuity of USD $12–15 per occupied room, per night is customary. Gratuities are payable in cash and distributed equally among staff.
When are tips collected?
Tips are given in cash directly at the end of your stay and are shared equally among staff.
Contract & Process
Will I receive a contract?
Yes. Once approved, you’ll receive a Rental Agreement confirming the details of your stay or event. A signed Agreement and deposit are both required to secure your booking.
What happens after I’m approved?
You’ll receive a follow-up form to provide guest details, flight info, and event/vendor information (if applicable). This ensures our staff can prepare ahead of your stay.
Can I hire my own vendors?
Yes. All external vendors must:
- Sign a Vendor Agreement
- Provide valid business liability insurance
- Follow Villa rules including quiet hours, safety, and cleanup
Vendors without approved documents will not be allowed access to the property.
Will my information be shared with staff?
Yes. Arrival details (guest list, flights, group size) are automatically shared with staff to ensure smooth preparation.
Why do I need to fill out the Follow-Up Form?
It allows us to collect all important details in one place before your stay or event — such as guest list, travel plans, and vendors. This helps our team prepare the property and staff so everything runs smoothly.
What happens if I break the rules?
Any breach of the Rental Agreement or House Rules can result in immediate termination of your stay or event without refund.
Guest Experience
Is the pool large enough for big groups?
Outdoor water features include an infinity pool (~8m x 5m, ~1.4m depth) that fits 6–8 swimming or up to 10–12 standing/social, plus a plunge pool (~4m x 3m, ~1.2m depth) that fits 4–6 sitting (max 8 cooling off). There are also three private suite jacuzzis (2 persons each) located in the Oceanside Suite and both Casita suites.
How many bathrooms are there?
There are 8 bathrooms in total (5 in the main villa and 3 in the casita), all with standing showers.
Are there restricted areas in the Villa?
Certain areas such as staff supply rooms, the bodega, and locked closets are restricted and not accessible to guests.
What should we budget for groceries?
Guests pay for groceries on arrival. The first grocery run is included as a service, but cash is required for the groceries themselves. Additional runs incur a $100 USD service fee + 10% surcharge. Alcohol purchases follow the same surcharge.
Do I have to read the FAQ before booking?
All guests are required to review and accept the Guest Terms of Stay before submitting a booking request. The terms vary slightly depending on your booking type (Event Only, Villa Stay Only, or Event + Villa Stay) and cover deposits, occupancy limits, house rules, gratuities, and responsibilities.
Other
Can I ask more questions not listed here?
Yes! Our FAQ section includes a question box where you can submit your own questions. Answers will be provided by our team or automated system, and displayed publicly for future guests.
How many bedrooms does Villa del Oso have?
7 Spacious Bedrooms with En-suite Bathrooms. Maximum occupancy: 18 guests
Is the water safe in the villa?
Yes, as the entire property has a water purification system
Is the Villa secured?
Yes, it have a state of the Art Security System with 24 Hour Monitoring