1. Your “One-Stop Shop” for Kosher Vacation Rentals

2. Florida Kosher Villas is already a household name in the frum world when it comes to planning a vacation.  With their main office located in the ever-growing North Miami Beach community in South Florida, they have access to not only the higher end private villas in their own neighborhood but also have expanded into other areas around the country as well. Shaya Weinberger, co-owner with his wife Shifra, was gracious enough to give this interviewer some time to discuss the unique role they play in the world of “kosher travel.”

3. Q. Shaya, tell us about your company and what makes you stand out in the area of kosher travel companies. A. In 2009, together with my wife, we opened our business and with Hashem’s help we were able to see tremendous success in our endeavors right from the start. Prior to renting vacation homes in a frum community, there were years where the kosher consumer could book a stay at a kosher hotel.  With those days long gone, there was an unfulfilled need for accommodating a family that wanted to vacation in a warm climate but in a neighborhood where kosher products could be found and a minyan could be had. We decided to fill this need and began our business as a small management and booking company for a few homes in the North Miami Beach community that we felt were of a standard that would meet the needs of the kosher consumer. Over the years, we took on more homes and expanded our responsibilities. In addition, we have expanded our inventory of homes in other areas around the country as well as abroad.  We also offer concierge service in many of these communities to complement the rental aspect of the business. Our ultimate goal is to become a “one-stop shop” for the kosher consumer, providing accommodations, travel arrangements, destination activities, and much more, in locations all around the world.

4. Q. As there are a lot of luxury hotels located worldwide and especially in the Miami area, how do you rise “above the bar”? A. You know the saying “you get what you pay for”?  In today’s world, unfortunately, sometimes you pay a premium for a product but in terms of the service you get from the company backing the product, you get way less than the value of what you paid. What makes our company stand out is both the product that we market as well as the level of customer service that we provide to each and every guest who reserves a property through our company.  From the initial contact we have with a potential guest, our amazing team works hard to find them the home that “fits” their family’s personality. Keeping in mind that everyone works within their own specific budget, we offer homes that have a sliding scale of pricing.  However, our level of customer care begins and ends at only the highest level.   We are not just providing a rental property for a few nights or a few weeks.  We are entering into a relationship with a client that will be ongoing for many years, and we want to make sure it will be one that they will value and, as a result, recommend us to their family and friends for their vacation needs. In addition, we have an amazing concierge team and for a minimal fee, they will work with anyone who would like to plan the vacation or family trip they have always dreamed of. We can assist with airline tickets, car services, extra housekeeping, event tickets, planning of activities for the adults as well as the children, and the list continues…

5. Q. Why would someone choose to stay in a private home vs. a room in a name brand hotel that is known for nice accommodations? A. That’s an easy one and I can sum it up in two words – privacy and space. When you pay for a room in a hotel, no matter how upscale the name brand is, all you are getting is… a room in a hotel.  Compare that to renting an entire house for the same price as just one room in a hotel, and certainly way less than when you pay for two or more rooms if you are coming with your children or your married couple. You might get a room that is spacious and luxurious with every amenity you could think of, down to the marble bathroom. At the end of the day, your “private space” is still limited to the square footage of that one room. You do have the option to spend time in the lobby but that is public space and, especially on Shabbos and Yom Tov, are you going to feel comfortable or appropriately dressed if you are sitting with your hat and jacket and your wife is in her Shabbos robe? How about the atmosphere in that lobby? Hotels these days attract all sorts of clientele from around the world.  Chances are there will be guests whose level of modesty and speech are far from what you would want yourself or your children exposed to.

6. In addition, where will you eat your meals? Whether during the week or over a Shabbos, do you really want to spend your hard earned money to eat while sitting on your bed? More importantly is the fact that renting a vacation home translates into having a pool that you can actually use.  All our homes offer heated pools and the majority has hot tubs as well. They are exclusively for your use with a mechitza surrounding them, ensuring that you feel comfortable swimming at any time of night or day.  In a hotel, there may be a beautiful pool area but the frum traveler is paying for something they simply cannot use. There are many more reasons I can enumerate why choosing to stay in a private home is more advantageous than taking a room or two in a hotel but I think the above pretty much makes the point crystal clear – when taking a vacation, the wisest choice for a heimishe family is the one that offers them their own private “living space,” a private pool with a mechitza, and a kosher kitchen.