Your indispensable guide to 50 rigorously vetted villa rental agents

CARIBBEAN

MULTIPLE ISLANDS
Timothy Roney, LaCURE Villas, Toronto
575 properties (low season, $3,000–$50,000; high season, $4,000–$75,000).
Overall portfolio: $$$
Roney has listings on 22 islands and knows the Caribbean inside and out. He's selective about the properties he takes on, paying particular attention to furnishings and decor and only choosing places with a sense of style. He's great at helping people figure out which island will best suit their needs—say, which are best for avoiding autumn's weather woes, where homes on beaches are more plentiful and affordable, and where good golf or shopping can be found (800-387-2726; tim.roney@lacure.com; lacurevillas.com).

BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
Hunter Butler, Blue Escapes, Austin, Texas
60 properties (low season, $950–$19,500; high season, $1,100–$28,500).
Overall portfolio: $$
Butler is especially attuned to honeymooners' wishes. Her portfolio includes many intimate cottages, several of which are genuinely affordable. She'll direct beach lovers to Virgin Gorda, where she has many listings right on Mahoe Bay, a quiet beach with calm waters (512-472-8832; hunter@blueescapes.com; blueescapes.com).

CARRIACOU
Allison Caton, Down Island Ltd., Carriacou, Grenada
25 properties (low season, $400–$2,100; high season, $525–$2,500).
Overall portfolio: $
Willing to sacrifice creature comforts to escape the tourist hordes? Alexander will acquaint you with this tiny island where chickens and donkeys and goats walk down the main street past little old ladies cooking bread in outdoor ovens. There are no organized excursions, but the properties often come with DSL and cable TV, and Caton can book flights and four-wheel-drive rentals for you. Her villas generally don't come with air-conditioning or staff, but you can arrange for meals to be delivered (473-443-8182; islander@islandvillas.com; islandvillas.com).

GRENADA
Nick Hughes, Spice Isle Villas, Grenada
28 properties (low season, $950–$11,000; high season, $1,250–$20,000).
Overall portfolio: $$
A Grenada resident for 12 years, Hughes knows the owners and staff at every one of his listings and is never more than 20 minutes away should a problem arise. Ranging from affordable cottages to a fully staffed beachfront hacienda, all properties come with an ocean view, housekeeping at least five days a week—and Hughes's encouragement to get out and explore the lush island and meet its friendly residents. Whether it's a car rental or a hiking tour, he's happy to make the proper arrangements (473-439-2486; spiceislevillas@spiceisle.com; spiceislevillas.com).