We use our side patio (east side of the villa) all the time, especially when we have more than 6 people over. We expanded it slightly to the side of the neighbor's villa. Can comfortably seat 8, sometimes have more.
Ours is shady all afternoon and evening. I would say do not expect to use patio space much if at all unless it is shady in the early evening.
At least 4 other sets of neighbors greatly expanded their patios, toward the corners of their fenced yards. We all use them a lot, for neighborhood parties of probably 8-12 people. Doesn't seem to get very buggy at all.
Our grill is on the patio and I/we sometimes sit outside while Ohioboy is grilling, if the rest of dinner doesn't need attention.
None of our close-by neighbors have expanded our lanais, just use those for smaller groups or a lot ourselves. We eat on ours the majority of the time, breakfast, lunch and dinner if we are here. About half of our neighbors have enclosed their lanais, half have not. One enclosed to make a card room that is usable all winter. One had a west-facing lanai that was quite hot, so enclosed and added an a/c unit. Ours is shady and comfortable except for very cold and very hot weather, use it nearly every day except for really cold stretches. We are not here in summer.
Screening doesn't keep out the geckos, but they may get in at our villa thru the vinyl siding outside the screening, although you can also see light thru weepholes in the aluminum framing and doorsill.
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