What could possibly go wrong?
Well, the pandemic has taught us all the importance of booking with reputable companies with flexible booking policies. But there can be other problems. You may find your villa is smaller than you thought, or you are next door to a building site.
That’s why we strongly advise you to book with a reputable tour operator that will advertise its villas honestly, react swiftly if anything goes wrong and have staff in resort to sort out any problems. If you book a package that includes flights, car ferry or car hire, your holiday will be bonded. That means if the government advises against travel, you will be taken care of – whether than means finding you a new holiday, giving you a full refund or pulling out all the stops to get you home.
Tips on booking the perfect villa holiday
Use the web. Printed brochures tend to carry only brief descriptions of properties. Online you will find more pictures and, in some cases, user reviews. Study the photographs: look for tell-tale distortion around the edges of an image, suggesting that the photographer has used a wide-angle lens to make a small room look bigger. Ask for a floor plan with dimensions.
If you are booking independently, first secure your flights. In most resorts there is rarely a shortage of rental properties, but peak-season flights sell quickly, with fares on Saturdays – the most common changeover day – usually the most expensive. At most properties you won’t be handed the keys until mid-afternoon, so you may want to avoid early-morning outbound flights, particularly if you have young children. On the way home, avoid late evening flights as you will usually need to be out of the villa by about 10am.
A smart way to avoid the extra expense and hassle of a Saturday arrival is to bookend your villa stay with anight or two in a nearby hotel both before and after. Some tour operators will arrange this for you. Read between the lines, particularly if you are booking independently. That “charming rustic cottage” could be an unrestored wreck. If a villa is “10 minutes from the beach”, ask whether this is by car or on foot. If local shops are 1km away, enquire about the walk – it might be on a busy road without a pavement. Find out about traffic noise, the proximity of neighbours and where the owner lives. Study satellite images of the area around the property using Google Maps.
If you are travelling with children, check the facilities. Most villas have televisions, but not all have UK satellite channels. Is there a DVD player? If you have toddlers, check the pool has a shallow end of 1m or less and either steps or a shelved entrance. Does the pool have a fence or hard cover? This is a legal requirement in France but not elsewhere in Europe.
A pool can make or break a villa holiday. A 5m pool is adequate for splashing around, but not for swimming lengths. If you want to swim, look for a length of 10m or more. If you are travelling early or late in the season you will need heating, which usually costs extra – ensure it’s turned on before you arrive.
Get a printed inventory to find out what you need to pack – and settle any potential disputes over what’s included. Some villa owners supply pool towels, but won’t allow you to take them to the beach. If you book online, print out the relevant pages and take them with you.
If you are sharing, establish the sleeping arrangements before arrival. A villa advertised as “sleeps 8” may only have 3 bedrooms and a sofa bed in the lounge. The usual protocol is this: if you go to the trouble of booking the thing, you can expect pick of the bedrooms. If you think it’s going to be a free-for-all, arrive early to get “first dibs”.
If you plan to cook, ask exactly what you can expect to find in the kitchen. Some tour operators provide a welcome pack of basic food and drink, while some even offer daily bread deliveries. However, you will often find that basics such as salt, pepper and cooking oil need to be bought at a local shop.
Plan Your Next Vacation Rental Holiday With Z&X Holiday Villas
As we understand it’s difficult to commit to travel plans at the moment, we are offering flexible booking conditions. Book your family villa holiday now with the guarantee you will not lose your payment.
If you wish to book for Autumn/Winter 2021 or wish to make a booking for 2022, please contact us below and we will be more than happy to assist.
Via 101 Holidays