But booking a holiday rental needn’t be a tricky task. By spending a little time researching the different options available, you will have a clearer idea of what kind of accommodation you need to make sure your trip is a success. But first, you need to eliminate the rental options that fall outside of your personal band of requirements.
The first thing to bear in mind is your budget. This will work in tandem with our next consideration: the size of your travelling party. If you are holidaying alone or as a couple, you will only need to look for a one-bedroom property, whereas a family or large group will require more space and multiple bedrooms to stay in.
When booking your accommodation, it’s important to bear in mind the number of bathroom suites as well as bedrooms. If you’re going away with three other couples and the villa or holiday home you have found offers four double bedrooms – great. But if there is only one shared bathroom, this could pose problems.
Similarly, if you have a large family you may want to opt for more bathrooms – particularly if you’re travelling with small children. If you’re going on holiday with another family, think about whether any of the guests will have any special requirements such as disabled access, a baby cot or any medical or dietary needs.
Once you have ascertained the size of the property you need, it’s time to survey your options. The best place to look for accommodation these days is online, where all your choices will be laid out in front of you and you can compare prices.
Most websites will list properties according to price, but you should be able to filter your categories to create a more personalised list. It goes without saying that larger properties (such as 18 bedroom villas!) will be more expensive than smaller ones. But there are also other factors to consider when planning your budget.
The great thing about renting a holiday home rather than staying in a hotel is that you can prepare your own meals, rather than spending lots of money dining out in local restaurants. However, you can still find properties that are close to local amenities, restaurants and bars if you would like to spend some evenings out on the town.
Although rental homes may initially seem more expensive than hotel rooms, being able to cook your own food will save you money in the long run, making it a more affordable option for those on a tight budget. Similarly, you won’t need to leave your hotel room during the day to find entertainment – some villas even have home cinemas, games rooms and pools.
If you’re opting for a luxury break, you will be able to find plenty of places to stay near beautiful beaches boasting incredible ocean views. You may also be able to able to hire full time cleaning, butler and house staff for the duration of your stay so that you are free to relax and enjoy yourself without being bogged down by everyday duties.
Whatever you are looking for – whether a small, modest apartment in the hub of city nightlife, or a luxurious villa tucked away in a remote location – there is sure to be an option out there to suit every taste and budget, it just takes a little research.