Booking direct with owners advice please - Cyprus apartment

bah_humbug_2

Hello

Just a bit of advice needed please

How much cover do we get if booking an apartment direct with the owners? They want a £50 deposit and the balance plus a £50 breakages bond paid 6 weeks before holiday.

Is normal insurance enough to cover any untoward doings - ie not being booked as agreed, getting there and having no-where to stay, other holiday nightmares?

Have found a beautiful apartment at a great price but never having booked without an agent am a little wary.

Thanks for any help :T

bah_humbug_2

Asked them how to pay etc - gave bank details - Bank of Ireland??

Sound suss or soind okay? Asked if can pay by cheque - waiting for answer

Jelliebeen

Provided you book with a recession proof airline, such as BA, easyJet or Ryanair you should be OK in that respect. You can get insurance for airline failure, even if you're doing a DIY holiday. Check out Protect My Holiday (think it's protectmyholiday.com, or something like that).

Going self catering is my fave holiday option. You get a whole house, not a room! Build up a good relationship with the owner and ask them for contact details of previous guests who wouldn't mind talking to you.

Also check out TripAdvisor - you can always post and ask if anyone has any experience of the place you're interested in.

I'd say do some a little bit of research and then go with your gut feeling. We always rent direct with the owner and have not yet had a bad experience. Everyone goes out of their way to be helpful and it just makes the holiday so much more memorable.

Have a fab holiday!

cajef

We had an apartment in Cyprus for a fortnight last November, found it on a site called Owners Direct, same terms as yours appears to be, we booked our own insurance, flights with Easyjet, car hire etc., the apartment and complex were good and everything went without a hitch, the £50 breakage bond was refunded without any quibbles, we had a superb holiday and would use them again anytime.

bah_humbug_2

Thanks for advice