Help with villa holiday where and how much?

Kez100

We always stay in a villa if we can afford to.

2002 Menorca in June - Torre Soli area of Son Bou. Nice weather. Quite long walk to beach but relatively flat. We did hire a car but it would be advisable in this location as opposed to essential. Loved Menorca's beaches and two main towns/cities but otherwise we didn't find much to do. Would be great for relaxing. We used a company which doesn't exist now to book with.

2004 Cyprus in early April - Near Paphos in the hills. Beautiful villa booked through Owners Direct. The most reasonable villa we have ever stayed in at about £400 a week. Big too - slept 10. Car essential. Need to be sure there are quality heaters/heating if going off season as nights got cold. Lots to see on the island. Currently my favourite and we would go back but we have August holidays now and the heat in Cyprus wold just be too much for us.

2009 France in August - two centre and took our own car. Brittany - stayed at a friends holiday home. Bit like Cornwall but warmer. Very very French, which I loved. Then we stayed in Deux Sevres the week after. Owners Direct booking. Not a great area to do much in - preferred our days out we went to nearer Cognac. Nice gite but flies everywhere, live ones, dying ones and dead ones. It was a nightmare to keep on top of. Rarely ate in the courtyard due to flies. Pity really as that was the only bad bit but proved extremely annoying. Second week gite £700 and ferry I cannot remember but it was quite exensive as summer plus our car was a big one.

2013 - Booked August in Majorca with James Villas. Most expensive so far £4800. 4 adults, car hire, insurance, villa which accommodates 6.

The pool in the above list have varied from private to shared. Private is so worth having and you can self cater quite easily, especially if the is a BBQ provided. The shared pool is nowhere near as good for that reason. However, watch the temperature. We found unheated pools early season can be so cold they are rendered virtually unusable. In Cyprus the first two weeks in April, the adults only used the pool in week two when it was a much better temperature. Week one was too cold for us, although the hardy children still went in.

deva

Have stayed in a number of apartments, some with pools in Spain including calella de parafrugell, Nerja and la herradura.

Always used holidayrentals or ownersdirect and not had any issues. I would say 700 a week for four beds and pool is standard in August.

Speak carefully with others if they want a villa as many are more remote and it usually means that a car is required and therefore drivers. Just something to consider as I know idea of private villa is nice but I like a drink and a wander in evenings rather than holding car keys.

Priorities in August as most places will be busiest would be air con and parking if appropriate.