Things to consider when booking acc. direct with owner

CharlieRabbit01

Hi All

Planning a break which involves buying flights from one website, booking transfers with another and accommodation directly with the owner.

I've usually booked as a package or with package style sites such as low cost holidays then bought insurance.

Is there any thing different I need to consider with booking in separate parts particularly booking direct with apartment owner and insurance?

gfplux

Booking appartments directly with owners can be tricky as there a lot of scammers about.
When we booked an apartment in London we asked on the London forum of Trip Adviser for advise.

growler834

We've never had a problem booking apartments through Holiday Rentals or Holiday Lettings - have booked several in Italy & France. However, I always try to choose ones that have English owners with UK landline numbers & addresses that can be checked out. Always make sure they have a long Tripadvisor review record too so there is less chance of the property not existing! Good research should prevent any problems.

PompeyPete

Have a look at...

https://www.airbnb.co.uk/

Used them twice this year, in Kathmandu and Sanur (Bali). You pay Airbnb up front, but they don't release the money to the owner until 24 hours after your arrival.

We've had no problems, but I've read about people being charged for 'extras' after they've arrived. So make sure that what you are paying for on the individual property page includes everything that you want.

The user reviews of the properties are reliable. Far more reliable than some of the nonsense that gets posted on TA.

AlexMac

PompeyPete wrote: »

Far more reliable than some of the nonsense that gets posted on TA.

No disrespect Pete, but you can read between the lines of TA reviews to get a rounded picture (e.g. ignore '1-post wonders' and click on their names to read reviewers' other posts to see which orifice they're talking out of)

...and TA's advice on avoiding getting scammed on bookings is good. For example, never pay by bank transfer...

PompeyPete

No probem Alex, I've done a few laps.
There are far too many one post either end of the spectrum rubbish reviews on TA.
I can post a review on any hotel in the world on TA, even though I might never even set foot on the same continent.
TA don't know how to deal with duff malicious reviews, and so while that continues, their hotel review section is seriously flawed.
Reviews on Agoda, Booking.com, Airbnb are much more consistent and reliable.

CharlieRabbit01

thanks for the advice. I always look at trip advisor and try to read between the lines I swear some people are just bored.

Plus some things that bother other people don't bother me.

I once read a review giving 1 star as during their 2 night stay the bed sheets weren't changed, well i dont change my sheets every night.

I've found a few places and googled them and found I can book via reputable sites.

lots of places appear to be through holiday lettings.

if things went wrong would my insurance cover it?

I will also be paying by credit card where possible.

pandora205

I've done this once (booked directly from owner) following long haul flights but found it's a good idea to have the first night in a (cancellable) hotel in case there are delays. I'd check out reviews of the property too and post it on Tripadvisor forum to see if anyone else has stayed there.
In my experience Tripadvisor reviews can be dodgy but people of the forums are fantastically helpful, often pointing out all sorts of advantages and disadvantages of locations that guide books don't reveal. Now I tend to post my itinerary and ask for comments, as destination experts know just what is feasible.

PS The apartment we rented directly from the owner was much better value than the hotels and apartments we booked through the usual channels (booking.com etc.)

PompeyPete

pandora205 wrote: »

...but found it's a good idea to have the first night in a (cancellable) hotel in case there are delays.

Never done that. Surely there aren't many places that allow cancellation at no charge with no notice at all. They're risking lost income on an empty room. But, I've often booked a room on-line (usually with Booking.com) and had to give my card details, on the understanding that a no-show will incur a charge of whatever I've agreed to in the T&Cs for a no-show.

pandora205 wrote: »

I'd check out reviews of the property too and post it on Tripadvisor forum to see if anyone else has stayed there.
In my experience Tripadvisor reviews can be dodgy but people of the forums are fantastically helpful, often pointing out all sorts of advantages and disadvantages of locations that guide books don't reveal. Now I tend to post my itinerary and ask for comments, as destination experts know just what is feasible.

Agree with most of that. Many, not all, TA forums have some incredibly knowledgeable and helpful regulars, and not just DE's either.

AlexMac

I need to get out more...

oh, hang on; that's why I'm on the 'Overseas Travel' forum!

But straying further off-topic, and momentarily returning to the theme of extremes of competence and incompetence among TA posts- take a look at the sheer quality and energy of those by my favourite travel geek-lady on the Spanish Cantabria site; 'ratoncantabria'.

she even has her on blog http://ratoncantabria.wordpress.com/

Oh that I was 40 years younger and could still stride up mountains!