Advice on finding and booking a villa

Goldust

Hi!

This always seems the best place for advice so here goes.

I'm looking to book a villa abroad, not too bothered where (within reason!) the last week in August.

It would be for 6 or 8 people in total and I don't even know where to start looking.

I also need to consider the costs of flights so what are peoples experiences doing this? What should I book first and where should I start looking?

Thanks in advance.

Matt

fiscalfreckles

You have to look for both simultaneously, really.

here's a good website for villas - once you've chosen one you like, you deal directly with the owner:

http://www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/

Search for flights via easy jet etc or via the flight checker on this site.

One thing you have to watch out for is that some villas insist you arrive & leave on a certain changeover day (usually Sat!) which can limit your flight choices.

So, I check that the villa is available and that there are flights available at an acceptable price before initiating the booking. You then will have to pay for the flights in full, probably, to book them. You have a little bit of grace with the villa, as you have to send a deposit, and your booking isn't confirmed until you do.

Flights are generally more problematical, so i would book them first, but only having satisfied myself that there is plenty of accommodation available.

Hope that makes sense...

Good luck!

wendyjj

Hi,

I would recommend La Manga Club in Spain, fly either to Murcia or Alicante. We've booked through www.lamanga.com and we've booked through www.holiday-rentals.co.uk which is slightly cheaper. After we were a bit disapppointed with the villa last year (booked through holiday rentals), I would in future book through an agent then at least you can change villa if not satisfied. We booked Property 51744, it wasn't as good as the pictures, however all the other villas we have booked have surpassed our expectations. La Manga Club is fab.

deva

www.ownersdirect.co.uk as well as holiday rentals above, use www.skyscanner.co.uk for flights and then search car hire www.travelsupermarket.com be aware france, spain and italy will be on their national holidays so best to book asap
i recommend sicily and croatia as well as costa brava

Francophile

Try https://www.villarenters.com or https://www.holidaylets.net. They are both pretty good.
With villarenters you can book most villas online and it will be held for you without deposit for a certain length of time (varies according to the owner). This gives you time to book your flight in the certain knowledge that you have accommodation.

MrSmartprice

We have used Villarenters.com and Holidaylettings.co.uk and never had any problems. The sites are searchable by specific area as well as other criteria.

The advantage with using these sites is that they are private properties so you are not dealing with a holiday company. We have found that the letting periods are very flexible and you do not have set changeover days or even need to book exact weeks. We usually go midweek to midweek, for about 10 days at a time. They charge 'ten sevenths' of the weekly charge. It also means that you get the cheapest flights in midweek.

We tend to book the flights first. The best prices are obtained well in advance. Then nearer the time check out the villa rental sites. There are plenty available and it is a buyer's market. It is definitely the best way of having a holiday in Spain, we do it about 3 times a year.

jaymac_2

I usually use www.holiday-rentals.co.uk and if you're not fussed about where to go I'd pick the bit of Spain between Alicante and Murcia airports so you have a better choice of flights. Book the flights first, there is loads of accomodation in that area. Look at Skyscanner for an idea of prices but Alicante is usually cheaper than Murcia.