Planning
How to choose the right holiday villa: a practical checklist
Location, layout, pools and the small print. The questions worth asking before you book any villa.
· 7 min read
Start with location
Decide how you want to spend your days before you fall for a pool. Do you want to walk to the beach and to restaurants, or are you happy driving for privacy and views? Check the distance to the nearest shop and the airport transfer time too.
Check the layout, not just the bedroom count
Look at how bedrooms are configured: doubles, twins, bunks or sofa beds. Check how many bathrooms there are, and whether any rooms are in a separate annexe or up steep stairs.
Understand the pool
Is the pool private or shared? Is it heated, and is there an extra charge? For young children, check whether it's fenced, alarmed or covered.
Read the booking terms
Every provider's terms are different. Check what's included in the price, the security deposit, the cancellation policy and whether your booking is financially protected.