VILLA THRILLERS
There’s one good reason why there are so many villas available to rent abroad nowadays – people love them. A holiday home of your own is great for families because it means everyone can have their own room in which to spread out. You can choose when – and what – to eat, and the kids can make as much noise as they like without disturbing anyone.
Couples love the privacy, friends can enjoy a great catch-up, and who isn’t going to relish a private pool and a stunning location? Finally, villa holidays offer excellent value for money as the ‘per person’ cost usually works out much cheaper than booking several hotel rooms. But with so much choice, how do you find the perfect property for you?
Abi Dare of i-escape.com, a UK-based website offering exciting and unusual places worldwide, has some great tips. ‘Plan ahead’, she says. ‘Rates aren’t usually better at the last minute. In fact, there’s a good chance they will be lower, booked in advance.
‘Write a list of what you need to make your holiday tick – a pool, how close it is to a town or beach – as well as smaller things, such as whether you’ll be able to watch TV or DVDs in the evening and what equipment you’ll need to cook your favourite food.
‘Also, would you like a cleaner or maid to visit? Many villas offer concierge services to help you book activities and get the most out of the local area.
‘A private swimming pool often tops the list of requirements, closely followed by an al-fresco dining area and a BBQ.
‘Our clients like the information pack providing advice on the local area,’ Abi continues. ‘It’s always useful to know where the nearest shops are, as well as recommended restaurants and things to do.’
Once you’ve made your list, take advantage of i-escape.com’s advanced search, which fi lters by facilities, number of people, location and activities/ interests. The company’s collection includes villas sleeping from two to 22 (as well as boutique hotels, guest houses and lodges).
The Olive Press, Crete, a restored 18th-century villa, has a well-equipped kitchen, rustic-chic rooms, a pool and gardens. There are beaches nearby and the villa concierge can arrange mountain biking and trekking.
The cost is from €300 (around £250) per night, sleeping six to 12, and includes daily cleaning, pool attendant and gardener: www.i-escape.com/placestostay.php
There are plenty of private villas and specialist companies to choose from. If you are planning a signifi cant birthday-party weekend, or other celebration, the Wow House Company offers 100 prestigious homes and seaside properties in locations worldwide, which come with luxurious extras, such as a home cinema, spa, indoor pool and a helipad. 01242-220006, www.thewowhousecompany.co.uk
Spain-holiday.com has more than 6,600 properties across Spain, the Canaries and the Balearic Islands, including caves, boats and castles, with something to suit all budgets. 020-3384 7066, www.spain-holiday.com
The 2’s Company Travel offers self-catering love nests for couples in Andalucia. 01380-816658, www.the2scompanytravel.com
Luxury villa specialist Scott Williams has more than 100 handpicked villas and houses across France, Greece, Ibiza, Italy, Mallorca, Spain, Morocco and Turkey – from a rambling chateau in the Dordogne, to a designer pad in Paxos. 01963-33046, www.scottwilliams.co.uk
James Villas offers villas in more than 50 destinations across the Mediterranean and beyond. 0800-0740279, www.jamesvillas.com
For more villa holidays, see our Classifieds section.
Couples love the privacy, friends can enjoy a great catch-up, and who isn’t going to relish a private pool and a stunning location? Finally, villa holidays offer excellent value for money as the ‘per person’ cost usually works out much cheaper than booking several hotel rooms. But with so much choice, how do you find the perfect property for you?
Abi Dare of i-escape.com, a UK-based website offering exciting and unusual places worldwide, has some great tips. ‘Plan ahead’, she says. ‘Rates aren’t usually better at the last minute. In fact, there’s a good chance they will be lower, booked in advance.
‘Write a list of what you need to make your holiday tick – a pool, how close it is to a town or beach – as well as smaller things, such as whether you’ll be able to watch TV or DVDs in the evening and what equipment you’ll need to cook your favourite food.
‘Also, would you like a cleaner or maid to visit? Many villas offer concierge services to help you book activities and get the most out of the local area.
‘A private swimming pool often tops the list of requirements, closely followed by an al-fresco dining area and a BBQ.
‘Our clients like the information pack providing advice on the local area,’ Abi continues. ‘It’s always useful to know where the nearest shops are, as well as recommended restaurants and things to do.’
Once you’ve made your list, take advantage of i-escape.com’s advanced search, which fi lters by facilities, number of people, location and activities/ interests. The company’s collection includes villas sleeping from two to 22 (as well as boutique hotels, guest houses and lodges).
The Olive Press, Crete, a restored 18th-century villa, has a well-equipped kitchen, rustic-chic rooms, a pool and gardens. There are beaches nearby and the villa concierge can arrange mountain biking and trekking.
The cost is from €300 (around £250) per night, sleeping six to 12, and includes daily cleaning, pool attendant and gardener: www.i-escape.com/placestostay.php
There are plenty of private villas and specialist companies to choose from. If you are planning a signifi cant birthday-party weekend, or other celebration, the Wow House Company offers 100 prestigious homes and seaside properties in locations worldwide, which come with luxurious extras, such as a home cinema, spa, indoor pool and a helipad. 01242-220006, www.thewowhousecompany.co.uk
Spain-holiday.com has more than 6,600 properties across Spain, the Canaries and the Balearic Islands, including caves, boats and castles, with something to suit all budgets. 020-3384 7066, www.spain-holiday.com
The 2’s Company Travel offers self-catering love nests for couples in Andalucia. 01380-816658, www.the2scompanytravel.com
Luxury villa specialist Scott Williams has more than 100 handpicked villas and houses across France, Greece, Ibiza, Italy, Mallorca, Spain, Morocco and Turkey – from a rambling chateau in the Dordogne, to a designer pad in Paxos. 01963-33046, www.scottwilliams.co.uk
James Villas offers villas in more than 50 destinations across the Mediterranean and beyond. 0800-0740279, www.jamesvillas.com
For more villa holidays, see our Classifieds section.