Holiday rentals provide fix for ‘binge holidaymaker’
As memories of Christmas and New Year festivities fade fast, our focus turns to our main priorities for the upcoming year; namely holidays, holidays and more holidays! Research from Mintel shows we are now a nation of ‘binge holidaymakers’, craving multiple, differing holiday experiences throughout the year.Though one in four of us daydreams about buying a holiday home, in reality the majority of Brits would rather spend their money enjoying a variety of breaks. For this reason, renting private holiday homes is increasingly popular as the huge variety on offer means there’s a home from home for all seasons. Holiday-Rentals.co.uk, the UK’s largest holiday rentals website, now lists over 45,000 properties worldwide, from city centre apartments, to beach front villas and ski chalets.
As we increasingly want not only more holidays, but more authenticity and flexibility, self-catering holidays that provide a closer-to-the-action experience are soaring in popularity and growing at a faster rate than overseas holidays in general, according to Mintel.
Thanks to the thousands of Brits who do now own holiday homes and rent them out on sites like Holiday-Rentals.co.uk, the choice of properties available is practically endless and there are properties to suit every type of holiday, from activity to exotic. Renting holiday homes direct from owners is also popular as it provides huge savings off travel agent prices, as well as more space, privacy and flexibility than a hotel.
Greg Grant, Country Manager for Holiday-Rentals.co.uk comments, “Holiday-Rentals.co.uk now lists an extraordinary selection of privately-owned holiday homes, enabling travellers to find the perfect home from home for their various holidays throughout the year.
“While many of these properties are located in Europe, as investors have become more adventurous there are also now hundreds of properties in exotic and secluded locations, as well as city centre apartments and unusual conversions, providing authentic and unique holiday experiences worldwide. Renting private holiday homes is not a new phenomena either; Holiday-Rentals.co.uk has been in business for over a decade and many Brits have been holidaying in this way for even longer.”
Holiday homes for all seasons available on Holiday-Rentals.co.uk
Spring – Culture and shopping with a city break
Make a chic apartment in a cosmopolitan city such as Paris, Barcelona or Rome the base for your spring breaks and enjoy long weekends of world-class shopping, culture, food and drink, and soaking up the ambiance of the city from your very own balcony or local café.
PARIS
Holiday-rentals.co.uk/74083: Modern one bedroom apartment in Montmartre €900 (£672) per week / €165 (£123) per night
This bright, modern apartment in the heart of Paris’ bustling art district, Montmartre, features a fully equipped, modern kitchen with breakfast bar, large sitting room with dining area, spacious double bedroom and large bathroom with bath and shower. Also includes DVD player, cable TV, computer with high-speed internet and cooking lessons on request.
BARCELONA
Holiday-rentals.co.uk/60507: Funky two bedroom apartment 5 mins from Las Ramblas €693 (£517) per week / €110 (£82) per night
This funky, designer apartment boast top-class facilities and furnishings and a prime location just a few minute’s walk from Las Ramblas in the centre of Barcelona. The two double bedrooms, living area, kitchen and bathroom all feature equipment from the best brands and furnishings include wooden beams, top class Italian ceramics, tropical woods and natural oak and Indian stone floors.
Summer – Take off to your private villa in the sun
Enjoy all the benefits of a private villa with pool without having to worry about the mortgage! Whether you’re looking for a base near all the action of a top summer resort, or somewhere more peaceful and secluded, there are thousands of villas to choose from in favourite holiday destinations such as France and Spain, as well as in emerging hotspots like Bulgaria, Croatia and Montenegro.
MAR MENOR, COSTA CALIDA, SPAIN
Holiday-rentals.co.uk/17548: Exclusive four bedroom villa with pool, hot-tub, gym & games room €2,000 to €2,250 (£1,493 to £1,679) per week in Jun/Jul/Aug
This stunning, detached villa is situated on the exclusive Mar Menor Golf Resort; a 5-star, luxury, Polaris World Resort with 24 hour security and all amenities you could possibly need on site, including a medical centre and supermarket. The villa, however, still provides total privacy and guests benefit from their own huge private pool, hot-tub, gym and games room.
VAR, PROVENCE, FRANCE
Holiday-rentals.co.uk/56112: Romantic, traditional Provencal villa in leafy surroundings, from £1,200 to £1,800 per week from Jun to Sept
Set in the heart of the Var, this romantic villa sits in one acre of grounds filled with olive and cypress trees, providing a wonderfully peaceful, shady haven to laze away the sunny days. The large pool and terrace are bathed in sunlight all day long, with comfortable loungers and umbrellas to ensure total relaxation. Inside, the villa features pretty antique furnishings in keeping with is original character, creating a beautiful holiday home.
Autumn – Rural retreats or action-packed adventure
To experience the best of the autumn colours, rent an idyllic rural retreat somewhere with beautiful countryside like England or Italy. Whether you want total peace and quiet, or an action-packed adventure, a home in the country makes the ideal base: Enjoy country walks, horse-riding, cycling and fishing in beautiful surroundings and then return to your own cosy cottage or farmhouse to warm up around the fire. Do as much or as little as you want!
CALDBECK, LAKE DISTRICT, ENGLAND
Holiday-rentals.co.uk/82107: Luxury 5* character cottage with period features & large garden £590 per week / £110 per night in Sept/Oct
Situated on the edge of Caldbeck, with views across open countryside yet within easy strolling distance of all village amenities, this 3 bedroom, 5* Tourist Board accredited 18C luxury cottage has been renovated to an exceptionally high standard. Afternoon tea and a start hamper including seasonal local produce and wine is included in the price, and additional meals can be ordered on request.
CITTA DI CASTELLO AREA, UMBRIA/TUSCANY BORDER, ITALY
Holiday-rentals.co.uk/11291: Stunning five bedroom stone farmhouse with incredible views £1,300 to £1,700 per week / £185 to £240 per night in Sept/Oct
‘Casa Colcello’, a spacious stone farmhouse set on a 10 acre estate of olive trees, meadows and woodland has been renovated to an extremely standard by the owners who have retained all its original charm whilst providing all modern comforts. There are few other houses in sight and no traffic noise, providing the perfect place to relax and unwind and a great base from which to discover Tuscany and Umbria.
Winter – A spot of skiing or some winter sun
For snowbunnies, there are a mountain of ski apartments and chalets available, and for sun-lovers there are thousands of properties available in hotter climes. Rentals in the Canaries, Cyprus, Greece, Morocco and Turkey are a great value, short-haul option for winter sun, while for a more exotic escape there is a wide choice of properties in Bali, the Caribbean, South Africa and Thailand.
BANSKO, BULGARIA
Holiday-rentals.co.uk/71444: One bedroom apartment with access to indoor pool, sauna & gym £250 to £300 per week in ski season
This modern apartment is set on a new development that features its own indoor pool, sauna, gym, and restaurant and is in a superb location just a short walk from the gondola station, town centre and local amenities. Set on the first floor, the apartment has a private balcony with panoramic views of the mountains, bathroom with bath and shower, fully fitted kitchen, and open plan dining/living area with cable TV and DVD player.
SAMOENS, GRAND MASSIF, FRANCE
Holiday-rentals.co.uk/66205: Luxury apartment 100m from ski lift with private parking & ski lockers €1,380 to €2,800 (£1,030 to £2,090) per week in ski season
This luxury three bedroom apartment is just 100m from the Grand Massif Express ski lift and five minutes walk to the centre of Samoens. Set within private lawned gardens, in a quiet location with breathtaking views. Opposite is a bakery, sports and equipment shop. Equipped with luxury and comfort in mind, it features under floor heating, washing machine, dishwasher and full size oven with ceramic hobs. Plus, secure underground parking and ski lockers.
PAPHOS, CYPRUS
Holiday-rentals.co.uk/15326: Cute two bedroom villa on small complex with communal pool £175 to £245 per week / £25 to £35 per night in winter
This cute, end-terrace, two bedroom villa is faultlessly furnished and proves ample space for a couple or family of four. The two bedrooms include a king-size master and twin, each with their own balcony, and there is a private patio area with BBQ, which leads out to the communal pool area. A parking space is provided, but a car is not necessary, since many of the major attractions of Paphos and the beach are within walking distance.
KAS, TURKEY
Holiday-rentals.co.uk/52456: Stylish three bedroom villa with private pool, sea & mountain views £650 per week in winter
This contemporary villa is located on the lagoon side of the exclusive Kas peninsula on Turkey’s beautiful Mediterranean coast and boasts fantastic sea and mountain views. Stylishly furnished and air conditioned throughout, the villa features three ensuite double bedrooms, including a master bedroom with romantic four-poster, a large private infinity pool and garden, gourmet kitchen, utility room, and spacious living room.
ESSAOUIRA, MOROCCO
Holiday-rentals.co.uk/13882: An extraordinary townhouse with private sauna & roof terrace £580 per week year-round (based on 2 sharing)
Welcome to ‘Dar Rondé’; a unique Riad townhouse with rounded walls, Berber doorways, vibrantly coloured stone floors and fireplaces set deep in to soaring white walls. Designed by Maria Pergay, it is spread over three floors with two large en-suite bedrooms, two secluded terraces and a stylish sauna on the top floor. A flowering garden fills the tiled courtyard circled by glass walls, a library and a salon with long sofas and spacious dining area.
KO SUMUI, THAILAND
Holiday-rentals.co.uk/84729: Four bedroom villa with stunning infinity pool, deck & sala, set on a lush hillside $3,500 (£1,768) per week Jan to Apr
This spacious, luxurious four bedroom, open plan villa is fronted by a 14m x 6m infinity-edge swimming pool that overhangs beautifully landscaped gardens and the tropical jungle below. Adjacent to the pool is a spacious sala (open pavilion) that is perfect for relaxing, day or night. The house is simply but elegantly furnished throughout with contemporary Thai furniture and artifacts and a live-in couple takes care of the housekeeping and breakfast.
Holiday-Rentals.co.uk top 10 tips for renting direct from owners
- Speak to the owner before you confirm your booking to sound them out about the property, exact location and nearby facilities.
- Ask for extra photos if not all rooms are shown in the advert. Also ask if the owner has a private website.
- Ask to see references from previous guests. You may have to go on gut instinct if you’re their first ever guests though!
- Make sure you understand the owner’s policies on refunds and cancellations etc… and ask if they can provide a rental contract.
- Get everything in writing and ensure you have a complete record of all communications. Follow up all telephone conversations with an email.
- Ask the owner the best way to get to the property. Can they arrange airport transfers? Many owners can help you get special deals, or the best price from local cab or car-hire firms.
- Verify check-in / check-out times. Ask the owner if this is flexible.
- Check key handover details and get a mobile number for the person if someone is handing them over on arrival.
- Get emergency contact details for the person who will deal with any problems once you’re there, and also for local emergency services and maintenance staff.
- Check if you need to clean the place before you leave, or if an end-of-stay clean is, or can be, included in the rental rates.
